Biography
An adventurous flutist hailed for her "versatility and depth of understanding" (composer Eva Kendrick), Dr. Jessica Sherer has earned a reputation for taking on many unique and varied musical projects. Jessica currently serves as principal flutist with Sinfonia Gulf Coast and piccoloist with the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and previously held positions with the Valdosta, LaGrange, Albany, and Northwest Florida Symphonies. She performs regularly with orchestras throughout the Southeast, including the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Greenville Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra Augusta. She has also appeared with the New World Symphony, Orlando Philharmonic, and Columbia Symphony.
As a chamber musician, Jessica has performed with members of the Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera. She is co-founder of Anon Ensemble, a flute, viola, and bassoon trio whose commissioned work, Juntos, by Eva Kendrick, was recently awarded the Judith Lang Zaimont Prize for the International Alliance of Women in Music New Music Search. A strong advocate for new music, Jessica has commissioned and premiered works by many composers, including Eva Kendrick, Nicole Chamberlain, Marc Yeats, Richard Applin, Michael Daughterty and Ladislav Kubik. She has performed with Atlanta's Chamber Cartel, the Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble (in residence at Berklee College of Music), and Longitude New Music Ensemble (Cambridge, MA).
A passionate educator sought after for her innovative and imaginative teaching style, Jessica has combined her own experience with elements of Alexander, Feldenkrais, Body Mapping, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Gordon Institute research, to develop unique methods for holistic and efficient learning. Jessica has served on the faculties of Valdosta State University, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, and University of North Georgia, and has maintained a large and selective pre-college studio. Her students have won prizes in the Atlanta Flute Club, Florida Flute Club, Kennesaw State University, and other competitions, earned first chair placements in GMEA All-State ensembles, attended such prestigious summer festivals as Interlochen Arts Camp and Eastern Music Festival, and pursued further study at the Oberlin Conservatory, Florida State University, Tennessee Tech University, and more. They have also earned positions in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and all other major Atlanta area youth orchestras. She has served as a teaching artist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and given masterclasses at Florida State University, Tennessee Tech University, Valdosta State University, and others. Jessica is an Artist in Residence at the Orfeo Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy.
Jessica is the co-founder and co-director of the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival (est. 2012), a 7-day residential music festival for middle and high school musicians, in residence at Emory University. One of very few festivals in the country with a chamber music focus for pre-college students, ACMF boasts an artist-faculty of the highest caliber in the Southeast, world renowned guest artists, thoughtful course offerings, and outstanding performance ensembles.
A long-time advocate of social justice through music, Jessica founded the Play It Forward Scholarship Program, Inc., a nonprofit which provides private lesson scholarships in exchange for hour-for-hour volunteer work, for which she won the 2016 National Flute Association Arts Venture competition. She served as the Flute Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project, an El Sistema organization providing intensive music training for children in underserved communities, from its inception in 2010 until 2015, and she represented AMP as a speaker at the 2012 TEDx Centennial Park Women conference.
Jessica holds a D.M. from Florida State University, a M.M. from the Longy School of Music, and a B.M. from Boston University, and has studied at the Brevard and Bowdoin music festivals. Her principal teachers include Robert Willoughby, Eva Amsler, Laura Gilbert, Marianne Gedigian, Linda Toote, Elizabeth Goode, and Trygve Peterson. She can be heard on recordings with the FSU Symphony Orchestra (Naxos) and Chamber Cartel (independent).
Jessica lives with her wife Katherine, their sons Emerson and Spencer, and their dog Willoughby. When not playing or teaching, she enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring nature, and making music with her family.
As a chamber musician, Jessica has performed with members of the Atlanta Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera. She is co-founder of Anon Ensemble, a flute, viola, and bassoon trio whose commissioned work, Juntos, by Eva Kendrick, was recently awarded the Judith Lang Zaimont Prize for the International Alliance of Women in Music New Music Search. A strong advocate for new music, Jessica has commissioned and premiered works by many composers, including Eva Kendrick, Nicole Chamberlain, Marc Yeats, Richard Applin, Michael Daughterty and Ladislav Kubik. She has performed with Atlanta's Chamber Cartel, the Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble (in residence at Berklee College of Music), and Longitude New Music Ensemble (Cambridge, MA).
A passionate educator sought after for her innovative and imaginative teaching style, Jessica has combined her own experience with elements of Alexander, Feldenkrais, Body Mapping, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and Gordon Institute research, to develop unique methods for holistic and efficient learning. Jessica has served on the faculties of Valdosta State University, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, and University of North Georgia, and has maintained a large and selective pre-college studio. Her students have won prizes in the Atlanta Flute Club, Florida Flute Club, Kennesaw State University, and other competitions, earned first chair placements in GMEA All-State ensembles, attended such prestigious summer festivals as Interlochen Arts Camp and Eastern Music Festival, and pursued further study at the Oberlin Conservatory, Florida State University, Tennessee Tech University, and more. They have also earned positions in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and all other major Atlanta area youth orchestras. She has served as a teaching artist for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and given masterclasses at Florida State University, Tennessee Tech University, Valdosta State University, and others. Jessica is an Artist in Residence at the Orfeo Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy.
Jessica is the co-founder and co-director of the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival (est. 2012), a 7-day residential music festival for middle and high school musicians, in residence at Emory University. One of very few festivals in the country with a chamber music focus for pre-college students, ACMF boasts an artist-faculty of the highest caliber in the Southeast, world renowned guest artists, thoughtful course offerings, and outstanding performance ensembles.
A long-time advocate of social justice through music, Jessica founded the Play It Forward Scholarship Program, Inc., a nonprofit which provides private lesson scholarships in exchange for hour-for-hour volunteer work, for which she won the 2016 National Flute Association Arts Venture competition. She served as the Flute Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project, an El Sistema organization providing intensive music training for children in underserved communities, from its inception in 2010 until 2015, and she represented AMP as a speaker at the 2012 TEDx Centennial Park Women conference.
Jessica holds a D.M. from Florida State University, a M.M. from the Longy School of Music, and a B.M. from Boston University, and has studied at the Brevard and Bowdoin music festivals. Her principal teachers include Robert Willoughby, Eva Amsler, Laura Gilbert, Marianne Gedigian, Linda Toote, Elizabeth Goode, and Trygve Peterson. She can be heard on recordings with the FSU Symphony Orchestra (Naxos) and Chamber Cartel (independent).
Jessica lives with her wife Katherine, their sons Emerson and Spencer, and their dog Willoughby. When not playing or teaching, she enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring nature, and making music with her family.
"A Magnificent Performance"
- Legendary flutist Robert Willoughby
- Legendary flutist Robert Willoughby
"Her intelligence and innate musicianship shine through in every piece... Her versatility and depth of understanding breathe life into music."
- Composer Eva Kendrick
- Composer Eva Kendrick
"As a chamber musician, Jessica is an excellent leader and a supportive follower. I would feel extremely lucky to have the opportunity to play music with her again."
- Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble Director Robin Ginenthal
- Pierrot Lunaire Ensemble Director Robin Ginenthal