Private Instruction
Suzuki Education
Musikgarten
Group Lessons
Altus Artist Meret Bitticks maintains an active schedule as a soloist, chamber musician, and clinician in the U.S. and abroad while on faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago (since September 2004) , DePaul University, Lake Forest College and Roosevelt University.
She earned a master of music degree from DePaul University and a bachelor of music degree from Ohio State University and she has studied extensively in Japan and in the U.S.
Meret is a registered Suzuki Flute Teacher Trainer and in 2013 became the first flutist to receive a Certificate of Achievement for excellence in Suzuki instruction from the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
She joined Trio Chicago and Friends for international concert tours, including the United Arab Emirates and Australia. A frequent volunteer at music camps in Haiti, Meret serves on the board of BLUME Haiti, an organization that promotes leadership through music education.
Meret has performed as a soloist and with various ensembles, and her recordings include Hysterical Stars with Head of Femur.
Master of Music in flute performance, DePaul University School of Music,
Bachelor of Music in flute performance, The Ohio State University School of Music
Toshio Takahashi, Suzuki Flute Method Founder
Talent Education and Research Institute, Matsumoto, Japan:
Suzuki Flute Books 8, 10, 12, and 13
2004 Every Child Can!, Kim Lorimier
2015 Every Child Can!, Pat D’Ercole
2004 Suzuki Flute Book 1, Jerilee Kechley
2012 Suzuki Flute Book 1, Kelly Williamson
2005 Suzuki Flute Book 2, David Gerry
2007 Suzuki Flute Book 3, Kelly Williamson
2014 Suzuki Flute Book 3, Noelle Perrin
2008 Suzuki Flute Book 4, David Gerry
2009 Suzuki Flute Book 5, David Gerry
2009 Suzuki Flute Book 6, Kelly Williamson
2008 Suzuki Flute Book 7, Kenichi Ueda
2013 Suzuki Flute Book 7, David Gerry
2015 Suzuki Flute Book 9, David Gerry
2013 Suzuki Flute Book 14, David Gerry
2010 S. P. A. Course, Joanne Melvin
2009 Suzuki Flute Practicum, David Gerry
2012 Baroque Style, Courtney Westcott
2012 Suzuki Flute Overview, Toshio Takahashi
2016 Dalcroze Teacher Workshop, Jeremy Dittus
2013 Musikgarten: Family Music, Leilani Miranda
2013 Musikgarten: Cycle of Seasons, Leilani Miranda
Awards:
Altus Flutes - Artist
Suzuki Association of the Americas - Teacher Trainer and Certificate of Achievement (Level One)
Teaching philosophy and areas of expertise:
Meret's true goal as a teacher is to help nurture beautiful hearts that are open to the potential in all things and all people. She works with the whole person as well as the whole musician with a vision of her students becoming accomplished, independent learners. When given the opportunity, all people, regardless of their background, can learn to play music. As a Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Meret is one of nine flutists in North America authorized by the Suzuki Association of the Americas to train teachers in the Suzuki Approach.
Significant Teachers and Mentors:
Katherine Borst Jones, Mary Stolper, Toshio Takahashi
Recordings
Tiny Tunemakers Sing-along CD Volume 1 (Flute)
Tiny Tunemakers Sing-along CD Volume 2 (Flute and Piccolo)
Hysterical Stars, Head of Femur (Flute and Piccolo)
Professional affiliations/activities
BLUME Haiti: noard member
Suzuki Association of the Americas: teacher trainer
Great Lakes Suzuki Institute: director
Chicago Flute Club: member
Hobbies/interests outside of music:
Standup paddle board yoga, rabble rousing, falconry.
What do you love about playing your instrument:
I love that the flute can sound like a bird one minute and a person mourning the next. There's such tonal variety that we can get out of this little metal tube and so many opportunities for expression. We can make air dance and the flute sing—it's an amazing instrument.
What do you love about Chicago:
What's not to love about Chicago???
Favorite quote:
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall
Favorite composer or piece to play:
Meret loves playing the repertoire from Suzuki Flute Book 1 and believes that Cuckoo and Moon Over the Ruined Castle are particularly beautiful and always offer room for advanced musical concepts. Of course, Meret also agrees you're never too old to Twinkle!