The Stratosphere Flute Quartet is comprised of four flutists from around the
United States. Founded in 2004 while graduate students at The Ohio State
University in Columbus, Ohio, Stratosphere has performed throughout the
Midwest and across the United States at various universities, arts festivals,
master classes, and was selected to perform at the 2007 and 2008 National
Flute Association conventions. Their return visit to the Port Clinton Performing
Arts Festival in Port Clinton, Ohio earned the review, "Their presentation of
classical music is especially effective..." by the Port Clinton Performing Arts
Festival Playbill. Stratosphere has had the pleasure of being coached by Jim
Walker, Chris Norman, Robert Aitken, Christopher Weait, Katherine Borst
Jones, and Valerie Coleman of the Imani Winds. All active as performers and
teachers, this group is dedicated to promoting musical development and
fostering an appreciation of the arts in people of all ages.
The Stratosphere Flute Quartet recently commissioned Variations on Simple
Gifts, arranged by Ohio native Percy Hall. Their hope is to continue to add to
the flute quartet repertoire by remaining active in commissioning and premiering
new works.
United States. Founded in 2004 while graduate students at The Ohio State
University in Columbus, Ohio, Stratosphere has performed throughout the
Midwest and across the United States at various universities, arts festivals,
master classes, and was selected to perform at the 2007 and 2008 National
Flute Association conventions. Their return visit to the Port Clinton Performing
Arts Festival in Port Clinton, Ohio earned the review, "Their presentation of
classical music is especially effective..." by the Port Clinton Performing Arts
Festival Playbill. Stratosphere has had the pleasure of being coached by Jim
Walker, Chris Norman, Robert Aitken, Christopher Weait, Katherine Borst
Jones, and Valerie Coleman of the Imani Winds. All active as performers and
teachers, this group is dedicated to promoting musical development and
fostering an appreciation of the arts in people of all ages.
The Stratosphere Flute Quartet recently commissioned Variations on Simple
Gifts, arranged by Ohio native Percy Hall. Their hope is to continue to add to
the flute quartet repertoire by remaining active in commissioning and premiering
new works.
Nicole Charles is the Muskingum College Applied Flute Teacher and is
currently pursuing her Doctorate Degree in flute performance with
Professor Katherine Borst Jones at The Ohio State University. Mrs.
Charles completed her undergraduate degree with Professor Francile Bilyeu
of Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also doen Suzuki flute
studies with Laura Larson, Kenichi Ueda , and Dr. Takeaki Miyamae.
Representing the city of Worthington as a Worthington International
Friendship Association (WIFA) delegate, Ms. Charles visited and performed
at sister-city Sayama, Japan, and also had the opportunity to study with
Toshio Takahashi at the Suzuki Talent Institute in Matsumoto. In 2006,
Ms. Charles was a finalist in the Central Ohio Flute Association’s Young
Artist Competition. That same year she tied for second place in the
Women in Music of Columbus Scholarship Competition. In addition to her
home studio, Mrs. Charles also teaches at the Ohio Contemporary Chinese
School (OCCS) and the Columbus Chinese Academy (CCA).
currently pursuing her Doctorate Degree in flute performance with
Professor Katherine Borst Jones at The Ohio State University. Mrs.
Charles completed her undergraduate degree with Professor Francile Bilyeu
of Virginia Commonwealth University. She has also doen Suzuki flute
studies with Laura Larson, Kenichi Ueda , and Dr. Takeaki Miyamae.
Representing the city of Worthington as a Worthington International
Friendship Association (WIFA) delegate, Ms. Charles visited and performed
at sister-city Sayama, Japan, and also had the opportunity to study with
Toshio Takahashi at the Suzuki Talent Institute in Matsumoto. In 2006,
Ms. Charles was a finalist in the Central Ohio Flute Association’s Young
Artist Competition. That same year she tied for second place in the
Women in Music of Columbus Scholarship Competition. In addition to her
home studio, Mrs. Charles also teaches at the Ohio Contemporary Chinese
School (OCCS) and the Columbus Chinese Academy (CCA).
