Winners of the SF Flute Society International Competition 2021
Youth Competition Division 1 (13 & under) Winner: Seoyul Kim
Seoyul Kim won 1st Prize in the Seoungjeoung Art Concours, Grand Prize in the Concert Artists International Concours, First Prize in the Seoul Arts Concours and First Prize in the San Francisco Flute Society Competition.
Why and how did you start playing the flute?
I have been playing the flute since 7 years old when I saw my older sister playing the flute I was especially fascinated by the clear and beautiful sound of flute, that so I decided to master the flute.
What do you love best about the flute?
When I complete each song one by one, I can feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.
What has the flute (and music) taught you?
It teaches me a patience and fighting for myself.
What are your goals with the flute?
I want to be a world-class flutist, who brings joy to people by playing beautiful sounds.
What do you love doing outside of playing the flute?
I like to listen to pop songs and to sing along with them. Also I enjoy studying new languages.
Youth Competition Winner Division 2: Reina Shim
Reina Shim is 14 years old flutist in Frisco, TX. She started her flute at the age of 7, and she is student of Ms. Monica Song. This year, she made both National 1st Prize of MTNA and 1st Prize of the National Flute Association competition.
Why and how did you start playing the flute?
I decided to start flute when I saw it for the first time in my life. It was super shiny and it looked so cool. I decided to try it and I fell in love.
What do you love best about the flute?
I love the sound of everything about the flute and I love the fact that I can share my feelings with the flute.
What has the flute (and music) taught you?
Music has taught me a lot of life lessons about how to work with the people as a musician and how to overcome difficult things.
What are your goals with the flute?
I want to be an orchestra player and want to make people happy with my music.
What do you love doing outside of playing the flute?
I like drawing and watching movies
Youth Competition Winner Division 3: Sadie Goodman
Sadie Goodman, 16, first place winner of the American Classical Young Musician Award and a finalist in the Music International Grand Prix, was recently named a Laureate of the Sound Espressivo International Competition. At age 13 she debuted at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as the winner of the Alexander & Buono International Flute Competition. Other first place awards and concerto appearances include the Floot Fire Virtual Soloist Competition, NY Flute Club Young Musicians Contest (2021 and 2016), Greenwich Symphony Teen Talent Contest, Musical Club of Hartford, Norwalk Symphony, and the American Chamber Orchestra. Sadie was Principal Flutist of the Norwalk Youth Symphony for three years, and currently plays with the New York Youth Symphony. She studied for many years with Adrianne Greenbaum, Professor of Flute at Mount Holyoke College, and currently studies with Carol Wincenc at the Juilliard School's Pre-College Division.
Why and how did you start playing the flute?
My musical journey started in 3rd grade, when everyone in my grade learned to play the recorder. My twin sister and I really took to it - I remember feeling so excited to play hot cross buns and demonstrate in front of my class. After noticing our interest in the recorder, my grandmother found us a teacher and we began private lessons. My sister and I would share our weekly 30-minute lessons until 4th grade, when it came time to pick instruments for our school band. I chose flute with no hesitation. I don’t know why I felt such a natural affinity for it - maybe because it seemed most similar to the recorder - but from the very first time I pushed air through that tube and made a sound, I was sold.
What do you love best about the flute?
Gosh, do I have to pick? I love its fluency and the fact that something as simple and natural as my breath is central to producing sound. I love its undeniable similarity to spoken words. I love it’s malleability, the way it allows its player to impersonate an incredibly large range of characters and scenes. From bird calls to train whistles, waterfalls to spirits, and imposing mountains to sparkling streams… there are virtually no limits except my own imagination.
What has the flute (and music) taught you?
One thing that I have learned from the flute and music in general is how to combine the artistic and mathematical parts of my brain. In the practice room, when I am striving for a specific quality of tone, I often find myself using a variation of the “scientific method” in which I identify the main problem, experiment with different solutions, and then refine to get the results I am searching for. In addition, it has taught me that being prepared means not only being responsible for my own part, but also knowing everyone else's and how they fit together in the ensemble.
What are your goals with the flute?
Currently, a goal of mine is to broaden my repertoire. I’d like to begin learning baroque flute this year, as well as focus more on modern music. I am looking to expand my proficiency in extended techniques, eventually aiming to circular breathe with ease.
What do you love doing outside of playing the flute?
Outside of the flute, I love being near the water. Up until this past summer, I enjoyed being part of a competitive rowing team in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Adult Competition Winner: Alyssa Gaines
Alyssa Gaines is Artist Faculty of Flute at Morningside University (IA) and is an active teacher, solo, chamber, and ensemble performer based in the Siouxland area. She earned a Master of Music degree in flute performance at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, a performer's certificate from Trevor Wye's 'The Flute Studio' (UK), and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in flute performance and music industry at Middle Tennessee State University. Her primary teachers include Trevor Wye, Kathryn Lukas, Dr. Deanna Little, Nora Kile, Greig Shearer, and Patricia Baranski.
Why and how did you start playing the flute?
My mother, Patty Baranski, is a music educator, pianist, and flutist, and she taught me to play the flute when I was three years old. I vividly remember lessons in her home music studio and was fortunate enough to be provided many, many musical opportunities in my childhood (youth orchestras, flute ensembles, professional adjudications, etc). Music was always a priority for me and my parents, and I will forever be thankful for their guidance and support.
What do you love best about the flute?
Simply, I love the work of making music. Exploring works, experimenting with tone colors, manipulating my sound, finding unique and expressive ways to communicate musically, and turning these concepts into pedagogy are among my favorites. I thoroughly enjoy learning and sharing about the history of the flute, and I feel particularly proud and humbled by my teaching lineage. I have been blessed to study with teachers whose passions for the flute were truly inspirational and motivated me to become better each day. I also enjoy the strong sense of community that is formed when performing with others.
What has the flute (and music) taught you?
Music has always been a constant in my life. While this career has certainly not always been easy, the flute has taught me many things including peaceful expression, perseverance, determination, and hard -work. My first recital in the pandemic (August 2021), performing publicly for the first time in nearly two years, was both exhilarating and strangely unfamiliar. At the time of this recital, I was 25 weeks pregnant with my son, and the flute taught me a new lesson in breath control! Though it was challenging, this recital will hold a special place in my heart.
What are your goals with the flute?
If I had been asked this question five years ago I would have said something like “my goals are to earn a position in a major symphony orchestra and teach flute at the college level”. While my priorities and my goals have slightly shifted, I’m happy to say that, with a lot of time, practice, patience, perseverance, and determination, I am actually living out many of my goals! I am beginning my first year as Artist Faculty of Flute at Morningside University (IA) where I am teaching a wonderful group of hardworking flute students as well as teaching lessons for the greater Siouxland community! I have also been placed on substitute flute lists for some of the regional symphony orchestras and ensembles and very much enjoy performing with them! In the meantime, I want to continue performing creative, adventurous programs, and I would love to commission new works for the flute.
What do you love doing outside of playing the flute?
Outside of playing the flute I love to bake, watch Gilmore Girls, spend time with my Husband, Martin, and play with our puppy, Daisy.