We Are the ECU Flute Studio
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Experience the thrill of playing the flute at a professional level! Degree plans include: Flute Performance Music Education Music Therapy (optional music minor) Performer's Certificate (non-degree program) Guided Instruction You will receive weekly private lessons, play works in progress for weekly Flute Studio performance classes, and participate in Orchestral Excerpt Classes, where major excerpts from the great orchestral works used in professional auditions are studied and put into practice in ensemble placement auditions every semester. Musical Opportunities Students will be encouraged to participate in competitions, both at the state and national levels, and to compete with themselves in a nurturing environment that puts the music first. Achieve your Musical Goals! Our flute graduates perform in orchestras, wind ensembles, rock bands and jazz bands with national and international outreach. They teach flute in universities and colleges and create their own private studios. ECU grads have gone on to win scholarships for graduate study at Mannes Conservatory, Cincinnati College-Conservatory, the Peabody Institute and New York University, among others. ECU Flute Studio grads have been hired as faculty for public and private school music programs in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Arizona, Maryland and Texas school systems. They also intern and work professionally as music therapists nationwide. Recent Guest Artist Masterclasses and Performances ECU Flute Symposium Kelariz Keshavarz, September 19-20, 2024 CAROL WINCENC, APRIL 11-13, 2024 (see Events) Julietta Curenton 2023 Aleksandr Haskin 2022 Timothy Hagen 2019 and More! |
Mission
To inspire and be inspired to creative artistic expression through deeper discovery of the flute. To explore the flute literature in a wide range of musical styles and periods, with the ultimate aim of advancing our technique and musicianship to our full potential with a deep commitment to effective practice. To develop our ability to respond to new performance environments with grace and ease. To train intensively as individuals and together to make ourselves employable as music professionals and performers on the flute. To enrich our world and to pass music on to others. |
CURRENT STUDENTS [SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!]
Jessie Luke is from Four Oaks, NC, and is majoring in music education. She has performed on both flute and piccolo with the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and most recently with Carol Wincenc in April 2024 on the Lukas Foss Concerto as Principal Flute in the ECU Symphony Orchestra. Jessie's goal is to become a high school band director in North Carolina.
Jesse is now student teaching in the NC public schools and expects to graduate in May 2025.
Jesse is now student teaching in the NC public schools and expects to graduate in May 2025.
Delainey Scott, from Jacksonville, NC, is majoring in flute performance. She has performed with the ECU Symphony Orchestra and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble as piccolo soloist.
Delainey dreams of playing the flute as a career, .
“I chose ECU because I knew a lot of people who went here (including family) and band directors with whom I had worked in the past who really liked it.”
Delainey dreams of playing the flute as a career, .
“I chose ECU because I knew a lot of people who went here (including family) and band directors with whom I had worked in the past who really liked it.”
Recent Graduates--Where Are They Now?
PERFORMANCE
Robert "Dale" Cox graduated in flute performance in December 2024. He was the recipient of the Rhonda J. Fleming Award from the Greenville Choral Society. He served as Principal Flute in the ECU Symphony Orchestra and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble and as the flutist for the Seven Seas Woodwind Quintet. He is founder and director of Pride and Joy, all-community saxophone ensemble in Greenville NC. He has been a masterclass performer for Göran Marcusson and Stephen Preston at Wildacres Flute Retreat in Little Switzerland, NC.
Dale is currently teaching music/strings at G. R. Whitfield School in Greenville, NC.
Dale is currently teaching music/strings at G. R. Whitfield School in Greenville, NC.
