Beth Larsen, Flute

Member of Southwest Florida Symphony since: 1998

Born: Orlando, FL

Age started learning Flute: 12 years old

Degrees: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Flute Performance, Florida State University and Master of Music (MM), Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Beth studied and took lessons on flute for 5 years PRIOR to getting into college

Symphonic experience Beth brings to SWFSO:
“Brevard Symphony Orchestra (I was 2nd flute/picc there from 1989-1992--my first real orchestra job!), Palm Beach Opera orchestra--I've been 2nd flute/piccolo there since 1992. Palm Beach Symphony--was 2nd flute/piccolo from 1996-2012. Punta Gorda Symphony Principal Piccolo since 2022 As 3rd flute/piccolo sub: Naples Philharmonic, Sarasota Orchestra, The Orlando Philharmonic, The Florida Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, Grant Park Orchestra, the Opera Maine Orchestra”

Famous musicians Beth has worked with:
Renee Fleming, Kiri te Kanawa, Kathleen Battle, Andrey Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Gloria Estefan, Placido Domingo, Gil Shaham, Joshua Bell, Emmanuel Ax, Audra McDonald, Augustin Hadelich, Itzak Perlman, and even George Takei from Star Trek!

Music Festivals Beth has been a part of:
“I've been the guest flutist with the Palm Beach Chamber Music Festival from 2010-2012. I was the featured guest artist/teacher for the 2015 Florida Flute Association's convention. I also served on the flute faculty of the Stetson Summer Flute Workshop for 2015-2018.”

Teaching experience Beth has:  Instructor of Flute at University of Central Florida, 1993, Adjunct Flute Professor at Daytona Beach Community College, 1991-93. 1988-present- Private flute instructor teaching flutists ages 10-76. I currently have 10 students.

Special music awards, scholarships, or accomplishments Beth has earned?

“First prize winner of the Myrna Brown International Flute Competition, and winner of the Geoffrey Gilbert Teaching award from the Florida Flute Association. I was also the recipient of the Geoffrey Gilbert Performing Artist Award from the Florida Flute Association. I was appointed Assistant Principal Flute of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2016-17 and 2023-24 seasons.”

Something you may not know about Beth: “I love to read, do yoga, cook, hike and kayak. I love the mountains of NC and hope to retire there. We have a sweet calico manx cat named Gizmo. I love to travel and have a long list of places that I've visited and still wish to visit (Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand), I'm a huge fan of Stephen Colbert and the Late Show. I love drinking fine wine, eating Indian food, sushi or a good steak!”

What Beth likes most about playing in SWFSO: “Playing with my friends and musical colleagues. Our work with Paul Nadler really shaped how I studied and performed the standard orchestral repertoire. I'm thrilled that Radu Paponiu is our new music director and thoroughly enjoy every concert he has conducted. I also enjoy performing at Barbara Mann Hall.”