Joy Sears

Joy Sears, flute repair specialist and flutist, understands the needs of the most discerning flutist. With 10 years of experience repairing and giving informative lectures about flutes at Wildacres, Joy has worked as a flute repair specialist for Straubinger Flutes and J.L. Smith and Company. She has taught a flute repair course at Western Carolina University to college students of all abilities. Joy studied flute repair with Dr. Eldred Spell and David and Joel Straubinger. Each teacher emphasized the importance of the lightest touch, craftmanship and attention to detail. She is highly skilled in both the traditional Boston style padding as well as Straubinger padding. Joy currently has her own repair business.

Flute Repair Class

The purpose of this 5-day course is intended ot heighten awareness of problems that may occur on both your own flute and your students' flutes. The course will prepare you to identify leaks and perform basic repairs on student and handmade flutes.

The main objectives of this course are to:

Gain knowledge about the materials used in repairing flutes
Become familiar with places to purchase repair supplies
Learn more abour care and maintenance of the flute to reduce premature repairs
Identify leaks and other common problems associated with the flute
Gain skills to perform basic padding repairs on student and handmade flutes
Gain problem-solving skills to determine whether you can perform the repair or refer it to a qualified specialist
Understand the terminology of common procedures of flute repair

Please remember that no two flutes are alike and that all may not require a simple solution. Not all repairmen use the same procedures or terminology for a specified repair. (i.e. overhaul, repad, COA.)

Materials needed for the class are:

A flute to work on (preferably a student flute)
Screwdriver
Elmer's glue pen
Toothpicks
Pencil
Permanent marker (sharpe markers work well)
Needle *
Pin vice *
Spring hook *
Flat nose pliers
Pad slick *
Key oil
Cigarette paper
Small scissors

* Joy will offer a spring hook, feeler gauge, pin vice, needle and pad slick for you to purchase for the cost of $20. Please send an email to Joy if you are interested in purchasing these tools.

Class schedule

Day 1:	Introduction to basic flute repair Learn parts/terminology of the flute Examine flute for obvious signs of damage HJ cork test Care and maintenance Detecting leaks
Day 2:	Hand-outs How to use the feeler gauge correctly, find and repair leaks in pads. Disassemble and assemble flute
Day 3:	Repair pad leaks
Day 4:	Repair pad leaks Demos replacing trill key pads, unpinning, cleaning and oiling mechanism Hand-outs: terminology and supply companies
Day 5:	Repair pad leaks and adjustment leaks General oiling, spring tension, repairing pad leaks and fixing adjustments

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