Ay Kawasaki is a versatile and accomplished flutist whose artistry and passion extend far beyond the concert stage. With a mission to make classical music accessible and inspiring, Ay is deeply engaged in performance, education, and community outreach.
As a performer, Ay has captivated audiences through performances in Cincinnati, Montréal, and Pennsylvania. As a competitive soloist, recent awards include second prize in the Young Artist Competition for the Central Ohio Flute Association in 2023, second prize winner in the William Winstead Competition for Winds in 2022 and a finalist in 2024, and is a recipient of the Graduate Incentive Award for CCM.
Ay’s commitment to outreach is exemplified by her founding of the Cincinnati Flute Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and promoting musical opportunities in the Greater Cincinnati Area. She has won numerous grants and awards including the Inclusive Community Award from the University of Cincinnati, allowing her to organize chamber music and masterclass opportunities for K-12 students in the Greater Cincinnati Area.
Ay Kawasaki holds her Bachelor of Music from McGill University and her Masters of Music at the University of Cincinnati-- College Conservatory of Music (CCM). She is currently completing a Professional Performance Certificate at the Lynn Conservatory, and is thankful for her primary teachers including Jeffrey Khaner, Demarre McGill, and Carolyn Christie.
Receiving both her Masters of Music and Artist’s Diploma at CCM, Sunju Kim has gone to deliver impressive solo performances at prestigious events such as the Washington Flute Society, Florida Flute Association, and the New Jersey Flute Society, and garnered attention at the San Francisco International Young Artist Music Festival’s Harmony in Bloom concert.
In addition to her time as a performer and at the Cincinnati Flute Society, she also serves as the Artistic Director at the Chamber Music Ensemble of Cincinnati, where she continues to inspire audiences with her artistry and dedication, fostering musical communication within the classical music community and beyond.
On the Cincinnati Flute Society, she says, “I am excited to connect with fellow musicians through the Cincinnati Flute Society. I believe that music should be accessible to everyone, and I am passionate about sharing the beauty of music and supporting our vibrant flute community. My goal is to work together with other teachers and performers to make classical music fulfilling for all.”
Anne Luetkenhaus is a dynamic flutist and educator based in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a graduate of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a master’s degree in Flute Performance, she is dedicated to contributing positively to the thriving musical community that Cincinnati offers. For the past three years, Anne has been inspiring Cincinnati flute students of all ages and backgrounds to share her love of the flute.
As one of the founding members of the Cincinnati Flute Society, Anne hopes to continue to be an advocate for music education for students across Cincinnati, especially those in underfunded and unrepresented schools. She hopes to create a network for local teachers to collaborate with one another, so that we can make classical music accessible and fulfilling for everyone.