Elizabeth Downing

Elizabeth Downing is an Instructor of Flute at the University of Maine School of Performing Arts, where she teaches applied flute, chamber music, and music pedagogy. She holds a dual Bachelor's from the University of Maine (Music Performance and German), a Master's in Flute Performance from the University of Colorado, and additional studies in Austria at the Mozarteum Conservatory and University of Salzburg. Her career spans solo performances with renowned orchestras like the New York Philharmonic and the Leningrad Chamber Orchestra, as well as collaborations with artists such as Emmy Award winner Paul Sullivan.

Her research interests include advanced flute pedagogy, interdisciplinary music education, and the intersection of classical music with innovative performance formats. She has directed masterclasses for prominent flutists like Julius Baker and Robert Dick, and contributed to programs like the Innovation Engineering Program at UMaine’s Foster Center for Student Innovation.

Elizabeth has received distinguished awards including the Vincent Hartgen and McGillicuddy Humanities Center Awards. She advises student groups such as the UMaine Tennis Club and Flute Ensemble, and actively participates in academic governance through roles on the boards of the UMaine Alumni Association, Bangor Symphony Orchestra, and Arcady Music Festival.