The evening’s performance by Melissa Mielens, flute and Bonnie Anderson, piano will include sonatas by Bach, Devienne and Mower, and works by Gieseking and Ravel.
Melissa Mielens received her B.M. and M.M. from New England Conservatory, both with distinction in performance. As one of the youngest recipients of a Fulbright grant she had the opportunity to study in Paris with Alain Marion. Other teachers include Leone Buyse, John Heiss and Fenwick Smith. Ms. Mielens has been a prizewinner in several national and regional competitions, including the James Pappoutsakis Flute Competition and the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition. She is currently principal flutist with the New Hampshire Symphony and Indian Hill Symphony. She has also played principal flute with the Portland Symphony, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony and the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra. Ms. Mielens has been a featured soloist with the Indian Hill Symphony and New England Conservatory Symphony. Chamber music experience includes performing with the Walden Chamber Players.
In addition to performing and teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy, Ms. Mielens has an active private studio and also teaches at University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Her students have been accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music, Tanglewood Institute and the Interlochen Performing Arts Academy and are regularly invited to participate in regional youth orchestras and All-State festivals in New England.
Bonnie Anderson is renowned for her expressive and powerful interpretations of Chopin, Ravel and Brahms. The Grand Rapids Press noted that “Anderson’s gifts point to the poetic...the Brahms Sonata swept the listener away in ecstasy.” Ms. Anderson studied at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, The Juilliard School, Michigan State University, Northern Illinois University and Boston University. Her principal teachers have been Wha Kyung Byun, Russell Sherman, Martin Canin, Deborah Moriarty, Donald Walker and Benjamin Pasternack. She has performed for Leon Fleisher, Dominique Merlet, Roy Howat and Yo-Yo Ma in a variety of master classes.
Ms. Anderson is currently Adjunct Professor and Chair of the Piano Department at University of Massachusetts Lowell. She recently performed a duo recital with Peter Stumpf, principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, on the New England Artist Series in Westford and with soprano Marguerite Krull at the Kalliropscope Gallery in Groton. She is a member of the Orchestra of Indian Hill. Ms. Anderson’s recent CD release features piano music by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Ravel and Rorem.
To learn more about Exeter's concert series, please
check the Musical Events calendar
