After several yeas of playing flute, I had outgrown many of the teachers in the area who specialized in flute.  I was very lucky when Sandy's name was given to my mother.  I took flute lessons with Sandy for several years, and I learned more about control and style than I had ever learned previously.  She vastly improved my sight-reading skills, a technique that none of my previous teachers had worked on with me.  With her guidance, I scored top marks at musical competitions and perfect marks on a college level piece while still in high school  I was even able to earn a spot in the IMEA District Band with her help.  Sandy was also willing to help me with band music, even when it was occasionally for a different instrument, and she allowed me to bring my peers to work on duets for contests.  Sandy additionally taught me the air control that I needed to play piccolo and helped me refine those skills so that I could play piccolo in my high school's honor band, pit orchestra, and marching band.  She also helped my family find a new repair shop when the local shops could no longer efficiently repair my instruments.  Without Sandy's instruction, I do not think I would have succeeded as much in music as I have.

Kristin Coari
Grayslake North High School alumna
Studied with Sandy Grivett from 2002 - 2008

Sandy was such an incredible flute tutor during my high school years.  She went above and beyond the traditional teacher role.  She is understanding and supportive and caring and truly invests in the lives of her students.  I was so blessed to have her as my flute tutor and still look up to her as a mentor and friend.


Katie Gajewski
Westlake Christian Academy alumna; former student

Before Sandy took me under her wing as a student, I had very little formal training in playing the flute.  Both my technique and my confidence had much to be desired.  I heard about her from one of my friends from Symphonic Band, and soon enough was showing up for my weekly lesson in her warm and homey house, learning all of the lessons that I wish I had been taught years ago when I first picked up the flute.  If you're looking for a flute teacher with expertise, teaching skills, and a wonderful personality, you can do no better than Sandy Grivett!

Wendy Xu
Warren Township High School alumna