Flutist, and Seattle, Washington native, Suzanne Carr includes Scott Goff, Felix Skowronek and Dr. Hall Ott as her main teachers. Felix Skowronek, Professor of Flute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, was a student of William Kincaid. Scott Goff, Principle Flutist Seattle Symphony Orchestra, was a student of Julius Baker who was also a student of William Kincaid. Dr. Hal Ott has always considered Charles DeLaney as one of his most influential teachers. Flute playing and teaching has always been a part of Suzanne’s life. As a part of her sixth grade band she found a love for the flute at age 12. She actually started teaching flute when she was in high school to earn money, instead of the option at the time of babysitting. In Seattle she played in a number of local community orchestras including the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gilbert & Sullivan Orchestra, performing on flute, piccolo and alto flute.
Undergraduate Degree, University of Washington
With a BA in Music from the University of Washington in hand, she headed out into the work force and ended up with a job in the cash register industry. She saw this industry go from electro-mechanical machines to computer hardware and software. Suzanne went right along with it. At different times in her career she was working in programming, training and installation as well as sales and sales management, although always working for pretty small dealerships. Suzanne was proudly the first woman in the sales force of Sweda International, the cash register division of Litton Industries. One year she even won an award as the third highest salesperson in the Western Region, which found her speaking in a ballroom full of men at the national convention.
National Flute Association & Flutemakers Guild Flutes
Interspersed between her years in the cash register industry, Suzanne owned a boutique music store in Seattle, WA for 9 years (1982 – 1991), which was dedicated to the sale of new and used flutes. During this time she was active in the Seattle Flute Society, at various times serving as president (1987–1989), as the flute choir director and as the commercial member chairman. These were the beginning years of this organization and it is fabulous to see it continue in such a vital state even now. Simultaneously, as a commercial member of The National Flute Association, Suzanne found that the annual convention played a big part in her sales year. As the US sales representative for Flutemakers Guild Flutes of London, England, she attended from 1982 through 1993. Suzanne still continues to keep her memberships in these organizations.
Master’s Degree, Flute Performance & Pedagogy
When Suzanne’s two sons were ready to leave home, she moved to the Eastern part of the state of Washington and was able to find a place in the music community as flute teacher, freelance flutist and eventually principal flutist in the local symphony orchestra. At this time she was able to return to school, Central Washington University, where she studied under Dr. Hal Ott. What a delight it was for her to be able to study flute again and to receive a Master’s Degree in Flute Performance & Pedagogy.
International School Yangon (ISY), Yangon, Myanmar
Suzanne is still living in Eastern Washington, but had a short two year stint as an International School music teacher at International School Yangon (ISY), in Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma). She had a great experience teaching internationally. Her contract included teaching general music to Pre-K through 4th grade which included recorder classes, Beginning Band to 5th graders and Middle School Choir to 6th – 8th graders. It was quite the schedule and quite the learning experience, not only the teaching, but living in a third world country. During her time in Myanmar, she also squeezed in one recital at the local music school, Gitameit, where students came to learn Western music and instruments. Two of the flutists there were her private students.
University of Washington and Gitameit Music Institute working together establish a two year teaching artist program, plus a video library, Myanmar in person visits and skype music lessons.
Teaching & Performing
Suzanne is currently teaching flute at the Columbia River Music Conservatory, directs the Columbia River Community Flute Choir (adults), is the principal flutist in the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra, and is a performing member of Ladies Musical Club Seattle. She performs around Wenatchee as a member of a flute and clarinet duet and of a flute duet called Windsong. For a number of years, Suzanne taught Continuing Education classes at Wenatchee Valley College which included a class on How to Read Music. She also included a class called Follow the Symphony which allowed students to learn about the music and composers which would be part of the next symphony concert and included learning to listen for and identify musical instruments.
Current Activities
Adjudicator, Youth Symphony Coach, Private Teacher, Public School Band Aid, International School music teacher, community orchestra member, music theater pit orchestra member, woodwind ensemble member, composer and director are all components of what Suzanne has done, which enhance the information offered here.