Jim Walker’s “Beyond The Masterclass” 10th anniversary flute week welcomes guest artists Rose Lombardo (principal flute of the San Diego Symphony) and Benjamin Smolen (principal flute of the Pacific Symphony).  BTMC combines both traditional masterclasses with unique seminars designed to expand flutists’ horizons. Daily masterclasses focus on student performance, and a variety of workshops and seminars cover topics such as improvisation, orchestral auditions, session playing, career building, and more. Hosted at The Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, performers play in masterclasses, attend all daily sessions, receive a private lesson with Jim or Diana, attend a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert at the Hollywood Bowl, and perform in a student recital.

Advanced high school, college, and professional level flutists are welcome to apply as performers. BTMC now offers a Young Performers Program for talented middle school through high school students. There are several different options available for auditing classes. Join us from July 9th-15th, 2017 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, California.  Apply now!  

Auditors are invited to attend all masterclasses and events during the week.  For auditing pricing click here.  Directions to Colburn are available here.  All recitals are free and open to the public and please check the schedule for details.  For more information please email jwmasterclass@gmail.com.  

Our busy week included 11 masterclasses, 5 recitals, 36 private lessons, 1 trip to the Hollywood Bowl.  Thank you to our 6 faculty, 26 performers, 10 young performers and 3 week-long auditors for making our class so exceptional! For more photos click here.  

All class participants will receive a free ticket hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Tuesday, July 26th, 2016 at the Hollywood Bowl. This program is flute-heavy and features: 
​BEETHOVEN: Leonore Overture No. 3Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3
BEETHOVEN: Choral Fantasy
RAVEL: Mother Goose SuiteRavel: Mother Goose Suite
RAVEL: Daphnis and Chloé Suite No. 2
Applications are coming in quickly, complete yours by May 1st, 2016! 

 We are thrilled to announce our guest artist, Denis Bouriakov, will be giving masterclasses and a recital for all participants of BTMC. Recently appointed Principal Flute of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and formerly Principal Flute of the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Bouriakov enjoys one of the fastest growing careers in the flute world. He has won prizes in many of the most important international competitions, including the Jean-Pierre Rampal, the Munich ARD, the Prague Spring, the Carl Nielsen, and the Kobe competitions. Bouriakov looks outside the standard flute repertoire for works that allow the flute to shine. In addition to having a phenomenal virtuoso technique, he is continually transcribing and performing violin concertos and sonatas, expanding the limits of flute technique and artistry. 

Mr. Bouriakov released his first solo CD in 2009, which includes the Sibelius Violin Concerto in his own arrangement. He has also recorded the Bach Concerto for 2 Violins in d minor with flutist William Bennett and the English Chamber Orchestra. His 2012 CD, recorded in Japan, includes works by Copland, Debussy, Boehm, Jolivet and Prokofiev. Bouriakov has performed worldwide as a soloist with many orchestras, including the Moscow Philharmonic, the Prague Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble of Tokyo, the Odense Symphony, the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble of Paris and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra.

Denis Bouriakov was born in Crimea (now the Ukraine). At the age of ten, he was given a place at the Moscow Central Special Music School, where he studied with Professor Y.N. Dolzhikov. With the support of the ”New Names” International Charity Foundation and the Vladimir Spivakov Foundation, he toured as soloist to over 20 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, and the USA. He went on to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying with Professor William Bennett (OBE). His graduation in 2001 was accompanied by the “Principal’s Award”, the diploma for Outstanding Recital, and the Teaching Fellowship Award for the following year. In 2006, the Academy awarded him the title of ARAM, Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. While in London, Bouriakov freelanced as principal flute with the Philharmonia of London, the LPO, Leeds Opera North and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony.

Bouriakov’s first position was Principal Flute with the Tampere Philharmonic in Finland, where he also taught at the Tampere Conservatory of Music for 3 years. In 2008, he was appointed Principal Flute with the Barcelona Symphony under Eiji Oue. Later that year he won the Principal Flute position in the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Mr. Bouriakov is very active as a soloist, orchestra player and teacher; his recent engagements have included recitals and master classes in Europe, Asia, USA and Australia. 

Thank you for joining me for our 8th annual class, what a talented bunch of flutists!  

Now accepting applications for our summer masterclass at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles.  In addition to working with Jim Walker throughout the week, every student will have the opportunity to perform for our special guest artist Sarah Jackson, flutist and piccoloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.  
Submit your applications here.

Beyond the Masterclass VIII dates for 2015 are July 19-25 at The Colburn School.  Application information will be available in December. 

Thank you to everyone for a fantastic class this year, keep practicing until we meet again!