Former Students
Listed here are some of the delightful people whom I have had the pleasure to teach, followed by the institution(s) where they studied and their occupations. If you are a former student and don’t see your name on this list, please send me an email and let me know where and how you are!
ESM = Eastman
UM = Michigan
pri = private lessons
School Abbreviations:
BU = Boston University
BC = Boston Conservatory
NEC = New England Conservatory
SUNY = State University of New York – Geneseo
Hilary Abigana
Rice
Flutist of The Fourth Wall, hybrid arts ensemble
Second Flute, Evansville Philharmonic
Solo Piccolo, Owensboro Symphony
Flutist, Tales and Scales (2008-10)
Winner, Byron Hester Competition (2008)
Silver medalist, Fischoff Competition (2008)
Third prize, Myrna Brown Competition (2008)
Deborah Ash, DMA
UM
Plymouth Symphony (1981-2011)
Principal Flute, Plymouth Symphony (1989-2011)
Faculty, University of Windsor (2002-2003)
Published poet
Laurie Baefsky, DMA
UM
Dean, College of the Arts and Media at the University of Montana, Missoula
Former Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Media, CU-Denver
Former Executive Director of Arts Engine and Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities, Ann Arbor, MI
DMA Stony Brook University with Carol Wincenc
Program Director, Utah State U., ArtsBridge
Member, Virginia Symphony
Education Director, Virginia Arts Festival
Robin Lee Baker
BC
Senior Manager of Community Engagement, Celebrity Series of Boston (2012- )
Flutist, Pentamerus Winds (1988-2003)
Lyra Duo (flute/guitar) (1989-2006)
Director of Education, Handel and Haydn Society (1991-2012)
Laura Barron
pri
Former faculty, University of Oregon
Former faculty, University of Northern Arizona
Joanna Bassett
ESM
Assistant Dean of Students, Hochstein School of Music
Second Flute and Piccolo, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (retired)
James Blanchard
Rice
Principal Flute, San Jose Opera Orchestra (2020- )
Principal Flute, Des Moines Symphony (2020- )
Acting Principal Flute, Des Moines Symphony (2018-2020)
MM Juilliard with Robert Langevin (2016-18)
Bruce Bodden (1964-2022)
ESM/BU
Principal Flute, Spokane Symphony
Faculty, Eastern Washington University
Susan Bozell Craig
UM
Manager of Corporate Partnerships, University Musical Society, Ann Arbor
Graduate student of Trevor Wye, Kent, England
Catherine Branch Lewis
Rice
Assistant Director, Rochester Center for Community Leadership, University of Rochester
MM and DMA, Eastman School of Music
Watson Fellowship (Ireland, England, Australia) (2008-09)
Catherine (“CC”) Broyles
Rice
Principal, Coast Guard Band (2013- )
Elizabeth Buck, DMA
Rice
Professor of Flute, Arizona State University
Principal Flute, Phoenix Symphony (1994-2003)
Emily Bugala
UM/Rice
Flutist, Brave New Works (Ann Arbor)
Private teacher
Kayla Burggraf
Rice
Principal Flute, Toronto Symphony Orchestra (2024- )
Solo Piccolo, Kansas City Symphony (2019-2024)
New World Symphony Fellow (2018-19)
Principal Flute, Des Moines Symphony (2014-2019)
MSM OP with Robert Langevin (2016)
Katherine Calvey
UM
Principal Flutist of the Chamber Orchestra of Coahuila (2007- )
Former Principal Flutist of the State Philharmonic (Chihuahua) & Acapulco Philharmonic (Mexico), Cali Symphony & Barranquilla Symphony (Colombia)
Flute teacher of Orquesta Esperanza TV Azteca (2012- )
Former Wind Department Chair of the Municipal Conservatory (Mexico)
Former head of the Flute Department of Cauca University (Colombia).
Guest concerto soloist El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador & Curacao.
