UW Department of Music Hosts Flutist in Residency Oct. 20

Melissa Keeling, a solo looping artist, improviser and electric flutist, will serve a University of Wyoming Department of Music residency Friday, Oct. 20.

Keeling, a Western Kentucky University adjunct professor of music education and music theory, will lead a workshop -- open to all musicians -- at 4 p.m., followed by a recital at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall. Both events are free and open to the public.

Her workshop presents an imaginative and eclectic set of music using electronic effects and computer software paired with contemporary flute techniques. Musical selections in her evening recital range from covers of classic rock tunes to modern classical repertoire to original compositions.

She worked and performed in New York City earlier in her career, and her solo albums -- “SONYQ” (2010), “SUPERSONYQ” (2018) and “The Quarantine Tapes” (2020) -- feature original music for flute, with effects pedals.

Keeling has published two books: “The Electric Flute: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Flute with Effects” and “The Glissando Flute: Handbook for Composers and Performers,” which is the first method book for the Glissando Headjoint ever published.

She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society, and the National Flute Association. She serves on the board of directors for two nonprofit organizations: the Flute Society of Kentucky and the Asbury Park African-American Music Project.

Keeling earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from City University of New York’s Graduate Center and a Master of Arts degree from Middle Tennessee State University, both in music performance; and a Bachelor of Science degree in music education from Western Kentucky University.

To learn more about Keeling, go to www.melissakeeling.com/.

For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu.