Arkansas Flute Festival

Praised worldwide as “The goddess of flute” (Korea Times) and “one of the best flutists in the history of music” (Sinfini Magazine), Jasmine Choi has captivated audiences with her artistry, imagination, and fearless approach to repertoire. A graduate of both the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, she rose quickly in her career, serving as principal flute of the Vienna Symphony and associate principal of the Cincinnati Symphony before devoting herself fully to a solo career. Today, she is recognized as one of the most innovative voices in the flute world, admired for her dynamic stage presence, inventive programming, and dedication to expanding the possibilities of the instrument.

Choi has performed as soloist with major orchestras including the Vienna Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Salzburg Mozarteum, and Seoul Philharmonic, with appearances spanning Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She is also deeply committed to new music, having premiered more than 15 concertos written for her, and to reimagining the flute repertoire through her own widely published arrangements, such as the Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky violin concerti. Her discography on Sony Classical and other labels showcases both her virtuosity and versatility, ranging from Mozart and Brahms to Claude Bolling and contemporary composers.

In addition to her international career, Choi is a passionate educator, having taught masterclasses at leading institutions including Curtis, Juilliard, Indiana University, and Universität für Musik in Vienna. Her popular YouTube channel, which has garnered over 26 million views, reflects her mission to inspire and connect with flutists around the world. 

Cristina Ballatori is the newly appointed Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Arkansas where she also serves as flutist with the Lyrique Quintet. She has performed across the United States, Europe, England, and Latin America as a recitalist, soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. Recent performance highlights include guest appearances at the Festivales Internacionales de Flautistas in Lima, Peru and World Flutes Festival in Mendoza, Argentina, concerts in venues such as the Atelier Concert Series in Paris, France, and artist residencies in Spain, Costa Rica, and Mexico.  As a chamber musician, Ballatori is a member of the Semplice Duo with pianist Kevin Chance; their debut album, Night Surrendering to Dawn, featuring works by 21st Century composers, will be released on the Centaur label in 2025. Ballatori regularly appears as a guest artist and has been a featured performer, clinician, and adjudicator at many festivals, universities, and conferences including those of the National Flute Association, Music Teachers National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Mid-South Flute Society, and Texas Flute Festival among others. Ballatori is the recipient of numerous awards and grants including the University of Texas System’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. A sought-after and dedicated teacher, Dr. Ballatori previously served as Associate Professor of Flute at both the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Her students have been named winners and finalists in local, state, regional, and national competitions, including those sponsored by the National Flute Association and Texas Association of Music Schools, and have been accepted into top summer festivals and graduate programs. Her major teachers include Alexa Still, Peter Lloyd, Katherine Kemler, Judith Lapple, and Diane Smith. Ballatori is a Burkart Artist.  Visit www.cristinaballatori.com and @uarkflutes.