School of Music, Theatre
and Dance

Varner Hall, Room 207
371 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
Academic Office: (248) 370-2030
Box Office: (248) 370-3013
Fax: (248) 370-2041
[email protected]

Sharon Sparrow

woman in a black jacket, holding a flute, smiling at the camera

DSO Affiliate Applied Faculty, Flute
 
Contact:  [email protected] 


Beginning with the 2014 season, Sharon Sparrow was appointed and tenured as Assistant Principal Flutist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. For the DSO, she has won the national audition and played the positions of Second Flute and Principal Flute, and can be heard and viewed as Principal Flutist on all webcasts and recordings in the 2008-09, and 2011-12 seasons.

An active orchestral, solo and chamber musician in Michigan and the United States, Sharon has been noted for her artistry, exquisite tone and musical interpretations. In addition to her positions in Detroit, she has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Seattle Opera Orchestra, Memphis Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Sharon is a much sought-after clinician and has taught master classes all over the United States and in Canada and in France. She holds Flute Instructor positions locally at both Wayne State and Oakland University.

A dedicated advocate of musical education, Sharon strives to promote awareness and enjoyment of classical music in all her endeavors, especially with children. She has written and hosted children’s shows for both the Cuttime Players and the Detroit Symphony, and regularly performs in local schools, hospitals and retirement centers as part of the DSO’s Community Enrichment program.

Sharon received her Bachelor of Music from the prestigious Juilliard School, and Master of Music at Mannes College of Music. Sharon had the great privilege to study under Julius Baker, Thomas Nyfenger and Geoffrey Gilbert.

Sharon resides in Grosse Pointe, Michigan with her two children: Hannah, who is the Choir Director at Tecumseh Middle School, and Zack, a commercial music business major at Belmont University in Nashville.