TORONTO, ONTARIO – Susan Hoeppner is charged up for another busy season as one of Canada’s most pre-eminent flutists on the concert circuit. Along with a busy performance schedule which includes a Srul Irving Glick tribute concert, Susan teaches at the University of Toronto, as well as teaching every summer at Domaine Forget every June; 2010 will mark her 11^th year. She also gives master classes at the Julius Baker master class at the Western Connecticut University every August. A proud Canadian, Susan always performs at least one Canadian work when she tours, and is proud the Glick Sonata is requested every time she returns to Japan in concert.

One important class Susan Hoeppner teaches, and has strong feelings about, is the Woodwind Performance Class, which started in the fall of 2006 with the University of Toronto clarinet teacher and performer, Peter Stoll. He wanted to provide more opportunities for wind players to receive feedback about not only their playing technique, but their "on-stage technique". Susan started co-teaching this class this season. In a time where being a great musician is not enough – students must be hip to their marketing, media interview techniques, etc. – it’s crucial that students learn a thing or two about performance presentation – and that ever-elusive thing called "stage presence". And if some students aren’t naturally blessed with a strong presence, it’s important to build their confidence onstage to show them off to best advantage. "I have my students think about not only the musical and technical prowess in a performance, but how comfortably they present themselves to an audience. I remind them of concerts they’ve attended where they felt uncomfortable because of something awkward about the performer, and how to avoid doing that to themselves and the audience. Part of a great concert is imparting their confidence to ease the audience."

Such awkwardness or confidence can easily be seen when watching TV shows such as "Canadian Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance Canada" from the hopeless whom are weeded out early on, to the talented but undeveloped who get stronger and better with each round. Susan explains her philosophy further: "I love teaching confidence to students. I love to see them respond in a positive way, which builds their musical self-esteem. Now that performing is second nature to me, I enjoy sharing that aspect with students who might not otherwise understand why a performance is great - or not! The students to learn how to put on a great concert!"

Susan Hoeppner’s performance and master class schedule: