Flute Lessons in Tennessee
What flute lessons cost across Tennessee, and how to find the right teacher.
Flute lesson prices across Tennessee
A one-hour flute lesson in Tennessee typically costs $58 to $83, and a half hour $32 to $45. Most towns sit close to that range. The Nashville area runs highest, up to $97 an hour.
Every town has two guides: a flute lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville area | |||
| Nashville | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Murfreesboro | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Franklin | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Spring Hill | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Hendersonville | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Smyrna | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Gallatin | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Brentwood | $32–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Columbia | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Lebanon | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Mount Juliet | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| La Vergne | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Springfield | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Goodlettsville | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Dickson | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Nolensville | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| White House | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Portland | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Hartsville | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Memphis area | |||
| Memphis | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Bartlett | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Collierville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Germantown | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Arlington | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakeland | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Millington | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Atoka | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Knoxville area | |||
| Knoxville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Oak Ridge | $31–$44 | $57–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Maryville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Farragut | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Powell | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Alcoa | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Lenoir City | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Chattanooga area | |||
| Chattanooga | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| East Ridge | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Soddy-Daisy | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Middle Valley | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Red Bank | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Collegedale | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Kingsport area | |||
| Kingsport | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Bristol | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Johnson City area | |||
| Johnson City | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Elizabethton | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Sevierville area | |||
| Sevierville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Seymour | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Tullahoma area | |||
| Tullahoma | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Manchester | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Tennessee towns | |||
| Athens | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Clarksville | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Cleveland | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Cookeville | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Crossville | $31–$44 | $57–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Dyersburg | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Greeneville | $31–$44 | $58–$80 | LessonsCosts |
| Jackson | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Lawrenceburg | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Lewisburg | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Martin | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| McMinnville | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Morristown | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Shelbyville | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Union City | $32–$46 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
No Tennessee town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Tennessee.
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- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Weekly options for changing family calendars
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How flute learning works in Tennessee
How does flute fit school music in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, flute usually enters school life through band rather than a separate flute class, and students often begin band in sixth grade. The start differs by district: Sevier County and Maryville begin in fifth grade, while Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools lists beginning band at Martin Luther King Jr. School in seventh grade. Tennessee requires public schools to include music instruction through eighth grade, but local boards decide how it is delivered. A school band can give you or your child regular ensemble experience; private lessons build flute technique and reading alongside it.
When school music starts in Tennessee districts
Who runs what for Tennessee flutists?
Tennessee's student music routes are run by separate groups, so the right path depends on whether you want an ensemble honor or an individual performance contest. The Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA) supports school music and All-State ensembles, while the Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA) runs spring auditions that can advance students from local to state competition. The West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association coordinates information for the All-State band route. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) governs school athletics, not music honors, so it is not the organization to follow for flute auditions.
Who runs what in Tennessee
Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA)
- Runs
- Supports school music and runs All-State student ensembles.
- For
- School music students through director routes
Tennessee Music Teachers Association (TMTA)
- Runs
- Runs spring local auditions and state student competitions.
- For
- Elementary, junior, and senior students
West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association
- Runs
- Coordinates regional music events and All-State audition information.
- For
- School band and orchestra students
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)
- Runs
- Governs secondary-school athletic relations, not music contests.
- For
- Tennessee secondary schools
Auditions and events in Tennessee
How does a flutist reach Tennessee's top student honors?
For a school ensemble honor, the route begins with a director-supported audition: a TMEA member director may nominate seventh- or eighth-grade students for Tennessee Middle School Honors Band, while high-school flutists pursue All-State through the regional process. The high-school route includes a 9th–10th-grade audition using region music, followed by a chair-placement video; in 2026–27, videos are due December 11, results are due by January 4, and the convention is January 13–16 in Nashville. For an individual solo honor, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) starts at Tennessee state competition, then advances representatives to Southern Division video competition and national finals. TMTA offers another spring route from local auditions to state competition.
The flute route in Tennessee, step by step
- Middle School Honors BandA TMEA member director may submit up to twelve seventh- or eighth-grade students per school, with no more than three on one instrument; the event is tied to the January convention.
- High-school All-StateThe route uses region audition music and a director-supported process; 9th–10th-grade students submit an audition to TMEA.
- Chair placementSelected high-school candidates continue by video before the January All-State convention.
- Solo competitionsMTNA state representatives advance to Southern Division video competition and then national finals; TMTA local auditions lead to state for qualifying students.
The Tennessee flute year
MTNA Competitions – Fall 2026 (Tennessee state-level rounds)Music Teachers National Association; Tennessee host: Tennessee Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece Apr to Jul
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For Tennessee's All-State flute audition, prepare the region audition music and follow the procedure for your route. The second-tier window opens in late October and closes in early November, with no late auditions accepted. High-school students continuing to chair placement submit a video in December, with results due in early January. For Tennessee Music Teachers Association competitions, prepare a local performance audition and the required musicianship work; a Superior rating and meeting those requirements qualify a student for state. Weekly lessons over three to six months give an event piece time to develop securely.
