Day Passes available for the 2026 NJ Flute Intensive

About the New Jersey Flute Intensive

The New Jersey Flute Intensive is a 3-day flute camp with the aim of helping early-advanced, intermediate, and beginning-level players reach the next level in their playing in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Through daily masterclasses, workshops, performances, and flute choir music, participants will have many opportunities to learn and grow. Beginner participants will have their own technique classes appropriate for their level.

1 year of experience required, preferably with a private teacher.

Faculty

Dr. Sarah Carrier (Executive Director) - Flute Professor at Sarah Lawrence College

Stephanie Kertesz - Orchestral Flutist

Dr. Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart (Guest Faculty) - Flute Professor at William Paterson University and Ramapo College

2026 NJFI Information:

Dates: June 24-26

Time: 9 AM - 3 PM (Wed/Thurs); 9 AM - 4 PM (Fri)

Location: First Lutheran Church of Montclair

Cost for Performers: $400

Cost for Day Pass: $150/day

Cost for Non-performer/observer: $85/day

Registration Required. Apply here: https://forms.gle/3BZJKuqdkBbZCQrK8

Questions? Email Sarah Carrier at: njfluteintensive@gmail.com

2026 Schedule:

9-9:30 Group Warm-up

9:30-10:30 Workshop

10:30-11:30 Masterclass

11:30-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:00 Mini Workshop

1:00-3:00 Flute Ensemble Rehearsals

3:00-4:00 (Friday only) Recital

Above: Guest Artist Maron Khoury with our participants and instructors (Stephanie Kertesz, Yoon Huh, and Sarah Carrier)

Guest Artist Masterclass

Technique class with instructor Yoon Huh

Executive Director Sarah Carrier and pianist Emma Liu perform Movement III of Court Dances by Amanda Harberg

2025 Schedule:

Thursday, June 26

9:00-9:45 A.M. - Welcome and Warm Up Class

10:00-11:00 A.M. - Mastery class with Stephanie Kertesz: “Orchestral Excerpts”

11:00-12:00 P.M. - Flute Olympics

12-1:00 P.M. - Lunch break 

1:00-2:00 P.M. - Mastery class with Yoon Jung Huh: “Efficient Practicing”

2:00-3:00 P.M. - Extended Techniques Workshop with Sarah Carrier

3:00-4:00 P.M. - Chamber Music Reading Session

Friday, June 27

9:00-9:45 A.M. - Technique class with Stephanie Kertsz and Yoon Jung Huh

10:00-10:45 A.M. - Mastery class with Sarah Carrier: “Movement and Interpretation”

11:00-12:00 A.M. - Flute Karaoke

12:00-1:00 P.M. - Lunch break 

1:00-2:00 P.M. - Recital with Instructors and Maron Khoury

3:00-4:00 P.M. - Guest Artist Mastery class with Maron Khoury featuring selected performers

Sarah Carrier is an award-winning flutist who has achieved recognition as a performer, educator, and more recently as a content creator. Praised by the New York Times for combining “thoughtful musicality with virtuosity in her alternately energetic and delicate account of a flute line laden with light multiphonics and unusual timbres,” she brings energy, emotion, and vigor to her performances while exploring the instrument’s sonic potential.

A versatile player, Sarah performs traditional classical, contemporary, and popular music in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings. Over the last 15 years, her highly acclaimed chamber group, Parhelion Trio, has left an indelible mark in the world of flute, clarinet, and piano trio ensembles through high-caliber performances and adventurous collaborations with leading composers. Together, they have performed around the globe, attended numerous residencies, and commissioned countless new works. Performance venues include: Carnegie Hall, National Sawdust, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Greene Space (WQXR), The Stone, Harpa Hall (Iceland), The Royal Danish Academy of Music, and many more. A supporter of young musicians, Sarah is a long-time collaborator with the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program for which she gives demonstrations of the flute and performs the compositions of budding young composers in New York City public schools and the prestigious Composer’s Bridge Program at Lincoln Center.

A resident of Wayne, North Jersey, Sarah’s vibrant flute studio includes students of all ages, levels, and aspirations. Sarah holds a D.M.A. from The Graduate Center, CUNY, an M.M. from New York University, and a B.M. from California State University, Long Beach (Bob Cole Conservatory of Music). Previously, Sarah taught Postmodern Music and Music Appreciation at St. Joseph's University in Brooklyn. She currently serves as a Co-President of the New Jersey Flute Society and is the Flute Professor at Sarah Lawrence College and Ocean County College.

Last Year’s Schedule:

Stephanie Kertesz, celebrated for her commanding sound, vibrant energy, and graceful stage presence, is a flutist and educator based in northern New Jersey and the greater NYC area. Currently serving as the second flutist with the Flint Symphony Orchestra, Stephanie's performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player.

Stephanie was named a quarterfinalist twice in the prestigious National Flute Association Young Artist Competition and earned second prize in the Central Ohio Flute Association Young Artist Competition. She has attended such as the Chautauqua Music Festival and the Ohio Light Opera. Additionally, she has performed recitals across Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Jersey and her native Michigan.

Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians, Stephanie has served as an educator at the Jackson Symphony Community Music School in Michigan and as a former associate instructor of flute at Indiana University. With a K-12 music education certification, she imparts her expertise to students of all ages and levels, fostering not only technical proficiency but also a deep love and appreciation for music.

Beyond teaching, Stephanie is passionate about contemporary repertoire, collaborating with her undergraduate new music ensemble and premiering works by composers such as Andrew Mead, Nancy Galbraith, and Erberk Eryilmaz. Additionally, she has performed in Indiana University's production of Mason Bates' acclaimed opera, "The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs."

Stephanie holds a Master's degree in flute performance from Indiana University, where she studied under the guidance of Thomas Robertello, and completed her undergraduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University with Alberto Almarza and Jeanne Baxtresser. She has also studied with Jeffery Zook, Bart Feller, and Sharon Sparrow.

Currently residing in Parsippany, New Jersey, with her husband, Stephanie continues to inspire audiences and students alike with her passion for music and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.

Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart, D.M.A. is the director and founder of The Flute Academy, located in Bergen County, NJ. She is Professor of Flute at both William Paterson University and Ramapo College. She has served on the faculties of Union College, Peabody Conservatory, Frostburg State University, Ithaca College and Schenectady County Community College. She is a founding member of Classic V Winds (Woodwind Quintet) and New Jersey Wind Symphony Flutes, principal flute of the New Jersey Wind Symphony (NJWS) and principal flute of Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. She is currently Co-Personnel Manager for the NJWS and has served on the Board of Directors as Co-President and Secretary of the New Jersey Flute Society. She has given concerts, lectures, workshops and master classes throughout the United States and has also performed in several groups throughout Europe and Japan. Her academic achievements include a Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Music Degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College. www.thefluteacademy.com

About the Instructors:

Dr. Sarah Carrier

Dr. Kristin Bacchiocchi-Stewart

Stephanie Kertesz

Participants have the opportunity to try out the bass flute and alto flute!

Flute choir rehearsal