Share with us some of your professional accomplishments.

I enjoy a varied career of performing, teaching and work in community music leadership. I am visiting lecturer of flute at Cornell University, a lecturer in music education at Ithaca College and on the flute faculty and director of education and community engagement at Opus Ithaca School of Music. As the current principal flutist with the Fort Smith Symphony (AR), I have recorded four CDs for the Naxos label. I perform regularly with the Shuhan Trio, Ithaca Flute Duo, Opera Ithaca, Ithaca New Music Collective, Cornell Festival Orchestra, and the Skaneateles Festival. I have also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra to name a few. I am passionate about teaching and mentoring young flutists. My students have gone on to achieve remarkable success, with many going on to attend prestigious conservatories and music schools as well as winning jobs in regional and national orchestras in the US.

 

Prior to moving to upstate NY, I held orchestral positions and performed as principal flute and second flute/piccolo with the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for seven years and second flute/piccolo with the Meridien (MS) Symphony Orchestra for three years. 

 

I am a laureate of numerous competitions including winner of the NFA Professional Performer’s competitions, a finalist in the National MTNA competitions, a finalist in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competitions and first prize winner in the Mid-South Flute Society Competition. I hold degrees from the University of Arkansas studying flute performance and pedagogy and the University of Southern Mississippi studying flute performance and music education. I have continued my flute teaching studies and have received advanced Suzuki flute teacher training from Toshio Takahashi, the founder of the Suzuki flute method. My primary teachers include Sheryl Cohen, Sharon Lebsack and Ronda Mains. I have also recorded for Albany Records and PBS. As a Burkart Flute and Piccolo Artist, I play on a gold Elite flute with a platinum headjoint and an Elite piccolo with gold fittings. www.lizshuhan.com

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What excites your about Luzerne Music Center?

I am always looking forward to being a part of a community that nurtures young musicians and helps them reach their fullest potential in a summer music center setting. Luzerne is the place that ignites the young artist. Embracing young musicians at their current level of development and understanding and helping them along on their musical journey is a gift. I am equally thrilled to come back to LMC every summer and create, collaborate and perform with my colleagues and with the students in this most beautiful and idyllic setting. 

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What can campers expect to learn while working with you this summer?

I am dedicated to providing a comprehensive, enriching and joyful learning experience through private lessons and chamber coaching. I love teaching young musicians how to teach themselves as well as sharing the many tools and tricks that I have found to be useful in my own practice and performing. Students can expect to embark on a journey of musical discovery, delving into the intricacies of flute playing with a focus on building and also reinforcing their technical foundation. From mastering fundamental techniques to refining tone quality, I hope to always empower students to express themselves fluently through the instrument. Additionally, I place a strong emphasis on the art of interpretation, guiding students in infusing their playing with emotion, nuance, and individuality. Beyond solo endeavors, students will have the opportunity to learn and perform orchestral repertoire and perform in a chamber ensemble cultivating teamwork and collaborative skills. My ultimate goal is to inspire a lifelong love for music and learning, leaving students not only with more knowledge about the flute, but also with a deep-seated passion for the art that will resonate with them long after their time at Luzerne. 

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