Kimberlee Goodman holds degrees from Arizona State University and
The Ohio State University. She is currently on the faculty of Otterbein
College in Westerville, Ohio and is acting principal flute of the Westerville
Symphony. She served as principal flute with the International
Orchestral Festival in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Goodman presented a
lecture/recital in Bangkok, Thailand in the summer of 2007 at the College
Music Society's International conference. In 2008, Kim has traveled to
Minneapolis (MN), Missoula (MT), North Dakota, and Kansas City,
Missouri to teach, present, and perform.
The Ohio State University. She is currently on the faculty of Otterbein
College in Westerville, Ohio and is acting principal flute of the Westerville
Symphony. She served as principal flute with the International
Orchestral Festival in Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Goodman presented a
lecture/recital in Bangkok, Thailand in the summer of 2007 at the College
Music Society's International conference. In 2008, Kim has traveled to
Minneapolis (MN), Missoula (MT), North Dakota, and Kansas City,
Missouri to teach, present, and perform.
Jennifer Packard is the flute instructor at Mount Vernon Nazarene
University, and a freelance musician in the Columbus area. Mrs. Packard
completed her Master of Music degree in Flute Performance at The Ohio
State University, and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Flute
Performance at the University of Northern Colorado. During her studies,
Mrs. Packard was the Concerto Competition Winner at Colorado State
University where she performed as soloist with the CSU Symphony
Orchestra, and was a finalist twice in the University of Northern Colorado
Southard Competition. Mrs. Packard has performed with the Springfield
Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, Ohio, the Columbus Children’s
Theater, and Gallery Players in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, she
maintains a home studio, directs an adult flute choir, and is on the staff
of CityMusic Columbus.
University, and a freelance musician in the Columbus area. Mrs. Packard
completed her Master of Music degree in Flute Performance at The Ohio
State University, and received her Bachelor of Music degree in Flute
Performance at the University of Northern Colorado. During her studies,
Mrs. Packard was the Concerto Competition Winner at Colorado State
University where she performed as soloist with the CSU Symphony
Orchestra, and was a finalist twice in the University of Northern Colorado
Southard Competition. Mrs. Packard has performed with the Springfield
Symphony Orchestra in Springfield, Ohio, the Columbus Children’s
Theater, and Gallery Players in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, she
maintains a home studio, directs an adult flute choir, and is on the staff
of CityMusic Columbus.
Suzanne Shonkwiler a freelance musician and private flute instructor in
the Columbus area, joined the Stratosphere Flute Quartet in 2006. She
holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Dayton and Masters
degree from The Ohio State University, both in Flute Performance.
Active as a clinician, Suzanne has given master classes around Ohio and
in Colorado Springs (CO). In June 2007, Suzanne had the honor of
performing as a soloist with The Ohio State University Symphony
Orchestra. She has also performed as a guest artist with the
Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (Columbus, OH), the Women in Music in
Columbus’s Huntington Recital Series, the Columbus Music Teachers
Association annual meeting, and the 2007-2008 University of Dayton
Alumni Artist Series. In addition to her work as a performer and
instructor, Suzanne serves as a classroom aid to students with special
needs.
the Columbus area, joined the Stratosphere Flute Quartet in 2006. She
holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Dayton and Masters
degree from The Ohio State University, both in Flute Performance.
Active as a clinician, Suzanne has given master classes around Ohio and
in Colorado Springs (CO). In June 2007, Suzanne had the honor of
performing as a soloist with The Ohio State University Symphony
Orchestra. She has also performed as a guest artist with the
Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra (Columbus, OH), the Women in Music in
Columbus’s Huntington Recital Series, the Columbus Music Teachers
Association annual meeting, and the 2007-2008 University of Dayton
Alumni Artist Series. In addition to her work as a performer and
instructor, Suzanne serves as a classroom aid to students with special
needs.
| Past Members |
| Dr. Jason Lin |
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| Stratosphere Flute Quartet |
