- Professor of Flute, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
- Internationally known performing artist, teacher and clinician
Alexa Still is known for her distinctive performances and a rich discography. Originally from New Zealand, Alexa won competitions including the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition and the East and West Artists Competition while doing graduate studies.
At age 23, while completing a DMA at SUNY Stony Brook, she won the position of Principal Flute of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Further honors include the Churchill Fellowship and a Fulbright award, which encouraged a focus on pedagogy. Alexa eventually joined the Oberlin Conservatory in 2011where she has received the award for teaching excellence and the NEA professorship. During the summer, regular engagements include the Round Top Festival (Texas), Orford Musique (Quebec) and Aria Academy.
Performance highlights include notable premieres in Australasia and the U.S., as well as solo engagements with organizations like the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Colorado Music Festival, the Albany Symphony, the Long Island Philharmonic, the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Istanbul Chamber Orchestra, every orchestra in New Zealand, the Takacs Quartet, and the percussion ensemble Nexus. Alexa won The American Prize 2024 for Instrumental Performance.
Alexa's discography boasts over 20 highly acclaimed CDs. Reviews from esteemed publications include Fanfare Magazine: "Still creates a rainbow of colors within the range we might call 'beautiful'. You just won't hear better-sustained flute playing than this, or more subtle, characterful phrasing: real, warm, communicative musicality.", Sequenza 21: "Reviewers far and wide agree that Alexa Still doesn’t make anything sound tough. She gracefully sprints and hurdles through menacing challenges without seeming to break a sweat. Added to this technical superiority comes an equally sensitive musical side.”, and Gramophone Magazine: "Whatever she plays sounds musical in every turn of the phrase....”
Recent world premiere recordings include her recording of Mathew Hindson’s House Music, now available as a digital download, SONY Korea's inaugural release in high-definition audio (2022), "Finding Home," showcasing Michael Fine’s Concierto Del Luna with Ensemble Bravura and guitarist Jason Vieaux, and Aaron J Kernis’ Air, and Alexa's latest solo disc including five premieres, "WISH," featuring music by Valerie Coleman, with pianist Evan Hines and spoken word by Carmen Twillie Ambar. “WISH” was released on the Oberlin label in 2023.
Alexa has contributed to her profession serving as the President of the National Flute Association (USA) and authoring articles for flute publications worldwide. She performs on a silver flute by Brannen Brothers of Boston, complemented by gold or wooden headjoints by Sanford Drelinger of White Plains, New York. When not immersed in music, Alexa enjoys motorcycling, nature and her elderly rescue dogs.