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Geri Rizzo
studied applied flute with a vocal minor
at the New England Conservatory of Music
Boston Massachusetts on a full
scholarship where she studied with James
Pappoutsaki of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra. She also studied with Francis
Blaisdell, principal flutist with the
New York Metropolitan Opera orchestra at
the Manhattan School of Music in NY.
She began her journey as a flutist at
age ten and by fifteen was studying with
world class flutist and conductor Claude
Monteux. At 17 she toured
with the NY State Symphony. Other
fine flutists of the Golden Age with
whom she studied include Jim Walker and
Julius Baker.
After a ten year respite
from playing Geri resumed playing
the flute. This was no easy task!
One remembers how one USED to sound...
and forgets how long it took to get to
that point. However, studying with
Gary Schocker for two years was the best
thing Geri could have done... She says,
"A highly inspirational teacher as well
as magnificent artist, I highly
recommend Gary Schocker as a teacher!
You must attend one of his highly
acclaimed master classes as well!"
Geri has written an article,
"Starting Over", published in Flute Talk
Magazine, to be published here soon
which addresses the issues and
frustrations of beginning anew.
Since then....
She has performed in the
Tri-State Symphony (NY) and Fine Arts Symphony
(NY); the Hudson Valley Wind Ensemble (NY);
the Ocean City Pops, NJ the Bay Atlantic
Symphony, NJ and the Atlantic Pops, New Jersey. As a teacher she has taught over twenty
years.
In February 2018 she performed at
Carnegie Hall with the Atlantic Pops Community
Band. On the jazz front, she was active
in the Jazz Vesper's Programs in Ventnor City
and Atlantic City, administratively as well as
performing. She has
performed in most of the Atlantic City
Casinos, from duo to quartet and as a
strolling musician.
Originally from the Hudson Valley, New
York, Geri relocated to Margate, NJ in 2002
where she began performing in the Atlantic
City casinos for special events. In
2003, she started her own entertainment
agency, Magic Flute Weddings, performing with
South Jersey's finest classical musicians for
weddings and special events.
In 2016 Geri founded the flute ensemble
"Flutes for Peace". More information
here: www.FlutesForPeace.org
As a singer,
Geri has performed in church choirs since she
was a child. She
has performed in musical theater (Gilbert and
Sullivan) as the lead in Iolanthe and in the
Mikado at the Bardavon Theatre in
Poughkeepsie, NY. In Southern New
Jersey, she has performed with The
Meistersingers, The Cape Shore Chorale, and
various church choirs.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
BMI Songwriter Publishers;
The National Flute Association; The American
Federation of Musicians Local 661-708 Atlantic City,
The Cameo Club |