Juliano Dutra Aniceto has been continuing his studies in the Doctor of Musical Arts program under Marin Alsop, one of the world's most distinguished conductors, since fall 2020 at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. Juliano is a conductor and flutist from Brazil, who earned the Master of Music in conducting at East Carolina University in May 2020, where he had a teaching assistantship in conducting under Dr. Jorge Richter and studied flute with Dr. Christine Gustafson. Juliano studied flute at the Villa-Lobos School of Music in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Professionally, Juliano has been Assistant Conductor of São Paulo State Youth Orchestra, Assistant for Operatic Productions in the São Pedro Theater and conducted orchestras including the East Carolina University Symphony Orchestra, São Paulo University Symphony, Orquestra Experimental de Repertorio, São Paulo State Youth Orchestra and São Pedro Theater Youth Orchestra, among others. He was recently appointed Director of Orchestras of the New England Conservatory NEC Prep division, a brand new position created within the organization, and Music Director of the NEC Prep Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, in Boston, MA, beginning fall 2024. In further exciting news, Juliano served as cover conductor for the Ravinia Festival, the summer residence of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and as assistant to Marin Alsop, James Conlon, Valentina Peleggi, and other stellar conductors in summer 2024. In addition, he is assistant conductor for the Festival production of Mozart’s opera Idomeneo. While at ECU, Juliano was a conducting student and Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. Jorge Richter and studied flute with Dr. Christine Gustafson. Congratulations, Juliano, we are thrilled with your success!
Nathan earned the Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance at the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, in May 2023 and is currently pursuing the DMA degree in Classical Saxophone at the University of Memphis. He won the 2018 ECU Concerto Competition, performing the Glazunov Concerto in 2019 with the ECU Symphony Orchestra. A music scholarship recipient at East Carolina University, Nathan graduated with a double concentration in Music Performance and Jazz Studies under saxophone professor Dr. Jeff Bair. He performed as principal saxophone of the ECU Wind Ensemble, lead alto of the ECU Jazz Ensemble A and as saxophonist for the ECU Billy Taylor Jazz Combo. He studied clarinet with Dr. Douglas Moore-Monroe and flute with Dr. Christine Gustafson. He is touring these days and continues to have a very active YouTube video presence and has amassed over 20 million views of his "Saxologic" website. In summer 2024 he was invited to be part of the Global Jazz Workshop in Austin, TX.
“My first dream was to have my own cartoon show. I was into art and drawing and drew every day. I still have my comics. I joined the band because my older brother was in band. Originally I wanted to play drums, but we were required to play a wind instrument first. When it came time to switch, I wanted to stay with saxophone. The amazing YouTube videos I saw really made me want to play better. Great playing changes the atmosphere in the room. It’s really interesting that [the flute] doesn’t need a reed, just lips blowing air at the perfect angle. Flute players all sound different from each other, and I love the individuality, the golden tone of a great player.“
“My first dream was to have my own cartoon show. I was into art and drawing and drew every day. I still have my comics. I joined the band because my older brother was in band. Originally I wanted to play drums, but we were required to play a wind instrument first. When it came time to switch, I wanted to stay with saxophone. The amazing YouTube videos I saw really made me want to play better. Great playing changes the atmosphere in the room. It’s really interesting that [the flute] doesn’t need a reed, just lips blowing air at the perfect angle. Flute players all sound different from each other, and I love the individuality, the golden tone of a great player.“
MUSIC THERAPY
Emma Kiriloff is starting an exciting new internship at a Greensboro-based music therapy group to finish her degree requirements after a successful senior recital. Originally from Pennsylvania, Emma is a recent winner of the Student Research Poster Award for the Music Therapy Association Convention in Atlanta, GA.
Emma says, “music is pretty much everything to me. It especially helped me through
some rough times in my life and helped me to become a stronger person, even with aspects of my life outside of music."
Emma says, “music is pretty much everything to me. It especially helped me through
some rough times in my life and helped me to become a stronger person, even with aspects of my life outside of music."
Cassie (Baker) Harglerode earned the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree, May 2020. One of Cassie's favorite activities in her degree program was working with her geriatric music therapy clients. She also loved being a part of various ensembles at ECU, including the Marching Pirates, ECU Flute Choir, the ECU Symphony Orchestra, and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, where she held the principal position. Cassie was the treasurer for her music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. She was also a participant in the premiere Taiwan Chamber Music/Chinese Language and Culture Summer Study Abroad exchange program at the University of Taipei, Taiwan, where she performed in 2019. Cassie is now working as a music therapist continues to teach flute in the community. She married Austin Harglerode on December 31, 2023!
