Flute
The flute studio at the University of Tennessee contains a wide diversity in student backgrounds and career aspirations. Flute students are exposed to numerous musical opportunities within the university while upholding academic and musical excellence. As members of the flute studio, students regularly perform in competitions, attend professional conventions, and participated in regional and national music festivals.
Each flute student is encouraged to participate in campus and external music ensembles and events throughout each semester. The flute studio focuses on teaching according to specific learning styles and effective practice techniques, and we always have an “open door” policy with all students, including prospective students. Prospective students are always welcome to meet the studio, sit in a student’s lesson, or take a lesson.
For questions and additional information, contact Maria Fernanda Castillo at mcastil7@utk.edu.
Meet Our Faculty
Maria Fernanda Castillo
Assistant Professor of Flute | mcastil7@utk.edu
Flutist, musicologist and entrepreneur Maria Fernanda Castillo has been offering intentional and meaningful performances that can contribute to the search for balance in the music world. Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, and co-founder of the Latin American Music Initiative, Maria has found approaches to teaching, research, and performances that not only highlight the importance of standard works in the flute canon but also help the inclusion, awareness and accessibility of works by underrepresented composers.
Hailed by the New York Times as a flutist who performs with “…virtuoso panache,” Maria debuted in New York City with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas in 2008, under Alondra de la Parra. Additionally, in 2009 she had her professional debut as a soloist in Venezuela with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under Mtro. Carlos Riazuelo. She has also performed as a soloist with the Caracas Municipal Symphony under Mtros. Rodolfo Saglimbeni and her husband, Régulo Stabilito. Her latest collaboration include the performance of Shadow of Sirius for flute and wind ensemble by Joel Puckett with the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble conducted by John Zastoupil.
Co-founder of the Latin American Music Initiative-LAMI (www.laminitiative.org) with her husband, orchestra conductor Régulo Stabilito, they are committed to advocating for raising awareness of Latin American repertoire. LAMI has allowed them to reach a large community by performing, recording, lecturing and editing Latin American works. Her work with LAMI has allowed her to be part of the 2020-2021 Mellon Public Engagement in the Humanities Fellow. As a musicologist, Maria has created an online flute catalogue with 143 flute works by Venezuelan composers, helping the repertoire be known and accessible for performers all over the world and develop a new approach to flute etude study by contextualizing etudes based on their historical context. In Addition, she is part of a group of 9 Latin American female flutists to create the largest catalogue of flute works by Latin American composers (https://flautalatinoamerica.com/)
Flute Graduate Teaching Assistantship
This position will provide a student with opportunities to develop the necessary skills for future teaching and performing jobs, including but not limited to: leadership, education, performance, and communication skills. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, medical coverage and a monthly stipend for the duration of the appointment.
Requirements
The appointment is subject to satisfactory performance of duties and compliance with The University of Tennessee Student Handbook Hilltopics. Satisfactory progress toward the candidate’s degree program is required to maintain the assistantship.
Duties: Teach 1-5 applied flute students and coach chamber ensembles as needed. Other duties may be appointed according to the candidate’s abilities and interests.
Application Process
In addition to the application to the College of Music, you must complete and submit additional materials. For more information, visit the Auditions & Admission Information page. Applicants should also contact Dr. Angela Batey at abatey@utk.edu.