What else is there to enter?
TMTA's spring competitions suit elementary, junior, and senior players who want an individual performance goal outside school band; students begin locally and qualifying performers move to the state competition. The Spring 2027 application deadline is April 15, and the state competition takes place with the association's conference. Students who prefer playing with others can also look toward the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, where school groups compete, or attend its performances as listeners. These routes let a flutist choose between a solo challenge and a shared ensemble experience.
Flute events in Tennessee, 2026–27
Tennessee Music Teachers Association Competitions – Spring 2027
Tennessee Music Teachers Association
- When
- Spring 2027; state competition held with the TMTA State Conference; exact dates not published
- Entry
- $43 per member Elementary entry; $48 per member Junior entry; $53 per member Senior entry; $72 per non-member entry
- Who
- Elementary, Junior, and Senior categories
MTNA Competitions – Fall 2026 (Tennessee state-level rounds)
Music Teachers National Association; Tennessee host: Tennessee Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually late October each year
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Junior, Senior, and Young Artist categories; category age limits are in MTNA rules
Homeschool and private school students
Homeschool students and students at schools without a band or orchestra can register for Mid-State and All-State Honors Orchestra or Band auditions through Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras in Nashville. In East Tennessee, Knoxville Christian Youth Bands includes homeschool, private-school, and public-school students in grades 5–12, with flute players welcome. Nashville Notes also offers band and orchestra opportunities for homeschooled students in Middle Tennessee, so a student without a school ensemble can still build experience with other musicians.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on flute
Flute often suits a child around age nine or ten, when they can comfortably hold the instrument and manage the breath and finger coordination it asks for. Since many Tennessee school bands begin in sixth grade, lessons a year or two earlier let your child learn how to make a steady sound and read notes before the first ensemble rehearsal. Earlier starts can work when a child is ready, but a private teacher can adjust the pace and help with posture, tone, and simple practice habits while school band develops ensemble skills.
A teen in Tennessee
A teen can start flute in school band or build on earlier playing, then choose between ensemble honors and individual contests. School band directors guide the All-State route, whose high-school audition process uses regional audition music and continues with a chair-placement video in December; the exact steps depend on the student's grade and route. TMTA offers a separate spring path from local auditions to state competition. Weekly lessons fit best when the teacher helps divide the music into manageable work between rehearsals, so audition preparation does not crowd out school responsibilities.
Starting or coming back as an adult
Adults can begin or return to flute and build toward community playing at a pace that suits their experience. Jackson Area Community Bands offers a route in Jackson, with dues waived for new high school and college students for their first year or two semesters. You do not need to have started young; our teacher meets you at your current level and helps you develop the reading, tone, and confidence you want for playing with others.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good flute teacher do?
A strong flute teacher listens closely to tone and breath while helping the student make progress toward the music Tennessee auditions actually use. For a beginner, that means steady sound, comfortable posture, and patient finger work; for a more experienced player, it means shaping phrasing and preparing confidently for ensemble or solo goals. Training matters, but so does a teacher's fit with your age, pace, and personality. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in flute. You can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one, then switch at no cost if the fit is not right.
How do live online flute lessons work?
A live Zoom flute lesson lets your teacher see your posture, hands, and embouchure while hearing your sound in real time, so feedback can address tone and technique as you play. Set your camera to show your face and flute, with music within view. In Nashville or Nolensville, you have the same choice of teacher and the same one-on-one weekly lesson, without a commute or being limited to whoever is closest; one dedicated teacher gets to know how you learn.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
Flute in Tennessee
Where to hear flute
Beyond the major concert halls, Tennessee offers chances to hear varied live music. The East Tennessee Bluegrass Association hosts free public jams in Bristol, Johnson City, Knoxville, Tazewell, and Clinton, where all ages can listen or participate. In Cookeville, Sounds of Summer presents free concerts at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion. These settings let a flutist hear how melody and rhythm work in different styles, even when flute is not the featured instrument.
Where to play with others
Flutists can look beyond youth orchestras to bands and open community music-making. Nashville Community Concert Band includes woodwinds and invites prospective players to ask whether an opening is available; Knoxville Community Band welcomes proficient wind players without auditions or fees. In Memphis, the University of Memphis Symphonic Band is scheduled to perform a free concert in December. These settings offer different levels of commitment, from community band playing to hearing a college ensemble.
Flute around Tennessee, area by area
Nashville area
Nashville offers listeners free performances through Vanderbilt Blair Academy, including youth orchestra concerts and recitals. College students can also attend eligible Nashville Symphony concerts with discounted tickets. Hearing flute in orchestral and chamber settings gives a student a practical reference for tone, phrasing, and balancing a line with other instruments.
