I’m so glad you’re here!

My name is Alicia Gallucci, and I help folks get to know themselves better through the art of flute playing.

In my studio, I help ensure that each note you play is a step toward strength, confidence, and joy. But it hasn’t always been a walk in the park for me leading up to where I am today. Perhaps you may even relate to some of my experiences!

I’ve had not-so-great auditions and understand that pit-in-your-stomach feeling afterwards

I know how hard it is to memorize all those songs for marching band

I’ve questioned if I’m good enough to continue playing the flute and compared my progress to people improving quicker than I was

I’ve performed in front of audiences with quivering lips and limbs and left wondering if I even sounded good

But I also know that these tough experiences don’t define me. Instead, they helped shape me to become the successful, confident, silly, and talented person that I am today. We as humans are not wired to be perfect. If we were… wouldn’t life be kind of boring?!

Are taking lessons with me fun? Yes! But, this also comes with allowing yourself to make mistakes, being kind to yourself, and being open to learning new methods and concepts to overcome the hurdles. Music requires self-discipline and routine practice, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and engaging! And a bonus… you’ll be able to use these skills outside of music!

Want to learn about my music journey? Grab some popcorn!

I entered 5th grade and all of my friends were trying instruments to play in band. I had the option to pick 2 instruments to try: flute and clarinet. Then, it was up to me to choose what I wanted to learn. So, I did what I knew best, which was choosing the instrument that my friends chose. The flute.

I couldn’t WAIT to bring my flute home to play it! But as soon as I was in my music class, I realized that I wasn’t getting it as quickly as my friends were. I really struggled.

My family and I moved to a new house the year I began 6th grade which resulted in me switching schools and having to make brand new friends. Band was the only thing that kept me motivated, but I realized that I was still behind compared to my classmates. I couldn’t count rests no matter how hard I tried… I had no idea how it worked! (I do now and can help you!) Quickly after, I began taking flute lessons and it all clicked. I became unstoppable and was 1st chair in band all throughout middle school!

I began 9th grade at Medina High School and joined the marching band which completely opened my eyes to a new world. The program was and still is very competitive and I loved the thrill of being under pressure to memorize my music, march with the perfect roll step, maintain “eyes with pride”, and play the heck out of my flute.

My director, Mr. Gary Ciulla, changed my life for the better and became the singular teacher and mentor that I admired and looked up to the most throughout my high school years. He strived for perfection and instilled a strong sense of self-discipline in his students. He taught us accountability, teamwork, leadership, and what it feels like to work for something so hard and to see positive results.

Mr. Ciulla was an incredible human and mentor who showed me that I can work REALLY hard at something like the flute, but still have fun and feel good while doing it. He truly believed in me. Not just as a musician, but as an individual.

I always knew that I wanted to teach music. I went to Kent State University where I began my studies as a Music Education major. A little more than halfway through, I realized that I wanted to grow my performing skills and learn more about flute and its pedagogy. I then added on a Flute Performance degree. After attending class observations in schools where I observed orchestra, choir, and band rehearsals in middle & high schools… it hit me that I really only wanted to focus on the flute more than anything. I dropped my music education degree and focused on flute performance.

I graduated from KSU and began to prepare for grad school auditions. I got myself through the rigorous application process all by myself for the first time (which was very intense and confusing, by the way!) and began receiving acceptance letters!

I began my first year of grad school at Cleveland State University. When I say I was busy… I was BUSY! I played in just about every ensemble I possibly could: symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, chamber orchestra, chamber winds, a graduate woodwind trio, and a graduate woodwind quintet. While being a full-time grad student, I also worked part time at a soda shop as a store manager (lots of ice cream was had).

I was asked to play 3rd flute for the local community orchestra, The Cleveland Philharmonic, and I said yes! After my first season, I earned the principal flute spot and remained there for the next 9 years. After graduating from CSU, I started my professional career as a woodwind instructor at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, OH.

I taught woodwind sectionals each week for marching band and wind symphony. I was so excited to be involved again in marching band!! I also taught applied flute lessons and helped create and teach a new course, The History of Rock and Roll (it’s still my favorite course to teach!).

I became the Co-Director of Performing Arts and Assistant Professor of Music. Alongside my friend Michael Krueger, we accomplished SO much. We helped create and grow two majors: music entrepreneurship and theatre entrepreneurship. We revamped the culture of the department to be healthier, more positive, and inclusive. We improved our facilities and created more performing opportunities for our students. We were on a roll!

After 8 amazing years at NDC… my time (and everyone’s time) came to an abrupt end, where the college closed its doors permanently in 2024. This was a gut punch. It still is. NDC became my home and my family. It was such a special place where everyone knew everyone and we shared close bonds! I still keep in touch with my former students and colleagues to this day. I love my NDC family so much and always will 💙💛

Like my students & colleagues, I also had to find a new home. I saw a job posting for Flute World in Detroit, MI and decided… why not go for it?! I was offered the job! My partner (now fiancé!) and I packed our home filled with 10 years of stuff and moved to Detroit for a new chapter. It was scary!I wasn’t teaching anymore, or involved in anything related to school or higher education. But I did learn SO MUCH MORE about the flute and met amazing people on my team! Did you know that flutes can be made with different types of pads under the keys? Do you know that you need to replace your headjoint cork at least once a year? Did you know that there is a contrabass flute AND you can play it at one of Flute World’s locations?!

I spent a full year working at Flute World, but ultimately ended up moving back to Cleveland, OH with my fiancé and our beloved cat, Bella. After some time away from teaching, I am now SO excited to focus 100% on teaching the flute and I now introduce to you the Gallucci Flute Studio!

Playing an instrument and being involved in an ensemble is so much more than the music. It’s being part of something that’s bigger than yourself. It’s actually feeling your emotions and feeling safe to communicate them. It’s family. Not just your actual family, but your band friends who become your chosen family who understand you for who you are. It’s discovering that you can do hard and scary things while coming out safe and stronger. It’s showing up for yourself and for others when every ounce of your soul wants to hide and stay in bed or quit. It’s treating people with kindness and having empathy. It’s passing down the knowledge you’ve learned through music and these experiences to your friends, loved ones, peers, colleagues, or future students. And now, I’m on a mission to pass down the knowledge I’ve learned along my journey to all of my students!