Artist Statement

Grammy-nominated flutist Karen Kevra has performed as a soloist in many of the nation’s leading concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Washington D.C. Embassy Concert Series. A leading protege of the legendary French flutist Louis Moyse, she has also studied with NY Philharmonic Former Principal flutist Jeannie Baxtresser. Karen Kevra's award winning students regularly occupy top seats in All-State, All New England, All-Eastern, and Vermont Youth Orchestra ensembles. Many have gone on to study at leading music schools and conservatories. Known for her engaging and inspiring teaching style, she gives her students (of all ages) musical insights and knowledge that will add to their enjoyment of music throughout their lives.

Karen took up the flute in the 4th grade in suburban New Jersey where she not only took a shine to the flute but to her beloved elementary school band teacher Elaine Barber. As a beginner, Karen had no idea that her first flute was broken. Once this was determined and she got a working flute, she tore through her first method book in a week. She was an avid practicer who loved playing in her school band and anywhere people would listen. She won top spots in All-State and All-Eastern in high school and went on to study music at the Manhattan School of Music and NC School of the Arts. Still, it was later, after she was already playing professionally, that her life changed when she began ten years of intensive study with her mentor Louis Moyse, one of the great French flutists of the modern era.

Here's what she said about her mentor: "Louis died in 2007 but there is not a day that goes by without thinking of him. I hear his voice, remember his gestures vividly, and still feel his presence whenever I play. I am deeply grateful to all of my teachers for the unique relationship they have had with the flute and their willingness to share it with me, but I am also grateful to my students especially those who bring curiosity,poise, and an open mind to their lessons and practice. They stir my curiosity. I learn from them too!"

Teaching Bio

Known for her engaging and inspiring teaching style, Karen gives her students (of all ages) musical insights and knowledge that will add to their enjoyment of music throughout their lives. Karen has taught privately for thirty years and has given masterclasses across the US. She takes pride in all of her students and the long relationship she has maintained with many of them for decades. Karen Kevra's award winning students regularly occupy top seats in All-State, All New England, All-Eastern, Vermont Youth Orchestra, and Green Mountain Youth ensembles, including those who have gone on to study at leading music schools and conservatories. She is in demand for coaching by students preparing for All-State, and conservatory auditions.

As the parent of a child who was a serious music student, Karen has the dual perspective of teacher and parent. She knows first-hand the joy and richness that the company of an instrument brings a student as they make their way through life. She considers herself privileged to have mentored to students, especially the ones who begin young and relishes watching them grow up through contact in weekly lessons, year after year.

Here are some of her thoughts about studying the flute: "Playing an instrument is creative and joyful but also wonderfully complicated. We are required to synchronize all of the aspects of our playing including breathing, blowing and manipulating the embouchure, moving our fingers, articulating, adjusting our intonation, phrasing, and listening to others, while trying to convey a musical emotion. Talk about multitasking! My approach is to break down the playing into these various categories and isolate each aspect into its purest form; tone, finger technique, articulation, control and flexibility, etudes, repertoire. We start simply and over time the demands become more complex. For example, we begin articulation with simple legato and staccato tonguing, then gradually add varied articulations, and finally more advanced techniques including double, triple and flutter tonguing. But we also return and review the basics. I believe that review is like "coming home." It is what builds technique and confidence."

Performance Bio

Karen Kevra has performed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe including performances at Carnegie Hall, the French Embassy in Washington D.C., and on French National Television, and has shared the stage with Jaime Laredo, the Paris Piano Trio, Trio Pasquier, Borromeo String Quartet, Boston Chamber Music Society, and Trey Anastasio of Phish. In demand as both a chamber musician and soloist, of a recent West Coast tour, The San Francisco Classical Voice called her ". . .a most excellent soloist, elegantly beautiful." Kevra's recording of Works for Flute and Piano by Louis Moyse earned a 2003 Grammy nomination and accolades from numerous American reviewers. Romantic Music for Flute and Piano, her latest CD with pianist Jeffrey Chappell, was praised by flutist Sir James Galway, and the Boston Musical Intelligencer for "sublimely satisfying flute-playing." Karen is the founder and Artistic Director of Capital City Concerts based in Montpelier, Vermont. When she's not playing the flute, she tends her massive vegetable garden, arranges and photographs flowers, and prepares feasts for family and friends. For more info go to www.karenkevra.com