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Flute Studio

Flute Studio

Nina Assimakopoulos, Assistant Professor of Flute 


The WVU flute studio is a community of ambitious, dedicated, and fun-loving students who are supportive in their interactions and excel in their academic and musical studies. There are approximately 15-19 flute students in the studio including undergraduate flute majors, flute minors, masters, and doctoral students. 


Fall 2019 Graduate Teaching Assistantship now available


In the last four years alone, WVU flutists have garnered national and international acclaim at top level competitions, winning prizes and positions as finalists in competitions such as: the Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, Paris (First Prize); Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, Salzburg, (Second prize), the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition; the South Carolina Flute Society Young Artist Competition, (First Prize); Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition, Vienna, (Second Prize); Great Composers Competition Series in the Art of Woodwind and Brass, (First Prize); Golden Classical International Music Competition (First Prize); the Alexander Buono International Flute competition; International Flute Competition Haifa-Galilee, Israel; International Intermusica Concerto Competition, Austria; Sigma Alpha Iota Graduate Competition (first Prize); Byron Hester Competition; MTNA Young Artist Competition; Rochester Flute Association Young Artist Competition; Flute Society of Washington Young Artist competition; Kentucky Flute Association Duo Competition; Oklahoma Flute Society Young Artist Competition (First Prize); and the MidSouth Young Artist Competitions. 


WVU flute majors are encouraged to take an active part in the multitude of learning experiences offered through the flute studies program. These includes weekly private lessons with Professor Assimakopoulos, participation in weekly studio performance classes (Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:00), performances in semester flute studio recitals, regular solo recitals, competition preparation, participation in the flute choir as well as small flute chamber groups, and participation in our undergraduate repertoire mentoring, and graduate teaching programs.


During their study at WVU, flute students work towards creating a portfolio for successful entrance into the professional world. Whether their professional goals include professions as K-12 or college-level educators, orchestral performers, or in musical entrepreneurial ventures, each student is mentored and coached closely by Professor Assimakopoulos in setting and achieving goals that lead to a strong platform for a successful launch into the professional field. 

 

The WVU flute studio meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:00-4:00) for studio class. This time allows us to connect as a learning community, work on our performing and memory skills, hear each other play, become familiar with the flute repertoire, rehearse flute choir and chamber pieces, and enjoy master classes by Nina Assimakopoulos and visiting guest artists. 

 

The WVU flute studio is highly active in bringing professional guests to campus for performances and masterclasses. WVU flute students have free, on-campus access to master classes and performances by top professionals in our field throughout the school year. In this past four years alone, the WVU flute studio hosted more than 40 world-renowned professional flutists and flute performance groups on campus! These included groups such as Flute Force and the Fourth Wall as well as artists such as Lorna McGhee, Katherine Kemler, Jill Felber, Elizabeth Buck, Alberto Almarza, Brian Luce, Nicole Esposito, Shelley Binder, Lindsey Goodman, Wendy Kummer, and Matej Grahek.  


WVU flute students are additionally encouraged to be engaged in the multitude of leadership and service opportunities offered through outreach events, including our one-day Fall and Spring Flute Flings and the annual International Flute Symposium at West Virginia University.