Sierra Schmeltzer is a professional flutist and teacher in the Los Angeles area. Sierra holds the piccolo/flute III position in Boise Philharmonic in Boise, ID, as well as the flute II position in the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles, CA. Sierra has made appearances with orchestras such as the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Bakersfield Symphony, Downey Symphony and the Portland Chamber Orchestra. She has recorded for various television and movie soundtracks, in addition to offering remote recording from her home studio.
She graduated with her Master of Music from the University of Southern California in 2020 under the tutelage of world-renowned flutist Jim Walker. Sierra most recently completed her Graduate Certificate in flute performance at USC in the spring of 2022.
As well as performing professionally, Sierra has a passion for teaching music. She currently provides private flute instruction in Downtown Los Angeles and online. Her students range from beginners, pre-professional flutists, and adult amateurs. Sierra is the head flute faculty at the Santa Monica Conservatory in addition to being a Teaching Artist for Harmony Project.
In January 2021, Sierra placed second in the San Diego Flute Guild Winter Young Artist Competition, as well as alternate for first in the California MTNA Young Artist Competition. She recently received a fellowship with the Blackburn Music Academy Orchestra at Festival Napa Valley in 2019.
Sierra has performed in masterclasses with various principal flutists including Emmanuel Pahud (Principal of Berlin Philharmonic), Gareth Davies (Principal of London Symphony), and Denis Bouriakov (Principal of Los Angeles Philharmonic).