Extra/sub in Wuhan, China; Pueblo, CO, USA; Monterrey & Mineria Symphony (MX)
William Cedeño
Rice
Principal Flute, South Dakota Symphony (2016- )
Martha Chan
Rice
Artist Diploma candidate, Colburn School (2019- )
Deborah Charness
pri
Teacher and chamber musician, Boston
Michelle Cheramy
Rice
Faculty, Memorial University, St. Johns, Newfoundland
Winner, National Flute Association dissertation competition (2006)
Gina Choi Hughes
Rice
Solo Piccolo Atlanta Symphony (2016-)
Acting Second Flute, Houston Symphony (2012-13)
Jennifer Chung
UM
Faculty, San Francisco Community Music Center
Administrative Assistant, San Francisco Opera
Martha Councell-Vargas
Rice
Professor of Flute, Western Michigan University
Former extra player, Omaha Symphony
Principal Flute, Midland-Odessa Symphony
NFA Young Artist Competition 2nd prize (2000)
Cynthia Decker
BC
Syracuse Symphony
Allison DeFrancesco
Rice
Third Flute and Piccolo, Sarasota Orchestra
Kara DeRaad Santos
UM
Former Principal Flutist Evansville Philharmonic
Douglas DeVries
Rice
Principal Flute, San Antonio Philharmonic (2024 - )
Haynes Artist (2024 - )
Houston Christian College, Faculty Member (2024 - )
Monarch Chamber Players, Founding Member (2020 - )
Lousiana Philharmonic, substitute Second Flute (2016-present)
Philadelphia Orchestra substitute Flute/Piccolo (2021-present)
Loop38, Solo Flute (2015-2020 )
Houston Symphony, Substitute Second Flute (2017 - )
Houston Community College, Adjunct Faculty (2017 - )
DaCamera of Houston Artist Fellow (2017-18, 2020-2022)
Melissa Dibble
BU
Managing Director, Emc Arts, New York City
Former Administrator, St. Louis Symphony
Roma Duncan
UM
Solo Piccolo, Minnesota Orchestra
Ft. Wayne Philharmonic (1997-98)
Kirstin Eade, DMA
Rice
Associate Principal Flute, New Zealand Symphony
Faculty, Victoria University-Wellington
Abigail Easterling
Rice
Principal Flute, Dallas Winds (2022- )
Principal Flute Las Colinas Symphony
Civic Orchestra of Chicago Fellow (2022)
Clay Ellerbroek
NEC
Principal Flute, The Florida Orchestra
Former member, San Diego Symphony
Erika Fischer
UM
Administrator, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Eva Fontanez
UM
Graduate studies with Mark Sparks and David Cramer
Clint Foreman
Rice
Second Flute, Boston Symphony Orchestra (2011- )
New World Symphony (2008-2011)
Amanda Galick
Rice
Air Force Band, (2024- )
Piccolo, Sarasota Opera
Da Camera of Houston, Young Artist Fellow
Flutist, Musiqa
Adrienne Garstang
UM
Substitute Flute, Kansas City Symphony
Second Flute, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra (1999-2002)
Jane Garvin
BC/NEC
Minnesota Orchestra, regular substitute player
Principal Flute, North Star Opera
Minnesota Contemporary Ensemble
Private teacher
Marianne Gedigian
NEC
Butler Professor of Flute, UT- Austin
Principal Flute, Boston Pops Esplanade
Flutist, Dorian Quintet
Winner, NFA Young Artist Competition (1993)
Jocelyn Goranson
Rice
Flute instructor
Faculty, Messiah College and Dickinson College (PA)
Former faculty, Texas A&M Commerce
Winner, Frank Bowen Competition (2006)
Michael Gordon
Rice
Principal Flute, Kansas City Symphony
New World Symphony
Julia Grenfell, DMA
Rice
Solo Piccolo, Gothenburg Opera (Sweden) (2018-19)
Solo Piccolo, Adelaide Symphony, Australia (2003-)
Faculty, Elder School of Music, Adelaide University
San Antonio Symphony, acting member (1999-2000)
Tanglewood Fellow (1999)
New Zealand Symphony, acting member (1998-1999)
Scott Graddy
UM
Piccolo, Flint Symphony
Judy Grant
BU
Faculty, Boston College
Founder, Boston Flute Academy
Faculty, University of Massachusetts-Boston
Hannah Hammel
Rice
Principal Flute, Detroit Symphony (2020- )
Knoxville Symphony (2017-19 )
Tanglewood Fellow (2018 & 2019)
Barbara Harrington
NEC
Former Second Flute, Alabama Symphony
Second Flute, St. Louis Symphony (2001-02)
Henrik Heide
Rice
Freelance Flutist, singer, song writer, guitarist
Associate Principal Flute, Cincinnati Symphony (2015-2019)
