Molly Shortridge studied flute performance and music therapy at the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University. She studied with many teachers, most notably with David Cramer (associate principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra) in college and then continued her studies with concert soloist Clifford Tretick.
Presently, Molly regularly free-lances as a soloist and ensemble musician. She played in the National High School Flute Choir, Central Pennsylvania Oratorio Orchestra, The Mid-State Ballet Orchestra, and many other ensembles in the greater Harrisburg region. She regularly plays in flute quartets, pit orchestras, chamber orchestras, choral ensembles and substituted principal in the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. She also played at the governor's mansion and for The York Strand Theater's opening season galas. In 2012, she toured and performed solo and choral works on her flute in a series of concerts in central Italy with The Market Square Singers, led by Eric Riley.
Molly has years of flute teaching experience, providing lessons to children, teens and adult students, from beginning to advanced levels. She has experience leading chamber ensembles, music festivals, elementary flute workshops and high school flute classes. Molly is passionate about teaching in three music schools. She currently has openings at The Perfect 5th Musical Arts Center in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, http://theperfect5th.com/staff/molly-shortridge.asp and also at the State Street Academy of Music in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania http://www.ssamusic.org/, and The Pollock Center for Performing Arts in Camphill, PA.
Many of Molly's students have gone on to study music in composition, performance and education. Several have been accepted into conservatories and one has even auditioned successfully, right out of high school, to be a member of the US Marine Band. At the middle school and high school level, many of her students successfully make it into district, regional and state band and orchestra. Many successfully audition for a place in the Harrisburg Youth Symphony, where a few have been concerto soloist winners for the Harrisburg Youth Symphony.
Molly has been a presenter in flute teaching at the National Flute Association and the Mid-Atlantic Flute Conferance. She also yearly trains flutists from around the world at Kathy Blocki's KinderFlute training classes. Kathy blocki is the founder of the Blocki Flute Method and Kinderflute.
Previously a music therapist in the mental health field, Molly took some time to homeschool her own children. She developed music and motion classes at her church for preschool children and taught music in homeschool co-operatives. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Counseling at Messiah College and is certified with KinderFlute™. She is Co-owner of the Perfect 5th Musical Arts Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, home of over 20 teachers in the arts.
Children ages 4-8 are welcome to start making music with Molly in the KinderFlute™ Academy and in private lessons (required along with the weekly group class).The little ones get to learn the basics of music and have lots of fun in the process - they get to move around, make noise and even learn some music theory along the way.
Playing flute gives me a joy unlike no other. On days that may be particularly stressful, the ability to go into my studio and breathe life into this piece of metal I own called the flute feels like a miracle to me. I literally feel my worries subside while practicing alone in my studio, and feel this is where I am the closest to God.
I am also very thankful that I have had wonderful private teachers who befriended, challenged and encouraged me. I endeavor to carry their examples into my own teaching.
Participating in an ensemble and being surrounded by strains of live music in the air while at the same time producing music is extraordinary. The opportunity to play alongside fine musicians is an experience that cannot be replicated in any other medium, and also has afforded wonderful connections and friendships.
I am very grateful that my parents gave me private lessons at an early age. Doing so corrected early mistakes that could have occurred by learning without lessons and I feel this pushed me forward to early success. I truly feel indebted towards my parents for giving me this gift that I carry with me daily. I find it essential that young students be given an opportunity to study privately so that they can hear, conceptualize, desire and emulate a good sound when playing their flute.