Please contact Alexa directly to book a lesson and/or a chat about the application-audition process and studying flute at Oberlin.  Prospective students who do not already know Alexa should also check out Alexa's personal website:  http://www.AlexaStill.com

Alexa offers a free lesson to Prosbies (Oberlin's affectionate term for prospective students) visiting Oberlin on Mondays. This is an incentive program to get Prosbies to attend studio class where they can chat with current students, get a feel for the atmosphere within the studio AND observe some of the four major ensemble rehearsals also scheduled on Mondays ( visiting and seeing this first-hand is the best way to understand the professional level of preparation and rehearsal etiquette that is normal at Oberlin). 

Zoom lessons are also possible. While not nearly as helpful, an online meeting maybe the only option depending on your circumstance. 

Prosbies should also contact the Conservatory's Admissions Office for assistance in booking tours, creating a schedule including other class visits, and general logistical advice.  

F.A.Q.s

What do your students' careers look like?

My students have gone on to be permanent members of these professional ensembles:

Detroit Symphony, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony, Spokane Symphony, Macau Symphony (Hong Kong), Airforce Band of the Golden West, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra,

Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (Australia), Windsor Symphony (Canada), Palm Beach Symphony (FL), Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra, NuDeco ensemble (FL), Greeley Philharmonic (CO), Venezuelan National Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony (WY), Midland-Odessa Symphony (TX), Orchestra Wellington (New Zealand), Florida Grand Opera, Fort Collins Symphony (CO), Wyoming Symphony, Teatro Nuovo Festival Orchestra, Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (AZ), Salt Lake Symphony (UT) Columbus Chamber Orchestra (OH), Garland Symphony (TX), Christchurch Symphony  (New Zealand),  Central City Opera (CO) , Colorado Music Festival, Las Conlinas Symphony (TX), Opus Chamber Orchestra (Waikato, New Zealand), Lima Symphony (OH),  Arlington Symphony (TX), Abilene Philharmonic (TX)Opera Theater of Pittsburgh,  Erie Chamber Orchestra (PA), Queen City Opera (OH), House of Time (NY), New York Baroque Incorporated,  Cantata Profana (NY), American Classical Orchestra, Early Music New York, Voyces (NY), Boston Baroque, Chatham Baroque (NY), Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra (PA), Cadillac Moon Contemporary Ensemble (NY), Wavefield Ensemble (NY), Duo RiMi (NY), PinkNoise (NY)

…and have been hired on contract for these ensembles:

New World Symphony, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (UK), Seville Symphony Orchestra (Spain), BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Houston Grand Opera, New World Symphony, Detroit Chamber Winds, New Music Detroit, Canton Symphony (OH), Los Angeles Philharmonic, Heisenberg Ensemble (St Andrews, Scotland), Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Ballet orchestra, Macau Symphony (Hong Kong), Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony, New Orleans Symphony, Colorado Bach Society, Bach Society Houston, Civic Orchestra, Chicago

What about teaching? 

I have ex-students who have taught or are teaching at these institutions:

Bowling Green State University, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas, Brownsville (now Rio Grande), Delta State University, University of Northern Colorado, Portland State University, Whitman College, Lewis and Clarke College, Simon Bolivar University, Kyoto Women’s University, El Systema (Venezuela),   Dominican University of California (San Rafael ), Seattle Pacific University, Colorado Christian University, Colorado State University, Metro University (CO), Sarah Lawrence College, Waikato University , Western State College of Colorado, St. Francis College, Tamagawa University, University of Northern Arizona, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Little Orchestra Society (NY) ,Victoria University of Wellington, Community School of Music and Arts, Mountain View, Preucil School of Music, Iowa City, Crested Butte Community School, Rocky Mountain School of the Arts,  Ocean County College, Toms River, Westminster College, My Cincinnati, The Juilliard School in the Evening and Pre-College, Musart Music, Long Island Conservatory Grace School of Music, Music Academy of Long Island, Centro de Arte -Colegio San Patricio, Escueala de Música Pilar Vizcaino, Joven Orquesta Ciudad de Mérida, Padua College.  

Other students have also been doing these amazing things:

Chemical Biology researcher/PhD Harvard and MIT, Founder: Virtual Woodwind Academy, Founder: “Do it yourself Darlin” home renovation handy women service, Developing Hydrogen batteries, Clio Artist Project- co-founder, Director of Marketing and Communications Pittsburgh Festival of New Music, Founder: Supported Self-Inquiry for Artist and Educators, Manager, Emerging Artists Program, Musica Viva Australia, Editor, Limelight Magazine, Music Programmer, ABC Classic, Australian Broadcasting Commission, Founder and Director: Astraios Music (Texas and Colorado based chamber music concert series), Executive Director, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Wealth Advisor Peterson Hastings  Property Lawyer, medical lawyer, Suzuki Teacher-trainer, Northern New Mexico College in Espanola -Program director. 

