Jill Thomassen

Jill Thomassen Jill Thomassen began studying piano at the French School of Music in NJ when she was 8 years old. The following year she added private lessons on the flute. A graduate of The Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, Ms. Thomassen studied modern and baroque flute performance with Timothy Day (then Principal flutist of the Baltimore Symphony). Her teaching and performing are also greatly influenced by her attendance and performance at many master classes taught by renowned English flutist Trevor Wye, one of the leading flute pedagogues in the world today. Other important teachers include Julius Baker, Christopher Krueger, Gerardo Levy, and Virginia Schulze-Johnson.

Ms. Thomassen has been teaching and performing as a professional soloist and chamber musician in the Baltimore and Washington areas for the past thirty years. She has been heard in many local concerts such as The Friday Morning Music Club, The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen Concert Series, The Dickeyville Concert Series, and The Peabody Tuesday Noon Recital Series, and her chamber ensemble is in high demand for weddings and other private events. In 2012 her flute quartet was selected to perform Harmony in Blue and Goldby Eric Ewazen, commissioned by the quartet, at the annual National Flute Association Convention. The quartet was also invited to perform the piece in New York City at the Julliard School of Music. Ms. Thomassen was a winner of the prestigious New York Flute Club Competition. In addition to flute and piano, she also loves playing her Celtic harp.

Ms. Thomassen enjoys teaching all ages and levels (including adults!). Her flute students have held positions in upper level ensembles such as All County, All State, and the Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra. Her teaching emphasizes effective and efficient practice techniques, and above all, she encourages her students to love and enjoy playing music, at every level.