About

An avid participant in all things musical, flutist Ariel Flach cannot remember a time when music did not play a central role in their daily life. A native of Portland, Oregon— where they have lived for most of their life— they draw inspiration from the beauty of interpersonal relationships, which have transformed their worldview and encouraged them to bring people together through collaborative art. Winner of the 2019 Montana Flute Association CedarLuke Young Artist Competition, Ariel excels in a variety of artistic settings. They have performed in masterclasses for Carol Wincenc, Cobus DuToit, Marianne Gedigian, Ulla Miilmann, Leone Buyse, Lorna McGhee, Julien Beaudiment, Krista Jobson, and Alberto Almarza, in addition to lessons with Jim Walker, Jessica Sindell, and Brook Ferguson. 

Ariel’s musical ventures are fueled by a desire to create space for meaningful connections to be made between performers and audience members alike, and above all else, to continue the tradition of community-building modeled by their musical mentors. A background in choral, piano, band, orchestra, and chamber repertoire contributes to Ariel’s commanding musical presence and confidence as an educator in diverse musical settings. With experience teaching elementary, middle, and high school students— not to mention experience in both choral and instrumental music— they bring thorough and effective pedagogy to the table. Ariel is a committed conductor, and was selected as a conductor for the Colorado Music Education Association’s 2020 undergraduate conducting clinic. A freelancer and student, Ariel has enjoyed performances with members of the Oregon Symphony, in pit orchestras for musicals, with the Chapman University Woodwind Quintet, and on scores for many student films, including Student Academy Award-winner Rocket (2015). During the first two years of their undergraduate education, Ariel held principal positions in both the Chapman Wind Symphony and the Chapman Orchestra. After completing two years at Chapman University, Ariel shifted their trajectory and transferred to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where they pursue a double degree in flute performance and music education under the tutelage of Professor Christina Jennings. Past mentors include: Martha Long, Mary Palchak, Claudia Anderson, Sophia Tegart, Wendy Bamonte, and Mary Kogen.