New World Symphony (2012-15 )
MM Juilliard with Jeffrey Khaner (2010-12)
Garrett Hudson
Rice
Founding member, WindSync
2016 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition gold medalists
Winners of Concert Artists Guild Competition (2012)
Represented by Park Avenue Artists
Da Camera of Houston Young Artist (2011-12)
Sally Humphreys
pri
Solo Piccolo, Opera Utah and Ballet West
Acting Solo Piccolo, Utah Symphony (2007-08)
Lisa Jaklitsch Westervelt, DMA
Rice
DMA Stony Brook University with Carol Wincenc
Adjunct Professor of Flute, Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL, 2007-12)
Solo Piccolo and Second Flute, Orlando Philharmonic
Lisa Jelle, DMA
Rice
Professor of Flute, Capital University
Former Acting Second Flute, Honolulu Symphony
Assistant Professor of Flute, Middle Tennessee State University (2001-2002)
Christina Jennings
Rice/pri
Associate Professor of Flute, University of Colorado at Boulder
Faculty, University of Oklahoma
Faculty, Bowling Green State University, Ohio (2002-2003)
Winner, Concert Artists Guild, 2001
Winner, Ima Hogg Competition (1999)
Winner, NFA Young Artist Competition (1998)
Allison Jewett
Rice
Former Solo Piccolo, Houston Symphony
Former Solo Piccolo, Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera
Substitute, San Antonio Symphony Orchestra
Jessica Johnson, DMA
UM
Former member of Alarm Will Sound
Recording artist and clinician, Verderos
Doctoral fellow, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Jin Ta
UM
Principal Flute, Singapore Symphony
Flute Talk Competition 2nd prize (1996)
NFA YAC 3rd prize (1994)
Susan Kang
Rice
Principal Flute, San Francisco Ballet (2022-)
Principal Flute, Houston Ballet (2018-2022)
Acting Principal Flute, Houston Grand Opera (2018-19)
Andrea Kaplan
Rice
Assistant Principal Flute, St. Louis Symphony
Former Principal Flute, The Florida Orchestra, Tampa
Jennifer Keeney
Rice
Freelancer, founder of the Creative Flutist Studio, Austin (jenniferkeeney.com)
Former adjunct flute faculty, University of Houston
New World Symphony
Heather Kent
BU
Faculty, Gordon College
Dominique Kim
Rice
Principal Flute, Hartford Symphony
Tanglewood fellow (2021 & 2022)
Fromm fellow, Tanglewood 2023
Winner, NFA Young Artist Competition (2021)
Minha Kim
Rice
Principal Flute, Virginia Symphony (2024- )
Dawn Kulak
UM
Marine Band Div
Toledo Opera
Winner, Frank Bowen Competition (1997)
Caroline Kung Kowalski
Rice
Graduate studies with Fenwick Smith at NEC and with Jim Walker at USC
Private studio
Kate Ladner
Rice
Solo Piccolo, Houston Symphony (2016- )
Solo Piccolo, Nashville Symphony (2012-16)
Melanie Lançon
Rice
Principal Flute, Auckland Philharmonia (2018-2022)
Elizabeth Landon
Rice
Principal Flute, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra (2006-15)
Chicago Civic Symphony
Ashleigh Leas
Rice
Musician First Class, U.S. Navy Band
Alice Lenaghan, DMA
UM
Faculty California State – Chico
Acting Principal Flute, Flint, MI Symphony
Substitute, Detroit Symphony
Wendy Lin Duplechain
Rice
Principal Flutist, Lake Shore Symphony, Chicago
Substitute Flute, Omaha Symphony
Jessica Lizak
UM
Graduate studies with Fenwick Smith
New England Conservatory and Marianne Gedigian, Boston University
Winner, Pappoutsakis Competition (2000)
Elizabeth Marshall
UM
Doctoral studies, University of Wisconsin
Substitute New World Symphony
Instructor of theory, South Miami High School
Former faculty, Olivet Nazarene College
NFA Young Artist Competition, 3rd prize (1995)
Madison Symphony
Abigail McKee
Rice
President and CEO, Britt Festival (2022 - )
Executive director, Portland Baroque
Executive director, Bach Collegium of San Diego
Scholarship student of Tim Day, San Francisco Conservatory Professional Studies Program
Arts Administrator, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Melissa Mielens
NEC
Freelancer, Boston
NFA Young Artist Competition, 3rd prize (1993- )
Winner, Pappoutsakis Competition (1992- )
