Uptown Flutes: The Virtuoso Flute Ensemble

NEWS: August 2011 - UpTown Flutes showcased at the National Flute Association Convention in Charlotte, NC performing Monochrome V by Peter Schickele, Triptych for Flutes by L. Elise Carter and Dream Sequence by John McMurtery.

August 2009 - UpTown Flutes participated at the National Flute Association Flute Convention in NYC. UpTown Flutes showcased for a capacity audience playing works by Peter Bacchus (conducting)and Ian Clarke (in the audience); Rebecca Vega conducted the High School Flute Choir - a very select group of students from aroung the US and Mexico; Triptych by L. Elise Carter was written for and performed by the HSFC and Dr Virginia Schulze-Johnson was coordinator for the ensemble.

UpTown Flutes presents original works and arrangements composed for the entire family of flutes: piccolo, C flute, alto and bass flutes. UpTown Flutes actively commissions and is dedicated to bringing new music to a wider audience. The group's innovative programming features varying ensemble sizes, genres, styles, and historical periods as well as collaboration with other instruments such as harp and percussion. UpTown Flutes is also active in community education, coaching, and residency programs.

The groups featured virtuoso performers are:

L. Elise Carter, was presented by Artists International at Weill recital hall in Carnegie Hall in Oct. 2005 and Jan 2007, teaches and freelances in the NY metropolitan area, and is an adjunct flute professor at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. She is Music Director at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, has released a CD/DVD “Into the Next Dimension,” of original music for flute and guitar, is a composer whose works for solo flute have been published by Falls House Press and premiered by Uptown Flutes. Elise has a BM from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Patricia Lazzara, 2007 Winner of the Florida Flute Association Performers Grant for Advanced Study, presently studying with Keith Underwood, 3-time winner of Artists International Chamber Music Competition, 2004 winner of NFA Convention Performers Competition, principal flutist with the Gateway Classical Music Society, and a Twinz Records Recording Artist. Ms. Lazzara is a Miyazawa Flute Artist, CDs for flute and harp “Enchanted Love’ and ‘Celestial Sounds”, flute soloist for Papal visit to Giants Stadium, Executive Director of Music for Life, the Rockland Conservatory of Music and Ackerman's Music Center, and holds the BM from Hartt School of Music.

Karen Demsey is professor of flute and music history at William Paterson University. She has published articles on flute pedagogy and presents clinics and master classes throughout the US. Her CD “Recollections of the Inland Sea,” internationally distributed on Capstone Records, features music for flute and marimba with duo partner Greg Giannascoli. She performs with a variety of chamber ensembles and holds an MM from the Eastman School of Music and a DMA from Rutgers University.

Jeanne Fessenden, BM Rutgers University, Graduate Certificate Trevor Wye Studio UK, performs in the classical and jazz styles throughout NJ. Ms. Fessenden teaches general music in public elementary school and maintains a private studio in Chester, NJ.

Marcia Hankle, BM Oberlin Conservatory of Music and MM, Duquesne Univ, extensive performances with the NJ State Opera Orch, Long Island Phil, Queens Sym, St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, Bronx Art Ensemble, Wayne Chamber Orch, NJ Pops, Phoenix Quintet, and Englewinds; has toured with the Broadway Co of “Jesus ChristSuperstar”, the National Ballet of Canada, the Moiseyev Dance Co, the Aspen Festival Orch and Festival of Two Worlds Orchestra Spoleto, Italy. Faculty positions have included Wm Paterson Univ, Riverdale School of Music and Ridgewood Encore Music program. She maintains a private flute studio in Teaneck, NJ.

John McMurtery is section flutist with the New York City Opera Orchestra. He has performed as soloist with the New York Symphonic Ensemble and the Artemis Chamber Ensemble, and has recorded for the NAXOS label. John has a DMA from the Juilliard School, a MM from Rutgers U., and a BM from Central Washington U.

Seth Rosenthal, an Artist Faculty member at Westminster Conservatory Rider Univ, holds the BA degree from Queens College CUNY, graduate work at CCNY and studies at Tanglewood in the Young Artist pro gram via Boston Univ. Seth performs with the Boheme Opera of NJ, Westchester Chamber Orch, UptownFlutes, the Greater Trenton Sym, Orchestra of St. Peter’s by the Sea, and Edison Sym as well as the NJ Sym, Sol Hurok Enterprises (Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Nureyev and Fontaine Gala, etc.), and NYC Opera. His teachers include Julius Baker, Harold Bennett, James Pappoutsakis , John Wion, and Keith Underwood.

Virginia Schulze-Johnson, Ph.D, founder/member UpTown Flutes; founder, Annual NJ Flute Choir Day, and Drew Summer Music; Coordinator of NFA High School Flute Choir Competition from 2006-2009; Member of NFA pro flute choir 2001 and 2002, Member of the International Flute Orchestra, Former professor of flute at Drew University; Teaches at The Hill School in Pottstown, PA.                               Dr Schulze-Johnson is a Certified STRAUBINGER Flute Technician - VSJFlutes.com - in Berks CO, PA, 484-663-3674.  The Well-Maintained Flute Plays Best   

Rebecca Vega is a professor at Caldwell College, where she teaches flute and music education courses, and conducts the wind ensemble and flute ensemble. She performs with the piano trio, Terzetta. She has a BM from California State University at Long Beach and an MA from Eastern Michigan University.