Sharon Sparrow

Sharon Sparrow serves as Assistant Principal Flute of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, a tenured position she has held since her 2014 appointment by Leonard Slatkin. Prior to her position as Assistant Principal Flute, she served as Second Flute with the DSO from 2005– 2014. Sparrow earned a bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School and a master’s degree at Mannes College of Music, studying with renowned teachers including Julius Baker, Thomas Nyfenger, and Geoffrey Gilbert. She has given masterclasses internationally, currently serving as an Instructor of Flute at Wayne State University.

Sparrow is a sought-after teacher for orchestral auditions on all instruments and has coached players who have won major jobs in orchestras throughout the US. Her specialty is helping musicians with their mindset, confidence, and certainty through preparation so they can master the audition experience. Her book, 6 Weeks to Finals published by Theodore Presser Publishing Company in 2016, is in high demand. Telemann for Two, a set of duets based on Telemann’s Solo Fantasies that Sharon co-wrote with DSO colleague Jeffery Zook, is available for purchase in two volumes through Theodore Presser.

Sparrow is a hands-on advocate for music education at all ages and has hosted and written children’s shows for both the DSO and the CutTime Players. She has been a frequent concerto soloist with the DSO and other local orchestras. Sparrow has held Principal Flute positions with the Memphis Symphony and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and has been a guest flutist with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Hong Kong, and Baltimore symphony orchestras.

Sparrow’s children have continued in her footsteps to pursue careers in music. Her daughter Hannah graduated with a degree in choral music education from the University of Michigan and is a professional singer; and her son Zack graduated from Belmont University with a degree in music business and is the Digital Media Manager for Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville. Sparrow is proud to be a resident of Detroit.