Her Hamilton business started in the Fitton Center basement. Now, it has grown to its new location.

The owner of a new Hamilton storefront said she hopes it will be a musical, artistic and business anchor in the city.

The Flute Shop owner Becki Chesnes, a flutist for 23 year, teaches flute, piccolo, alto flute, Irish flute and beginning piano and also operates a freelance sound recording services company. She said she has wanted to own a business since she was a teenager.

“After starting my private teaching studio years and years ago, I was really inspired by my students to help them find their dream instrument and other tools to assist them in fulfilling their creative potential and the concept of TFS was born and has evolved over time,” she said.

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The Flute Shop, 10 South D St., offers flute sales and accessories, and is the Altus and Azumi dealer for Ohio and Kentucky. It also offers classes. This semester’s offerings include Flute Beat Box, Music Theory and Flute Choir, all of them interactive.

Chesnes, who taught flute from a basement location at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts for two year prior to opening the store, has a long list of accomplishments.

She was Principal Flutist for the West Chester Symphony from 2007-12 and a featured soloist with the orchestra in 2012. She's also done work for Classical KUSC Radio, New Line Cinema, Origination Television Studios, and Warner Bros. Records. In 2007, she recorded her debut album, Introducing Rebekah Chesnes.

Organizing The Flute Shop’s new storefront on South D Street has been a “long journey,” said Chesnes, who moved to Hamilton in 2011 “partially because there were so many spaces available.”

“I saw an artistic future would be possible there, eventually,” she said. “I was very lucky to have found the Fitton Center for Creative Arts and had their support as The Flute Shop’s original home.”

She believes The Flute Shop has the ability to introduce people to music in numerous ways and isn’t limited to music professionals or students.

“I hope the store will be a conduit for enriching the culture of southern Ohio and connect those who want to learn through the arts,” Chesnes said. “So while I hope The Flute Shop will be the preeminent flute specialist for Ohio and Kentucky through repair, sales, lessons and group classes, the overall mission is to help music and the community thrive.”

Chesnes said she’d like to expand the business in the coming years to include recording and rehearsal spaces.

“The store is my favorite place to be,” she said. “It’s a space where creativity and free musical thought is alive. I hope my students and clients have an experience there with me that ignites their curiosity and talent for making music to enrich their lives.”

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