Biography

Dr. Jessica Raposo Coleman is Associate Professor of Music and chair of the Fine and Performing Arts department at Indiana University East in Richmond, Indiana, where she teaches flute, directs the IU East Richmond Chorale, and courses in music theory, history, and performance.

Her orchestral experience includes the Vancouver, Burnaby, and Muncie/Orchestra Indiana symphonies, Michigan Pops Orchestra, and the Rome Festival Orchestra. An avid solo and chamber musician, Jessica is a founding member of the Tempest Flute Ensemble, and was flutist with the Goodenough Chamber Orchestra and Trio Euterpe. Prior to her position at IU East, she taught at Fairfield University, the Norwalk and Naugatuck Valley community colleges (CT), and Jackson State Community College (TN). She also conducted the flute choirs of the Stamford Young Artists Philharmonic program (CT).

Jessica earned music degrees from the University of Michigan, the Royal Academy of Music (London), and the University of British Columbia (Vancouver). While earning her graduate degrees, she taught flute for King’s College (University of London), and taught flute and music theory for UBC.

Jessica’s research into the flute’s English performance history, the basis of her M.M. and D.M.A. degrees, won her the National Flute Association’s 2008 Graduate Research Competition. Her articles have been published in the journals of the NFA, the British Flute Society, and the Netherlands Flute Society. Jessica has served as the NFA’s Research Committee Chair, the Graduate Research Competition Coordinator, and on the NFA Archives and Oral History Committee. Other highlights include performing for Sir James Galway at the University of British Columbia’s FluteFest in 2005, and winning the 2007 National Flute Association’s Piccolo Masterclass Competition.

A firm advocate of music education, Jessica has worked as a band director in the Westport, Connecticut Public Schools, and has led workshops and classes for middle and high school students. Her varied and extensive background have helped her develop a strong, effective and fun teaching style through her more than 30 years of teaching experience.