Ketija Ringa Karahona

Jazz, Pop, Classical Flute Lessons in Amsterdam

Hi, I am Ketija Ringa Karahona, a Latvian flute player trained at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and New School of Music in New York. My background combines both classical and jazz / improvised music

Where do I teach?

The in person lessons are available in my cozy studio in KNSM-eiland or at your place. Online lessons are possible as well.

Discover flute through music you love!

If you love the flute, I will help you unlock its potential and create a learning process that’s tailored for your taste and music that you’re interested in. With clear instructions, fun exercises and playing all kinds of flute duets you’ll develop a beautiful sound, efficient breathing and good technique.

Begin with a trial lesson!

I believe it’s best to always meet first with a trial lesson to get to know each other a little bit and see if it’s a good fit. Feel free to bring anything you are interested in.

Genres

We can work on your favourite movie tracks, jazz standards, Brazilian music, classical pieces, folk and popsongs. I’m open to your suggestions!

What is a good age to start with Flute Lessons?

Any age is great to begin playing this wonderful instrument. For children I would suggest starting around the age of 7. Your child needs to be able to reach the keys and hold the instrument in a relaxed way. It is best if your child has its front teeth, as this helps form a stable embouchure (lip position) to produce a good sound.

Let’s go!

We’ll start out learning how to produce sound while keeping a relaxed, healthy posture and applying it on playing simple melodies and playful exercises. I will also teach you how to read music notation. It is a good tool for accessing music you want to learn. Learning to play by ear straight to the instrument is an awarding way to develop your musical ear aswell.

Interested in improvisation?

Many people (me included - when I first moved away from classical music) are afraid to play the “wrong notes” when starting out to improvise. My wish is to embrace this process and approach it with love and curiosity, gradually gathering some simple tools to use while improvising, for instance, pentatonic scales, rhythmic ideas (think of ‘One Note Samba’ by Carlos Jobim!), slowly learning different chord scales that you can apply on songs and, maybe most importantly, developing the connection between what you hear and imagine to your instrument.

Music theory is your creative advantage

Music theory doesn’t have to be intimidating, it can be your greatest ally. I’ll guide you through the essential building blocks of music in a way that’s clear, inspiring, and immediately useful. As your understanding grows, so will your ability to create, improvise, and express your own musical ideas with confidence. Whether you’re curious about improvisation or ready to explore composition, we’ll always connect theory directly to practice, so you can hear, feel, and use what you learn right away.

Discover the versatility of the flute!

The flute is one of the oldest instruments in human history, yet its voice remains fresh, expressive, and incredibly diverse. From the soulful explorations of Roland Kirk to the iconic sound of Jethro Tull, from the smooth elegance of Bossa Nova to the charm of Irish folk music, the flute moves effortlessly across styles. You’ll hear it in modern hip-hop, and in the unforgettable, emotional soundscapes of films like The Lord of the Rings.

Enter the next level!

If you are an experienced player, I am eager to help you dive deeper and find ways to bring your playing and musicality into the next level. Explore different techniques like singing and playing at the same time, using overtone series to create cool effects and much more!

Tailoring the process to your needs.

I believe it’s most important to follow your interest and embrace the process with curiosity, always keeping a supportive study environment where you can enjoy the process as much as possible.

Do you have your own flute?

If you don’t have an instrument yet, I will help find you a good beginner’s option!

About Me

For the last years I have been actively taking part in the European jazz scene, performing professionally with various bands, covering different styles from jazz to classical to pop music and everything that’s in between. Besides performing in various venues, I am also a composer.