Teresa Grawunder, Professional Flutist, Flute Teacher

Flutist Teresa Grawunder earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Performance from the University of Houston, where she studied with Byron Hester (Principal Flutist of the Houston Symphony 1953-1990). She received further private instruction from Geoffrey Gilbert (Former Principal Flutist of the Royal Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestras and in later life a much revered flute teacher in the U.S.) During her years of training, she performed in masterclasses under Jean Pierre Rampal, Julius Baker, Thomas Nyefinger, and others. Her professional performing career began in 1976, when she began playing with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. After playing 2nd flute and piccolo for four years, she became Principal Flute there in 1980, and remained with the Ballet for four more years. She also performed with Theater Under the Stars from 1979 until 1990, and was a substitute in the Houston Symphony from 1976 until 1990.

In the late 1980’s Ms. Grawunder set out to explore more creative aspects of playing and teaching, while continuing her classical freelance work. She became a Teaching Artist for Texas Institute for Arts in Education, working alongside dancers, actors, and visual artists to foster creative approaches to learning through the arts in HISD classrooms. Her affiliations there led to collaborative performances with artists in various media, including dance and film. She developed a style of free improvisation on the flute that eventually led to the recording of a CD, Mysterium, released in 2004. In 1995 she was a founding member of the classical chamber ensemble “MOSAIC,” which for a decade rediscovered and performed beautiful but rarely heard repertoire with unusual combinations of voice and instruments.

Currently, her active career of performing continues. In September 2009 she premiered, along with the composer, Dr. Ann Gebuhr, Contemplations on the Trinity, a new work for flute, alto flute, bowls, chime and rainstick, on the Houston Chamber Music Society’s “Soulscapes” series concert. She performed Xynóglyko, by Gary Schocker, with pianist Melissa Marse on the HBU Faculty Recital in August, and again in October with pianist Susan Hines on the HCC Central Campus Faculty Recital. In April 2008 she performed the Valse, from the Suite de trois morceaux, by Benjamin Godard, with pianist Rodney Waters on the HCC Music Faculty Recital. In February 2008 she performed 2.73, for flute and alto flute, and Prayers of Hildegard, a trio with soprano Melissa Givens and pianist Melissa Marse, by Ann Gebuhr, for a “Soulscapes” series concert.

Ms. Grawunder is the Affiliate Artist in Flute and coaches Instrumental Chamber Music at Houston Baptist University, where she has taught for 25 years. She has also been the flute instructor on the adjunct faculties of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas (2004-2006), and Houston Community College, Central Campus (2008-2010).