Maria Fernanda Castillo

Flutist, musicologist and entrepreneur Maria Fernanda Castillo has been offering intentional and meaningful performances that can contribute to the search for balance in the music world. Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, and co-founder of the Latin American Music Initiative, Maria has found approaches to teaching, research, and performances that not only highlight the importance of standard works in the flute canon but also help the inclusion, awareness and accessibility of works by underrepresented composers.

Hailed by the New York Times as a flutist who performs with “…virtuoso panache,” Maria debuted in New York City with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas in 2008, under Alondra de la Parra. Additionally, in 2009 she had her professional debut as a soloist in Venezuela with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra under Mtro. Carlos Riazuelo. She has also performed as a soloist with the Caracas Municipal Symphony under Mtros. Rodolfo Saglimbeni and her husband, Régulo Stabilito. Her latest collaboration includes the performance of Shadow of Sirius for flute and wind ensemble by Joel Puckett with the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble conducted by John Zastoupil.

Co-founder of the Latin American Music Initiative (LAMI) with her husband, orchestra conductor Régulo Stabilito, they are committed to advocating for raising awareness of Latin American repertoire. LAMI has allowed them to reach a large community by performing, recording, lecturing and editing Latin American works. Her work with LAMI has allowed her to be part of the 2020-2021 Mellon Public Engagement in the Humanities Fellow. As a musicologist, Maria has created an online flute catalogue with 143 flute works by Venezuelan composers, helping the repertoire be known and accessible for performers all over the world and develop a new approach to flute etude study by contextualizing etudes based on their historical context. In Addition, she is part of a group of 9 Latin American female flutists to create the largest catalogue of flute works by Latin American composers (https://flautalatinoamerica.com/). Maria also maintains an active service life within University of Tennessee-Knoxville and other flute organizations, such as serving as coordinator of the NFA Young Artist Competition (2023-2026), as exhibitor’s coordinator for the Mid-South Flute Association and as judge for national and regional auditions/competitions. Lastly, Maria believes in the importance of developing a strong and supporting community which led her to found and direct the Vols Flute Fest, a 2-day festival that takes place at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville every Fall.

As an orchestral musician, Maria frequently performs with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. She has served as principal flute in orchestras in Venezuela, México and the United States. She was the Associate Principal of the Caracas Municipal Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Venezuelan Symphony, the Venezuela National Philharmonic, the Miami City Ballet, the New World Symphony, the Sphinx Symphony, the Mazatlán Sinfonietta, the “Sinaloa de las Artes” Symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Acadiana Symphony and the Lake Charles Symphony.

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Maria began her flute studies at the age of nine with Venezuelan flutist Luis Julio Toro. She holds a Bachelors, Specialist and Doctorate of Music degrees from the University of Michigan as a student of Amy Porter; a Masters of Music from the University of Miami under Christine Nield-Capotee; and a Masters in Latin American Musicology from the Unversidad Central de Venezuela.

Maria currently resides in Knoxville Tennessee, where she divides her time between her work as an educator, performer and activist; and practicing Ashtanga Yoga or playing golf.

Carlos Feller

Brazilian flutist Carlos Feller received his Doctor of Music degree from The Florida State University. He holds a B.M. from the Paraná State University—Brazil, and a M.M. in flute performance from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Feller was prizewinner in competitions such as the William T. Gower Concerto Competition, Music Teacher National Association, and the Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist competition.
Carlos Feller is a member of the ensemble Traverso Colore, a chamber group dedicated to historically informed performances of baroque music on period instruments. An enthusiast of new music for flute, he has performed at the International Computer Music Conference in New Orleans, at the International Michel Debost Composition Competition in Curitiba-Brazil, and at the XV Biennial Festival of New Music at Florida State University. International appearances as a recitalist and clinician include Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Colombia, France, and Switzerland. Dr. Feller currently serves as the Director of the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble in its 37th season, and on the faculty of Ouachita Baptist University.

Callie Green Brewer

Flutist Callie Green Brewer is a music teacher and performer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She holds both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi in Flute Performance and Pedagogy. In 2013 she founded the Callie Green Brewer Music Studio, and, along with her extensive private studio, she travels all over south Mississippi, teaching masterclasses, studio classes, sectionals, and lessons.
In 2015, Callie founded the Coastal Flute Choir. She also performs frequently with symphony orchestras throughout the state.
Callie is a Dual Credit Instructor at Ocean Springs High School and is also an adjunct instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. In 2022, Callie became the social media and marketing director at Flute Specialists, Inc. She is also a collaborator on the online live forum FluteSpresso.
Callie is a Muramatsu-America artist and plays a Muramatsu Platinum Clad flute.
She and her husband Ron have two beautiful children, Beau and Abbie and a boatload of animals on their little farm on the beach.

