Claudia Cryer has been a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta Orchestra since 1998, and is principal flute of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra since 1995. For years, she has played for the Joffrey Ballet as well as the visiting American Ballet Theater and Ballet West companies. As an active freelance artist, Ms. Cryer has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Lake Forest Symphony, Elgin Symphony, Rockford Symphony, Kankakee Symphony and the Chicago Chamber Orchestras. Not limited by musical genre, she has enjoyed performing new music with CUBE, jazz with Ramsey Lewis, big band with the City Lights Orchestra, and nearly lost music with the Black Repertory Ensemble. She has had the privilege of performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., touring Europe and recording music with the Chicago Sinfonietta on the Cedille label.
As a member of the ESO woodwind quintet as well as being a part of the Chicago Sinfonietta's "Audience Matters" program, Claudia has visited scores of schools in Elmhurst and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition, she has had
the pleasure of working with hundreds of music students as a chamber music coach at Midwest Young Artists and private flute instructor. Ms. Cryer is also an active member of the Chicago Flute Club's board of directors which brings master flutists to the Chicago area and sponsors competitions for both the student and professional flute player. Seeing a musical spark turn into a flame still inspires her.
The University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana is Ms. Cryer's alma mater. Her flute
instructors include Charles Delaney, Alexander Murray, Mary Louise Poor, Gerald Carey and Dawn Weiss. She resides in Evanston and enjoys being with her family (including her beagles) and friends as well as staying in her garden.