Norman Menzales
Principal
Filipino-American flutist Norman Menzales is an orchestral musician and educator whose work centers on collaboration, artistry, and community engagement. He serves as Principal Flute of the Fort Collins Symphony, where he also works in marketing and community engagement, and is Principal Flute of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra. Previously, he was Principal Flute of the Great Falls Symphony and has appeared as Guest Principal Flute with the Billings Symphony and Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. Praised by the Winston-Salem Journal for his “warm, attractive sound,” Menzales has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, Erie Chamber Orchestra, and Western Piedmont Symphony, and has appeared at the Aspen, Bowdoin, Colorado College, Eastern, and Sarasota Music Festivals.
As a soloist, Menzales has earned top prizes in Young Artist Competitions sponsored by the Atlanta, Central Ohio, Pittsburgh, and Rochester Flute Associations. He has appeared as concerto soloist with the Fort Collins Symphony, Great Falls Symphony, North Carolina School of the Arts Solisti Symphony, Eastman Chamber Orchestra, and Ars Nova Musicians of New York.
Committed to chamber music and outreach, Menzales previously served as solo flutist of the Chinook Winds, a Montana-based woodwind quintet dedicated to bringing live classical music and education to rural communities.
Menzales is the founder of the Sampaguita Flute Project, an initiative dedicated to amplifying Filipino and Filipino-American voices through performance, commissioning, and education. His debut album, Panoramas: Flute Music of the Philippines, was released on the Ravello Label and highlights contemporary Filipino composers and diverse musical perspectives.
A passionate educator, Menzales is on the faculty of Western Nebraska Community College and the Interlochen Arts Flute Intensive. He maintains a private studio and has presented masterclasses throughout the United States, Canada, and South America. He is also the founding president of the Montana Flute Association.
Born in Georgia, Menzales began studying flute at twelve. He holds degrees from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Eastman School of Music, where he also completed doctoral coursework.
Website: normanmenzales.com
Instagram: @filipinoflutist
Get to know Norman
Where are you from?
Macon, Georgia – People are usually surprised that I’m a Southerner!
How did you first get started playing?
I originally started playing the saxophone in 5th grade, but switched to the flute to because I wanted to sit next to my friend! I attended my local symphony soon after to hear the Mozart Flute concerto with their principal flutist and started taking lessons with them a couple months after I started.
What’s your favorite thing about playing your instrument?
I love the sound of the flute and the vibrations of the instrument under my fingers. It’s much more enjoyable to listen to (…rather than my singing voice).
What do you like to do outside of music?
When not performing, I like hiking, great food, binge-watching TV, reading, drag shows, and spending time with my husband.
Why is music important to you?
Music matters to me because it has the power to bring people together, bridge our differences and remind us of our shared humanity.