Flutist, Administrator, Educator
WILLIE SANTIAGO (They/Them) is a passionate performer, educator, and arts administrator based in Baltimore, Maryland. As a performer, their skills range from playing early music on the traverso to experimental contemporary music utilizing extended techniques. Willie’s work as a chamber musician has been recognized on the regional and national level. They have performed at the New Music Gathering, National Flute Association’s Annual Convention, and the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention with the flute quartet, Stranded Silver.
Currently, Willie serves as the Manager of Programs and Resources for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals where they manage and oversee the logistics for the various programs APAP runs throughout the course of the year. Previously from 2015-2021, they served as the Concert Coordinator for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where they oversaw the logistics for the Department of Music’s concert series.
As a strong advocate for contemporary music, Willie has premiered several compositions for concerts organized by the North Carolina NewMusic Initiative, they was a flute fellow at the 2017 Contemporary Performance Institute at the Composers Conference, and they have been involved in recording projects for commissioned works in Baltimore. Their most recent collaboration was with Symphony Number One to record Natalie Draper’s Timelapse Variations on their second album and Martha Horst’s Straussian Landscapes for third album Approaching.
Willie received their M.M. in Flute Performance from East Carolina University and their B.M. in Music Education with Performance Honors from Syracuse University. They performed in masterclasses for Nina Assimakopoulos, Mario Caroli, Ian Clarke, Gary Schocker, and Jim Walker and studied with Kelly Covert, Christine Gustafson, and Lisa Cella. Willie was also a flute fellow for the Contemporary Performance Institute, National Music Festival, and Baroque Performance Institute.
Outside of their musical life, Willie is an avid knitter, crocheter, baker, and runner. They enjoy planning backpacking adventures and taking very long walks in the woods.
Currently, Willie serves as the Manager of Programs and Resources for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals where they manage and oversee the logistics for the various programs APAP runs throughout the course of the year. Previously from 2015-2021, they served as the Concert Coordinator for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where they oversaw the logistics for the Department of Music’s concert series.
As a strong advocate for contemporary music, Willie has premiered several compositions for concerts organized by the North Carolina NewMusic Initiative, they was a flute fellow at the 2017 Contemporary Performance Institute at the Composers Conference, and they have been involved in recording projects for commissioned works in Baltimore. Their most recent collaboration was with Symphony Number One to record Natalie Draper’s Timelapse Variations on their second album and Martha Horst’s Straussian Landscapes for third album Approaching.
Willie received their M.M. in Flute Performance from East Carolina University and their B.M. in Music Education with Performance Honors from Syracuse University. They performed in masterclasses for Nina Assimakopoulos, Mario Caroli, Ian Clarke, Gary Schocker, and Jim Walker and studied with Kelly Covert, Christine Gustafson, and Lisa Cella. Willie was also a flute fellow for the Contemporary Performance Institute, National Music Festival, and Baroque Performance Institute.
Outside of their musical life, Willie is an avid knitter, crocheter, baker, and runner. They enjoy planning backpacking adventures and taking very long walks in the woods.
