We love Ms. Shelley! This is my daughter’s second year with her. She is always so patient and accommodating. My daughter loves her enthusiasm and the way she makes her flute lessons fun but challenging..

Cassie S.

Flute Student

I began lessons with Miss Martin when I was in high school. I wanted to make the all-state band. My parents were struggling already to pay for my piano lessons, but one of my dad‘s friends had recommended her for me. Yes I was able to make the all-state band after studying with Miss Martin, but I got so much more from my lessons with her. When we say that studying music is life long learning, it really is just that. I went on to be a music teacher myself and still today enjoy practicing the way I learned in my lessons with Miss Martin. I am honored to pass those same techniques to my students

Leah V.

Piano And Music Teacher

Ms. Martin knows how to teach music!! In three months, I grew from a complete beginner with absolutely no piano experience, into a person who could comfortably play several basic scales, a variety of simple tunes, and a few more complex pieces. I even performed with her other students at a recital, something I never knew I was capable of doing! She has a professional and clean atmosphere with a wash station for clean fingers, and teaches alongside you for maximum comprehension. Ms. Martin makes learning music fun, and will make sure you leave with skills that advance all levels of musicianship. 10/10!.

Catherine F.

Piano Student

“Ms. Martin is a very knowledgeable teacher and helps her students achieve great results musically. She helps learners to connect with music on a deeper level and really "dig in" to the music. Her teaching style is unique, quirky, exciting and engaging. No boring lessons here!"

Patrick C

Flute Student

I had the pleasure of working with some of Shelley’s flute students at the university level when she was on sabbatical for a semester. Her methodology and expertise were evident in the way her students approached their practice sessions and performed their literature. 

Kathy S. University

Flute Teacher

I first took a flute lesson with Ms. Martin while attending junior high band camp. During my junior high and high school years, Ms. Martin helped me make sure I was prepared for chair tests, All-Region and All-State auditions, and college auditions. She helped instill a sense of accomplishment, work ethic, and love for music that I carry with me to this day. Lessons with Ms. Martin formed me as a student musician and the things learned in her music room carried over to my undergraduate and graduate studios and my own music classroom as an adult. Ms. Martin is one of the main reasons I became a music teacher! My time with her as a student was so valuable and I’m so thankful I can count her my teacher and my friend!

Katie K

Flute Student All Region -

All State - College

Shelly Martin is an incredible musician and teacher. She is a fabulous woodwind specialist with the flute being her primary instrument. I personally have had Shelly help me with my flute tone and techniques. She is a master teacher and turned me into a better flute player in no time. I give Miss Martin my highest recommendation.

Gary

Flute Student

Shelley Martin is simply the best flute teacher I ever had. She was my flute teacher from 1996-2001 at Henderson State University while I studied for my BA in Music and she never gave up on someone who was pretty far behind everyone else in her studio. She just pushed me to become a better musician little by little over the years through her teaching and by being an example herself of what to aspire to. I'm a better music therapist today because of her teaching. Thank you, Shelley!

Tonya L

University Flute Student

I sent my band students to Ms Martin for over a decade. She is laser focused on teaching her craft. Most of those students went on to recieve awards at the regional and state levels. She is an accomplished musician and teacher of her craft. She knows how to move students from average to subperb!

Valerie

Band Teacher

In 1986 this lady came to my 6th grade class to see if we would be interested in band upon going into middle school. Mrs. Martin suggested I try the trumpet. She truly inspired me and shared so much wisdom. Even though she is a *cough* woodwind performer. Over the next three years she instilled a passion for music in me. I took it all the way to college and studied music education at Henderson. Their are very few in Arkansas.that are her equal!

Kirby

Trumpet Student

My son has been taking lessons for over 6 years with Ms. Martin. He has grown into an amazing pianist!

Stephanie

Piano

In 7th grade, I started taking private lessons on flute and saxophone with Ms. Shelley Martin. My dad was my band director and naturally, he insisted that I take lessons with the very best private teacher in town! After only playing saxophone for a couple months, Ms. Martin set me up with my first live gig with a couple other students from her studio at the Hilton one Sunday afternoon. She wrote a fantastic arrangement of Satin Doll and I had so much fun playing and memorizing it. I was a little nervous when the day came, but she gave me so much confidence. I certainly learned some jazz while preparing for that performance, but I also learned some life skills that stuck with me long after that show. She even helped me get a scholarship from the Hot Springs Jazz Society to go to Jazz camp at Drury College a couple times! She taught me some of the most useful practice techniques and methods which I used throughout high school and college. I was a repeat member of the all-region, all-state, and 4-state honor bands. I decided to major in music education where I studied flute with Dr. Ronda Mains and I went on to become the first female head drum major for the Razorback Marching Band. Even while away in college, I consulted Ms. Martin about selections for my all-jazz senior rectal! Later, I was a graduate assistant for the University of Arkansas Hogwild and Razorback Bands where I studied conducting with W Dale Warren and Dr. Chris Knighten. After graduate school, I was a band director  for Bentonville Public Schools and now I'm a private music teacher in Northwest Arkansas specializing in flute, clarinet, and saxophone. It is a true "full circle" story and I owe so much of my success to Shelley Martin! Her musicianship is utterly undeniable and she has a unique ability to teach and inspire students to maintain high standards while keeping it fun. She is a difference maker! Thanks for everything!

Stephanie R

Flute and Saxophone

All Region - All State - Honor Band

University - High School - Private Band Instructor