Jackie Traish

Biography

Originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, flutist Jackie Traish is a 2020 graduate from the Mannes School of Music where she received her MM and PSD degrees, studying with Judith Mendenhall. She currently lives in New York City as a freelance musician, teaching artist, and as the Shipping and Logistics Manager for the Flute Center of New York.

She has performed with the Mannes Orchestra and the Mannes American Composers Ensemble in venues such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and New York City Center. Her love of collaboration with other artists has given her the opportunity to perform with world-renowned programs and ensembles. She has been the principal player and featured soloist in "The Rite of Spring" and "Appalachian Spring" with the Martha Graham Dance Company, in the Mannes Opera production of Britten's "The Turn of the Screw", in the Mannes American Composers Ensemble in Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire", and in a collaborative production of Philip Glass's "Akhnaten" with the Metropolitan Opera and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. In 2018-2019, she had the honor of participating in the Orchestra of St. Luke's Chamber Mentorship Program with her woodwind quintet at the Mannes School of Music.

She has performed in masterclasses for Carol Wincenc, Valerie Coleman, Christina Jennings, Greg Patillo, Jim Walker, Ian Clarke, Viviana Guzman, Gergely Itzzes, Jeffery Khaner, and Katherine Hoover. As a freelance musician, you can find her performing all over New York City. From pit orchestras for musical theater and opera, to chamber concerts and world premieres, Jackie enjoys performing for audiences all around the five boroughs. She is also an active private teacher (flute and ukulele) and teaching artist with the MUSES Program in NYC. When she isn't running around the city performing her heart out, she can be found drinking coffee of all types, enjoying a good book on the train, and talking to anyone who will listen!