- School year
- Aug 11 to May 25, 37 lesson weeks (Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Nashville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Spring Hill, Hendersonville, Smyrna, Gallatin, Brentwood
Memphis area
In Memphis, students and seniors can attend Memphis Youth Symphony Program fall concerts for a reduced ticket price, and Opera Memphis presents free performances around the city during 30 Days of Opera each September. Both offer a chance to hear how musical lines work with voices and instruments, which can help a young flutist listen beyond the school band part.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 20, 37 lesson weeks (Memphis-Shelby County Schools)
- Town guides
- Memphis, Bartlett, Southaven, Collierville, Olive Branch, Germantown, Horn Lake, West Memphis
Knoxville area
Knoxville offers several ways for families to hear live music. Children in grade 12 and under from Knox and surrounding counties can attend selected Knoxville Symphony concerts free with a paying adult, and many University of Tennessee concerts and recitals are also free. Listening to orchestral and recital performances helps a student hear how phrasing and tone change across musical settings.
- School year
- Aug 10 to May 26, 38 lesson weeks (Knox County Schools)
Chattanooga area
Chattanooga Symphony & Opera offers student and child discounts for most performances, so families can hear orchestral music together. The season includes Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in November and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in February. These concerts give a flute student a chance to hear how woodwinds fit into a larger ensemble.
- School year
- Aug 5 to May 19, 38 lesson weeks (Hamilton County Schools)
- Town guides
- Chattanooga, East Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, Middle Valley, Red Bank, Collegedale, Fort Oglethorpe
Clarksville area
Downtown @ Sundown brings free, family-friendly concerts to Downtown Commons on select Friday nights from May through October. For a student, the series offers an easy way to listen to live performers in a community setting and hear how musicians communicate with one another onstage.
- School year
- Aug 4 to May 27, 38 lesson weeks (Clarksville-Montgomery County School System)
- Town guides
- Clarksville, Hopkinsville, Fort Campbell North
Kingsport area
Kingsport's Twilight Alive concert series offers eight weeks of free live music downtown. It gives students and families a welcoming way to hear performers together and listen for how melody and rhythm move across a live ensemble, beyond the sound of a school band.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 19, 38 lesson weeks (Kingsport City Schools)
Jackson area
Jackson Area Community Bands gives students and adults a local way to continue playing together. Student members pay modest dues, and adult members can join as well, making the group a practical option for a flutist who wants ensemble experience beyond school.
- School year
- Aug 3 to May 21, 37 lesson weeks (Jackson-Madison County School System)
- Town guides
- Jackson
Cleveland area
Cleveland listeners can attend Lee University's free Small Jazz Ensemble concert at Dixon Center in November. Hearing a jazz group offers a different example of how wind instruments contribute to ensemble sound, which can broaden a flute student's sense of phrasing and articulation.
- School year
- Aug 7 to May 25, 39 lesson weeks (Cleveland City Schools)
- Town guides
- Cleveland
A little flute history in Tennessee
Tennessee's flute community has a visible contemporary presence in Knoxville and Memphis. The Vols Flute Fest brings concerts, recitals, and flute choir sessions to Knoxville, while the Mid-South Flute Society's festival in Memphis includes a high school soloist competition and a public guest artist recital. The Mid-South group also recognizes young adult performers through its Young Artist Competition. For a student, these events show that flute study can lead beyond school band into chamber playing and solo performance, with chances to hear advanced musicians in the state.
Start Flute Lessons at Lesson With You!
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Weekly options for changing family calendars
- Build tone, breath support, articulation, and confidence for band, recitals, or personal goals
- Claim a free first 30-minute lesson
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher who can hear your tone clearly, explain breath and finger technique in a way that makes sense, and adapt lessons to your goal, whether that is school band or solo playing. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in flute, and you can choose one or ask for a recommendation.
Yes, a teacher can watch your posture, embouchure, and hand position while hearing your sound in real time over Zoom. A camera that shows your face and flute lets the teacher give immediate feedback, and weekly lessons with one teacher build continuity without a commute.
Most school flute playing begins through band, often in sixth grade, though some districts start earlier or later. Sevier County and Maryville begin in fifth grade, while Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools lists beginning band at a school in seventh grade.
A school flutist generally works through the director-supported regional audition route toward All-State, with high-school students continuing to a chair-placement video. For solo performance, Tennessee students can pursue MTNA state competition and advance through Southern Division, or enter TMTA local auditions and qualify for its state competition.
Yes, homeschool students and students at schools without a band or orchestra can register for Mid-State and All-State Honors Orchestra or Band auditions through Vanderbilt Youth Orchestras. Knoxville Christian Youth Bands and Nashville Notes also offer ensemble opportunities for homeschool students.
Many children are ready around age nine or ten, when holding the flute and coordinating breath and fingers feel manageable. Starting before a school band begins in sixth grade gives time to learn a steady tone and basic reading.
No, adults can begin or return to flute at any age, and community bands in Knoxville, Nashville, and Jackson offer places to play once you are ready. A teacher can meet you at your current level and build toward the kind of ensemble or solo playing you want.
Flute lessons in Tennessee typically cost about $65 an hour, or $32 to $45 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.