Bio
Dr. Angela Galestro is a native of Sarasota, Florida. She received a Bachelor in Orchestral Flute Performance from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, a Master in Flute Performance from The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia, where she studied with world-renowned flutist Jonathan Snowden. Angela served as the graduate teaching assistant of the flute studio at Shenandoah from 2014-2018 where she taught applied lessons, was director and conductor of the Flute Ensemble, gave masterclasses on flute history and development, and instructed classes on scales, technique, and sight-reading for undergraduate, masters, doctoral, and artist diploma level flutists. Currently, Angela is the Instructor of Flute at the Sarasota Music Conservatory and has been appointed Artistic Director of the Gulf Coast Flute Choir.
Angela has notable professional experience performing around the world in cities throughout the USA, Europe, and South America. She has played the flute, piccolo, and alto flute professionally in symphony orchestras, opera orchestras, musical theatre, and chamber music ensembles, including performances at Carnegie Hall.
Angela performs regularly with her husband, guitarist Dr. Jonathan Smith, in the award-winning flute and guitar ensemble GS Duo. Both highly accomplished artists, the duo offers a diverse repertoire of classical, jazz, Latin American, and popular music. Most recently, GS Duo won second place in The American Prize Chamber Music Competition, making them the only two-person chamber music ensemble to earn a top prize in this category.
Angela is an ardent advocate of wellness for musicians and embeds this in every encounter. Having lived through and recovered from significant injuries, she has gained a unique perspective in advancing her pedagogical practices and promoting injury prevention and stress management for musicians. In April 2020, Angela accepted an offer to be the guest speaker for the College Music Society Wellness Webinar Series, and in October 2019 was invited to present at the Florida State Music Teachers Association Conference: “Music Meets Medicine” where she presented a lecture titled Pedagogical Perspectives highlighting her story along with breaking down the stereotypical wall surrounding injury and illnesses affecting musicians today. Particular emphasis is placed on the critical role of caring and creative music teachers in the prevention and recovery of injured students. Through these experiences, Angela holds a demonstrated history of extensive knowledge and experience, including musicians’ neurological conditions, overuse injuries, performance anxiety, hearing health, external trauma, and musical occupational muscular-skeletal injuries.