Izumi Miyahara
Rice
Substitute Solo Piccolo, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera
Julianna Miller Nickel
NEC
Faculty, George Mason University; active freelancer in the greater Washington, D.C. area
Former substitute, Dallas Symphony
Freelancer and teacher
Christine Murphy
Rice
Assistant Principal Flute, Baltimore Symphony (2019- )
Robert Pagan
Rice
Marketing and Development Manager and Director of Chamber Music, InterSchool Orchestras of New York
Deborah Parker
BU
2015 recipient of the Rochester Philharmonic Musicians' Outstanding Educator Award Instrumental teacher, Brighton (NY) Central School District
Principal Flute, Greece Symphony
Freelancer, Rochester
Catherine Payne
NEC
Solo Piccolo, San Francisco Symphony
Faculty, San Francisco Conservatory and San Jose State University
September Payne
BU
Former faculty, San Diego State University
Aaron Perdue
Rice
Rice Substitute, Colorado Symphony
Da Camera of Houston Young Artist (2011-12)
Private teacher
Young Texas Artist Competition, First Prize (2010)
Hellam Young Artist Competition, Second Prize (2010)
Bridget Pei
Rice
Second Flute, Seattle Symphony (2023 - )
Nina Perlove, DMA
UM
Faculty, University of Northern Kentucky
Director, American Classical Music Hall of Fame
Soloist, clinician, writer, and internet presence
Doctoral student of Brad Garner, Cincinnati Conservatory
NFA Young Artist Competition, 3rd prize (2000)
Hunter O’Brien
Rice
DACAMERA Director of Education and Community Initiatives (2024)
Emily Perryman Olson
UM, Rice
Development Manager, Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor MI
Freelance orchestral and chamber musician
Catherine Peterson
UM
Second Flute, Colorado Symphony
NFA Young Artist Competition, 2nd prize (1999)
Jessica Petrasek
Rice
Adjunct faculty, Georgia State University (2022- )
Substitute Principal Flute, Knoxville Symphony (2019- )
Solo Piccolo, Kansas City Symphony (2018-19)
NFA Young Artist Competition, third prize (2013)
Principal Flute, Wichita Symphony (2013-16)
Masha Popova
Rice
Principal Flute, Shreveport Symphony (2022- )
Second Flute, Houston Grand Opera (2020)
DaCamera of Houston Artist Fellow (2019-20)
Miami City Ballet
New World Symphony (2014-18)
Principal Flute, Des Moines Symphony (2013-14 )
Second Flute, Sarasota Opera (2014- )
Substitute player, Louisiana Philharmonic (2012-13)
Prize winner, Midland-Odessa Competition (2013)
Catherine Ramirez, DMA
Rice
Artist-in-Residence, St. Olaf College (2016- )
Assistant professor of flute, St. Olaf (2010-2016)
Principal Flute, Minnesota Sinfonia (2022- )
Awarded second prize in the woodwind division of the 2013 Città di Padova International Competition, Italy and two third prizes in 2012
Leslie Richmond
Rice
Graduate study with Jean Ferrandis in Paris at l’Ecole Normale
Matthew Roitstein
Rice
Principal Flute, St. Louis Symphony (2022- )
Associate Principal Flute, Houston Symphony (2014-22)
Sarasota Opera (2014)
Second Flute, Florida Opera (2013-14 )
New World Symphony (2010-13)
Co-Principal Flute, Honolulu Symphony (2009-10)
Marisela Sager
Rice
Assistant Principal Flute Cleveland Orchestra, (2005-18)
Assistant Principal Flute, Baltimore Symphony (2004-05)
New World Symphony (2001-04)
Lance Sanford
Rice
Principal Flutist, Dallas Chamber Orchestra
Substitute, Dallas Opera Orchestra
Freelancer and teacher, Dallas
Winner, Myrna Brown Competition (2001)
Arin Sarkissian
Rice
Principal Flutist, Victoria Symphony
Graduate studies at Colburn (2021-2022)
Robert Schenck
pri
Faculty, Academy of Music & Drama, University of Gothenburg (Sweden), 1976-2014 (flute, chamber music, teaching methods, performance psychology).
Recipient of the Göran Lagerwall prize (2000)
Recipient of the Pedagogical Prize of the Faculty of Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts, University of Gothenburg (2014)
Author of Spelrum (Bo Ejeby, 2000), a pedagogical guidebook for instrumental and voice teachers.
