Benefits of Studying in Los Angeles

Performance Opportunities: Many great regional orchestras and many freelance opportunities exist in the LA area. For those who wish to teach, many music programs, music schools, and other teaching programs are always looking for teachers.

Networking: Many of the top professionals in the world are in Los Angeles. A wealth of talent and networking opportunities are available simply by being in the USC or Colburn environment.

Culture: A vibrant arts climate that is quickly becoming becoming world-recognized. Nearly 2 million tourists a year attend a cultural event in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pacific Symphony are two fantastic orchestras that are on the cutting edge of what today's symphony orchestras are achieving in their communities.

Fun: A beautiful climate year-round, access to beaches, recreation, museums, lots of local entertainment, and only a short drive away from many area attractions, including national parks, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Disneyland, and much more!

Flute Tips By Jim Walker
Why Play the Piccolo?
Improvisation
Session Work
Flute Playing for Sax Doublers
 

Current and Recent Student Accomplishments

ALEXANDRA WALLIN (USC - BM '09)
2008 National Orchestral Institute
2008 NFA Masterclass Performer
1st prize in the 2008 Pasadena Competition

MARTHA LONG (Colburn - BM)
2008 Bowdoin Music Festival Fellowship

MARY KERR (USC - BM '08)
2008 Bowdoin Music Festival Fellowship

DIANNA MORGAN (USC - PC '09)
2008 USC Concerto Competition Winner

CHRIS MATTHEWS (USC - BM '08)
Full ride to Yale in Fall 2009

GREG MILLIREN (USC - MM '07)
Offered the New World Symphony fellowship for fall 2009
 

Former Students and Where They Are Now

ELIZABETH ROWE (USC - BM '96) is Principal Flutist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, having previously played Assitant Principal Flute with the National Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony, and Principal Flute with the Fort Wayne Symphony.

VIVIANNA CUMPLIDO (USC - MM, '03) won Principal Flutist with the Phoenix Symphony. Vivianna was previously Principal Flutist with the Tucson Symphony.

NIKOLA ATANASOV (USC - MM, '05) was named Principal Flutist with the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra in August 2005. He is one of those rare "do-it-all" musicians who is a gifted composer, ethnic flutist, and a specialist in extended flute techniques.

TANG SOON PING was named Principal Flutist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, effective October 1, 2005. Mr Tang was Jim's graduate assistant at Duquesne Uinversity in 1994 and became his Music Librarian and Computer Specialist from 1996 until his departure in 2004.

HEATHER CLARK (USC - 1990) won the Principal Flute position in the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in November, 2005. After a grueling audition she managed to come out standing alone (having completed all stages of the audition behind a screen). She is also Principal Flute with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Long Beach Symphony. Heather now runs an audition seminar called Heather Clark's Audition Boot Camp.

ELIZABETH DETWEILER (USC - MM, '02) has been the Principal Flute in the Coast Guard Band since 2003. She also plays with the Hartford Symphony and is guest soloist with the Band.

SASAH LIPAY (USC - MM) won Principal Flutist with the Tucson Symphony after completing a successful one-year position with that symphony. Sasha also was winner of the 2006 USC Concerto Competition and played flute with the 2005-06 YMF Debut Orchestra.

JENNIFER OLSON (USC - DMA, '04) recently won the 2nd Flute / Piccolo Position with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra. Jenni is also Principal Flute with the Stockton Symphony and the 2nd Flute with the Long Beach Symphony. She also teaches at Pasadena Community College and Citrus College. Her woodwind quintet, Orion Winds is very active in the Southeastern US with concerts and residencies.

SAUL WASKOW - is Principal Piccolo with the Orchestra de la Philharmonica de Mexico.

MARTIN GLICKLICH (USC - DMA, 1998) is the new assistant to the Dean of Students at the Colburn School Conservatory. He also performs in many Los Angeles professional ensembles and can be found in many motion picture scoring sessions.

JULIE LONG (USC - DMA, '02) plays 2nd flute with the Riverside Symphony. She performs regularily with the Los Angeles Opera Company and is a very active teacher in the LA area.

ABEL DELGADO (USC, BM '02) recently accepted the position of Director of Development for the USC Thornton School of Music. He is also Music Director with the Harmony Project and the Barrio Symphony, and plays Principal Flute with the El Paso Opera.

ADAM CALLIHAM (USC - MM, '04) Look out for Father Flute! Having played flute with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, American Youth Symphony, YMF Debut Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and having been Adjunct Professor of Flute at Southern Utah University, Adam is now in seminary at Mt. Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, OR. He will be an ordained Catholic Priest in 2012.

ANN GALBRATH (USC) is currently working at Haynes Flutes in their testing department. She previously worked for Powell Flutes in their Sonare division and was also a member of the US Coast Guard Band.

GREG MILLIREN (USC - MM, '07) won 2nd place in the 2007 National Flute Association Young Artist Competition in Albuquerque. Currently teaching and freelancing in the LA area, his chamber group, The Nucleus Ensemble, has been receiving a great deal of local media attention for their new music series at the Culver Hotel in Culver City and was recently mentioned in Grammophone Magazine.

KELLY SULICK (USC - MM ' 06) has been Principal Flutist with the YMF Debut Orchestra for the last three seasons.

If you studied with Jim in the past, please an email to be added to this list. Let Jim know what you are doing these days!
Email: webmaster@jimwalkerflute.com