The program in flute studies at Lawrence University offers flutists a unique opportunity to study at a nationally recognized conservatory of music within the setting of an excellent liberal arts college. Members of the flute studio are from all regions of the United States, and reflect a variety of interests. Some students decide to enroll in the double degree program, which allows them to pursue a major in the college in addition to their chosen major within the Bachelor of Music program. Recent graduates have combined their conservatory degrees with majors in Theater, Religious Studies, Psychology, Physics, and English.
The Studio
- Guest Artists
- Recent Activities of Students and Alums
- Research Projects (by studio members)
- Current Flute Studio Members
- Flute Studio Photos
Faculty
- Suzanne Jordheim, flute
Lecturer in Music
Suzanne Bunker Jordheim was a winner of the 1984 National Flute Association Professional Performers Competition and has performed in recitals at the National Flute Association Convention and Carnegie Recital Hall. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance magna cum laude from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Jordheim was graduate assistant at Northwestern University where she graduated with a Master of Music degree in flute performance. She has studied flute with Walfrid Kujala, William Bennett, Robert Aiken and Jean Pierre Rampal.
Ms. Jordheim performed as soloist with the Oregan Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and Fox Valley Symphony and toured throughout forty-four states as flute soloist with the Fred Waring Show. She has performed for "Young Audiences," "Sunday Afternoon Live from the Elvehjem" on Wisconsin Public Radio, and in Dave Brubeck's cantata, "Beloved Son," broadcast on Wisconsin Public Television. Suzanne was selected as Miss Oregon 1977 and was among the top 10 finalists in the Miss America Pageant.
Suzanne Jordheim serves as instructor of flute on the faculties of Lawrence University and Ripon College, teaches numerous master classes, and conducts the Lawrence Arts Academy Flute Choir. She plays flute and piccolo in the Fox Valley Symphony and is on the national advisory board of the Gemeinhardt Flute Company.
Contact by e-mail: suzanne.jordheim@lawrence.edu
- Erin Lesser, flute
Assistant Professor of Music
Hailed as a “superb flutist” (New York Times), Erin Lesser has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Canada, Europe, China, Brazil and the USA. She is a member of Alarm Will Sound, Argento Chamber Ensemble, Due East, Scarborough Trio and the Wet Ink Ensemble. Erin recently completed a two-year fellowship with The Academy—A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute, and continues to perform with Ensemble ACJW as an alumni member. Erin is a Pearl Flute Performing Artist.
Ms. Lesser is actively involved in the contemporary music world, having worked closely with composers such as Pierre Boulez, George Crumb, Helmut Lachenmann, Mario Davidovsky, Tristan Murail, Philippe Hurel and Beat Furrer. She has also collaborated with younger emerging composers internationally. She has performed with many leading ensembles including the Zankel band, Sō Percussion, Eighth Blackbird, The Knights, American Modern Ensemble and Wordless Music Orchestra. She has also commissioned many new works with her various ensembles, and presented lectures and demonstrations on flute techniques of the 21st Century.
Erin has performed on music festivals and series including: Kilkenny Arts Festival, Shanghai International Electro Acoustic Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Holland Festival, International Spectral Music Conference in Istanbul, SEAMUS, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Monday Evening Concerts in LA, Miller Theatre Composer Portrait Series (NYC) and the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago.
Due East, Erin’s flute and percussion duo, won the 2008 National Flute Association Chamber Music Competition. Erin has also won top prizes in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition, Artist International Competition, National Arts Center of Canada Bursary Competition and the Canadian Music Competition.
As a part of The Academy, Erin was a teaching artist in the New York City public schools for two years. She was also a part-time instructor at Northern Illinois University in 2008, and has served on the faculty at the Bennington Chamber Music Conference. Her performances frequently involve lectures and community outreach events.
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ms. Lesser studied with Robert Cram at the University of Ottawa where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree (summa cum laude) in 1999. In 2001, she received her Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music; where she was a student of Linda Chesis. She is currently completing her doctoral degree at the Manhattan School of Music.
For more information, please visit http://www.erinlesser.com/
