Education & Professional History
Described as “sensitive and artistic” (Flute Talk) and as “a communicator through music” (American
Record Guide), Colombian/Mexican-American flutist Catherine Ramirez has captivated listeners from
along the U.S. Southern border to audiences around the world, with the aim of harnessing the power of
music to invite hope, connection, healing, and inspiration.
Record Guide), Colombian/Mexican-American flutist Catherine Ramirez has captivated listeners from
along the U.S. Southern border to audiences around the world, with the aim of harnessing the power of
music to invite hope, connection, healing, and inspiration.
A winner of the McKnight Fellowship for Musicians – in recognition of artistic excellence and a
distinctive musical voice – Catherine has also won three top prizes at the “Città di Padova” International
Music Competitions in Italy, a First Prize at the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and a
Sphinx MPower Artist Grant. Her second album, “Shelter From The Storm” won the Silver Medal in the
Global Music Awards competition, and her third album, “Claiming Space,” recently won The American
Prize National Finalist Honorable Mention designation.
distinctive musical voice – Catherine has also won three top prizes at the “Città di Padova” International
Music Competitions in Italy, a First Prize at the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and a
Sphinx MPower Artist Grant. Her second album, “Shelter From The Storm” won the Silver Medal in the
Global Music Awards competition, and her third album, “Claiming Space,” recently won The American
Prize National Finalist Honorable Mention designation.
The strength of her adaptability, honed through diverse musical ventures, extends from solo to chamber
music, from orchestras to musical theater, and from popular music traditions to modern music
explorations. She has performed at such renowned venues as The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage,
Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, and the Beijing Concert Hall, and with such ensembles as the Sunriver
Music Festival, Vermont Mozart Festival, Juarez Symphony (Mexico), El Paso Symphony, Minnesota
Sinfonia, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
music, from orchestras to musical theater, and from popular music traditions to modern music
explorations. She has performed at such renowned venues as The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage,
Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, and the Beijing Concert Hall, and with such ensembles as the Sunriver
Music Festival, Vermont Mozart Festival, Juarez Symphony (Mexico), El Paso Symphony, Minnesota
Sinfonia, Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
As a dedicated educator, she holds a Special Appointment as Artist-in-Residence (Flute) at St. Olaf
College (MN), has been an adjudicator and coach for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition,
and has taught youth to graduate flute students in masterclasses in the U.S., Italy, Colombia, and China.
Catherine has also mentored young adults through the National Flute Association and Posse Foundation.
She earned performance degrees from Occidental College (BA), the Boccherini Music Institute in Italy
(Honors Diploma), Queens College (MA), Yale University School of Music (MM), and Rice University
(DMA). Her major teachers include Melissa Colgin-Abeln, Gary Woodward, Marzio Conti, Tara Helen
O’Connor, Ransom Wilson and Leone Buyse. Since 2019, Catherine Ramirez plays on a Lillian Burkart Flute with a Tobias Mancke Headjoint.
College (MN), has been an adjudicator and coach for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition,
and has taught youth to graduate flute students in masterclasses in the U.S., Italy, Colombia, and China.
Catherine has also mentored young adults through the National Flute Association and Posse Foundation.
She earned performance degrees from Occidental College (BA), the Boccherini Music Institute in Italy
(Honors Diploma), Queens College (MA), Yale University School of Music (MM), and Rice University
(DMA). Her major teachers include Melissa Colgin-Abeln, Gary Woodward, Marzio Conti, Tara Helen
O’Connor, Ransom Wilson and Leone Buyse. Since 2019, Catherine Ramirez plays on a Lillian Burkart Flute with a Tobias Mancke Headjoint.
Catherine Ramirez is excited to extend her teaching by joining the Carleton College music faculty in September 2026.
At Carleton since 2026.