"Because music speaks to everyone in a special and uniquely personal way, it has the power to move, to heal, to comfort and to give the strength to keep going. As a music therapist, I would like to use the power of music to help heal other people.”
"Because music speaks to everyone in a special and uniquely personal way, it has the power to move, to heal, to comfort and to give the strength to keep going. As a music therapist, I would like to use the power of music to help heal other people.”
PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN MUSIC EDUCATION
Sydney Neri
is a senior in music education who is currently student teaching in the NC Triangle Area public school system. Sydney performed her senior recital in November of 2023. She has served as Principal Flute in the ECU Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and as Section Leader for the piccolos of the Marching Pirates. Sydney is the current Treasurer for NAfME. Sydney has performed professionally in Eastern North Carolina and hopes to continue.
“I started music really young. I enjoyed the expressiveness of it, because you have to feel the emotion of the music in order to play with musicality.
is a senior in music education who is currently student teaching in the NC Triangle Area public school system. Sydney performed her senior recital in November of 2023. She has served as Principal Flute in the ECU Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and as Section Leader for the piccolos of the Marching Pirates. Sydney is the current Treasurer for NAfME. Sydney has performed professionally in Eastern North Carolina and hopes to continue.
“I started music really young. I enjoyed the expressiveness of it, because you have to feel the emotion of the music in order to play with musicality.
Shiloh Waite graduated with a double concentration in flute performance and music education in spring 2024. She was awarded the 2023 Bill McCloud Scholarship, bestowed on outstanding students in music education by the NCMEA. She was also a 2023 recipient of the Thomas W. Rivers Study Abroad Award for the Taiwan Chamber Music/Chinese Language and Culture Study Abroad Program, where, along with support from the #ECUHonors program for study abroad, she studied and performed with faculty and students of the University of Taipei. Shiloh served as Principal Flute in the ECU Symphony Orchestra and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. She performed her senior recital in November, 2023. She is now on the music faculty of Northwoods Park Middle School.
“The main reason I’m majoring in music is that I’ve loved it since I was little, and my whole family is involved in it. I want to be a band director, because I love seeing the light in the students’ eyes when they get it.”
“The main reason I’m majoring in music is that I’ve loved it since I was little, and my whole family is involved in it. I want to be a band director, because I love seeing the light in the students’ eyes when they get it.”
Kasey Oregon is from Newport, NC, and earned the Bachelor of Music Degree with a double concentration in music education and flute performance. She performed with the ECU Marching Pirates and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Kasey is currently teaching music in the string program at Swansboro Middle School and performs on flute in area orchestras in Eastern North Carolina.
“When I was about twelve years old and signing up for band, I chose the flute because I had heard it on the radio and from other places and thought it sounded pretty. That’s exactly why I chose it! Music is a way to express yourself that is often taken for granted, but it is the most important thing in life to me."
“When I was about twelve years old and signing up for band, I chose the flute because I had heard it on the radio and from other places and thought it sounded pretty. That’s exactly why I chose it! Music is a way to express yourself that is often taken for granted, but it is the most important thing in life to me."
Molly Griffin is currently a graduate student majoring in music education at East Carolina University. She served in the ECU Symphony Orchestra and the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble as an undergraduate music education major with flute as her major instrument. She was Collegiate President of the North Carolina Music Educators Association, after serving as the secretary for the ECU NAfME chapter for three years and recently as NCMEA President.
Molly was a Music Ambassador for the ECU School of Music for two years. Through her roles in these organizations Molly has been able to attend three NCMEA Conferences and Hill Day in Washington DC, as well as leading numerous clinics, lessons, and presentations in middle and high school bands across the state.
“I chose music education because it has the ability to bring people together despite differences in background. It gives everyone a level playing field. Sometimes people who don’t do as well in other areas find that they are really talented in music. For me, playing the flute has always been a stress reliever and something that is enjoyable and fun. I started because it brings me joy to play, not only just for myself, but also for others.”
Molly was a Music Ambassador for the ECU School of Music for two years. Through her roles in these organizations Molly has been able to attend three NCMEA Conferences and Hill Day in Washington DC, as well as leading numerous clinics, lessons, and presentations in middle and high school bands across the state.
