Bill Damur

Bill Damur studied in the U.K. with Wilfred Smith, Christopher Taylor, Adrian Brett, and in Edmonton with Alan Clarke and Harlan Green to attain the first Master’s Degree granted in Flute Performance at the University of Alberta. While there, he received the Sklove Award for chamber music and the Eva Shaw Prize for the Most Outstanding Student in any year of study. He has taught flute, guitar, theory, composition and ensemble coaching at Alberta College Conservatory of Music since 1983. He has performed with the Plumbers' Union Recorder Consort, members of the E.S.O, Edmonton Wind Symphonia, Griffin Concert, Café Musique, Baffin Island Party, Chanticleer, Amati Trio, Möbius, The Geometrics, the White Cats, The Tsunami Brothers, B.E.A.M.S., Baroque Resurrection Groups and other music embracing its earliest forms to the avant garde. He has shared the stage with Rod Stewart, The Birds and Iron Butterfly. Bill is also an ARIA Award Nominee, and in 2000 was nominated for a STERLING Award for his co-writing of the Post Punk Opera production of “The Illumination of Marshall McLuhan.”

His knowledge of the subject is scholarly. He is no stranger to the media, producing his own radio shows at C.J.S.R. from 1988-2000. Bill has finished music for films, is active in theatre, is well known as a composer/arranger, and clinician. His music is recognized internationally and has been recorded on several CD releases. With Möbius, in 2006, his piece “Spy Story” was a featured radio single. Bill maintains a close relationship with Edmonton’s Works Festival as a frequent contributor of new music and has often been a composer/performer during the city’s Jazz Festival season. His recent membership in the Edmonton Arts Council has led Bill to take a greater interest in his city’s artistic and aesthetic development, and he has volunteered as a member of the 118th Ave restoration project, “Arts on the Avenue”.

Teaching Quote/Philosophy: 

The scope and depth of the subject we call music is vast. Whatever the style and level of achievement brought to bear, I regard the understanding, the analysis and application of what we understand as music, however defined, whatever the source, as something grappled with by both teacher and student, an uncovering of the subject’s mysteries by cooperation.  

 

Lesson Description: 

The technical part: once a week, $30 per half hour, $45 per 45 minutes, $60 per hour. Small space with upright piano is fine.    

I invite the student to take a proactive role in the understanding, uncovering, and the applications of musical issues facing them in their lessons each week. A “top-down” opinion only works occasionally and can be rather one dimensional. Their questions and their needs are as important as anything I can bring into the journey, lesson by lesson. I have found, when everything else is scraped away, the best thing any teacher can offer to any student will be encouragement.  

 

Education and Certification: 

Master of Music, University of Alberta 
Bachelor of Music, University of Alberta 
Bachelor of Education, University of Alberta 
Order of Arctic Explorers 
Eva Shaw Memorial Award for Outstanding Student in Any Year of Study. 
Sklove Award for Chamber Music 
First to receive Master of Music Degree in Flute Performance U. Of A. 
Trinity College of Music Diploma (London, U.K.)

 

Professional Associations and Memberships: 

Edmonton Musicians Association, Local 390 
AIMTAC 
Early Music Alberta.  

 

Testimonial: 

“I have been a student with Bill since 2002 as my flute teacher. I came to him through recommendation, and although I was a beginner adult learner then, he was happy to help me out and eventually take me through all the grades for flute and into doing one year of Performance . In 2016 I had to cease playing the flute due to ‘frozen shoulder’ which lasted a few years (not months). I came back to him in September of 2022, and we have been together ever since. When coming back to him, we discussed working on developing musicality and expression with my music, and we have continued to work along this direction to this day (which I have enjoyed). 
 
I have stayed with Bill all these years because as my teacher, he has become an excellent ‘fit’ for me as an adult learner (I am in my early 70’s). With his sense of humor and an easy-going personality, I am always able to feel at ease with him while he instructs and guides me through any challenges I encounter in my music. He is also very patient and a good listener. 
 
I also appreciate Bill’s inclusions into our lessons, of aspects of music history, explanations of terms and music theory, and discussions of musical genres. His knowledge is commendable, and when I have questions Bill will take the time to put my mind to rest with clear explanations. If it is needed, he will often adapt the lesson to include something in the music itself relating to whatever we discuss. 
 
Bill is responsive to my needs as a developing musician, and respectful to me as a person. I always, and I mean always, feel better coming out of any lesson with him if I have come into it feeling discouraged about some challenge I have been having difficulty working through. 
 
 I would highly recommend Bill as a flute instructor to anyone - beginner child or adult who is new or returning to music. He makes the lessons interesting and enjoyable.” 

-Student