Dr. Vera H. Flaig

Dr. Flaig holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar  from the University of Manitoba, a Bachelor of Education (elementary) from York University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology from the University of Michigan. She began her journey with the guitar at the age of twelve, playing in a couple of different rock bands formed with school mates. Upon hearing the classical guitar for the first time, Vera knew what she wanted to do. It took two years of self-taught study before she finally found a classical teacher. At the age of 15 she began serious study with Harold Micay, a student of both Christopher Parkening and Pepé Romero. Vera flourished under Mr. Micay’s expert guidance and was soon teaching students taking their minor in guitar at the University of Manitoba (while still attending high school herself). While completing her Bachelor of Music degree, Vera participated in masterclasses given by some of the leading guitarists in the world: Robert Feurstein, Norbert Kraft, and David Russell. Upon graduation, she moved to Toronto to continue private studies with Norbert Kraft. While there she took part in in The Toronto International Guitar Festival in 1990 and 1991. She played in masterclasses given by: Aaron Shearer, Bruce Holzman, and Nicolas Goluses.  In 1990, she was chosen by Aaron Shearer as one of eight students out of seventy-five participants to perform in the Student Recital, for which she played Mauro Giuliani’s Grand Overture, Op. 61.

In 1992 Vera decided to expand her career to include early childhood music pedagogies, Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk. After years of study and training, she reached level II in Kodaly and certified as an Orff Schulwerk specialist. She received additional training in Baby Music when she took a full time position with Young Children’s Music and Movement Classes. In time she began teaching Orff children’s music classes and teacher training workshops at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. In 1999 she went back to school to certify as an elementary teacher. Her desire was that all children have access to quality music education. She worked at an inner-city school for two years before being accepted into the doctorate program at the University of Michigan. She now teaches all upper-level courses in music history at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Dr. Flaig is still an active classical guitarist, playing for church services, weddings and in cafés. She hopes to give more concerts in the future. Vera has always been a natural teacher and enjoys sharing music with people of all ages and walks of life.