Merrie Siegel

Merrie Siegel's picture
Merrie
Siegel
Flute

Merrie Siegel has been hailed by the U.S. and international press as “magnificent, jovial and radiant, with purity of tone and great technical command of the instrument.” The American Record Guide said of her CD, Flute Music of the Americas, “This is wonderful - a joy to hear.... Her playing here is superb. She has a rich, well-controlled tone, and her technical facility is stunning...” Her next CD, Flute Music of the Americas, Vol. II, will be released shortly on Beauport Classical. In addition, she has recorded on the Capstone and Sony labels.

In great demand as a recitalist and teacher, she has been a member of the faculties of the University of Idaho, Houston Community College, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza, both in Monterrey, México, and at the Conservatorio de las Rosas, Morelia, Michoacán, México. An active orchestral musician, Merrie has held the position of Principal Flute of the Boise Philharmonic, the Sinfónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, the Filarmónica del Bajío, and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Aguascalientes, and held the position of Fourth Flute with the Rochester Philharmonic. She has performed with the Houston Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Spokane Symphony, and Mozart Society of Philadelphia, among others. She has appeared as guest artist at the Universidad de Guanajuato, University of Central Florida, University of Texas-Arlington, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of South Carolina, Ball State University, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, University of Iowa, Rhode Island College, Bowling Green University, University of Washington, Cornish School of the Arts, Boise State University, and the University of Montana.

A Philadelphia native, Merrie was greatly inspired by her teacher, Adeline Tomasone. At age 19, she made her New York debut in CAMI Hall as the winner of the New York Flute Club’s Young Artist Competition. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music as a student of Bonita Boyd, and her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University as a student of Leone Buyse, Walfrid Kujala, and Anne Diener Zentner; she considers herself very fortunate to have studied with such inspirational artists and teachers.

Her diverse summer festival experience includes Tanglewood, Eastern Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Cactus Pear Music Festival.

A new resident of Seattle, Merrie holds the position of Principal Flute with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, and has taught at the University of Puget Sound. She enjoys working with the talented flutists in her private studio as well as those in the Flute Choir of the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. Last summer, she was honored to serve as a Young Artists’ Competition judge (recorded round, live preliminary round and final round) for the National Flute Association. In the 2011-12 season, Merrie looks forward to appearing as soloist with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Rain City Symphony.