Uptown Flutes: The Virtuoso Flute Ensemble

You are warmly invited to learn more about UpTown Flutes, a virtuoso professional flute ensemble, by navigating this site or visiting one of our performances. To find an up-to-date list just click on "Concert Calendar".

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 group features 8 virtuoso performers:

Carla Auld is a chamber musician and soloist promoting the performance of new classical and crossover music by both NY and international composers; founding member of woodwind quintet, I Venti Solisti and the flute and voice ensemble, Cassandra Duo; and holds a BA from Temple University.

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 (Davila) 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.

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.

Virginia Schulze-Johnson, BM, MM, New England Conservatory of Music, PhD, NYU; adjunct professor at Drew University 1990 to 2008; founder/director of NJ Flute Choir Day, Drew Summer Music, and UpTown Flutes; performs with National Flute Association (NFA) Pro Flute Choir, the International Flute Orchestra; coordinates  for the NFA High School Flute Choir.

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.

UpTown Flutes
2007-2008 Concert Season

Saturday, November 17, 2007, 3:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church
10 Fairview Ave., Verona, NJ 07044

Sunday, December 2, 2007, 3:00 pm
Franklin Lakes Public Library
470 DeKorte Dr., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417

Friday, February 29, 2008, 8:00 pm
Dorothy Young Center for the Arts
Drew University
36 Madison Ave., Madison, NJ 07940

Sunday March 30, 2008
14th Annual NJ flute Choir Day
8:30 am -  6:00 pm
Dorothy Young Center for the Arts
Drew University, Madison, NJ 07940
Concert: 4 pm

Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 7:30 pm
Our Lady of Magnificat Church
2 Miller Rd, Kinnelon, NJ 07405