“I chose music education because it has the ability to bring people together despite differences in background. It gives everyone a level playing field. Sometimes people who don’t do as well in other areas find that they are really talented in music. For me, playing the flute has always been a stress reliever and something that is enjoyable and fun. I started because it brings me joy to play, not only just for myself, but also for others.”
Venencia Harris comes to us from Wilson, NC, where she performed with her high school band and enjoyed playing the flute enough to make it the center of her university studies. She is now a senior majoring in music education and is Treasurer of the Beta Psi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity. Venencia is currently Principal Flute in the East Carolina University Symphonic Band and has also served in the ECU Marching Band piccolo section. When she has time, Venencia enjoys standup comedy and cartoons! She is now teaching music at Neuse Charter School in Smithfield, NC.
"From the beginning, music was a way to express myself, because I don’t do that a lot vocally. It makes me feel good when I can see the growth in my playing. I didn’t think I could sound the way I do now when I was younger, and it’s good to see all the progress I have made. I started flute in the fourth grade, when my school had a day where you can try out different instruments. When I was younger I enjoyed playing, but having my friends play with me was the reason I stayed with it. Now it’s something I can’t see myself not doing.”
"From the beginning, music was a way to express myself, because I don’t do that a lot vocally. It makes me feel good when I can see the growth in my playing. I didn’t think I could sound the way I do now when I was younger, and it’s good to see all the progress I have made. I started flute in the fourth grade, when my school had a day where you can try out different instruments. When I was younger I enjoyed playing, but having my friends play with me was the reason I stayed with it. Now it’s something I can’t see myself not doing.”
Kimberly (Smith) Wheeler majored in music education. She was also a student in the ECU Honors College and a recipient of the Maynard Scholarship. As a recipient of the Maynard scholarship, she participated in several College of Education events and was an Apple Ambassador. As a music major she performed with the ECU Flute Choir, the ECU Symphony Orchestra, and as solo flutist with the ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble in her last semester. Kimberly was the Vice President of ECU’s chapter of the collegiate National Association for Music Education. She is currently teaching music at St. Philip School in Melbourne, KY.
“I love playing the flute because it is a constant challenge and something I can always work on. There is always something I can improve on in my playing, and as with any art form, the world of music is constantly developing, so there is always something new to learn.”
“I love playing the flute because it is a constant challenge and something I can always work on. There is always something I can improve on in my playing, and as with any art form, the world of music is constantly developing, so there is always something new to learn.”
Jessica Blanchet graduated in May 2022 as a music education major from Durham, NC. She captured her dream job as Director of Bands at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, NC. She has a strong connection with family in Lafayette, LA, where she grew up. When she has spare time, Jessica likes to paint. We are so thrilled with your success, Jess! It was great visiting with you and your own band this fall!
“Music runs deep in my family. All my cousins play instruments. I knew I wanted to teach music from late middle school. I remember when I first said I wanted to play flute, my grandfather said, ‘it’s too hard, you want to play clarinet.’ I was in fifth grade, and I really remember that conversation. It was around Christmas time, and I had heard a flute duet playing Christmas music. I was driven to play flute, and that was a big motivator. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
“Music runs deep in my family. All my cousins play instruments. I knew I wanted to teach music from late middle school. I remember when I first said I wanted to play flute, my grandfather said, ‘it’s too hard, you want to play clarinet.’ I was in fifth grade, and I really remember that conversation. It was around Christmas time, and I had heard a flute duet playing Christmas music. I was driven to play flute, and that was a big motivator. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Congratulations to our wonderful former flute TA and MM grad in Multiple Woodwind Performance, Alexander Busby! After two years as Assistant Band Director at Oviedo High School in Florida (close to Orlando and Disney World), He began a new position as Director of his own band at Columbus High School in Columbus, TX, where he is close to family.
