About Me
Flutist Brooke Walden is a passionate performer and dedicated educator whose artistry has been recognized for its beauty and emotional depth, praised by the Classical Voice of North Carolina for her “lovely tone… rich steady vibrato and wide range of dynamics.”
Brooke recently earned her master’s degree from The Juilliard School, studying with Jeffrey Khaner. She performed regularly with the Juilliard Orchestra under conductors including JoAnn Falletta, Nicholas Carter, Gustavo Dudamel, Louis Langrée, Ken Lam, and David Robertson. A celebrated moment for Brooke was her participation in Juilliard’s collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, culminating in a 2026 BBC Proms concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall led by Esa-Pekka Salonen and featuring acclaimed violinist Vilde Frang.
A committed interdisciplinary collaborator, Brooke took part in Juilliard’s 2025 Fall Festival, improvising solo flute alongside drama student Emmy Zu’s reading of Joy Harjo’s Remember. This creative exploration extends into her chamber music, where she presented Kian Ravaei’s iPod Variations at Juilliard’s second annual Future Stages Festival, a work for flute, violin, and electronics. She was also involved in Juilliard’s Mixed-Ensemble (MXE) Seminar, exploring contemporary works for flute and guitar and flute and harp under the guidance of Carol Wincenc.
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At Juilliard, Brooke performed throughout NYC as a Gluck Community Service Fellow with her flute‑oboe duo, Duet of Air, bringing interactive musical experiences to hospitals, homeless shelters, and elder‑care facilities. The pair appeared with Lincoln Center Moments in March 2026, offering a program centered on comfort and companionship for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Brooke also performed throughout NYC with Hire Juilliard Performers for wedding ceremonies and held Group Leader roles, overseeing client communication, curating setlists, and writing arrangements for flute and strings.
Deeply engaged in artistry that invites meaningful connection, Brooke is equally devoted to creating space for accessible music education. Throughout her master’s, she served as the Flute Fellow for Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program, a tuition‑free Saturday initiative for dedicated young musicians from underrepresented backgrounds. She mentored and performed alongside the students, inspired by the formative support she was given during her early training at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege. In May, she received the 2026 Outstanding MAP Fellow Award and performed Ulysses Kay’s Prelude for Unaccompanied Flute at MAP Awards Night.
Brooke further nurtured the creative potential of young learners through Juilliard’s Morse Teaching Artist Fellowship, leading weekly beginning flute classes in NYC schools and designing an engaging, interactive performance for elementary students at DREAM Charter School with flute, horn, and violin. She also participated in the Harmony Program Teaching Artist Fellowship, assisting with K–2 general music, woodwind sectionals, and flute instruction.
Brooke earned her bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, studying flute with Bonita Boyd and piccolo with Anne Harrow. She graduated with Highest Distinction, was placed on the Dean’s List every semester, and was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, a national honor society recognizing excellence in musicianship and scholarship. Her Eastman years included extensive ensemble, chamber, and recording work, notably serving as Principal Flute on selections from the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s Tyzik Joyride: The Music of Jeff Tyzik with renowned jazz saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. Her woodwind quintet was selected twice for the schoolwide Honors Chamber Music Recital competition and was active throughout Rochester, offering children’s educational concerts through the Eastman to Go program and appearing on WROC News for a 2023 Representation Matters concert in honor of Black History Month.
Brooke is delighted to return to Eastman, where she is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance and Literature. She serves as a Department Assistant for Professor Boyd and as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Harrow, providing secondary flute lessons. She is also a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Snell, supporting the woodwind methods course, and for Professor Pillow, instructing flute doubling for jazz saxophone majors. Additionally, she is a Student Teacher of Flute at the Eastman Community Music School, and the New Horizons Flute Mentor and Flute Ensemble Director.
Artistry Through Connection
My artistry is rooted in presence and awareness by creating an environment where others are seen, heard, and valued. The audience is my partner; we collaborate in real time, allowing music to become our collective medium and shared expression. I approach every performance with great care and intentionality, inviting my listeners on a communal journey of curiosity, connection, and discovery.
I thoughtfully adapt my programming to reflect the interests and needs of each audience, whether in a concert hall, a homeless shelter, a classroom, or an assisted‑living facility. By staying attuned to the environment, remaining flexible, and prioritizing meaningful interaction, I shape my repertoire and engage in ways that invite emotional resonance and foster unifying experiences. Music belongs in every setting, and I am committed to making it accessible to all.
This collaborative and inclusive philosophy also guides my teaching. I believe every individual possesses inherent artistry, and I strive to create spaces where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to develop and share their unique voice. I treat my audiences and students as equals, embracing each moment as an opportunity to learn from one another and make a positive impact. This ongoing commitment to meaningful exchange, shared expression and genuine connection shapes the artist, educator, and human I aspire to become!