LESLIE
FLUTE
RICHMOND

French-American flutist Leslie Richmond was born in Portland, Oregon.  In her hometown, she was the winner of the MetroArts Young Artists at the Schnitz competition, the Vancouver Symphony Young Artists competition, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic competition, after which she was invited several times to perform as soloist with orchestra. She was also a three-time first prize winner of the Oregon State Soloist Contest.  More recently, she was a prize winner at the ‘Clés d'Or’ Competition in Paris, the Young Artists Competition of the Flute Society of Washington, and the Golden Classical Music Awards for which she was invited to perform in a recital at Carnegie Hall.

 

Recognized for her work as a chamber artist and orchestral musician, she is co-founder of Ensemble Thaïs with violinist David Benetah, and a member of the ‘Latitudes’ flute quartet.  She has performed with orchestras and at festivals in the United States, South America, and Europe under the baton of conductors Gustavo Dudamel, Josep Pons, and Kent Nagano, among others.  Passionate about education and outreach, she is state-certified to teach in France at the highest levels and regularly invited to lead workshops for the nonprofit organization ‘Les Concerts de Poche.'

 

Leslie holds degrees in flute performance and French literature from Rice University, a ‘Diplôme de Concertiste’ from the École Normale Supérieure de Musique de Paris, and a Masters degree from the Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya in Barcelona.  Principal teachers include Vicens Prats, Jean Ferrandis, Leone Buyse, and other influences include Samuel Coles and Sandrine Tilly.  She teaches at the Foix-Varilhes Conservatory in the Ariège province.