Alexander Busby earned the Bachelor of Music in Music Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Temple, TX (May 2018), and earned the Master of Music in Multiple Woodwind Performance at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (May 2020). Alex has been published in the national professional instrumental magazine Flute Talk (March 2019) and online magazine The Flute View (September 2019). In January 2020 Alex won the Demarre McGill Masterclass Competition and performed in recital with Demarre at Charleston Southern University, SC. He continues a national and international performing career, having played widely in Texas and North Carolina as a freelance musician, often in pit orchestras for theater productions, in churches and in concert halls in Shanghai and Suzhou, China, and in Taipei, Taiwan. Alex served as Principal Flute of the ECU Symphony Orchestra for the fall 2019 academic season and was the founder of the "Less Is More" woodwind trio. He participated as a performer for the very first Taiwan Chamber Music/Chinese Language and Culture Summer Study Abroad program at the University of Taipei, Taiwan in summer 2019, and also participated as a scholarship recipent that same summer in the Broadway Pit Orchestra training program at the New York University Steinhardt School of Music (New York, NY). In addition to his current studies at East Carolina University, Alex was a graduate teaching assistant for woodwind pedagogy/methods, applied flute/saxophone, music history, and group piano. He was selected as a Kosciuszko Foundation American, Center for Polish Heritage, scholarship recipient for 2019-2020.
Alexander Busby earned the Bachelor of Music in Music Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Temple, TX (May 2018), and earned the Master of Music in Multiple Woodwind Performance at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (May 2020). Alex has been published in the national professional instrumental magazine Flute Talk (March 2019) and online magazine The Flute View (September 2019). In January 2020 Alex won the Demarre McGill Masterclass Competition and performed in recital with Demarre at Charleston Southern University, SC. He continues a national and international performing career, having played widely in Texas and North Carolina as a freelance musician, often in pit orchestras for theater productions, in churches and in concert halls in Shanghai and Suzhou, China, and in Taipei, Taiwan. Alex served as Principal Flute of the ECU Symphony Orchestra for the fall 2019 academic season and was the founder of the "Less Is More" woodwind trio. He participated as a performer for the very first Taiwan Chamber Music/Chinese Language and Culture Summer Study Abroad program at the University of Taipei, Taiwan in summer 2019, and also participated as a scholarship recipent that same summer in the Broadway Pit Orchestra training program at the New York University Steinhardt School of Music (New York, NY). In addition to his current studies at East Carolina University, Alex was a graduate teaching assistant for woodwind pedagogy/methods, applied flute/saxophone, music history, and group piano. He was selected as a Kosciuszko Foundation American, Center for Polish Heritage, scholarship recipient for 2019-2020.
Grace Krell graduated with a double-major in Biomedical Engineering and Industrial Engineering with a music minor in May 2022. In May 2024 she earned the Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University and now works for Collins Aerospace in Winston-Salem, NC. An EC Scholar, Grace was the winner of the East Carolina University Outstanding First Year Student Award in spring 2019 and was awarded Study Abroad funding. Grace also won Second Place ($10,000) in the Pirate Entrepreneurship Competition in 2019. As First Place winner of the ECU Round of the Hult Prize for entrepreneurs for her SweetSip eco-friendly drinking straws and was invited to travel to Peru a part of her award. Grace performed on General Recital in spring 2019 and performed with the audition-only ECU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, an unusual honor for a freshman. She will resumed her flute studies for her minor in fall 2020 and performed a beautiful voluntary senior recital.
“When I was in second grade, my older brother got started in band, and my mother says I got pretty jealous. I wanted to start an instrument and began on the flute. We were in Pennsylvania with a great band director, and I fell in love with the flute. I realized the potential of what music could be through competing for honor bands, and I knew I had to continue playing music in college after we moved to North Carolina.”
“When I was in second grade, my older brother got started in band, and my mother says I got pretty jealous. I wanted to start an instrument and began on the flute. We were in Pennsylvania with a great band director, and I fell in love with the flute. I realized the potential of what music could be through competing for honor bands, and I knew I had to continue playing music in college after we moved to North Carolina.”
Past Grads with Active Musical Careers:
Jackie Traish
Jessica Dixon Leeth
Meredith Partin
Jackie Traish
Jessica Dixon Leeth
Meredith Partin