Bio
Dr. Flaig holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar from the University of Manitoba, a Bachelor of Education (elementary) from York University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology from the University of Michigan. She began her journey with the guitar at the age of twelve, playing in a couple of different rock bands formed with school mates. Electric and acoustic guitar were her initial focus. At the age of 15 she began serious study of classical guitar with Harold Micay, a student of both Christopher Parkening and Pepé Romero. Vera soon began teaching students taking their minor in guitar at the University of Manitoba (while still attending high school herself). While completing her Bachelor of Music degree, Vera participated in masterclasses given by some of the leading guitarists in the world: Robert Feurstein, Norbert Kraft, and David Russell. Upon graduation, she moved to Toronto to continue private studies with Norbert Kraft. While there, she took part in in The Toronto International Guitar Festival in 1990 and 1991. She played in masterclasses given by: Aaron Shearer, Bruce Holzman, and Nicolas Goluses. In 1990, she was chosen by Aaron Shearer as one of eight students out of seventy-five participants to perform in the Student Recital, for which she played Mauro Giuliani’s Grand Overture, Op. 61.
In 2010, Professor Flaig graduated from the program in Ethnomusicology at the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theater, and Dance. She has taught all upper-level courses in music history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Since finishing her doctorate, Professor Flaig has become certified as a Suzuki Guitar Teacher (Books 1-9). She is on Faculty at the Ann Arbor Suzuki Institute. She also teaches for the Ann Arbor Suzuki Guitar Institute summer program.
Throughout her extensive career as a pedagogue, Dr. Flaig has always been an active classical guitarist, playing at restaurants and cafés, in addition to Weddings and other formal events.
Approach
I believe that all people should have the opportunity to participate fully in the creation of music. For me, the guitar is one of the most personal and meditative instruments anyone can play. I have over 40 years of experience teaching guitar. Age or lack of prior music training should never be a barrier to learning how to play the guitar. I design a very personal approach for each student based upon both their interests and abilities. I have many pedagogical tools at my disposal designed to meet the needs of adult students. I draw from a wealth of classical guitar methods developed by some of the greatest classical guitarists in history (Fernando Sors, Francesco Tarrega; Matteo Carcassi; Mauro Giuliani; Hector Villa-Lobos; Leo Brower; Angel Romero; André Segovia; and Aaron Shearer). I am always delighted to share this rich tradition with my students. I also draw upon the wisdom and compositional creativity of the masters of blues, rock, folk, and other popular styles (Robert Johnson; Stevie Ray Vaughn; Jimi Hendrix; America; Indigo Girls; The Beatles; The Stones; U2; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; John Mayer; etc). I begin each semester by asking students about the songs they are interested in learning on guitar.
