About the Author
About Joanna
Joanna Sullivan is an Australian flute pedagogue, performer, author, and international presenter with over forty years of experience in studio teaching and performance. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts, she has dedicated her career to refining effective, research-informed approaches to beginner flute pedagogy while maintaining an active performing life.
Joanna holds a Master of Music from The University of Queensland, where her research explored strategies for improving beginner flute teaching through neuroscience-informed practice, habit formation, and the development of strong foundational technique. Her work focuses on establishing healthy breathing, embouchure, and tonguing from the very first lesson — ensuring students build efficient neural pathways and sustainable technique.
She is the author of The Fab Flute Player, a progressive beginner flute tutor, and Teaching Beginner Flute, a companion pedagogical guide for teachers outlining six core fundamentals of flute playing and how the brain learns musical skills most effectively.
Joanna is an experienced and engaging presenter. She has presented at the National Flute Association Convention in Atlanta, the Victorian Flute Guild, and at Queensland Music Education Conference (QMEC), sharing practical, research-backed strategies for developing tone production and foundational skills in beginner flutists. Her sessions are known for blending cognitive science with real-world studio application, equipping teachers with immediately usable tools.
As a performer, Joanna has appeared as a soloist and ensemble musician across Australia and internationally. She believes her performance work continually informs and enriches her teaching, ensuring that artistry and technical development remain inseparable.
Joanna continues to present, publish, and collaborate internationally, advocating for thoughtful, holistic flute teaching that empowers both teachers and students.