Peter Sheridan, a native of New York City, emigrated to Melbourne Australia in August 2007 from Los Angeles, CA. He has been invited to teach Flute (casually) for the University of Melbourne, Monash University, Donvale Christian College and the Victorian College of the Arts. He directs the Monash University Flute Ensemble, and last year completed a unique solo album for MOVE RECORDS titled, "Below."
As a Low Flutes specialist, Mr. Sheridan has promoted commissioned music for the Alto, Bass, Contrabass and Sub-Contrabass flutes. He is having a one of a kind Hyperbass flute built for him, which will play lower than the concert piano (C-0). He actively performs and lectures on all these instruments both as a soloist and a touring educator, and has been invited to the board of the newly formed NFA 'Low Flutes' Committee.
Mr. Sheridan has performed on Hollywood film soundtracks, and can be heard on various independent recordings. As a chamber musician, he recently premiered Bruce Lawrence's 'Lyric Concerto,' for Contrabass flute and strings with the Melbourne Musicians Society.Peter was a founding member of the Los Angeles Flute Quartet (2001-2007) and appeared with the Grand Canyon Music Festival on PBS, Aspen Music Festival on NPR, and concertizes and records with his wife Lisa Maree Amos, in their duo 'Married Flutes.' He has performed throughout the US, and in England, Australia and Italy.
As an Orchestral player, performances have included engagements with the the Hollywood Studio Orchestra, ANAM Orchestra, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks Symphonies, the Mannes Camerata, Arizona Opera Company, San Bernardino Pops and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. Peter has presented numerous master classes and recitals for various Arts organizations, including: the NFA Association, University of Washington (Seattle), St. Martin-in the- Fields Church (UK), Barbican Center/ Foyer Series (UK), Trinity Church (NYC), The Los Angeles Flute Society, University of California Los Angeles, American Composers Forum, California Music Teachers Association, and The Los Angeles Bach Society.
He perfomed for the 2009 NFA convention in New York City, the Australian Flute Festival in Adelaide, as well as a live radio interview for 3MBS. For 2010, Peter will perform for the British Flute Society Convention as well as in France, Netherlands, USA and Australia. Peter is honoured to have studied with Thomas Nyfenger, Sheridon Stokes, Janos Balint (Hungary), Judith Mendenhall, Nadine Asin, Bonnie Lichter and Clare Hoffmann (who's patience and dedication seasoned him into a flute player!). He has performed in Master classes by Baker, Schocker, Nicolet, Schultz, and Chesis. Mr. Sheridan has been the recipient of awards and grants from Monash University, Mannes College, Aspen Music Festival, American Composers Forum: Subito, University of Arizona, New York City Honours Orchestra, Turtle Bay Music School and Santa Monica College, where he was nominated ''Outstanding Professor" by the International Student Committee. In 2009 he was presented with the "Dean's Sessional Commendation," for his outstanding contribution to the Faculty of Arts, Monash University.
He has premiered flute works by Gary Schocker, Paul Reale, Alex Shapiro, Paul Chihara, Andrew Downes, Rhian Samuels, David Lefkowitz, Adrienne Albert, Sheridon Stokes, Jeffrey Miller, Paul Coleman, Vinny Golia, Patrick Neher, Bruce Lawrence and Reena Esmail among numerous other composers. Peter has recorded for Albany records, Innova, Move, Warner Music Latina, and Varese Sarabande. As a passionate commissioner of new music for the flute family, with some forty compositions from five countries, his artistic mission is to develop and expand music and recordings for ALL the Low Flutes (anything that plays below middle C (C4). Peter has also improvised and written solos for the lower flutes, involving extended techniques. Currently he is working on a collection of studies and exercises, adapted for the Alto, Bass and Contra Bass Flutes.
Peter plays Kotato and Fukushima Bass and Contra bass flutes, and a Sub-Contra Bass Flute from maker Jelle Hogenhuis (Holland). Mr. Sheridan has served on the Music faculties of La Sierra University, Santa Monica College, and El Camino College (CA), both as Professor of Flute and Lecturer. He has coached chamber music and flute classes for the Monash University in Melbourne, and has presented Low Flutes masterclassses and recitals througout regional Victoria. Peter is a proud Lifetime Member of the National Flute Association (USA), a contributor to Flute Focus Magazine, and a Board member on the Victorian Flute Guild.
Peter enjoys spending (quality) time with his most beautiful wife Lisa, and their two wonderfully active and fantastic daughters Grace and Kimberly.