UNO music faculty members Christine Beard, flute and Stacie Haneline, piano served as Artists-In-Residence at the 3rd Puerto Rico Flute Symposium, held in San Germán, PR from June 4-11, 2022. The duo performed a recital of works for flute/piccolo and piano by North American composers including Nebraska-born Ken Benshoof, as well as Samuel Zyman, Herman Beeftink, Gary Schocker, Derek Charke, and Valerie Coleman. Additionally, Beard taught a flute masterclass, performed in the festival flute choir, and adjudicated the Young Artist Competition; Haneline also collaborated with Canadian flutist Christopher Lee on his guest artist recital performance.

Founded by Puerto Rican flutist Darwin Cosme, the inaugural PRFS was planned to be held in 2017 but was cancelled due Hurricane Maria which devastated the island. After reorganizing, PRFS was then set to premiere in 2020 but was held in a virtual format due to COVID-19. Beard and Haneline participated in the first 2 virtual festivals in 2020 and 2021, and were excited to finally make it to the island in person in 2022. Undergraduate and graduate flute students from universities across the U.S. and South America took part in this year’s Symposium, and guest artists traveled from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. to perform and present clinic sessions during the week-long event. Excerpts from Beard/Haneline’s recital can be viewed at YouTube.com/christiebeard