Member Spotlight-Alyssa Andriotis

Get to Know...Alyssa Andriotis

Alyssa (Borell) Andriotis is one of many members who joined FNMC as students at Florida State University. A strong advocate for new music, particularly of music for flute and electronics and new chamber music, Alyssa continued her membership and increased her involvement in FNMC as she completed her degree, moved to Oklahoma where she is building a busy teaching and performing career, and got married (to a composer, no less!).
 
We think many of our members will be excited about Alyssa’s current project (discussed below). She is developing a pedagogical approach to music for flute and electronics with a graded list of pieces! This sounds incredibly helpful for those who want to introduce their students to the world of flute and electronics (or who may be a bit apprehensive themselves.) The FNMC Composition Contest has introduced us to so many wonderful works for flute and electronics which we believe are highly deserving of wide performance. Hopefully, projects like Alyssa’s will help flutists feel more comfortable exploring those and other incredible pieces that incorporate electronics!
 
Alyssa has performed several FNMC Composition Contest Works including: French Quarter for flute quartet by Nicole Chamberlain, Lacquer and Grit for flute and piano by Viet Cuong, and Intensity for four C flutes with amplification by Carleton Macy. Alyssa has twice served as a preliminary round judge for the FNMC Composition Contest (Chamber Music in 2016 and Solo Flute in 2017) and performed on FNMC organized recitals at the College Music Society National Convention (San Antonio) and the Florida Flute Association Convention (twice).
 
 
Q&A with Alyssa…
 
What about new music for the flute appeals to you?
I like listening to the creativity of each individual composer and how they use the flute. I'm always surprised by the different kinds of sounds that composers are able to create on the flute--the flute's sonic abilities are always being expanded!
 
What are your favorite "new music" pieces and why?
I love any pieces for flute and electronics! Especially with live electronics, there is such an interesting interaction that happens between performer and computer that is a very unique experience and one that I hope more flutists get to discover. I'm actually currently working on a project to create a pedagogical approach to teach these types of pieces along with a helpful graded list of
pieces.
 
When did you join FNMC and what attracted you to the organization?
I joined FNMC in 2014. As flutist, we are lucky that we have a huge repertoire, but sometimes it is difficult to find quality new pieces to perform. FNMC has introduced me to some really great composers and pieces that I would never have come across if not for this group.
 
Do you have any upcoming events that you would like our friends and followers to know about?
I'm really excited to be joining the Tornado Alley Flutes for our performance at the College Music Society National Conference in San Antonio this weekend. We are performing Nicole Chamberlain's piece, "French Quarter," which is so fun! I'm also looking forward to performing with my trio (flute, cello, and marimba) on Oklahoma City Community College's campus on November 13th. We are performing a variety of new(er) works for this ensemble as well as some duets of some really exciting pieces.
 
More About Alyssa…
Alyssa Andriotis is an Oklahoma based flutist and teacher.  She is an instructor at Oklahoma City Community College and is the Flute Fair Coordinator for the Oklahoma Flute Society.  Ms. Andriotis has presented lectures, workshops, and masterclasses around the country.  Committed to promoting new music, Ms. Andriotis is a performing member of the Flute New Music Consortium.  Her areas of interest include works for flute and electronics as well as new chamber music.
 
Ms. Andriotis has appeared as soloist with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and the University of Oklahoma Civic Orchestra.  She has performed at the National Flute Association Convention, College Music Society National Conference, Florida Flute Association Convention, and the College Music Society Great Plains Conference.  Ms. Andriotis was a Semi-Finalist for the New World Symphony for the 2013-2014 season.  She was winner of the 2012 Undergraduate Concerto Competition at Ball State University and the 2009 Wisconsin High School Soloist Competition.
 
Ms. Andriotis holds a Master of Music from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music from Ball State University.  Her previous teachers include Eva Amsler, Valerie Watts, and Mihoko Watanabe.  andriotisflute.com

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