New Music USA Online Library

Peter Sheridan, a native of New York City, relocated to Melbourne Australia in August 2007 from Los Angeles, CA. He is a Teaching Associate of the Monash University Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and director of the flute ensemble. He is also a woodwinds instructor at Donvale Christian College. As a Low Flutes specialist, Mr. Sheridan has promoted commissioned music for the Alto, Bass, Contrabass, Sub-Contrabass and Hyperbass flutes. He actively performs and lectures on all these instruments both as a soloist and a touring educator, and is a board member of the NFA 'Low Flutes' Committee. Mr. Sheridan has performed on Hollywood film soundtracks, and can be heard on various independent recordings. As a chamber musician, he was a founding member of the Los Angeles Flute Quartet (2001-2007) and appeared with the Grand Canyon Music Festival on PBS, Aspen Music Festival on NPR, and continues to concertize and record with his wife Lisa Maree Amos, in their duo, 'Married Flutes.' He has performed throughout the US, and in England, Australia, Holland and Italy. He has premiered flute works by Gary Schocker, Paul Reale, Alex Shapiro, Paul Chihara, Andrew Downes, Rhian Samuels, David Lefkowitz, Adrienne Albert, Sheridon Stokes, Jeffrey Miller, Paul Coleman, Vinny Golia, Patrick Neher, and Reena Esmail. Peter has recorded for Albany records, Innova, Warner Music Latina, and Varese Sarabande. As a passionate commissioner of new music for the flute family, with some fifty compositions from six countries, his artistic mission is to develop and expand music and recordings for ALL the Low Flutes (that is anything that plays below middle C). Peter has also improvised and written solos for the lower flutes, involving extended techniques. Currently he is working on a collection of studies and exercises, adapted for the Alto, Bass and Contra Bass Flutes. As an Orchestral player, performances have included engagements with the Hollywood Studio Orchestra, Australian National Academy of Music Orchestra, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks Symphonies, the Mannes Camerata, Arizona Opera Company, San Bernardino Pops and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. Peter has presented numerous master classes and recitals for various Arts organizations, including: the NFA Association, University of Washington (Seattle), St. Martin-in the- Fields Church (UK), Barbican Center/ Foyer Series (UK), Trinity Church (NYC), The Los Angeles Flute Society, University of California Los Angeles, American Composers Forum, California Music Teachers Association, and The Los Angeles Bach Society. He has performed at many International Conventions including the National Flute Association, the Australian Flute Festival, the British Flute Society and will appear at the Japan Festival in 2011. Peter is honoured to have studied with Thomas Nyfenger, Sheridon Stokes, Janos Balint (Hungary), Judith Mendenhall, Nadine Asin, and Clare Hoffmann (who's kind patience and dedication seasoned him into a flute player!). He has performed in Master classes by Baker, Schocker, Nicolet, Schultz, and Chesis. Mr. Sheridan has been the recipient of awards and grants from Monash University, Mannes College, Aspen Music Festival, American Composers Forum: Subito, University of Arizona, New York City Honours Orchestra, Turtle Bay Music School and Santa Monica College. His teaching commendations have included: 'Outstanding Professor,' from the International Student Committee of Santa Monica College (2007) and 'Excellence in Teaching' from the Monash University (2010). Peter plays Kotato and Fukushima Bass and Contra bass flutes, and a Sub-Contra Bass and Hyperbass flute from maker Jelle Hogenhuis (Holland). Mr. Sheridan has served on the Music faculties of La Sierra University, Santa Monica College, and El Camino College (CA), both as Professor of Flute and Lecturer. He has coached chamber music and flute classes for the Monash University in Melbourne, and has presented Low Flutes masterclasses and recitals throughout regional Victoria. Peter is a proud Lifetime Member of the National Flute Association (USA), a contributor to Flute Focus Magazine, and a committee member on the ‘Low Flutes Committee’ of the NFA and the Victorian Flute Guild. Peter enjoys spending (quality) time with his wife Lisa-Maree Amos, and their two wonderfully active daughters Grace and Kimberly. www.Lowflutes.com