UMICH SMTD FLUTE STUDIO FAQ

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Each year there are 16-18 members in the Flute studio from all over the world, with future degrees of Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music with teaching Certificate, Bachelor of Musical Arts in addition to Masters Degrees in Performance and Chamber Music, and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees. I choose 4-5 students each year out of the 65-85 flutists that apply, and that is not based on a quota I need to fill. It simply varies every year.

Yes! Mondays 4:40-6:30 in Stearns Bldg. Up the hill. This is a great 2 hours of dialogue, hearing others play and getting to play in masterclasses with me and our featured flute guests. Email me to be a guest, akporter@umich.edu

 As far as playing goes, everyone studies with me and has the same training in excerpts, solo repertoire, under-represented composers and chamber music. The academic standards are high at University of Michigan SMTD. I hope that all flutists that graduate with our conservatory training will be able to compete with their peers in the outside world at the highest level. 

Alumni Appointments and Pursuits

Abi Middaugh (BM 2026) Principal Second Flute, Flint Symphony Orchestra

Ryan Koesterer (MM 2020) Staff Sergeant General, US Army Fife and Drum Corps

Michael Avitabile (BM 2012) Founder & Executive Director, HUB New Music; 2022 UMICH  SMTD Emerging Artist Award from EXCEL.

Dr. Rachel Woolf (BM 2010) Asst. Prof. of Flute, University of Texas, San Antonio

Rachel Blumenthal (BM 2011) Principal Second Flute, New York City Ballet, Second Flute, Santa Fe Opera Company. 

Dr. Maria Castillo (BM 2004, Specialist 2018, DMA 2020) Asst. Professor of Flute, University of TN, Knoxville

Dr. Brian Dunbar (MM 2012) Assistant Professor of Flute, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music

Kelly Zimba (BM 2013) Principal Flute Toronto, Symphony Orchestra; Glenn Gould School, Royal School of Music, Toronto; University of Toronto.

Dr. Seth Allyn Morris (DMA 2012) Principle Flute, Metropolitan Opera

Elise Henry  (BM 2009) Principal Second Flute, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Marie (Mimi) Tachouet (BM 2006) Principal Flute, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Roosevelt University; 2016 Paul Boylan Award, University of Michigan Alumni Council

Ali Dettmer (MM 2021) Third Flute/Piccolo Lima Symphony Orchestra (OH)

Dr. Jaqueline Arrington (BM 2008) Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Oregon, Portland

Dr. Daniel Velasco (Specialist 2013) Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Kansas

Dr. Sarah Frisof (DMA 2009) Associate Professor of Flute, University of Maryland, College Park

Dr. Erika Boysen (DMA 2015) Assistant Professor of Flute, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Kelly Sulick (BM 2004) Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Ben Smolen (Specialist 2011) Principal Flute, with tenure, Pacific Symphony, Orange County, CA

Dr. Charlotte Daniel (MM 2012) Assistant Professor of Flute, Baylor University, Principal Flute Waco Symphony

Dr. Erin Kendall (BM 2004) Assistant Professor of Flute, University of Oklahoma, Stillwater

Alaina Bercilla (MM 2011) Principal Flute, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra

Nicole Esposito (MM 2003)  Professor of Flute, University of Iowa, Iowa City

Katie Leung (BM 2010 in flute and piano performance) Collaborative Piano faculty, University of Las Vegas, NV and my recital partner

Akilah Bryant (MM 2012) Lecturer of Flute, University of Montevallo (AL)

My students regularly are members of New World Symphony, Youth Orchestra of the Americas, Sphinx Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Civic Orchestra and attend the festivals of Tanglewood, Aspen, Brevard, Music Academy of the West, Banff, Orford, Domaine Forget, Pacific Music Festival, Roundtop, Hot Springs, Sarasota, Eastern, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, American Institute in Graz, Ohio Light Opera and Marrowstone.

Pre-screening is required for all applicants to the MM/SM Performance programs Winds & Brass. Upon a favorable evaluation of your materials, an online audition may be scheduled.

All pre-screening materials should be uploaded through the Artistic Profile by the December 1 deadline. Hard copies of pre-screening materials will not be considered.

Pre-Screening Requirements

Upload four compositions from the standard solo flute repertoire (video recordings) to the SMTD Artistic Profile, as well as four orchestral excerpts representing your highest level of proficiency. One of the compositions must be memorized. Please include a movement of a concerto as one of your selections. You may upload only two movements from a composition with multiple movements. Choose from the contrasting styles of the Baroque, Classical, French, or Contemporary literature. 

Live In-Person or Online Audition/Interview Requirements

Students who advance to this stage of the application process will be invited to meet with Flute faculty for a discussion of your training, future and career goals, a review of your previously-submitted recordings, and live playing. Skills are assumed in performance techniques appropriate to the graduate level. Be prepared to sight-read.

• Statement of Purpose: Upload a 2-3 page academic statement of purpose about your academic and research background, your career goals, and how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives.
• Personal Statement:Upload a personal statement indicating how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.