ABBY SIMPSON PUCKETT, FLUTE INSTRUCTOR
Abby Simpson Puckett is a versatile flutist, piccoloist, and music educator. She has experience as an ensemble player in orchestras and wind bands, in traditional classical ensembles and commercial ensembles, and as a soloist. As an educator, Abby has taught students of all ages in the classroom, in private lessons, and has worked as a high school marching band technician. Abby graduated Summa Cum Laude from Belmont University in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, with an emphasis in Flute Performance, and in May 2018 with a Master of Music degree, Flute Performance, at Arizona State University.
In 2012, Abby enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. As a freshman, she auditioned and obtained Principal Flute of the Belmont University Wind Ensemble and Assistant Principal/Piccolo position in the university’s premiere ensemble, the Symphony Orchestra. Abby continued to be Principal Flute in the Wind Ensemble, and then became Principal Flute in the Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, Abby was a performer in the first and second annual Instrumental Honor Recitals at Belmont, and was one of the first two Belmont students to be selected to perform with the Wind Ensemble, and the Belmont University Chamber Orchestra. In the Nashville community, Abby was a finalist in the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2015 and 2016 concerto competitions. Abby also performed in contemporary commercial ensembles on national television with the Belmont University Symphony Orchestra during its bi-annual productions of Christmas at Belmont. In the Nashville community, Abby performed in orchestras for several commercial artists, including the Nashville Cinematic Orchestra as Principal Flute.
Abby relocated to the Phoenix metro-area in 2016 to continue her musical studies. During her time at Arizona State University, Abby has performed in the University’s top Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra as the Principal Flutist, as well as Assistant Flute and Piccolo. In 2016, Abby competed in the Arizona Flute Society’s Young Artist Competition, and received honorable mention. Abby performs in other community orchestras and small chamber groups throughout the valley, in addition to performing with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra as a substitute musician.
Abby is very passionate about music education, and is constantly involved in organizations that support music education and performance. In Nashville, Abby had a private flute studio in addition to the children’s choir she taught weekly. Abby held leadership positions in the Belmont University School of Music Dean’s Advisory Council, the Belmont chapter of the National Association for Music Education, and Sigma Alpha Iota – Epsilon Lambda chapter. In Phoenix, Abby now teaches flute and piano at Music Makers Workshops, and is the flute instructor at Campo Verde High School and Desert Ridge High School. Abby is active in the flute community of Arizona as a board member of the Arizona Flute Society, and is a member of the National Flute Association.
Abby’s primary teachers include: Paul Thompson, Carolyn Treybig, and Elizabeth Buck. Abby has had additional studies on the piccolo with Brian Gordon. Abby has performed in masterclasses for Nina Assimakopoulos, John Barcelona, Ian Clarke, Nicola Mazzanti, Shelly Monier, Nichole Riner, Steven Schultz, Brian Gordon, Viviana Cumplido Wilson, Carol Wincenc, and Rena Urso.
