Flute Unscripted

Latest Episodes:

Flute Unscripted Trailer Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Flute Unscripted, a podcast dedicated to gaining insight into the lives and minds of some of the most famous and influential flutists from all over the world.

Here’s more about me, your host, Caity Massoud:

First and foremost, I’m a flutist. I grew up in New York in a musical family, and was the first to pursue music as a career. I studied flute performance in college and earned my doctorate in Texas at the University of Houston. I eventually made my way back to the big apple, with a husband and two dogs in tow. Since then, I’ve maintained my positions with orchestras across the country, grew my family, and joined the team at the Flute Center of New York as a resident flutist. The Flute Center is the perfect place to help people find their new flute, talk shop with old friends and colleagues, and bump into some of the most famous and notable flutists in the world. When we first had the idea to start a podcast, we had no idea it would grow into an archive of important conversations with all the talented artists that walk through our doors. Getting to know these influential musicians is a real privilege and I feel lucky to share their stories with you!

Mark Sparks Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Mark Sparks is the Principal flutist of the St. Louis Symphony, is a captivating soloist, an in-demand teacher, and an avid writer. Mark started in the Canton Symphony Orchestra, then the Caracas Symphony in Venezuela, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, and Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Mark has continued to push himself as a musician to stay at the top of his game. With him, it seems like the possibilities are limitless.

Christine Davis Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Christine Davis is the Principal Flutist of the Buffalo Philharmonic. Christine has performed as a soloist with the BPO and has been featured on an extensive and impressive list of recordings. As such, Christine has been rooted in the community in Buffalo for decades and is invested in sharing the knowledge she has gained over the years with her students.

Keith Underwood Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Flutist and educator Keith Underwood is a flute guru. Flutists of all ages and abilities flock to him for his advice and to unlock their hidden potential. Keith’s methods are sometimes unusual- he makes use of breathing bags, chop sticks, rhythmic shakers, and spirometers, just to name a few. His out-of-the-box techniques have proven to be effective in addressing the issues of the modern flutist and provide solutions to difficult repertoire, too.

Heidi Kay Begay Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Heidi Kay Begay is a flutist, teacher, and host of the podcast Flute 360. Having so much in common already, Heidi had the brilliant idea of getting together to chat about podcasting and its role in the flute community. We got to talking about our struggles as hosts, the lessons we’ve learned from our guests, and the realities of putting together an episode every week.

Mindy Kaufman Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

Mindy Kaufman joined the New York Philharmonic after winning her audition for the flute and solo piccolo chair in 1979 at the age of 22. Her audition in the final round was full of snafus that could’ve thrown her off, but Mindy relied on the hard work she had put in to her preparation and rolled with the punches- and she ended up winning. Since then, she has performed a slew of concerts and chamber concerts with the Phil, recorded a solo album, recorded piccolo concerti, and freelanced as a film score musician.

Yoobin Son Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

When she won the audition for Second Flute in the New York Philharmonic in 2012, Yoobin Son became the first ever Korean to join the woodwind section. Getting to know more about Yoobin and learning about her start on the flute, it ultimately didn’t seem so surprising that this highly motivated, dedicated, and persistent flutist would someday become a member of the New York Phil.

Alison Fierst Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Alison Fierst is the newly appointed Associate Principal Flute of the New York Philharmonic. Before landing her dream job, Alison completed her Bachelor degree at Carnegie Mellon University with Alberto Almarza and she went on to start a degree at Manhattan School of Music in the orchestral performance program. Alison ultimately gave up her spot as a student of Robert Langevin’s at MSM to become his colleague in the Phil. We chatted about her past audition failures, her NY Phil audition experience, and the Haynes Amadeus alto flute that helped her to land the job.

Robert Langevin Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

Robert Langevin is the Principal Flutist of the New York Philharmonic. Robert believes the future of music lies in the next generation of up and coming musicians and that young people offer something exciting and invigorating to an orchestra. He is particularly passionate about the Orchestral Program at Manhattan School of Music and takes his students under his wing to competitively train and even sometimes sub alongside him in the Phil. As a result, Robert is shaping his young pupils into inspiring, talented, and extremely successful flutists in their own right.

Lew Tabackin Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

Lew Tabackin got his start in public school in Philadelphia, felt like a misfit studying flute at the Philadelphia Conservatory, and ultimately found his footing after picking up the tenor saxophone. Lew has come a long way and had a varied career since: he graduated, served in the Army from 1962-65, met his wife (jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi), moved to California in the 1970s, and formed their big band that performed for decades. Nowadays, Lew enjoys playing with his trio around the world.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected