Catherine Payne

Catherine Payne is a Collegiate Flute and Piccolo instructor, Pre-College Flute teacher, and Continuing Education instructor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM). She has been a Solo Piccolo member of the San Francisco Symphony since 1996 and previously served as Acting 2nd Flute in the Boston Symphony (1993–1995). Her dual degrees include a BM in Flute Performance from the New England Conservatory and a BA in English from Tufts University.

Payne’s research interests focus on expressive flute/piccolo performance, blending vocal techniques with instrumental mastery. She emphasizes phrasing, emotional storytelling, and interdisciplinary influences from jazz and literature. Her career highlights include collaborations with conductors Michael Tilson Thomas and Esa-Pekka Salonen, and recordings with the SFS Media label.

As an educator, she pioneered SFCM’s first PSC Piccolo Program, focusing on orchestral audition preparation. Notable students include Beneditto Caroccio, a 2025 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition winner. Her teaching philosophy integrates technical precision with artistic freedom, advocating for musicians to cultivate diverse life experiences to enrich their artistry.

Payne’s unrealized projects include recording Vivaldi’s concerti and pursuing a jazz-singing career with an imaginary trio. She remains dedicated to fostering creativity and resilience in students, emphasizing the importance of empathy and positivity in musical collaboration.