Biography

Patrick Williams was appointed associate principal flute of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2018 by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He was previously principal flute of the Louisiana Philharmonic and co-principal flute of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra in Nishinomiya, Japan. He has also performed in such ensembles as the Chicago Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Princeton Symphony and the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Sapporo, Japan. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons he was the Flute Fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival, mentored by Mark Sparks. Conductors with whom Williams has collaborated include Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, Fabio Luisi, Neville Marriner, Robert Spano, Michael Stern, Rossen Milanov and Otto-Werner Mueller.

Hailed for his artistry in concerto performances with the Curtis Symphony, Music at Angel Fire, and the Steamboat Orchestra, Williams compliments his passion for orchestral performance with concerto, chamber music, and recital performance. Many of his live performances have been recorded and released online via Instant Encore and on WHYY’s television program On Stage at Curtis.

Williams currently serves on the faculty of Temple University’s Boyer College of Music. He has served as adjunct instructor of flute at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and has been a clinician at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Loyola University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University. In addition to teaching he has regularly participated in youth concerts and outreach programs for the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Hyogo Performing Arts Center, the New York Pops, Music at Angel Fire and the Curtis Institute of Music.

A proud Colorado native, Williams began studying the Suzuki flute method in Steamboat Springs. After just one year of study, he traveled to Nagano, Japan, to perform with thousands of Suzuki students in a multicultural celebration during the 1998 Olympics. He attended the Interlochen Arts Academy High School, studying with Nancy Stagnitta, and graduated with a distinguished award for excellence in flute performance. At the Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music, he studied with Michel Debost while pursuing a double degree in flute performance and environmental studies. Williams received his performance degree at the Curtis Institute of Music under the tutelage of Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner. Find out more at patrickwilliamsflute.com.

Biography courtesy of The Philadelphia Orchestra
Photo: Pete Checchia