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.