Grammy-Nominated Flutist and Composer Valerie Coleman Completes Residency with NEC Composition Department

In late March, Grammy-nominated flutist and composer Valerie Coleman came to campus as NEC’s 2024 Malcolm Peyton Artist-in-Residence. During her residency, Coleman led a colloquium, engaged in a Q&A session, and conducted a master class with students in NEC's Composition Department. Additionally, she provided valuable coaching to NEC's Honors Wind Ensemble, which performed in her residency showcase. 

Coleman is regarded by many as an iconic artist who continues to pave her unique path as a composer, flutist, and entrepreneur. Highlighted as one of the “Top 35 Women Composers” by The Washington Post, she was named Performance Today’s 2020 Classical Woman of the Year, an honor bestowed to an individual who has significantly contributed to classical music as a performer, composer, or educator. Her works have garnered awards such as the MAPFund, ASCAP Honors Award, Chamber Music America’s Classical Commissioning Program, Herb Alpert Ragdale Residency Award, and nominations from The American Academy of Arts and Letters and United States Artists. 

The Malcolm Peyton Composer Artist-in-Residence was established in 2018 to honor Malcolm Peyton, a member of the NEC Composition faculty for over 50 years. During his remarkable tenure, Peyton influenced the lives and careers of many students through his teaching and direction, as well as his dedication to the creation of new music at NEC. This annual residency was established to recognize his devotion to NEC and the continued pursuit of excellence in the Composition Department. It features private lessons, masterclasses, seminars, and a performance.

Coleman engaged with NEC Composition students during a master class, public colloquium, and Q&A session on March 27, 2024. 

Here, Coleman offers one-on-one coaching to composition student Genie Alvarado ’27 on one of her compositions.

Coleman with NEC Composition Department Chair Michael Gandolfi.  

As part of her residency, NEC students performed a Composers' Series concert in Jordan Hall featuring Coleman's professions in celebration of her contributions to the flute and woodwind quintet repertoire and Malcolm Peyton's to the string quartet.

NEC Honors Ensemble Category Five Winds, comprising Honor Hickman ’24, flute; Corinne Foley ’24, oboe; Evan Chu ’27, clarinet; Abigail Heyrich ’25 MM, bassoon; and Graham Lovely ’24, French horn; performed Coleman's "Tzigane" (2011). 

Anna Kevelson ’23 MM, flute, and Cynthia Chih-Yu Tseng ’20 MM, ’22 GD, ’25 DMA, piano, performed Coleman's "Wish Sonatine" (2014). 

 Anne Chao ’23, ’25 MM, flute, and Cynthia Chih-Yu Tseng ’20 MM, ’22 GD, ’25 DMA, piano, performed Coleman's "Fanmi Imèn" (2018). 

The Meraki String Quartet, comprising violinists Sophia Szokolay ’19, ’24 DMA and Yixiang Wang ’24 MM, violist Joy Hsieh ’23 MM, ’25 GD, and cellist Kei Otake ’24 MM, performed Malcolm Peyton's String Quartet No. 2 (2001, rev. 2005). 

 Coleman takes the stage following Category Five Winds' performance.

 Coleman participated in a reception following the Composers' Series concert. Here, she stands with NEC composition faculty member Kati Agócs. 

Coleman with Malcolm Peyton, NEC Faculty Emeritus and namesake of the Malcolm Peyton Composer Artist-in-Residence program.