Virginia Tech® home

Elizabeth (Betsy) Lantz

Elizabeth (Betsy) Lantz, Senior Lecturer

Elizabeth Lantz smiles and holds a silver flute
Elizabeth (Betsy) Lantz, Senior Instructor of Flute
Curriculum Vitae

School of Performing Arts
311 Henderson Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-5335
elantz@vt.edu

Elizabeth Lantz is Senior Instructor of Flute in the School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. A regular soloist and chamber musician, Lantz has performed and presented masterclasses nationally and internationally throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, United States, Trinidad, South America, Canada, and Europe. In 2015, Lantz and colleague and pianist, Richard Masters, performed their newly commissioned composition by Valerie Coleman, Wish Sonatine for flute and piano in the Keynote Recital of the National Flute Association’s Annual Convention.

Lantz is a dedicated teacher who regularly adjudicates and serves as clinician for regional and national workshops and competitions. Engagements have included the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, MTNA State Competitions, SAGWA Summer Flute Institute, Collegiate Soloist Competitions (MAFC), Young Artist Competitions (MAFC & NFA), and the National Flute Convention. Additionally, Ms. Lantz performs and presents masterclasses nationally and internationally. She has performed and taught in residency at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and has been a featured international guest artist at the Festival y Concurso Internacional de flauta traversa de Sopó, Colombia and the Segundo Festival Internacional de Flauta Traversa en el Suroccidente Colombiano in Cauca, Colombia.

Recent performance engagements have included performances at the following conferences and venues:  2023 College Music Society’s International Conference in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia | Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) National Conference | the Torpedo Factory | Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention | International Conference for Saxophone Pedagogy and Performance | United States Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium | National Flute Association Annual Convention | Flute New Music Festival in Stonybrook.

Upcoming 2024 highlights will include performances of newly commissioned works by Charles Nichols: Sonder for flute, saxophone, and electronics and the world premiere of Virginia Triple Crown for flute, soprano saxophone, and piano at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention in Washington, D.C. and the National Flute Association’s Annual Convention, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.

Lantz holds degrees from the University of Southern California (M.M.) and the University of Arizona (B.M.).  Her principal teachers have included Ann Diener-Zentner, Jim Walker, Tadeu Coelho, and Jean-Louis Kashy.

Lantz is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

  • Flute Performance
  • Flute Pedagogy
  • Artist Management
  • Master of Music in Flute Performance, University of Southern California
  • Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance, University of Arizona

School of Performing Arts, Music, Virginia Tech

  • Visiting Artist Coordinator, School of Performing Arts, Virginia Tech
  • Programming and Scheduling Administrator, Committee Chair
  • Hearts and Flowers Committee

Community

  • Board Member, NRV Friends of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, SMILES Coordinator (Children’s Educational Outreach Concert Series).

International Performances (selected)

  • College Music Society International Conference, Lithuania, Latvia & Estonia, 07/2023
  • McGill University, Montreal, Canada, 11/2022
  • International Conference for Saxophone Pedagogy and Performance, virtual, 02/2022
  • United States Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 1/2022 - cancelled due to COVID-19
  • New Interfaces in Musical Expression International Conference, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 6/2018
  • Taller Internacional Suroccidente Colombiano Festival, Paraninfo, Universidad de Cauca, Popayán, Colombia. 10/2017
  • Festival y Concurso Internacional de flauta traversa de Sopó, Sopó, Colombia, 6/2017
  • The University of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 03/2016
  • The University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador, 2013
  • Embassy of the United States Abraham Lincoln Bi-National Center, Cuenca, Ecuador, 2013
  • Conservatorio Salvador Bustamente Celi, Centro Cultural Alfredo Mora Reyes, Loja, Ecaudor, 2013
  • Conservatorio Niccolo Paganini, Municipal Museum, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2013
  • Embassy of the United States Bi-National Center, Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2013
  • Conservatorio Nacional de Musica de Quito, Quito, Ecuador, 2012
  • Bristol Cathedral, Bristol, England, 2011
  • John Wesley’s Chapel, Bristol, England, 2011
  • St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich, England, 2011

 

National and Regional Performances (selected)

  • Torpedo Factory Chamber Music Performances, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA, 9/2023
  • Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) National Conference. New York University, New York, NY, 3/2023
  • Flute New Music Festival. The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 2022 - cancelled due to COVID-19
  • National Flute Association Annual Convention, Dallas, TX, Virtual, 2021
  • Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO, 3/2020 
  • North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 3/2020
  • Flute New Music Consortium New Music Festival SUNY Stony Brook, New York, NY, 2020
  • National Flute Association Annual Convention, Hyatt Regency, Orlando, FL, 2018
  • Spectrum, New York City, NY, 2016
  • National Flute Association Annual Convention Keynote Recital, Washington, D.C., 2015
  • Grace Lutheran Church Recital Series, Syracuse, IN, 2015
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 2015
  • National Flute Association Convention, Chicago, IL, 2014
  • The National Association of Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 10/2013

