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
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
