Alyssa Schwartz
Flutist
Dr. Alyssa Schwartz comes from Jamestown, New York and is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Flute and Musicology at Fairmont State University, Director of the Morgantown Community Orchestra, and Senior Instructor of Flute and Piano through West Virginia University's Community Music Program. Previously, she has served as Contributing Faculty in Flute at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and as a Lecturer of Music Theory and Music Education at West Virginia University. She debuted at New York City's Carnegie Hall in November 2017 and returned for a second performance the same month as a result of winning 1st prize in the 2017 Golden Classical Music International Competition and 2nd Prize in the 2017 Concert Artists International Music Competition.
Alyssa is a competitive performer, winning 1st Prize in the 2020 International Music Competition Bonn, the 2019 Florida Flute Association Orchestral Excerpts Masterclass Competition, 1st Prize in the 2017 International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition Senior Division for which she gave her debut performance at the Wiener Saal Mozarteum in July 2017, 2nd Prize in the 2016 International Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition, 2nd Prize in the 2016 Golden Classical Music Awards Senior Division, 3rd Prize in the 2016 Golden Classical Music Awards Chamber Music Division, 1st Prize in the 2016 Oklahoma Flute Society Collegiate Competition, 3rd Prize in the 2016 Kentucky Flute Society Due Competition, and 2nd Prize in the 2013 International Flute Symposium Emerging Artist Competition. Alyssa is a founding member of BETA Quartet, a professional ensemble that has won 1st Prize in the 2020 France Music Competition, participated as a semi-finalist in the 2017 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, won 1st Prize in the 2017 Kentucky Flute Society Quartet Competition, and won 1st Prize in the 2016 WV MTNA Chamber Winds Competition.
In November 2020, Alyssa partnered with Cambridge-based physicist and composer Domenico Vicinanza and NASAto utilize the first audio recording of a Marsquake as the structural foundation for a new piece, “Sonification for NASA,” which was premiered at NASA's SC20 Virtual Conference. She recorded two ringtones and one alert, composed by Domenico, that are now available for download for Android and iPhone on NASA's webiste here. She is working with Domenico on another project for which BBC will air a documentary in February 2021.
A new music advocate, Alyssa has premiered a number of new works including "Marcahuasi" for Solo Flute, Op. 10 by Manuel Carranza Cueto (December 2019), "Impression" by Reza Nakisa (January 2018), "Endless Endless Endless" by Shelley Washington (May 2017) and "Asphyxia" by Nicole Chamberlain (April 2016). With BETA Quartet, she has premiered "Nuraghi Warriors" by Anže Rozman (February 2019), "Recitation Book" by David Maslanka, arranged for flute quartet by Tatiana Cassetta (February 2019), and "In Sight" by Matthew Heap (March 2018).
Employed as the Assistant Director of the International Flute Symposium in 2013, Alyssa was promoted the following year to the position of Director and has been a driving force in the promotion and growth of IFS, bringing renowned international soloist Jasmine Choi to the International Flute Symposium in July 2017.
Alyssa has appeared as a featured soloist with the West Virginia University Wind Symphony in 2017 and on several occasions with the Chautauqua Regional Youth Symphony. She has performed as the principle flute with the Allegheny Chamber Players, the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra, the West Virginia University Chamber Orchestra, the West Virginia University Faculty Chamber Players, and the Brasil Jazz Ensemble. She has also performed with the BETA Quartet, Erie Chamber Orchestra, Warren Philharmonic Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Hillcrest Chamber Ensemble, and Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra.
A dedicated and successful private studio teacher, Alyssa is employed by the WVU Community Music Program as a Senior Instructor of Flute and Piano and has previously worked for String Connection Academy of Music as a private woodwind and piano instructor while living in Michigan.
Alyssa has also earned numerous scholarships throughout her career, including the Helga Hulse Mozart Club Music Scholarship in 2012, 2012, and 2016, the West Virginia University Student Memorial Scholarship in 2012, the A. A. Amidon Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Walter & Grace Hazzard Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Louis T. Larson Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the Juliet Anderson Rosch Scholarship in 2012 and 2013, the West Virginia University Music Scholarship in 2012, the Michigan State University Music Scholarship from 2006-2010, the National Honors College Scholarship Award from 2006-2010, and the CCMTA Overall Best Musician Award in 2006.
Her primary teachers include Alberto Almarza of Carnegie Mellon University, Nina Assimakopoulos of West Virginia University, Richard Sherman of Michigan State University, Dr. Susan Royal of Fredonai State University, and Nicole Zenns. Alyssa has performed for such renowned flutists as Jim Walker, Jeffrey Khaner, Lorna McGhee, Trudy Kane, Jeffrey Zook, Gary Schocker, Jennifer Conner, Rhian Kenny, Nancy Stagnitta, Shelley Binder, and Cobus Du Toit.