Guest Teaching & Masterclasses

  • Concord University, Honor Band Flute Masterclass, Athens, WV, 01/26
  • District VI Instructional Video Masterclass for Audition Etude, 11-2023
  • Virginia All State Orchestra Flute Sectionals, Virtual, 04/2021-23
  • University South Carolina, Columbia, SC, Virtual, 11/2020
  • University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, Virtual, 11/2020
  • University of Virginia Flute Forum, Charlottesville, VA, 04/2019
  • Suzuki Association of the Americas Flute Institute, Alexandria, VA, 07/2017
  • Teaching Residency, Taller International Suroccidente Colombiano Festival, Paraninfo,
    Universidad de Cauca, Popayán, Colombia, 10/2017
  • Teaching Residency, Festival y Concurs International de flat traverse de Sopó, Columbia,
    Sopó, Colombia, 7/2017
  • University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 03/2017
  • University of Trinidad and Tobago, Rep of Trinidad and Tobago, 03/2017
  • UVA Flute Forum, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 04/2017
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 02/2015 
  • Flute Fest, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 11/2014
  • University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 02/2014
  • Virginia Triple Crown, Charles Nichols, 2023-24
  • MushroomGossip for 4 flutes and marimba, William Rhodes, 2023-24
  • Syzygy for Alto, Bass, and C Flutes, Jacob Alan Smith, 2023-24
  • Flute New Music Commissioning Project, Kevin Day, 2023-24
  • Flute Sextet, Eric Lyon, 2023
  • Sea of Sand, Shore of Stone, Brianna Magill, 2023
  • New work for two flutes, Samuel Zyman 2022
  • Sonder for flute, saxophone & electronics, Charles Nichols. 2021
  • Beneath a Canopy of Wings for flute and clarinet, Ellen Ruth Harrison, 2021
  • Fantasy for Flute Alone, Lauren McCall, 2021
  • Fitting in for solo flute, Zaq Latino, 2021
  • Elegy for flute, saxophone and piano. Kent Holliday, 2020
  • Flutes and Ladders for 2 flutes, piano and electronics. Eric Lyon, 2020
  • Ribbons and Drones for flute, soprano saxophone, piano and electronics, Eric Lyon,  2020
  • Amazonia, Valerie Coleman, 2020
  • Flute Matrix with Limited Fixation, Eric Lyon, 2018
  • Wide Duo, Eric Lyon, 2015
  • Wish, Sonatine for Flute and Piano, Valerie Coleman, 2015
  • the message is the medium, Elizabeth Hoffman, 2015
  • Midsummer Spirits, James Sochinski, 2014
What gives you the most satisfaction as a teacher?
As a teacher, I really enjoy the close relationships and mentorships I develop with my flute students.  I feel energized when my students and I develop a symbiotic relationship in which a partnership of learning develops.  I love having the opportunity and privilege of guiding them to a successful future, whether that is working in the classroom with young children, becoming a high school band director, or attending a prestigious graduate school to continue their flute studies.
 
What was the first performing event that you remember seeing and what do you remember about it?
The earliest memory I have of attending a classical music concert was in my first year of high school when I attended a symphony concert with the mother of one of my high school band friends.  One day she called and asked me if I would be interested in attending a symphony concert with her, as her husband and daughter were unable to attend.  My own parents did not attend concerts of any kind, so this was a new experience for me.  I remember the magic of arriving in the grand hall and being awed by all of the concertgoers dressed in evening gowns and tuxedos.  
When the concert began, we were seated in the balcony with binoculars.  I was overcome with awe at the big symphonic sounds, tone colors, and beauty of the music played by the orchestra.  I watched the first flutist intensely and took note of her every body movement and solos. With that single act of kindness, inviting me to a concert because a friend’s mother had an extra ticket, my future as a flutist was locked in.
 
What is your favorite place on campus? Why?
My favorite place on campus is where the campus intersects with downtown Blacksburg, right outside of Henderson Hall. A hop, skip and a jump away from my office, the area has been beautifully remodeled, boasts grassy hills, beautiful walkways, and is across the street from my favorite places to dine and play:  The Moss Arts Center, Theatre 101, The Lyric Theatre, Green’s, Gillie’s and Bollos.
  • MUS 1104: Music Appreciation (online)
  • MUS 1005: Music Theory Fundamentals (online)
  • MUS 2244: Class Applied Flute
  • MUS 2574: Individual Applied Flute
  • MUS 3314: Chamber Music (Flute Choir)
  • MUS 4574: Advanced Individual Applied Flute
  • MUS 6574: Graduate Individual Applied Flute