ABOUT OUR ALUMNI
Ithaca College flutists’ studies and training prepare them for success in a diversity of careers and in competing at the national level.
Our flute alums are working as:
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Orchestra musicians
Chamber music performers
New music performers
Public School Educators
College Professors
And in the fields of:
Arts Administration
Music Editing
The Flute Industry
World music
Our flute alums have won and/or placed in nearly every National Flute Association Competitions including:
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Young Artist
Orchestra Audition
Baroque Artist
Performers Masterclass
Piccolo Masterclass
Convention Performers
Graduate Research
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Our flute alums have been accepted into graduate programs at:
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Cleveland Institute
Manhattan School of Music
Eastman School of Music
Mannes School of Music
Peabody Conservatory of Music
New England Conservatory of Music
Boston University
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Indiana University
Northwestern University
University of Michigan
San Francisco Conservatory
McGill University (Canada)
Royal Academy of Music (England)
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Some of our Ithaca College Flute Alums accomplishments:
Stephanie LoTempio ’17 – Education Administration Coordinator for Carnegie Hall, M.M. in Flute Performance from NYU Steinhardt
Allison Kraus ’14 –Finisher for Burkart Flutes
Justine Lee Hooper ’14 –Solo flute and EFX performer-composer, flutist in salsa band Las Mariquitas, NFA Jazz Committee member, formerly special events staff at The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and American Ballet Theatre
Lisa Meyerhofer ’11 – Principal Flute with Opera in the Ozarks, National Flute Association internship, M.M. in flute performance from Northwestern University, quarter-finalist in the 2016 National Flute Association Young Artist competition
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Meaghan McTammany ’09 – Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Pavilion Central School District, recipient of the Outstanding Young Music Educator Terry Taylor Award
Melissa Wertheimer ’08 – Music Reference Specialist for the Library of Congress, M.M. in piccolo performance from the Peabody Institute of Music, winner of the 2007 Ithaca College Concerto Competition, 2nd place winner of the 2009 Flute Society of Washington, DC Piccolo Artist Competition, member of the Dahlia Duo
Amy Thiemann Leal ’07 – Flutist with the Madera Wind Quintet, Faculty at Midwestern State University, D.M.A. in flute performance from the University of North Texas
Leslie Harrison ’07 – Traditional Irish flutist with the New Time Ensemble, two CD recordings, M.M. from NYU Steinhardt, 2nd place winner in the 2007 MTNA Woodwind division competition
Rita George-Simmons ’06 – Flute faculty at the Hochstein School, flutist with Telos Trio, winner of the 2006 National Flute Association Convention Performers competition
Rebecca Gay Hall ’03, ‘99 – Music teacher in the North Syracuse Central School District, recipient of the NSCSD 2010 Teacher of the Year award and the 2006 Syracuse Symphony Teacher of the Year award, 2013 Grammy Nominee for Music Educator
Sarah Paysnick ’01 – Flutist with Grand Harmonie and Musical Offering in Boston, Baroque Flute Artist for Flutistry Boston, 1st place winner of the 2009 National Flute Association Baroque Artist Competition, featured performer at the 2005 National Flute Association convention, winner of the 2004 Pappoutsakis Flute Competition
Aiven O’Leary ’00 – head joint maker and general manager at the Haynes Flute Company, former head joint maker for the Powell Flute Company, M.M. in flute performance from Indiana University
Kelly Jepson Covert '98 – 2nd flute/piccolo with Symphoria (formerly Syracuse Symphony), Professor of Flute at Syracuse University
Lori Kesner '98 – Faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, invited to give a series of world music lectures at Johns Hopkins University, 2nd place winner of the 2002 National Flute Association Orchestra Competition, winner of the 2001 and 2000 National Flute Association Masterclass Competitions, winner of the 2009 National Flute Association Doctoral Dissertation Competition
Kristin Bacchiocchi Stewart ’98 – Director and founder of The Flute Academy, principal flute with the New Jersey Wind Symphony and a member of the Lyra Ensemble, instructor and administrator for the Marina Piccinini International Master classes. D.M.A. from the Peabody Institute of Music, 2nd place winner of the 2002 National Flute Association Young Artist Competition, winner of the 2000 National Flute Association Masterclass competition
Robert Southard ’94 – Associate Professor at Hope College where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, teaches flute and heads the instrumental division of the music education program, principal flute with the Holland Symphony Orchestra, semifinalist in the National Flute Association Piccolo Artist competition, D.M.A. from Michigan State University
Jennifer Nitchman ‘94 – 2nd flute with the St. Louis Symphony, 1st place winner of the 2001 National Flute Association Young Artist Competition, flute faculty at St. Louis University
Colleen Countryman Blagov ’93 – Principal Flute with the Orlando Symphony, flute faculty at Florida Southern College, formerly principal flute with the Savannah Symphony, 2nd flute with the Columbus Symphony, and 2nd flute of the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, prize-winner of the 1992, 1993 and 1997 National Flute Association Orchestra Competitions and the 1993 Flute Talk Competition