It is really important to note that playing music for a profession isn't everyone's ideal lifestyle AND that a high level music-training equips you with invaluable skills that transfer and make a success of anything you aspire to.

Where have students gone immediately after Oberlin?

Fulbright studies in France, Rice, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, University of California at Los Angeles, Lynn University, Peabody Conservatory, Yale University,  Zurch Hoschule der Kunst, Royal Conservatory, Edinburgh, Scotland,  SUNY Purchase, Southern Methodist University, Miami-Frost School of Music, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Carnegie Mellon, University of Georgia, Boston University, University of British Columbia, Florida State University, University of Western Ontario, Ensemble ACJW, Astral Artists management, and sometimes a gap year….

What do Oberlin Students do in the summer?

I long-ago quit keeping track of this, but I think this list is reasonably representative:

Aspen -Fellowships in the Contemporary Music Program and orchestral programs, Tzlil Meudcan Music festival in Tel Aviv, Monteaux, Chautauqua, Music Academy of the West, Bang on a Can, Music on the Point, Neif Norf, Imani Winds, Round Top, Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra, Canadian National Youth Orchestra, Banff winter residence artist program, Pan Pacific Festival Youth Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Orford, Sarasota, PRISM, Prague Summer Nights, Marrowstone, Bang on a Can, Music on the Point, Neif Norf, Imani Winds, Hot Springs, Madeline Island, Aria Academy

What about competitions?

My students have won or placed in the following competitions and honors: Artists International for a New York Debut, Rotary Fellowship, Global Academy Fellowship, National Flute Association Young Artist Competition, National Flute Association’s Audience award for best performance of commissioned work, National Flute Association Mock Orchestral audition, Walfrid Kujala International Piccolo Competition, Chicago Flute Club Young Artist and masterclass competitions, Latin American Flute Competition, Yale’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year, National Flute Association Baroque Artist competition, International Flute Symposium Emerging Artist Competition,  National Flute Association Baroque masterclass competition, Keynotes Scholarship Competition, Flute Society of Washington DC Young Artist Competition, National Arts and Letters Young Artist Competition, Pittsburgh Concert Society Major Artist Competition, National Flute Association Masterclass Competition, National Flute Association Convention Performers Competition, Alexander and Buono International Flute Competition, Central Ohio Flute Associations’ Young Artist and Collegiate Division competitions, Mid-South Young Artist Competition, Atlanta Flute Club Young Artist Competition, Sydney Flute Festival Artist Competition, Gisborne International Competitions’ Audience’s Prize, Music Teachers National Association Competition's nationals, regionals and state competitions, Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia’s Young Artist and Collegiate Artist competitions, Macau International Flute Competition, China-Italy International Flute Competition, Kalaidos flute competition (Switzerland),  San Diego Flute Guild Artist Gold Competition, Myrna Brown Competition, Nevada Flute Society’s Young Artist Competition, South Carolina Young Artist Competition, Rochester Flute Association’s Emerging Artist and Masterclass Competitions, , Tuesday Musical’s woodwind division and overall competition,  Grossmont Instrumental Music Scholarship competition, Lansum International Music Festival & Competition’s open division, Greater Cleveland Flute Society Masterclass Competition, Upper Midwest Young Artist Competition, Kentucky Young Artist Competition, Oklahoma Flute Society’s Collegiate competition, Oberlin Concerto Competition, “Best Performance Series” competition for Mozart, Southern Guitar Fest Ensemble Competition, Great Composers Competition”. The Music of the Centuries: The Music of the 19th Century” and “The Music of the Centuries: The Music of the 20th Century”, Austin Peay University Flute Studio’s Irish Music Competition, Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, Plowman Chamber Music Competition, National Flute Association First Generation Scholarship, University of Texas System’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, National Flute Association Young Artist Mentorship Program

PANdemonium4’s Virtual Ohio Flute Competition, National Flute Association intern, Diversity in Arts Leadership – intern, Champion of Champions Wind Soloist (Sydney), New Zealand Woodwind Competitions, Centennial Concerto Competition, Ekstrand competition, National Flute Association Dissertation Award.