Welcome to Dr. Cate’s Flute Academy

Lessons can be 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes. Contact Dr. Cate at dr_cate@sbcglobal.net for rates.


Payment is monthly. Payment is due the last week of the current month for the upcoming month. Weekly payment only by special agreement with the instructor. Cash, check or credit cards accepted.

Studio policies

Your monthly tuition is a retainer that reserves your time slot in the teaching schedule.  If you have your lesson in school, there will be lessons on all regular school days with the exception of field trips and testing. Every effort will be made to reschedule conflicts for another day that week.


  • Lessons will be taught during the regularly scheduled time.
  • If a student is late, the remaining time scheduled will be considered a complete lesson.
  • If the instructor is late, student will receive a full length lesson.
  • Credit will always be given if the instructor must cancel a lesson.
  • During the school year, there will be no refund for missed lessons, except in the case of severe winter weather or icy road conditions. 
  • There will be no make up lesson given for a missed lesson if the instructor is not notified prior to the scheduled lesson time.
  • Make up lessons can be scheduled if the instructor is notified prior to the regular lesson time.
  • In case of illness, or with 24 hours notice, a cancelled lesson may be made up within one week of the cancellation on a space available basis.
  • Summer lessons - Student will sign up for a minimum of six (6) lessons with the option of taking as many as eight (8) to ten (10) lessons according to instructor's availability.


Lesson locations: Naperville, Aurora, Downers Grove, Plainfield, Illinois Math and Science Academy


Information on competitions and other performance opportunities are given out through the year. The major local competitions in this area are the Chicago Flute Club Competitions (Nov.) and the Society of American Musicians (Feb./Mar.) competition. There are also many concerto competitions sponsored by youth orchestras and other local symphonies. 

Holiday breaks: Thanksgiving weekend, Winter Break, Spring Break, Fourth of July.


Optional lessons by special arrangement during Winter Break and Spring Break