Bonita Boyd Biography

Bonita Boyd is one of today’s most exciting concert flutists.  She began her career at age 21 as principal flutist of the Rochester Philharmonic under Maestro David Zinman, becoming the youngest principal flutist of a major American orchestra at that time.  She resigned that position in 1984 to devote herself to her growing solo career.  Her Alice Tully Hall debut was praised by the New York Times as “a flabbergasting display of her talents”, and her later Los Angeles and European debuts earned comparisons in the press to James Galway and Jean-Pierre Rampal.  Her extensive concert tours have since taken her throughout the world as concerto soloist and recitalist.  She has premiered and recorded numerous works, including works of Adler, Benson, Rosza, Sierra, Augusta Reed Thomas, Rands, Bernstein, Maslanka, Sessler, Liptak, and Beaser.  Her “Flute Music of Les Six” album was honored in Stereo Review Album of the Year Awards, and her Paganini Caprice CD was on the final ballot for Grammy Nominations.  Boyd was appointed to the Eastman School of Music faculty in 1977.  She served as Principal Flutist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony, Filarmonica de las Americas, and the Aspen Festival Symphony Orchestra.  She has also served as guest artist or artist faculty at various other festivals including Marlboro, Bowdoin, Grand Teton, Chauatauqua, Johannesen, Eastern, MasterWorks, Filarmonica de las Americas, Seoul International Flute Academy, Hamamatsu Seminar, the National Orchestral Institute, and the Aria Festival.  She has been president of the National Flute Association, a 5000-member international organization of flutists from around the globe.  Boyd concertizes regularly with famed guitarist Nicholas Goluses.  The duo has just released their second CD, Quicksilver, on the Albany label.  Miss Boyd was honored in 2012 with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Flute Association, as well as the Eisenhart Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Eastman School.  Her students occupy major orchestral and teaching posts throughout the world.