Member Spotlight-Elyse Davis

Get to Know...Elyse Davis

You might have noticed we have a strong Florida State University contingent of members. We love that Shelley’s fellow FSU alumni (as well as FSU current students) have embraced FNMC. Of course, we must also credit the strong participation to the support of FSU Flute Professor and FNMC Artistic Advisor Eva Amsler!
 
One of our wonderful members with an FSU connection is current DM student, Elyse Davis! Elyse has been an active member since joining FNMC in 2016. She was a preliminary judge for the chamber music category of the FNMC composition contest in 2016, and performed on the FNMC concert at the Florida Flute Association Convention in January 2017. She has actively supported FNMC Composition Contest works; having performed Purple and Yellow for flute and marimba/vibraphone by Stephen Lounsbrough and On the Pivot of an Abandoned Carousel for flute and electronics by Kay HE.
 
Elyse is a member of the Silver Linings Flutes, comprised of Vivianne Asturizaga Laura Clapper, Elyse Davis, and John Ross. The Silver Linings flutes have been very supportive of FNMC works, and FNMC in general, in fact, they’re all members! They’ve performed the quartets French Quarter by Nicole Chamberlain, and In Memoriam: Sacajawea by Greg Steinke. They even included French Quarter on the program they performed during their 2017 tour in Costa Rica!
 
If you’re attending the NFA convention this year, be sure to support Elyse as she competes in the Young Artist Competition. We know she will play beautifully! 
 
Q&A with Elyse…
 
When did you join FNMC and what attracted you to the organization?
I first joined the FNMC officially about a year ago, and was initially attracted to the organization because of how many Florida State friends and colleagues I have who are also members! I attended an FNMC get together at NFA a few years ago, and was struck by how friendly everyone was- it just seemed like a fun organization to be a part of, and when I was asked to be a preliminary round judge for the composition competition, I was blown away by how amazing some of the music being submitted was. I had a great experience with judging, and have now performed several FNMC pieces.
 
What about new music for the flute appeals to you?
Learning and performing new music has opened and developed my mind (and my ear) beyond the more traditional flute repertoire, and has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of on the instrument. That, I think, is the true value of new music- it is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is generally thought to be possible, and thus, performers are able to grow and keep improving their abilities in new and ingenious ways. Also, programming new music on a flute recital is particularly appealing, since it is one of the oldest known instruments in the world- the fact that we are able to program a Bach sonata right alongside a work that was composed last year, is amazing to me!
 
What advice can you give to flutists about approaching new music in practice?
I think the best advice is just to keep an open and creative mind! Often, there is no wrong answer- the exciting thing about new music is that you can create a completely new and unique interpretation, uninfluenced by others. You have the opportunity to really make it your piece!
 
More About Elyse…
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Flutist Elyse Davis is an active performer and soloist in the Tallahassee area and throughout the United States. She made her solo debut in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in May of 2017, and has won prizes at numerous competitions, including second prize at the San Diego Flute Guild Young Artist Competition in 2017 and third prize at the NFA’s Orchestral Audition Masterclass Competition in 2016. Ms. Davis is currently pursuing her DM at Florida State University, where she is a Teaching Assistant. She earned her M.M. from FSU, and her B.M. in flute performance from the University of Arizona.

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