On Saturday’s live broadcast, we feature 18-year-old flutist Holly Venkitaswaran. Holly was recently named one of four finalists in the Madison Symphony Orchestra Bolz Young Artist Competition, and will make her solo debut with the Madison Symphony Orchestra this year performing Francois Borne’s Carmen Fantasy. She currently studies flute with Hideko Amano.
In 2018, Holly earned first place at the Chicago Flute Club Student Competition and the Kenosha Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. She also received Honorable Mention at the 2017 Midwest Young Artists Walgreens National Concerto Competition. In addition to competing, Holly has been a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) for seven years and earned second place in the 2019 MYSO Senior Symphony Concerto Competition.
Holly began playing flute when she was just 6 years old. Past teachers have included Caylee Wells and Amy Taylor.