Evening Concerts

54th Annual NFA Convention

August 6-9, 2026

Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Portland, OR 97232

Trailblazing and Discovery | The Flute in the United States | Gala Concerto Concert | Closing Gala Concert

Each evening, convention attendees gather together for show stopping concerts featuring leading flutists from around the world. Admission to these concerts is included with your convention registration. Guests who are not registered for the convention may purchase single-event tickets at the NFA Registration Desk.

The convention schedule and performers are subject to change.

THURSDAY:

Opening Gala Concert: Trailblazing and Discovery

Thursday, Aug. 6 | 8-10pm | Oregon Ballroom 203-204

Trailblazing and Discovery brings together internationally recognized artists and diverse musical traditions in an evening of premieres, jazz, Latin music, film-inspired sounds, and contemporary flute performance. Featured artists include Sophia Tegart, Robert Dick, Pedro Eustache, Jeff Coffin, Néstor Torres, Ali Ryerson, Lawrence Liggins, and the Air Force Band of the Golden West Jazz Combo, culminating in the world premiere of Drew Zaremba’s Jazz Flute Chronicles, commissioned by the NFA.

FRIDAY:

The Flute in the United States

Friday, Aug. 7 | 8-10pm | Oregon Ballroom 203-204

Featuring acclaimed artists Aleksandr Haskin, Sooyun Kim, Maria Fernanda Castillo, Brian Dunbar, Lisa Bost-Sandberg, Aaron Goldman, Megan Ensor, Katrina Penman, and (S) MSgt Sarah Howard-Carter, this gala concert celebrates the richness and diversity of flute performance in the United States through music by Paul Schoenfield, Shulamit Ran, Guillaume Connesson, Jeff Beal, and John Philip Sousa. A special highlight of the evening is the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, under the direction of Capt. Brian O’Donnell, performing premieres and audience favorites, as well as opening music by the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. This concert is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

SATURDAY:

Gala Concerto Concert

Saturday, Aug. 8 | 8-10pm | Oregon Ballroom 203-204

One of the highlights of the convention, this gala concert features Gareth McLearnon, Zachariah Galatis, Nicole Esposito, Adriana Ferreira, Gareth Davies, and Clara Novakova in an evening of powerful and inspiring music by Taylor Scott Davis, Amanda Harberg, Kemal Günüç, Malcolm Arnold, John Corigliano, and Kevin Puts. Support provided by Laurie Sokoloff.

SUNDAY:

Gala Closing Concert

Sunday, Aug. 9 | 4-6pm | Oregon Ballroom 203-204

The 2026 National Flute Association Closing Gala celebrates the artistry and community of the flute world through performances by Lina Andonovska, Timothy Hagen, Julien Beaudiment, Sebastijan Bereta, and Suzanne Teng. Highlights include the combined Professional and High School Flute Choirs under the direction of Cassandra Eisenreich, the world premiere of Aaron Hedenstrom’s arrangement of Bučimiš, a featured work by this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Matthias Ziegler, and the presentation of major NFA awards and competition results. Following the closing ceremonies, all flutists are invited to join a joyful mass performance of Bach’s Air, open to flutists of all levels and instruments. Matthias Ziegler's performance is supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.