Katie Velasquez
Katherine Velasquez is the Principal Flutist of the Missouri Symphony and previously held the same position with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, where she was a member of the West Texas woodwind quintet. During her tenure in Midland-Odessa, she served on the faculty of the University of Texas Permian Basin as well as Odessa College.
Ms. Velasquez has performed with the San Antonio Symphony, the Austin Symphony, and is a substitute player with the Houston Symphony and the New World Symphony. Ms. Velasquez has been highly involved in the National Flute Association throughout her career and is among only a coveted few flutists who have ever won first prize in two NFA Competitions. She was awarded First Prize in the inaugural Alto Flute Competition (Salt Lake City 2019), won First Prize in the Orchestral Audition & Masterclass Competition (San Diego 2016), and was a finalist for the High School Soloist Competition (Charlotte 2011).
Ms. Velasquez holds an MM in Flute Performance from West Texas A&M University and a BM magna cum laude in Flute Performance from Boston University. She was also the Paul Owen McLarand Memorial Music Scholarship Recipient at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, and attended the New England Conservatory of Music. She is indebted to her mentors Helen Blackburn, Jim Walker, Linda Toote, Elizabeth Rowe, Paula Robison, Rebecca Garfield, and Ann Kjerulf Knien.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I can think of no one more positive, kind, effervescent or more qualified to share their knowledge with young players than Katie.”
“Katie is a rare teacher who magically combines honesty and kindness. I think the world would be a better place if every music student had access to this kind of expert education”
““This past school year, we were in the unfortunate position of needing of another flute teacher right in the middle of the school year. When we called Katie to come in as our primary flute lesson teacher, we did not expect her to jump in to the role so quickly, and so effectively! Within 3 weeks of her teaching our kids, the studio doubled in size, and by the Spring Semester, she was teaching 75% of our flute players!
Then we started to see a change in our flute players. Not only were they rapidly improving their skills, but their attitude towards playing the flute had changed. Many of her flute students started out as students who were simply going through the motions. But soon after taking lessons, we noticed a huge change in their perception in Band. Many would come to school early to start practicing, and their focus in band class and sectionals was a much more energized one.
We are very glad we found Katie, and look forward to working with her next year!”
“Since joining our private teaching staff at Cypress Woods High School, Katie has done a fantastic job teaching our flute students. She is encouraging, patient, and methodical with all of her studio members. Katie takes students wherever they are in their musical development, and provides them with the necessary tools to be successful and progress to the next level. She understands how to break things down so that each student can experience success in whatever they are working on. Katie also provides a warm and welcoming environment for all of her students, and they always look forward to getting to work with Ms. Velasquez every week! Her students leave lessons with smiles, as well as feeling inspired and focused on their goals.”