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Players travel from all over the UK to take advantage of the expert individual tuition provided by Nicholas and Sien Vallis-Davies. Some students attend weekly; some fortnightly or monthly, while others enjoy occasional consultations.

Sessions tend to be most beneficial for adult players and clients who are interested in:

• Discovering the latest techniques to achieve peak potential in performance

• Developing the most beautiful tone possible

• Exploring the most inspiring repertoire for the instrument in depth and in imaginative new ways

• Improving technical ability and conquering technical weaknesses by novel methods.

Most of all, lessons are enjoyable, focusing on playing the flute and oboe and pursuing the art of peak-performance in a positive, self-affirming way, whatever your level. Age is not relevant and is no obstacle to study (so many enjoy success in their retirement).

Also supported, as part of an integrated approach to performance and musical exploration in general, is advanced study leading to diploma qualifications and professional/semi professional/amateur orchestral and solo work, if you’d like to go in this direction

Do you have a question? If you are frustrated by a particular flute or oboe challenge, do send us an email: mail@vallis-davies.com, and we shall do our best to help.

Open Academy offers the opportunity to explore, in an enlightened and enjoyable way, the finer aspects of FLUTE performance, OBOE performance, chamber music and also - in dedicated PEAK PERFORMANCE consultations - the latest techniques for conquering performance anxiety and reaching the highest possible potential. These consultations are available to all instrumentalists and singers.

Open Academy was founded in 1997 by Nicholas and Sien Vallis-Davies to share the exhilaration they had formerly enjoyed during their professional careers as soloists for EMI, principals with the London Symphony and London Philharmonic Orchestras and masterclass tutors at the Royal Academy of Music etc.

Consultations at Open Academy are enjoyed by:

• Dedicated flute teachers and oboe teachers who are looking for innovative new ideas to learn and share, refresher study or help in gaining higher qualifications.

• Anyone interested in discovering confidence-boosting techniques, performance and technical tips, expert and expedient problem-solving, technical advice and enjoyable good humoured lessons.

• Professional, semi-professional and freelance performers preparing for auditions who would like to learn the secrets of success in this area, and exactly how to achieve high professional standards consistently.

• Everyone who wants to enjoy playing inspiring music for sheer pleasure, in an encouraging and helpful setting.

Open Academy takes place within the compelling landscape of the Somerset Levels, a few miles from Glastonbury Tor , Wells Cathedral and Glastonbury Abbey.

Nicholas and Sien Vallis-Davies, directors, have an international reputation for their transformative expression in sound, inspirational consultation work with individuals, and their enlightened approach to the fascinating area of performance psychology.

They have spent 25 years on their own path of exploration. In that time their music books and CDs (published by MUSIC SALES, USA) have been selling in every major city throughout the world, and their film and media music (published by EMI and Boosey & Hawkes), is heard in cinemas and homes globally.

Sought after as soloists in their early career by the LSO and London Philharmonic Orchestras, and as masterclass consultants at European Conservatoires and Universities, they have an abundance of practical knowledge, as well as doctorates in music.

By founding Open Academy they have realised their vision to share, with literally thousands of flautists, oboists and peak-performance clients already, all the most helpful, self-supportive philosophies which they have been fortunate to discover and research through their own varied and life-changing experiences.

‘With all our clients, we explore connecting with the true intent behind the sound, projecting nourishing thoughts while playing and developing deep, invincible core confidence.

‘We sincerely believe that human potential is truly unlimited and so is everyone’s playing potential...there is so much to learn from playing a simple expressive tune. There is so much kindness to express in a single note.

‘We encourage everyone to see way beyond traditional, outdated hard-graft approaches. To relish applying the ideas; playing good music with dynamism and exhilaration, and applying peak performance techniques for enhancement at every level’.