“Only the student knows what they want their sound to be. “

With that as the core tenet to my teaching methodology, my focus for each student is to give them the tools they need to get there. Each assignment is designed to reflect the goals and desires of the student. My job is to enable you to follow your own creative ideas and wishes.

Workshops & Private Lessons

Private Lessons

Private lessons are shaped by each student’s own voice and curiosity. Together, we’ll explore what inspires you and design a path that lead to your unique sound. Private lessons with me include:

  • Lessons designed around your interests and aspirations

  • Exercises that address your personal challenges

  • Guidance that encourages self-expression

  • Assignments chosen with your input

  • A supportive space to grow as the artist you want to be

Ensemble Workshops

My approach with ensembles is listening-focused. I encourage students to explore their habits, notice what they love in each other’s playing, and follow their own musical instincts. Storytelling and exploration guide every rehearsal, helping students ask meaningful questions and discover their own answers. As regular instructor at the New School, I am also the go-to substitute for Anat Cohen and Wendy Eisenberg. Ensemble workshops with me include:

  • Exercises designed to improve listening and improvisation

  • Insight into personal playing habits and musical instincts

  • Clear, hands-on guidance and modeling by Nilsson

  • Emphasis on collaboration and attentive ensemble work

  • A thoughtful, exploratory approach to musical growth

Large Group Workshops

Teaching classrooms at The New School has deepened my love of working with larger groups. I leads workshops in rhythm, artistry, musicianship, and composition, tailoring content to each group based on prior conversations and the needs of the participants. Drawing on my classroom experience, I combine established materials with flexible, responsive approaches to engage every student and foster meaningful musical growth. Past large group workshops include:

  • Fridhem Folkhögskola 

  • Indiana University

  • National Flute Association Convention

  • CCM Cincinnati University

  • CalState Northridge

  • University of Madison

  • Ann Arbour Arts Clinic

  • Gothenburg University

  • Syddansk Musikkonservatoriet

From Students

  • "During our lessons we cover philosophy, life skills, music theory, therapy, history, and composition to mention a few. I go in with a goal and leave with that and 5 more met that I didn’t know I needed. Her lessons are truly invaluable."

    - Kezia T.

  • "Meeting Elsa was among the more serendipitous experiences of my musical life. She has opened a world of music that was closed to me as a classically taught flutist and gives me actual knowledge that is translational to jazz and improvisation. She shares an intellectual journey with her students that is unmatched."

    - Erika N.

  • "Elsa helped me get back to playing music after a years-long hiatus. It’s a dream to learn from such a patient and creative instructor. She helps me unlock secrets of songs I love, introduces me to new material, and empowers me to improvise. Her lessons enrich my life more than I could have ever imagined. I look forward to every single one."

    Annie M.

What You’ll Learn

  • Theory

    Using improvisational strategies to internalize theoretical concepts

  • Technique

    Developing individualized exercises for each student’s unique progress

  • Creativity

    Exploring and deepening your understanding of creative concepts

  • Conceptual

    Learning to ask questions that lead to new sounds and approaches

  • Rhythm

    Finding unstable points and developing process for improvement together

  • Expression

    Understanding storytelling and emotional impact of melodic choices

  • Harmony

    Using emotion/intuition to explore harmony in improvisation and composition

  • Improvisation

    Pinpointing exercises for overcoming blocks

  • Compositions

    Exploring individual creative directions and compositional techniques

Experience and Notable Workshops

I have been Adjunct faculty at The New School since 2020 where I teaches Rhythmic Analysis for the Jazz and Contemporary Music School and Socially Engaged Artistry for the College of Performing arts. My teaching approach is student centered, with a focus on creating pathways for the students to explore the artistic directions they are interested in and giving them the tools to ask and answer the relevant questions. I think of teaching as an extension of my own creative practice. It drives me to perpetually strive to learn, grow and expand my understanding of the materials and skills required to provide musical and artistic guidance. 

I have a solid grounding in traditional teaching modalities with my education from Hvitfeltdska Gymnasiet in Gothenburg, Sweden, my BM from Cornish College Of the Arts in Seattle and MM from NYU where I studied with a wide range of accomplished artists and teachers. My strength as a teacher is bridging the gap between the theoretical and spiritual modalities of teaching, balancing technique, concept, art and craft in my approach to helping my students grow.


My institutional experience includes:

  • Ann Arbour Arts Clinic

  • CalState Northridge

  • CCM Cincinnati University

  • Fresno State University

  • Fridhem Folkhögskola

  • Gothenburg University

  • Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet

  • Indiana University

  • Metro State University

  • National Flute Association Convention

  • New York University

  • University of Boulder

  • University of Madison

  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Syddansk Musikkonservatoriet

Please reach out to me with any questions or interest in booking private lessons or workshops with me directly.

CONTACT