biography
Praised for her vibrant sound and dynamic artistry, Dr. Colleen White is a versatile flutist, educator, and arts advocate. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Flute at Kansas State University, Principal Flute with Wichita Grand Opera, and is a Wm. S. Haynes Performing Artist.
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Dr. White has performed throughout North America and Europe in a wide range of solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Notable performing engagements have been with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and guest principal appearances with the Boulder Bach Festival, Colorado MahlerFest, and Ballet Wichita. She has toured the Baltics, performed at Carnegie Hall, and appeared on Wyoming Public Radio and KGNU Boulder Radio. In 2022, she co-founded the Scheherazade Music Festival, serving as Executive Director from 2022–2025.
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A dedicated educator in flute and arts entrepreneurship, Dr. White has held teaching positions at Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator, presenting masterclasses and workshops at institutions such as UT-Arlington, UMass-Amherst, UW-Madison, Texas A&M-Commerce, Tennessee Tech, and Charleston Southern University. Her adjudication work includes the NFA Young Artist Competition, the Myrna Brown Artist Competition, the NFA C.R.E.A.T.E. Competition, and the international Music & Stars Awards.
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As an advocate for community engagement and new music, Dr. White has led projects funded by more than $40,000 in competitive grants. She is the recipient of the Boedecker Path to Excellence Grant, supporting an interdisciplinary concert series for flute, trumpet, cello, and electronics. Her recordings include Electroacoustic Music for Flute (2017) and The Bach Flute Sonatas Revisited, Vol. 1 (2022).
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Dr. White’s arts leadership includes roles as Chamber Coordinator for Spoleto Festival USA, Registrar for the Festival of Writers in New York, and administrative positions with the Kansas Flute Society, Colorado Flute Association, and National Flute Association. She has developed events featuring Grammy Award winners, MacArthur Fellows, and Guggenheim Fellows for audiences of over 2,000.
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She received her DMA from the University of Colorado Boulder, MM from The Hartt School, and BM from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her principal teachers and mentors include Christina Jennings, Brook Ferguson, Janet Arms, Dawn Lawler, Carol Meves, Stephanie Jutt, Michelle Stanley, and Jeffrey Nytch. She has participated in chamber music seminars with Imani Winds and has served as Artist-in-Residence with Off the Hook Arts (CO) and the Atlantic Music Festival (ME).
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As a Haynes Artist, Dr. White performs on a Custom Silver flute with a 14k gold headjoint and platinum riser.
