Alexa Still - Flutist
Alexa is known internationally for her many recordings on the Koch International Classics label. She has been described as: “impeccable in technique and taste, seductive in phrasing” (Stephensen Classical C D Guide). “Still plays... so convincingly I cannot separate her from the music” (American Record Guide), “whatever she plays sounds musical in every turn of the phrase” (Gramophone), “a stunning showcase for the astonishing Alexa Still” (Fanfare). A native of New Zealand, Alexa’s first visit to the US was for graduate study at the State University of New York at Stony Brook studying with Samuel Baron and also independently with Thomas Nyfenger, gaining a Masters and Doctorate degrees and numerous competition successes including the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and, East and West Artists Competition for a New York Debut. Alexa then won principal flute of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the age of 23, and returned home for 11 years. Described as “a National Treasure" (Daily News) in New Zealand, she was heard as a soloist throughout New Zealand both in person and as a recording artist for Radio New Zealand, and she made regular tours to the US for solo engagements and, in 1996, a Fulbright Award. She was appointed Associate Professor of Flute at University of Colorado at Boulder in 1998. Since that time she has presented recitals, concertos and master classes in England, Germany, Slovenia, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and across the United States. She toured China for most of April, 2005, performing and teaching in Tianjin, Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and was invited to return there as a guest artist for the Second Chinese Flute Convention in Beijing in July. Her 13th solo compact disc on Koch (concertos by John Corigliano, Katherine Hoover and Chen-Yi) was released in September 2004 to unanimous acclaim: "This is a superb recording. Still plays with flawless technique. In three demanding works, she never loses the clarity and beauty of her tone. She maintains astonishing control, from moments of screaming brilliance to compelling pianissimos. "American Record Guide, “Anyone who doubts Still's dumbfounding technical ability or complete tonal control should hear these... Still creates a rainbow of colors within the range we might call "beautiful". You just won't hear better-sustained flute playing on disc than this, or more subtle, characterful phrasing: real, warm, communicative musicality.” Fanfare Magazine, “a showcase for the protean talents of Alexa Still, who runs Emanuael Pahud a neck-and-neck race in the new century’s flute sweepstakes “...With all due respect to Galway, and appreciation for his commission, Ms. Still out-flutes him...” (Archive review) Alexa’s live performances receive similar critical acclaim: "This listener found himself so involved in the music at hand that the artist's technical sureness and musical intensity were noticed only in retrospect" New York Times, "her playing matched her impressive stature... Alexa's ability to whisper or shout with her instrument as she needed made her performance very, very, special." Peninsula News, L.A. Alexa’s fourteenth solo CD for Koch; contemporary music for flute and piano with New York-based English pianist Stephen Gosling, will be released late 2005. Alexa was a featured soloist at the National Flute Association conventions in Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. and has contributed to that organization as a board member and program chair for the 31st National Flute Association Convention in 2003. She also contributes pedagogical articles for many flute journals, having particular interest in ergonomic alterations to the flute and the breathing techniques she learned from Arnold Jacobs. She plays a silver flute made for her by Brannen Brothers of Boston with gold or wooden headjoints by Sanford Drelinger of White Plains, New York. When her flute is in its case, Alexa is an avid motorcyclist, and she shares three dogs with her husband and daughter. You can read much more about Alexa on her website: http://www.alexastill.com/.
