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Suhr Melissa

Affiliate Artist in Flute

Melissa Suhr (Flute) is a versatile musician serving as an orchestra member, a chamber musician and teacher. A graduate of Rice University Shepherd School of music with a Master's Degree, Ms. Suhr studied with Albert Tipton, Frances Lapp-Averitt, Bernard Goldberg and spent five summers working with the great pedagogue Geoffrey Gilbert. She was the founding member/flutist of Cimarron Woodwind Quintet in Houston, which won first prize at the Monterey Peninsula Chamber Music Competition and was a finalist at both the Fischoff and Concert Artist Guilds competitions. The ensemble won artistic grants from such prestigious organizations as the national Endowment for the Arts. (NEA), the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and served as Artists-in-Residence with Young Audiences of Houston, Houston Community College, and New Music America. Ms. Suhr has served as principal substitute with the Houston Ballet Orchestra for over twenty-five seasons and formerly held the position as piccolist with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony for seven years. In addition, she performs as principal flute of the Masterworks Chorus Orchestra, and piccolo and substitute flute with the Houston Grand Opera. During the summer, Ms. Suhr performs with the Grand Teton Music Festival. In addition to her active performing schedule, Melissa Suhr teaches private lessons and masterclasses for the Spring School district and coaches the American Festival for the Arts Woodwind Quintet. Her flair for working with young developing flutists has given her an enthusiasm and drive that has urged her students to win consistently high scores at region, all-state, and solo/ensemble contests.