Flutist, Educator and Community Advocate
About Molly
Molly Barth is constantly in motion. This Grammy Award-winning flutist, professor and clinician moves effortlessly from concert hall to teaching studio to rehearsal room to orchestral section. Molly needs fuel for this fire.
Molly is fueled by visceral communication with listeners. This “ferociously talented” performer (The Oregonian) crosses from VA to CA, the UK to Korea. The halls may be large or small, the music may be old or new, but the performances are always concentrated, intense.
Molly is fueled by the smell of wet ink. Molly has premiered hundreds of pieces, finding the creation of new music uplifting and miraculous. As co-founder and former member of the ensemble Eighth Blackbird, Molly toured the world, recorded many albums, and won a Grammy Award.
Molly is fueled by the spark and closeness of chamber music. Molly is a co-founder of the Zohn Collective, a group of curious musicians who share a love of risk and exploration. They have collaborated with a puppet company and a cartoonist, have toured the world and record extensively.
Molly is fueled by her work as a teacher. Molly is Associate Flute Professor at the Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music, and Molly guides her students to become comprehensive flutists: skilled, flexible, bold musicians, able to think critically and speak to audiences. Molly took her inspiration primarily from her stellar teachers at Oberlin, the Cincinnati Conservatory, and Northwestern.
“Molly enjoys…walking everywhere, the longer the better, urban or rural, mountains or beaches.”
“Molly believes…that music is one of the best forms of community-building and healing that exists.”
“Molly acts…on her beliefs and enjoyments by creating collaborative environments that nurture the soul, build community and uplift the power of music.”
“Molly enjoys…running every morning. It is her form of meditation. It is not fast, it is not recorded. It is contemplative and restorative.”
“Molly believes…that the practice of music-making can form a holistic person, exhibiting empathy, collaborative skills, and diligence.”
“Molly enjoys…spending time with her family, doing just about anything…cooking, viewing and participating in sporting events, listening to and making music together, watching movies, playing games.”
Upcoming Events
“Together We”
Molly Barth’s “Together We…” series is an exploration of community, human spirit, and compassion. This project, made possible through the Chancellor Faculty Fellowship that Barth received, enables Barth to collaborate with inspirational colleagues worldwide, presenting concerts and creating recordings that showcase a thriving sense of humanity expressed through the Arts.
Event Series
Vanderbilt University
Teaching students to view life with creativity and enthusiasm is important to me. I encourage my students to jump into every opportunity possible, so that they are better able to figure out their ideal role in the musical community. As a professor of music, my primary role is to expand each student’s love for music, while creating an environment that provides structure and support.
Blair Flute Studio