Sharon Kitzis, Flutist and Music Educator

I fell off the face of the earth!  Okay, not really, but I certainly have been busy.  Since I last updated, I've visited Cape Cod, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, Toronto, and visited my alma mater, SUNY Fredonia.  I've played a few concerts, conducted a few concerts, watched some amazing recitals (by my friends Marisa, Kevin, Christina and Jay), seen some great theater (Nerds [in Philly] and Bridges of Madison County were the standouts), co-chaired a SCMEA ensemble, sent a whole bunch of 5th-12th grade students to NYSSMA, applied for jobs, and fell in love with band The New Students' second album called When the West Wind Blows.

Now that we're all caught up, I'm looking forward to my upcoming Master's Recital on Saturday May 10 at 1pm at SUNY Purchase, featuring some classics as well as one completely unknown piece (of which I've never even heard a recording!).  I hope to see you all there!

Check back for updates - I promise more frequent ones.

Some of my great musician friends and I have built and founded a new chamber orchestra on Long Island.  We're called - you guessed it - the New Inlet Chamber Orchestra.  We had our debut performance over the summer, and we will perform again (for free!!!!) :

FREE ADMISSION!!!!

Please come and hear us play Dvorak's New World Symphony and a holiday treat :)

Sharon

Except less like a "fest" and a little more like madness.  With the school year underway, I have to say that I am very excited to be doing all the things I love, although I admit that it is quite exhausting to balance and manage effectively.  I am getting the hang of it.  I am sure I will begin to feel more settled as the year presses on.

I am working with some of the best students in two communities, in two teaching positions, and also continuing my Master's.  I have found that organization, planning, and practice are the themes of my year.  Well, and driving.  I head up to Purchase once a week for a jam-packed day of rehearsing, lessons, and classes, and then I teach far from home three other days of the week.  Wednesdays, like today, are my respite.

Most of all, I cherish the new experience of teaching young students, older students, and kids from various backgrounds.  I feel like they teach me just as much as I teach them.  That seems to be how the first year of teaching goes.

In my performing life, I am hoping to give a recital in the Spring, and will post that date when it is determined.

Check back and stay updated!

Hello all!  I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer.  I was busy working at the Usdan Center for Creative and Performing Arts, juggling job interviews, and constantly trying to find time for peaceful relaxation.  Luckily, I managed to balance all three, and I had a wonderful few months.  And, Summer was fruitful; I won two teaching jobs and I can't wait to get started!  I will also be continuing with my graduate studies in flute performance for this upcoming year, so my busy summer will simply just transition to a busy school year.  That's just how I like it.

I will post again when the school year routine is underway and keep you up to date!  Check back :)

My recital was last Saturday!  It went well, although I'm constantly pushing for perfection so I know bits and pieces could have gone slightly better.  But my friends and family traveled far to see me perform, and that was the most important part.  The program was:

Erwin Schulhoff - Sonata for Flute and Piano
Michel Blavet - Op. 2 Sonata No. 2 in d minor "La Vibray"
Ian Clarke - The Great Train Race
Giulio Briccialdi - Carnival of Venice
Otar Taktakishvili - Sonata for Flute and Piano

I had a great time.  Ming Aldrich-Gan was my accompanist on piano and harpsichord.  He rocks!  Check out his website at http://amazming.com.

The Friday night before my recital was our Purchase Symphony Orchestra concert.  I played on Tchaik Symphony 4, and it was such a great performance.  Thursday the 25th I performed a piece by Heather Stebbins (http://www.heatherstebbins.com/) called "again and again... however we know this landscape" (2010)  in the Purchase Contemporary Ensemble.  I played flute and alto flute.  It was a great evening of new music!

I hope everyone is enjoying Spring!  Check back soon.

This month is the busiest I've had all year since September.  I've got a record-breaking number of performances - one tomorrow, and then more on April 22, 25, 26, 27 and possibly the 28th - plus a lot of exams and projects and other obligations all crammed into the next three weeks.

All I can say is, despite the stress, I'm glad I'm working and studying in music.  At least I'm in a field that I truly enjoy, rather than simply working for the sake of earning an income.  Grateful!

And to continue on the bright side (literally), it's gorgeous outside today.  I sat outside in the sun in this beautiful 70-degree weather, drinking iced coffee and chatting with friends.  I'm so glad winter is over.  I welcome the fresh smell of Springtime.

PS - check out my new head shots, courtesy of Leanna Ginsburg!  She's awesome :)

Check back soon!

"The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude." -Nietzsche

I'm so excited for Spring break... to relax, connect with friends, and get in some good practice time.  To be fair, I'm already practicing a lot - for example, I finished memorizing Ian Clarke's Great Train Race tonight - but it will be nice to be able to practice freely during Spring break, rather than cramming in practice sessions between classes or late at night.

Nonetheless, I'm getting excited about my recital next month!  I'll start rehearsing with my pianist next week, which will finally make it all feel real.  And Flute Ensemble has been working hard on our chamber rendition of Daphnis et Chloé, and we're making good progress, with that, too.  See that performance on April 30th!

Finally, as per the quote above, I feel the need to acknowledge all of my friends, colleagues, and teachers who guide and influence me every day.  Recently, I find myself so grateful for the people in my life who have helped me to become the teacher, performer, and person that I am.  I hope, in return, my music and my actions can convey my countless thanks.

Had a great time last Sunday playing with the Band of Long Island at the Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington, NY!  Long program, but filled with so many great pieces.  We even premiered a work by Long Island composer Michael DeFilippis called "Big Sky Country."  Awesome music.

I'm looking forward to the Purchase Symphony Orchestra concert this Friday night.  I'll be playing flute and piccolo in Milhaud's La Creation du Monde.  Very excited... it's such a jazzy, whimsical, fun, and still powerful piece.

Hope everyone is doing well!  I'm looking forward to Spring.