Jesus Augusto Castro-Turriago

Jesus Augusto Castro-Turriago holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Flute Performance degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, USA; a Master of Music degree from the same institution; and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Tolima Conservatory. He is a Professional Flutist with international experience in the USA, Peru, and Ecuador. Castro is a winner of music competitions such as University of Southern Mississippi’s 2010-2011 Band Soloists Competition (2011-2012), USM William T. Gower Orchestra Soloists Competition, and Second Place in the MTNA Young Artist Woodwind State Division Competition. Dr. Castro was awarded with the prize for Graduate Musician of the Year for both 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, and Most Valuable Wind Player 2012-2013 by the USM Symphony Orchestra. Castro’s chamber music experience includes participation as arranger and performer in the ensembles Dueto Camino Real, Ensamble Monteadentro, and Quartet Note Ensemble, among others. Castro’s research experience includes work for the Colombian National Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNCTI), and Minciencias has classified him as Associate Researcher in the 894 National Call for Researchers. Castro’s administrative experience includes the position of General Director of the Fundación Musical Artística Camerata Ibagué, with experience in development of cultural and educational projects such as the Ibagué Music Festival 2015 and 2016. He has also directed developing cultural and educational exchanges between Colombian universities and international universities, such as The State University of New York, Tennessee State University and international entities including the Guaranda International Music Festival. Dr. Castro received national grants from the Colombian National Department of Culture in its 2015 and 2023 National Stimulus Program. Dr. Castro is currently Full Professor at the University of Pamplona. His experience as a Flute Professor includes positions held at institutions such as Bolivar University Institution of Fine Arts and Sciences, ASAB College of Arts at The Francisco José de Caldas District University, College of Arts and Music at The Sergio Arboleda University, and The College of Arts and Humanities at The Pamplona University.

Danilo Mezzadri

Danilo Mezzadri is an ACUE Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor of Flute at the University of Southern Mississippi. Danilo is president and founder of International Flute Workshop (England) and Southern Flute Festival (MS). He is also serves on faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (MI), Festival Mar de Minas (Brazil) and Festival de Música Contemporânea Plurisons (Brasil) .

Danilo’s performances have been reviewed as “gorgeous” (Flute Quarterly and Detroit Free Press) “with a limpid sound, and coaxing every ounce of lyricism” (Jackson Citizen Patriot). His CD Brazilian Soundscapes, was regarded as “music of a high order that deserves a welcome from a global audience” (The American Record Guide). In his solo CD Epigrams, Danilo is described as having “glowing, golden tone” and “vivid musicality bringing each work to life, regardless of tonality” (Fanfarre Magazine). He also was described as having “a lovely ‘voice’ with an enviable dexterity” (British Flute Society). In his most recent CD, entitled Romantic Transcriptions, Danilo has been praised for his “large range of colors, dynamics, and emotions” (Flute Quarterly).

Considered one of the “great names in Brazilian Music” (Gazeta do Povo), Danilo is a prize winner in many competitions, such as the International Porto Alegre Symphonic Orchestra Young Instrumentalist Competition, Michigan State University Honors Concerto Competition, and the Brazilian International Flute Association Competition. His performances have been broadcast by Rede Vida Television in Brazil and by National Public Radio in the US.

Danilo Mezzadri has appeared as a soloist with more than forty ensembles, including Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Pró-Música Symphony Orchestra of Rio de Janeiro, and Camerata Florianópolis.

Besides being Principal Flute at Gulf Coast and North Mississippi Symphony Orchestras, Danilo Mezzadri has annually served as a guest teacher and soloist throughout the Americas and Europe. In 2023 Danilo is performing concerts and recital in Brazil, Italy, and Spain.

Danilo Mezzadri is the creator of the Spider Log interleaved practice system with graphic feedback. Through his system, Danilo has helped many young musicians develop repertoire and technical mastery on their instrument.

Danilo Mezzadri earned his Bachelors degree at Escola de Música e Belas Arts do Paraná where he received the First Prize Award in his graduation class. He also earned a Bachelors in Public Law from the prestigious Universidade Federal do Paraná. He earned a Master of Music in flute performance, Master of Musicology, and Doctor of Musical Arts in flute performance from Michigan State University.

Zhaolei Xie

Chinese Pianist Zhaolei Xie was a winner in the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, which led to his debut in Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2006. He also won the Bronze Medal in the 58th Wideman International Piano Competition. His other awards include the First place in the Young Artist Division of the Tourgee DeBose National Piano Competition in Baton Rouge; Winner of Monroe Symphony Young Artists Competition, Mid-Texas Symphony Young Artist Competition and Texas Christian University Piano Concerto Competition; Second place in the Louisiana Music Teachers Association Collegiate Artist Competition of MTNA and Texas Young Artists Competition.

Mr. Xie has appeared as orchestral soloist with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony Orchestra, Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra and Southeastern Louisiana University Chamber Orchestra. He is also active as a recitalist, chamber musician and piano accompanist. Mr. Xie has performed piano solo and chamber music in Ed Landreth Auditorium and PepsiCo Recital Hall in Texas and Miller Recital Hall and Greenfield Hall in New York City. He has served as piano accompanist in Southeastern Louisiana University and the Thurnauer School of Music of Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in New Jersey. Mr. Xie has participated in master classes given by Leslie Howard , Yoheved Kaplinsky and Jose Feghali.

Mr. Xie received his piano training in Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China and St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music, Russia from 1993-2004. He earned his Bachelor’s degree with honors from Southeastern Louisiana University, where he was a student of David Evenson and Kenneth Boulton. Mr. Xie holds Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music, and Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University, where he studied with Marc Silverman and John Owings. He is a member of PHI KAPPA PHI National Honor Society. In 2014, Mr. Xie was appointed as Staff Accompanist in The University of Southern Mississippi.