The NFA is proud to announce that the following young flutists will participate in its Emerging Artist Mentorship Program for the 2026-27 academic year: Abrielle Scott, Bridget Hill, Dante Rubio Gomez, Eduardo Fajardo, Gabriel Rosado-Bauzá, Hannah Kavanaugh, Sebastian Brea Perez, and Wilton Onyango.

Over the course of a year, these individuals will be mentored by Dr. Ben Carlee, Dr. Alice Jones, Christian Lampkin, Leanna Keith, Dr. Roya Farzaneh, and Dr. Brian Dunbar in one-on-one and group meetings as they discuss career goals, networking opportunities, and other skills essential to an arts career. 

EAMP (formerly the Young Artist Mentorship Program) pairs college students and recent graduates who identify as belonging to a marginalized cultural group (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, flutists with disabilities, etc.) with professionally established mentors from similar cultural backgrounds. Applications are accepted each semester, and there is no cost to participate. Learn more at nfaonline.org/eamp

---

Meet the EAMP Class

Abrielle Scott

Abrielle Scott is a flutist, chamber musician, and educator known for her rich sound and versatility. Fueled by curiosity and collaboration, her work spans multiple styles and disciplines. An advocate for new music, Abrielle is a member of the South Florida New Music Collective and collaborates regularly with today’s composers and has premiered several works to date. 

As a chamber musician, Abrielle is a member of Nashville-based flute, clarinet, percussion trio, Sono Trio, and flutist of New York based woodwind quintet, The Groovy Greens. She is a 2023 and 2024 fellow of the Bang on A Can and Imani Winds Chamber Music festivals, respectively, where she has performed in numerous community outreach concerts with select chamber ensembles. 

Currently based in New York City, Abrielle is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the CUNY Graduate Center, under the tutelage of Professor Tara Helen O’Connor. Abrielle has recently received a Master’s degree from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where she was a flute studio teaching assistant and Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra Fellow. Abrielle also holds a Bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.

When not making music, Abrielle can be found swimming in the nearest body of water, trying a new recipe at the stove, or looking for clues at the latest escape room. 

“I'm looking forward to exploring aspects of my artistic identity that I don't usually get to incorporate in my everyday work as a performer, while having the opportunity for mentorship from professionals who I've looked up to for ages!”

Bridget Hill

Dr. Bridget Hill teaches at Wayne State College and Doane Univ., where she directs flute ensembles, coaches chamber music, and teaches general music courses. Her research focuses on the performance and promotion of LGBT+ flute music. Hill earned her DMA from the Univ. of NE-Lincoln, MM from Univ. of N. IA, and BM and BA (French) from Univ. of IA. 

“I am so excited to learn from my mentor's real-world experience. I am looking forward to meeting other mentees and learning from them about creative solutions they use to make a music career work for them.”

Dante Rubio Gomez

Dante Rubio Gomez (he/him) is a Mexican flute teacher and artist in San Antonio, Texas. A St. Mary's University alum, Dante frequently performs with San Antonio wind bands, orchestras, and chamber ensembles. He is committed to providing South Texas students with meaningful and effective instruction and performance practice, and to continuing the legacy of flute excellence in San Antonio. Outside of flute, he enjoys playing chess with his husband, hanging out at the library, and engaging with my community.

“The level of educational and professional experience in this year's NFA Emerging Artist Mentors is inspiring! I first heard of the NFA's mentorship program at the 2024 convention here in San Antonio, Texas, and since then have grown as a musician and educator because of the exposure to pedagogy and talent the NFA and its various bodies have provided.”

Eduardo Fajardo

Why crawl when you can fly? Inner city artist hailing from the studios of the legendary Marina Piccinini, Julianna Nickel, and Natasha Loomis, FAJARDO is a flutist actively bringing the classical arts to future generations of musicians. FAJARDO embraces a portfolio career where he performs as an orchestral and solo artist, teaches in El Sistema based organizations, and assists in running professional orchestras across the east coast. 

“I came across an Instagram post after thinking about ways I could provide a higher quality education for my students as Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Orchkids. This program would help me find ways to do so for my current and future students.”

Gabriel Rosado-Bauzá

Gabriel Rosado-Bauzá is a Puerto Rican flutist and Army National Guard musician pursuing a master’s degree in flute performance at Georgia State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. His principal teachers and mentors include Tara Helen O’Connor, Jessica Petrasek, Robert Langevin, and Izzy Lepanto Gleicher. He also attended the Galway Festival in 2022.

Gabriel serves with Georgia’s Governor Own 116th Army Band and previously served as principal flute of New York’s 42nd Infantry Division Band. A Commandant’s List graduate of the Army School of Music, he has performed at the White House for the Army’s 250th anniversary and at the Kennedy Center with the NYC MOB Orchestra. He aspires to combine performance and college teaching with expanding access to music education in Puerto Rico.

“I am excited by the chance to learn from musicians who understand the challenges of building a career while navigating different backgrounds and identities. As a gay Puerto Rican flutist, I look forward to finding community, growing as an artist, and learning how I can help create more opportunities for young musicians back home.”

Hannah Kavanaugh

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, and based in Wichita, Kansas, Hannah Kavanaugh is a multi-woodwind specialist who enjoys performing a wide variety of genres and styles. They are passionate about increasing accessibility in music education, particularly jazz for non-traditional instruments. Hannah holds a Certificate in Music Performance from Wichita State University with a focus on clarinet and jazz saxophone, a Master of Music in Flute Performance also from WSU, and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Music Industry from the Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, Ohio.

“I'm excited to learn both from the mentors and my fellow participants about their experiences, and how they have overcome or would approach professional challenges. I hope to then apply those lessons to my own life and career.”

Sebastian Brea Perez

Sebastian Brea Perez is a Venezuelan-born American flutist currently pursuing his Master’s degree at the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe in Germany, studying with Professor Pirmin Grehl. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Badisches Staatstheater, Neue Lausitzer Philharmonie, South Florida Symphony, and CityMusic Cleveland. In addition to orchestral performance, he is active as a flute teacher and conductor. He is interested in exploring the connections between orchestral performance, contemporary music, non-western music and music education.

“I am very excited about the program because it is amazing to have the opportunity to pick the brains of people who have built diverse and successful careers, while also exchanging ideas with people who are trying to discover their ideal careers for themselves! I found out about the program through the NFA mailing list, and I knew immediately I wanted to apply. These past few months I have been thinking a lot about my next steps - so it is great to have found an opportunity to get input on those thoughts!”

Wilton Onyango

Wilton Onyango is a Kenyan flutist, music educator, and technology developer based in Nairobi. His musical journey began at Ghetto Classics, a community music programme in Korogocho, where he developed his skills through self-directed learning and perseverance. He serves as principal flutist of the Nairobi Orchestra and teaches young musicians through community music initiatives. He is the recipient of the National Flute Association's 2026 Myrna Brown International Scholarship. Beyond performance, Wilton is developing the Silva Flute Orchestra to expand opportunities for flute players in Kenya and creating an AI Flute Tutor that combines music education with technology to make personalised learning more accessible. His work bridges classical performance, community engagement, and innovation.

"I am excited to join the Emerging Artist Mentorship Program because I want to grow not only as a flutist but also as an educator, ensemble leader, and innovator. Coming from Kenya, I have experienced how access to mentorship and professional opportunities can shape a musician's journey. I look forward to learning from an experienced mentor, building meaningful professional connections, and finding new ways to expand opportunities for flute players in Kenya. I learned about the program through the National Flute Association, whose support through the Myrna Brown International Scholarship has already been an important milestone in my musical development."