The Musicians
Les Roettges (Flute)
Member of the JSO: Since 1986
Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio
Education: Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory studying with Robert Stallman; Master of Music from The Juilliard School with Paula Robison; and one year of study in Paris with Alain Marion. Other teachers include Julius Baker and Maurice Sharp. Pre-college - Flute and music theory at Ohio Wesleyan and at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Performance experience: "I held the position as the Principal Flutist for the Philharmonic Orchestra of Mexico City and have performed as Principal Flutist for The Florida Orchestra, Solisti New York, Opera Ensemble of New York, Bel Canto Opera, Boston Philharmonic, and many other freelance orchestras in New York and Boston."
Festival Performances: "During the summers I am the Principal Flutist for the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra. I have also participated in the Colorado Music Festival, Amelia Island Chamber Festival, Saint Augustine Chamber Festival, Madison (Georgia) Chamber Music Festival, and the Cross Currents Chamber Music Festival (North Carolina). As a student I attended the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Festival and the Bowdoin Chamber Music Festival (Maine)."
Teaching: "I have taught both privately and at Jacksonville University. I have and continue to volunteer with school art and music programs as well as facilities for the disabled in Duval and Saint John’s County."
Concerto Soloist: with the JSO, Eastern Music Festival, Newton Symphony (MA) as the winner of the first annual James Papoutsakis Memorial Flute Competition, and the Columbus Symphony (OH) as winner of the CSO Young Artists Music Competition.
Other musical experience: "I spent several years playing keyboards in a rock band."
Family: "I live in Ponte Vedra Beach with my wife (Lorraine) and children (Paul, Katherine, Laura) and Beagle (Hank) and cat (Buster)."
Hobbies: "I enjoy fishing, kayaking, reading, working out at the gym, and riding my motorcycle. I have coached Soccer for West Side Soccer and the Ponte Vedra Soccer Club, Basketball for the Yates Family YMCA, and Little League Baseball for the Navy Ortega League."