Artist Spotlight: Flutist Dr. Brittany Trotter Leaves Pittsburgh Better Than She Found It
Flutist Dr. Brittanny Trotter is leaving Pittsburgh better than she found it.
Prize-winning flutist Dr. Brittany Trotter leads a diverse career as an educator, soloist and collaborator, who performs, teaches, and lectures throughout the United States. When she's not featured at flute conventions and competitions, you can find her hard at work studying.
Recipient of the National Flute Association’s 2020 Graduate Research Competition for her dissertation, “Examining Music Hybridity and Cultural Influences in Valerie Coleman’s Wish Sonatine and Fanmi Imen,” Trotter continues to actively study the merging of western classical music, diverse culture, and modern popular music.
She recently presented a lecture-recital called “Flute & Hip Hop” as part of her artist-in-residence with UniSound Pittsburgh. You may also have seen her premiere new works with Alia Musica. Her list of accomplishments stretch on, but when we shared questions with Brittany Trotter, we knew her words would mean the most to artists aspiring to be like her.
It is important to show young flutists who look similar to me that they can make a career in the classical music world.
Tell us about your career as a musician, teacher, and academic.
I lead a diverse career as a professional flutist, collaborator, and teaching artist with a passion for working with communities of color through classical music. My career has led me to teach and perform with local nonprofits such as Guardians of Sound, Hope Academy for Music and Arts, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Arts Education, just to name a few. My favorite part about my practice is sharing my musical talents with diverse audiences, especially the youth. It is important to show young flutists who look similar to me that they can make a career in the classical music world.
What kind of advice would you share with your younger self?
I occasionally struggle with imposter syndrome or with believing that I am undeserving of my accomplishments and achievements. I would tell my younger self what I tell my students every day, “YOU ARE WORTH IT.” Those dreams and promises you are striving to fulfill are already in fruition. Give yourself grace to rest and courage to celebrate the little wins as much as the big ones. You are special and worthy of praise.
What lesson do you think the arts community in this city taught you?
What I really admire about Pittsburgh is how much we celebrate our many communities. Pittsburgh is known for its bridges that physically connect different communities; however, it is each communities’ members that strengthen, revitalize, and connect seemingly different communities into one. This city has taught me how important community is to my practice, teaching, and performance.
Is there an upcoming project that you are particularly excited to work on, like the Flute New Music Consortium or wrapping up the Umoja Flute Institute?
I'm elated to be involved with the Umoja Flute Institute (please donate!). This organization was created after the tragic events of June 2020 by a group of professional Black flutists. The organization strives to provide flutists of African descent with the tools needed to succeed and thrive at all levels of music-making, and to create a space that celebrates the musical contributions of the BIPOC global community of flutists. Representation in the classical world matters. I wish I had this affinity space as a young Black flutist navigating the field.
Flute New Music Consortium is another organization that I am proud to be involved with. In my career, I champion living composers and this organization closely aligns with my passion for promoting new music for the flute by commission works and encouraging repeat performances.
What are you most excited about in the future of flute performance and education? In your career?
I am excited to embark on my position as Assistant Professor of Practice of Flute at the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. It has been a career goal of mine to serve full time at a university, to encourage and mold the next generation of musicians and flutists. I am excited to collaborate with the brilliant and renowned faculty members and contribute to the musical culture of the institution and community of Stockton.
Wishing you an excellent transition, Brittany! You can find Brittany Trotter on her website at www.brittanytrotterflute.com, or on Instagram and Facebook as @brittanyflute.