6. Eastman School of Music – Rochester, NY
Notable Faculty: Bonita Boyd
Most flutists who seriously consider pursuing a top career have applied to Bonita Boyd’s studio in Rochester, New York. Students of Bonita Boyd have pursued intriguingly diverse careers with their instruments. Just perusing the “alumni gallery” of Bonita Boyd’s personal website, you can see that her students have founded eclectic chamber ensembles, are principal flutists of major orchestras, hold professorships at many top schools, and are currently graduate students at many of the best colleges throughout the nation. Boyd herself has had a very successful career as a world-renowned flutist, having once been President of the National Flute Association. She has also held the principal position for the Rochester Philharmonic, and has concertized on every single continent save Antarctica.
Listen to the Faculty: Check out Bonita Boyd in a CD of flute and guitar duets entitled Chronicles of Discovery: American Music for Flute and Guitar
5. Longy School of Music of Bard College – Boston, MA
Notable Faculty: Robert Willoughby, Marco Granados, Vanessa Mulvey, Julie Scolnik
One of the most widely respected flutists and music teachers in the second half of the 20th century, Robert Willoughby, who is now ninety years old, still maintains a teaching schedule at the Longy School of Music. As a teacher, he has sent students to the upper echelons of the orchestral ranks, in coveted positions in world-renowned ensembles such as the San Francisco and Detroit Symphonies. In 1996, Robert Willoughby was honored with the National Flute Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence as a teacher and performer.
Another notable teacher on the faculty is Vanessa Breault Mulvey, who is unusual in utilizing holistic “body-mapping” techniques while performing, ensuring optimal technique via a palpable physical integration with her instrument that creates a unique and effective performance style. Located in the heart of a cultural epicenter in Boston, the Longy School of Music is an excellent choice for the aspiring young flutist.
Listen to the Faculty: Check Out Marco Granados performing selections of Music of Venezuela
4. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI
Notable Faculty: Amy Porter
Former associate principal of the Atlanta Symphony, flutist Amy Porter has become one of the most sought-after flute teachers working in higher education today, having published DVDs, videos, and sheet music arrangements that have become staples of flute pedagogy. Her students have gone on to extremely respected careers as freelance, chamber, and orchestral flautists, including appointments in orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Located in a historical hot-spot of new classical music performance, an education in flute performance at the University of Michigan results in nothing short of an exceptional, well-rounded performance degree.
Check Out the Faculty: Here is a transcription of JS Bach’s Cello Suites for solo flute