Drew University Department of Music
Campus & Beyond Programs

About Us

UpTown Flutes is a dynamic flute ensemble-in-residence at Drew University in Madison, NJ.

Meet The Artists

Carla Auld,B.A., Temple University, founder and director of "From Bach to Broadway" ensembles and "I Due Flauti"; performances with Ridgewood Symphony, New American Concert Band, New Jersey Pops, and Garden State Philharmonic, solo recitals throughout NJ and NY, and Performances at Carnegie and Steinway Halls.

Elise Carter,B.M., University of Wisconsin, founder and soloist for the Apollo Quintet and the Artemis Trio. Ms. Carter performs with the Garden State Philharmonic, the Bronx and Hunter Symphonies, Blue Hill Troupe Theatre, and the Verismo Opera Company in NJ. She is the music director and organist at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dumont.

Patricia Davila,B.M., Hartt School of Music, is a two-time winner of the Artist International Chamber Music Award, a Miyazawa Flute Artist, flute soloist for Papal visit to Giants Stadium, performs with North Jersey Philharmonic, NY debut recital at CAMI Hall, coaches for New Jersey Flute Choir Day, performed with NFA Pro Flute Choir, released CD, "Enchanted Love," and is on the faculty of the Rockland Conservatory of Music.

Karen Demsey,M.M., Eastman School of Music, D.M.A Rutgers University, associate professor at William Paterson University. She has published articles on flute pedagogy, presents clinics and master classes, and is principal flute with the Orchestra William Paterson University. Her CD "Recollections of the Inland Sea" features music for flute and percussion. She has premiered works by Pulitzer Prize winning composers J. Schwanter and W. Goldberg.

Jeanne Fessenden,B.M., Rutgers University, graduate studies with Trevor Wye in England. Performs in the classical and jazz styles throughout NJ.

John McMurtery,B.M., Central Washington University, M.M. Rutgers University, is a candidate for the D.M.A. at The Juilliard School; performs with the New Vienna Chamber Ensemble, the Society for Chromatic Art, and the Dicapo Opera Co.; appears on CDs with Manhattan Chamber Orchestra; and gives master classes in Washington, Kansas, and NJ.

Virginia Schulze-Johnson,B.M., M.M., New England Conservatory of Music, Ph.D. New York University, adjunct. professor at Drew University; founder/director of New Jersey Flute Choir Day and Drew Summer Music; founder/member/director of UpTown Flutes; performs with NFA Pro Flute Choir, American Flute Orchestra; and coordinates the Drew Chamber Concert Series.

Rebecca Vega,B.M., California State University, Long Beach, M.A. Eastern Michigan University. Ms. Vega is coordinator for the National Flute Association High School Soloist Competition, is an instrumental music teacher for the Essex Fells Elementary School in NJ.