Music lessons that will inspire love for music and confidence in performance
Discover Private, Niagara-Based Music Lessons That Are Fun, Affordable, and Guaranteed to Make You Love Music!
Our Story
Charlene Flikkema is the sole owner and proprietor of Flikkema Music Studios in Wainfleet, Ontario. Charlene loved music and had a passion for singing at a very young age. Not really being able to remember when she learned to read music, formal lessons began at the age of 10 on the piano first, achieving RCM level 8 by the age of 16 whilst also playing flute throughout grade school and high school. At the age of 19 Charlene began her formal voice training. Spending 12 years with the vocal coach from Brock University in St. Catharines, achieving RCM level 8 (First Class Honours with Distinction), 9 (First Class Honours) and 10 (Honours) as well as History I and Harmony I, then spending 5 years with Holly Gwynne-Timothy immersing herself in the medieval technique.
Following her move back to the Niagara Region after some time in Burlington, Charlene discovered Dr. Maria Vetere of the Vetere Studio and began a new journey in opera there. Charlene has had opportunities to perform numerous operatic roles with Dr. Vetere and Opera Niagara. All during this time Charlene has continued teaching music lessons in Niagara endowing students with the techniques gleaned from Dr. Vetere in the classic Bel Canto style as performed by the greats such as Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi and more. Charlene spent a whole month in Italy immersed in the Italian culture while singing at Verdi’s studio and his home in Milan. Her latest endeavor was with Opera Niagara at the Opera Festival in Niagara Falls this past summer 2024 performing Puccini’s Le villi.
Charlene has been teaching private lessons since she was 16 years old, starting with piano then adding voice and most recently teaching flute as well. Over 30 years experience in the studio as well as over 30 years of performance experience.
Our Vision
Flikkema Music Studios endeavors to provide quality private music lessons for the Niagara Region as well as beyond via online. Lessons are catered to the students abilities, tastes and desires while still maintaining a high level of technique and pedagogy. Our desire is for students to find success and discover the joy in music and performance.
You can be rest assured that your child or yourself are in good hands when you begin your music journey with us.
Why Us
Lessons are private one on one sessions.Book A Free Consultation- Various range of styles and genres while maintaining a high standard of techniqueBook A Free Consultation
- Ages range from 6-adult depending on discipline (i.e. depending on whether voice piano or flute)Book A Free Consultation
- Performance opportunities as well as guidance through RCM examinations.Book A Free Consultation
- Relaxed atmosphereBook A Free Consultation
- Lessons will be adapted to student’s ability and tastes in musicBook A Free Consultation
- Comfortable studio with high ceilings and plenty of natural lightBook A Free Consultation
- Friendly teachersBook A Free Consultation
All Services Offered
One on one vocal classes for beginners to advanced level. Vocal pedagogy in the classic bel canto style, vowel placement, breath support, diction, performance and musicianship. Enrollment in competition and festivals if desired. Opportunities to perform in recitals and concerts. Exam preparation.
One on one piano instruction for beginners to intermediate level. Technique, musicianship, exam preparation. Aid in repertoire selection. Opportunities to perform in recitals and competition.
One on one flute instruction for beginners to intermediate level. Technique, musicianship, exam preparation. Aid in repertoire selection. Opportunities to perform in recitals and competition.
One on one theory instruction for beginners to intermediate level. Rudiments, harmony and history included, exam preparation.
Need an Instrument?
You cannot over estimate the importance of a good instrument. While students can learn on small keyboards as well as lower end flutes, finger development, embouchure strengthening and proper technique can only be gained when using a quality instrument.
For more information on how to shop for a good instrument Flikkema Music Studios highly recommends Long and McQuade in St. Catharines for wisdom and advice on purchasing or instrument repair and maintenance.
Long and McQuade in St. Catharines is a quality establishment that can meet your instrument purchase and repair needs.
Student Success Stories
“Charlene truly teaches from the heart My daughter is very blessed to have her as a punctual and professional instructor whose joyful passion for music truly inspires her to do her best at learning to play the piano! Charlene has a gift for instilling a lifelong love for music and we are grateful for that.”
- Parent
“I love Charlene’s spirit. She is patient, kind, firm, encouraging, talented. My girls have done voice, flute and guitar with her. They have were coached through voice exams successfully. Love working with her. She has become a friend.”
- Parent“I’ve had other voice teachers before I met Charlene, but she was the first teacher who managed to transform my voice within a few lessons. I have been with her ever since! Every year I have felt my voice continue to develop under her instruction and it has been amazing to look back at old pieces I struggled with and realize that now I can sing with them with much more ease and skill. She has also helped me prepare for many recitals, voice exams and concerts throughout the years. I am grateful for the confidence in my performance abilities that she has instilled and for all the extra support along the way!”
- Parent
30+ years of teaching and performing
Explore Charlene Flikkema's 30+ years of teaching and performing, including operatic roles with Opera Niagara and training at Verdi’s studio in Milan, shaping exceptional music instruction.
Multiple students that have come through Flikkema Music Studios have been coached through various level of RCM examinations and have done very well.
Students have had the opportunity to compete and have achieved great level of success in Ontario through Kiwanis and various other music festivals including being asked to sing at gala concerts
Charlene has also achieved a great level of success in competition and performance. She has competed at various festivals, won several scholarships and received the Mary Gardiner award from Ms. Gardiner herself following performing Ms. Gardiner’s piece:
“The Mary Gardiner Award of Performance Excellence was established to honour her contributions to Canadian Music. The award recognizes outstanding performances of Canadian composers by Junior and Senior musicians.”
Students have achieved high levels in examinations, scholarships and awards. Flikkema Music Studios also desires to raise up new teachers that pass on the unique grassroots Bel Canto technique. Students from this studio have already begun to teach others sharing the wonders of the Bel Canto style.
