Ebonee Thomas
Flute Instructor

SoBe Music Institute
751 Euclid Avenue, Suite 2
Miami Beach, Fl 33139
305 674-9220 

Teaching Experience:

• SoBe Music Institute (Miami's Institute for Performing Arts) Flute Instructor (2006 - current)
  
  
• Summer Masterclasses for Grade School Students 1999-present
• Faculty Member of Floot Fire, a week long masterclass for grade school students.
• Private Lesson Teacher, Lake Highlands Schools (RISD) 1999- 2001
• Teach elementary, junior high, & high school students in individual half-hour and hour lessons.

Flutist, Ebonee Thomas is a native of Plano, Texas where she began studying flute at the age of 13. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance at Southern Methodist University and her Master's Degree at the New England Conservatory of Music where she studied with BSO Flutist, Fenwick Smith. While earning her Bachelor's Degree at Southern Methodist University, Ebonee had the opportunity to study Music, Art History, and French in Paris, France. While studying in Boston she was a member of the new music ensemble, The Callithumpian Consort, where her passion for performing contemporary works began. She got the rare opportunity to perform John Adams' Chamber Symphony in Carnegie Hall last spring under the composer's baton. Before becoming a fellow with the New World Symphony, Ebonee held a one-year position as Second Flute with the Houston Symphony during the 2003-2004 season. While in the Houston Symphony Ebonee had the opportunity to perform J. S. Bach's B minor Suite for Flute and Orchestra for World AIDS Day. Last season she performed Joan Tower's Flute Concerto with the New World Symphony and has also performed as a soloist with the International Festival at Round-Top. Ebonee has participated in ensembles including the National Repertory Orchestra, the New Hampshire Symphony, and the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. Along with performing she has a strong passion for teaching young flutists. Ebonee has been a faculty member of the summer annual flute camp Floot Fire in Dallas, Texas and enjoys teaching privately as well.

Performance Experience:

• New World Symphony Fellow Current
• Houston Symphony, Second Flute (One-Year Position) 2003-04 Season
• Chicago Civic Orchestra, Associate Member 2003-2004
• Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Substitute Flute 2002-03 Season
• Callithumpian Consort (New Music Ensemble) 2002-2003
• New England Conservatory Orchestras 2001-2003
• New Hampshire Symphony-Substitute Spring 2002
• SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra 1997-2001

Music Festivals:

• Spoleto Festival USA Summer 2005
• Aspen Music Festival Summer 2005
• National Repertory Orchestra Summer 2003
• International Festival at Round Top Summer 2001
• Lake Placid Flute Seminar Summer 2000
• Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Music Festival Summer 1999

Education:

• New England Conservatory of Music; Master of Music in Flute Performance with Academic Honors May 2003
• Southern Methodist University; Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance May 2001
• SMU-In-Paris 1999-2000

Principal Teachers:

• Fenwick Smith, Flute, Boston Symphony Orchestra 2001-2003
• Jean Larson, Principal Flute, Dallas Symphony Orchestra 1999-2001
• Pierre-Yves Artaud, in Paris Fall 2000
• Claire Johnson, Professor of Flute, SMU 1996-1999
• Helen Blackburn, Principal Flute, The Dallas Opera 1996-1998

Honors & Awards:

• Concerto Competition Winner, New World Symphony 2004-2005
• John Adams Workshop with Composer, Carnegie Hall 2005
• FUNF-Honors Woodwind Quintet, New England Conservatory 2002-2003
• Myrna Brown Flute Competition Semi-Finalist May 2002
• Concerto Competition Winner at International Festival at Round Top Summer 2001
• Young Artist featured at the Basically Beethoven Festival Summer 1999
  

"The crystalline flute tones of Ebonee Thomas (a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Boston's New England Conservatory) commanded attention among fine, precise wind playing. Taken at a rapid clip, the sardonic humor of the Scherzo Presto made a splendid effect. " Music & Vision - New World Symphony - Shostakovich's Symphony No 9 in E flat Op 70 - Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

"Ebonee Thomas tossed off the rapid fire flute roulades of the Jocose variation with verve and pizzazz." New World Symphony - Alberto Ginastera's Variations Concertantes - Carlos Calmar, Conductor

"Flutist Ebonee Thomas played her high altitude solos with spectacular breath control, sweetly spun tone, and dizzying command of the most angular phrases." New World Players - (K)ein Sommernachtstraum (Not) A Midsummer Night’s Dream) by Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) - Steven Jarvi, Conductor

"Also heard was Takemitsu's Voice for solo flute. Crafted in his most angular and experimental mode, the work is based upon a Japanese poem. In between played notes, the flutist is called upon to recite a French translation of the poem into the instrument. Soloist Ebonee Thomas displayed admirable virtuosity and breath control conveying the musical essence of this complex work." New World Symphony -