About Friendly Flutes
Here at FriendlyFlutes we aim to provide a friendly and affordable service for flute and clarinet players. As flute and clarinet specialists we are able to offer a comprehensive service and pride ourselves on achieving 100% customer satisfaction. Buying an instrument is a big decision. Whether someone is a first time buyer, or perhaps wishing to upgrade from their present instrument, FriendlyFlutes will happily share their knowledge and offer their professional advice.
FriendlyFlutes was founded by Thea Paraskevaides and Tim Walker.
Thea comes from a family of professional doctors, musicians, and business people. Her Great Grandfather composed music for a living, in North Italy, where he lived. Thea has been playing the flute for over 15 years and has taught on and off for the last 5 years, also working as a woodwind specialist in a well-known high street musical instrument store. Thea also plays the saxophone, piano and guitar and as a result is very knowledgeable about music and musical instruments. Working as a woodwind specialist, Thea learnt how to professionally clean, maintain, and repair woodwind instruments and is using her experience to provide a friendly, high quality, personalised service at FriendlyFlutes. Whilst studying neuroscience at UCL Thea served as Music Project Manager for the university. With a team of fellow students she recruited, they were dedicated to teaching under-privileged children aged 4-14, around the King's Cross area, to read and play music.
Tim, though not a musician by trade, has flirted with the violin, piano, and guitar! He is a qualified Doctor, and has learnt the ins and outs of woodwind instruments over the last few years. His enthusiasm for 'customer care' and belief in the value of good communication are core to the running of FriendlyFlutes. Together, Thea and Tim enjoy the challenge of providing a shopping experience that would outshine any high street store. Without the costs of running a shop floor they are able to offer their customers great value for money.
FriendlyFlutes are extremely proud to have been named as 'Home Based Business Of The Year 2010' at the National Business Startups Awards
'One of the most hotly-debated categories of the day. Friendly Flutes’ founders, who started with just £1,500 in savings, stood out for their passion and commitment, going the extra mile for their customers. Judges were impressed by the company’s ability to develop a more affordable entry-level instrument alongside building a strong community for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.'
We hope to make 2011 an even better year - Striving on in our campaign to make playing a musical instrument more accessible and affordable, and continuing to champion the huge rewards of music as a whole!