Hello and welcome! I’m Abigail Walsh, a flutist, teacher, and author based in West Michigan.
I perform as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player throughout the Midwest, with recent appearances with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony, West Michigan Symphony, Holland Symphony, and the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. I am also the author of Plugged In: Practice and Performance Method for Flutists, an award-winning method book that integrates free electronic tools to enhance musicianship and creativity in flute practice. The book is published by Conway Publications. My latest album features recordings from the delay studies in the method.
For twelve years I served as a full-time university professor, including appointments at Grand Valley State University and the University of Illinois Springfield, where I taught flute performance, chamber music, pedagogy, and music history courses. I have also taught flute at institutions including Western Michigan University, Illinois College, and The Hartt School Community Division.
Today, I teach a vibrant private flute studio offering individual lessons, group classes, and flexible learning options. My studio welcomes flutists of all ages and levels who are interested in developing strong technique, expressive artistry, and a lifelong love of music. Sign-up to learn more about lessons, course offerings, and benefits.
Outside of the studio, I remain active in the flute community as Advisor to the Board of the West Michigan Flute Association and as co-founder and program director of the Great Lakes Flute Festival for its first three years.
More about me:
University degrees from…
- The Hartt School, Doctor of Musical Arts in flute performance
- The Hartt School, Master of Music in flute performance
- University of Iowa, Bachelor of Music in flute performance
Studied with…
- Janet Arms (Hartt, New York City Opera)
- John Wion (Hartt, Former New York City Opera)
- Tamara Thweatt (U of Iowa, Former LA Philharmonic)
- Robert Dick (U of Iowa, Contemporary Specialist)
- Tadeu Coelho (U of Iowa, NC School of the Arts)
- Betty Mang Mather (Former U of Iowa, Baroque Specialist)
- Trevor Wye (Flute Pedagogue, Intensive Summer Masterclasses – 2 years)
- Margaret Linnan Kegel (Private Instructor, Former Director Miyazawa Flutes)
Performed with…
- Grand Rapids Symphony
- Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
- Illinois Symphony Orchestra
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra
- West Michigan Symphony
- Holland Symphony Orchestra
- Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra
- Hartford Opera Theater
- Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
- Whiting Park Festival Orchestra
- Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra
- Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
- Vintage Parlor Orchestra
- Oskaloosa Symphony Orchestra
- Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra
- West Michigan Flute Orchestra
- Great Lakes Flutes
- Cedar Rapids Municipal Band
As a competitor…
- National Flute Association, Newly Published Music Award, Winner
- CanAmerican Flute Symposium Solo Artist Competition, First Prize
- The American Prize, Professional Instrumental Soloist Division, Finalist
- The American Prize, Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the performance of American music, Finalist
- National Flute Association Piccolo Artist Competition, Semi-Finalist
- Flute Society of Washington Young Artist Competition, Second Prize
- Emeritus Recording Competition, Second Prize
- National Flute Association Masterclass Performers Competition, Winner
- University of Iowa Concerto Competition, Finalist
As a faculty artist at…
- Engelbach-Hart Music Festival
- UIS Flute Festival
- Composers Alliance of San Antonio
- Flute by the Sea Masterclass
- Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival
- Hartt Summer Flute Intensive
- Western Illinois University Summer Music Institute
As a presenter and performer at…
- National Flute Association Conventions
- Great Lakes Flute Festival
- Michigan Music Conference
- Florida Flute Festival
- Flute New Music Consortium New Music Festival
- Wisconsin Flute Festival
- Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair
- Iowa Flute Festival
As a community organizer…
- West Michigan Flute Association, Advisor to the Board (former Vice President and Interim President)
- Great Lakes Flute Festival, Co-founder and Program Director (Michigan Arts and Culture Council Grant)
- University of Illinois Springfield, Co-founder, Camerata Music Scholarship Chamber Music Program
- University of Illinois Springfield Community Music School, Co-founder
- University of Illinois Springfield Flute Festival, Director
- Grand Valley State University Community Engagement Music Project, Co-founder (Pew FTLC Teaching Innovation Grant)
On teaching the flute:
“My passion for performance is matched only by my love of teaching. Every individual is unique, and I adapt my teaching style to each student so they can succeed in playing the flute and being a fine musician. My pedagogical approach to teaching flute emphasizes physical awareness to eliminate tension and fatigue, and create a polished performance. I aim to inspire students to master great control of their instrument. By mastering breathing and finger technique, perfecting air-stream control, paying attention to details in a phrase, and developing sound production the student learns to sing through their flute, learn pieces quickly, and perform with ease and artistry.”