Ilona has more than twenty-five years of experience in teaching. Her former students include accomplished professional flute players who have performed worldwide, orchestra artists at the Latvian National Opera orchestra and at the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, and flute teachers at Latvian music schools.

In 2006, her flute student Alexandra Conza won 3rd place in the Junior Soloist Competition at the Kentucky Flute Festival and Solo Competition. Ilona has also given Clinic/Performance at Berk Recital Hall, Berklee College of Music, Boston; Master Class/Performance at El Sistema, Somerville, MA; has taught at the Boston Center of Adult Education and was Visiting Professor at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (2015-2016), Jazz Department, Riga, Latvia.

For many years Ilona performed and taught at International Latvian Young Musicians’ Master Classes, Latvia, teaching private flute lessons, private improvisation lessons, and coaching chamber music groups and flute ensembles. In 2010, Ilona received a Teaching Certificate of Excellence from the Latvian Academy of Music and the Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy.

Teaching Philosophy “I believe that a successful music student is a musician who learns to be his or her own teacher. The classroom can give a student a solid grounding in basic music skills and instill discipline and an appreciation for the finer points of flute playing. I believe that music performance is one of the most amazing phenomena one can experience. Each student is unique and so must be the approach to each student’s needs, in a kind and encouraging learning environment.”

She currently teaches flute at the Groton Hill Music School and at the Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA.

Ilona has served as Willow Flute Ensemble’s music director since 2015. For audition information contact Willow Flute Ensemble.