On Saturday, February 25, 2023, the UMass Flute Studio, led by Associate Professor Cobus du Toit, will host the 2023 Western Massachusetts Flute Festival from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Bezanson Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public; registration is required – visit umass.edu/music/events for information.

The event will feature a variety of workshops led by du Toit and special guest flutist Catherine Boyack who will lead a morning masterclass with members of the UMass flute studio, and present a 3 p.m. concert with UMass faculty pianist Steven Beck. As a senior at BYU, Boyack won the National Flute Association’s 2018 Young Artist Competition, one of the youngest performers to do so. She currently maintains a private flute studio in addition to being a Morse Teaching Artist at Juilliard, working in classroom music settings across New York City.

Sessions during the Festival will include “Finding the Wholesomeness in your Sound” and “IronFlute – Endurance Sports Principles for Better Performance” (Cobus du Toit), “A Game Plan to Prepare for any Performance Thoughtfully” (Catherine Boyack), along with vendor presentations by Haynes Flutes and Flutistry Boston, the sponsors of the Festival.

Bezanson Recital Hall is located in the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts, 151 Presidents Dr., Amherst, MA. Free parking is available in nearby University lot 71 off Massachusetts Avenue and lot 62 via Thatcher Way or Stockbridge Road.  Visit the Fine Arts Center website for more information or refer to the UMass interactive parking map. All visitors must follow established safety protocols set forth by UMass and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.