Career coach
Kathleen Schott Shaffer
Rice
Faculty, Carnegie Mellon preparatory department
Principal Flute, West Virginia Symphony
Principal Flute, Youngstown Symphony
Keren Schweitzer
Coordinator of the Intro to Chamber Music program at the Colburn CSPA school
Flute Professor, Claremont Graduate University and Mount Saint Mary's University
Guest Principal, Reno Chamber Orchestra
Sub, LA Philharmonic
Flute Talk winner 1997,
Byron Hester Competition winner 2010
Carol Shansky
BU
New Jersey City University, Coordinator of Music Education and flute instructor. Member, Duo Riel (flute and clarinet)
Karen Corbett Sheppard
BU
Middle school music teacher, Newton (MA)
Freelancer, Boston
Laura Shulkind
SUNY Geneseo
Flute instructor, Red Rocks Community College, CO
Member, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra
Flutist, Mountain Chamber Music
First grade teacher and reading interventionist
Merrie Siegel, DMA
Rice
Private teacher, Seattle
Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Idaho (2000-2005)
Jessica Sindell
Rice
Associate Principal Flute, Cleveland Orchestra (2019- )
Solo piccolo, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (2016-2018)
Christina Sjoquist Medawar
Rice
Founder and Artistic Director, Sustain Music, Seattle (2018- )
Houston Grand Opera (2008- )
Christen Sparago
Rice
Deputy Digital Campaigns Director, Democratic National Committee, Washington, DCCC
Sustaining Donor Manager, DNC
Assistant Director, Rice Annual Fund for Student Life and Learning
Dianne Spoto
NEC
Faculty, New England Conservatory Preparatory DivisionFrequent substitute, Boston Philharmonic, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Portland Philharmonic
Claire Starz Butin
Rice
Assistant Principal Flute and Solo Piccolo, Honolulu Symphony
Jennifer Stewart Gravenor
Rice
Private Wealth Advisor for J.P. Morgan
Advisory Board Member, Da Camera of Houston
Houston Symphony League Member; Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition Committee member
MM (’07) and MBA (’10) from Rice
Amulet Strange
Rice
Principal Flute, Mississippi Symphony (2015- )
Flutist, Deciduous Trio. Artists in Residence at Avaloch Farm Institute, Boscawen, NH (summer 2014)
Frances Tate
NEC/UM
Second prize, NFA Piccolo Artist Competition (2002)
Freelancer, Baltimore-Philadelphia
Knoxville Symphony (1997-1998)
Suzanne Teng
BU
World music specialist
Recording artist, Mystic Journey (1997-)
Mark Teplitsky
Rice
Assistant Principal/Second Flute, Naples Philharmonic (2024- )
Principal Flute, San Antonio Symphony (2016- )
Tamara Thweatt, DMA
UM
Instructor of Flute, University of Indianapolis
Former Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Iowa
Solo Piccolo, Los Angeles Philharmonic (2000-2002)
Caen Thomason-Redus
UM/Rice
League of American Orchestras Vice President, Inclusion and Learning (2022- )
Community Catalyst and Director of Community and Learning, Detroit Symphony
Manager of Corporate Partnerships, Sphinx Organization (2012-15 )
Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2005-12)
Detroit Symphony fellow (2003-05)
Principal Flute, Evansville Philharmonic
Faculty, University of Evansville
Julie Thornton
Rice
Solo Piccolo, Colorado Symphony
Faculty, Colorado State University
New York Philharmonic substitute solo piccolo (1998-1999)
Megan Torti
Rice
Principal Flute, North Carolina Symphony
Patrick Tsuji
Rice
Second Flute, Minnesota Orchestra (2022- )
Associate Principal Flute, Omaha Symphony (2019 - )
Finalist, NFA Young Artist Competition (2016)
Member, Chicago Civic Symphony (2015- )
Sally Tucker
BU
Music educator, Scituate (MA) public schools
Educator of the Year Award from the South Shore Conservatory (2001)
Conductor, South Shore Symphonic Winds
Principal Flute, Massachusetts Wind Ensemble
Piccolo, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
Liana Tyson
UM
Faculty, Hendrix College, Conway, AR Former faculty, Boise State University and University of Alabama, DMA Eastman School of Music
Jill VanderScheer
UM
Former Principal Flute, Evansville Philharmonic.
1st prize, NFA Orchestral Audition Competition (2000)
Brian Van Sickle
BU
Boston Symphony technical support team
Freelancer
Mihoko Watanabe, DMA
UM
2016 recipient of the Dran's Teaching Award, College of Fine Arts, Ball State University
Assistant Professor of Flute, Ball State University
Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Faculty, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland (2002-2003)
Joanna Cowan White
pri
Professor of Flute, Central Michigan University
Principal Flute, Saginaw and Midland symphonies
Henry Williford
Rice
Houston Grand Opera, Acting Section Flute (2018-19)
Heather Zinninger
Rice
Associate Principal and Second Flute, Milwaukee Symphony (2017- )
Principal Flute, Louisiana Philharmonic (2011-2016)
Natalie Zeldin Zisman
Rice
Kress Interpretive Fellow, Blanton Museum of Art, Austin (2013-14)
MA in Art History, The University of Texas-Austin (2013)
Jennifer Zhou
Rice
Flutist, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” (2024 - )
The United States Army Field Band (2016-2024)
Kelly Zimba Lukic
Rice
Principal Flute, Toronto Symphony (2017- )
New World Symphony (2015-2017)