Ignite your passion

About Us

Floot Fire camps, classes, and competitions are a life changing experience for students who love the flute! We offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for flutists to work with world class faculty and perform with like-minded students who are dedicated and driven to be the best. All levels of students may participate–beginners through advanced players; there is a place for everyone! 

OUr History

Floot Fire began in Dallas, Texas and was held at SMU Meadows School of the Arts in the early  1990’s.

Founded by Claire Johnson, the summer workshop was designed to inspire high school and middle school students, help strengthen the local flute community, and elevate the art of flute playing in Texas. The Houston camp was co-founded with Kimberly Walter-Clark the next year and extended the organizations reach into the bayou city and surrounding areas.

Over the past two decades, Floot Fire has grown to include in person camps across the country, virtual camps and classes, adult education (masterclasses and pedagogy classes), and competitions. Floot Fire faculty have collectively written four books for use in our classes and our faculty have performed at the NFA conference several times.

Floot Fire, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization


August 7, 1930 – October 27, 2024

Claire Catherine Gruneis Johnson

Claire Johnson, Floot Fire Founder, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to German immigrants Emil and Emma Gruneis and died peacefully in Richardson, Texas, at the age of 93 with her children and grandchildren at her side.

Claire grew up in a musical home along with 4 siblings and discovered a passion for the flute, which grew throughout her lifetime. During her high school years, she performed with multiple orchestras and thereafter attended Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

Claire developed a successful career in music, which included 10 years as choir director of Westshore United Methodist Church and teaching at Richardson schools, East Texas State University, the University of Houston, and Southern Methodist University, where she was a professor of flute for 32 years.

Most important in Claire’s professional life were her hundreds of private students who she developed as musicians and mentored. She regularly conducted master classes and clinics and received numerous prestigious awards from state and national music organizations.

Mission Statement

Floot Fire is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating flutists and teachers through meaningful, artistic experiences.

Our Goals

Opportunities

Provide students of all ages an opportunity to grow through the experience of music.

Relationships

Build relationships through the experience of chamber music.

Development

Develop the skills of flute playing in a non-competitive atmosphere.

Inspiration

Inspire students to achieve through individual performance.

Learning

Examine and learn new repertoire from experienced professional flutists.

Self-Expression

Develop personal awareness through the beauty of self-expression.

Exploration

Provide an atmosphere of warmth and inspiration for teachers and students who aspire to explore the beauty and power of music.

Board of Directors

  • David Ross, President
  • Dr. Virginia Broffitt
  • Xavier Cano
  • Mark Edenfield
  • Dr. Ellen Kaner
  • Dr. Vicki Seldon
  • Thomas Tran

Our Staff

Our administrative team is here to create truly memorable experiences for all of our students. 

Claire Johnson (1930-2023)

Founder

Dr. Kimberly Clark

Executive Director

Lilia Bickley

Manager

Dr. Ellen Kaner

Manager

Dr. Rachel Kaplan

Manager

Vicky Williamson

Manager

Vanessa Mulvey

Manager

Shannon Lotti

Assistant to the ED

Katie Grishow

Development Officer

Our Faculty

Our faculty includes a veritable list of who’s who in the flute world! Our faculty include orchestral players, college professors, private teachers and top notch band directors from across the country! 

Lilia Gamez Bickley

Private Instructor

Houston, MEW

Dr. Kimberly Clark

Private Instructor

Boston, Dallas, Houston, MEW, Floot Inferno

David Houston

Private Instructor

Boston

Dr. Ellen Kaner

Private Instructor

Dallas, CJFS Competition Coordinator

Dr. Rachel Kaplan

Private Instructor

Austin

Vanessa Mulvey

Longy School of Music

Boston

Terri Sánchez

Bowling Green State Univerity

Dallas

Terri Sundberg

North Texas State University

Dallas

Vicky Williamson

Private Instructor

Houston, MEW

More TBA

Coming Soon

TBD

More faculty names to be announced soon!