While
Listening to the Chicago Symphony orchestra perform Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi
d'un faune Kirk was moved to begin a lifelong love of the flute. The
radio stations and African-American churches of Chicago were a strong
influence in his personal and musical development, immersing him in
gospel, blues and jazz. In addition to being a wellspring of excitement
and inspiration for him, Kirk recalls it as being “unforgettably
moving and immensely powerful music ”.
Kirk studied at Western
Michigan University and the California Institute of the Arts. He
has studied jazz flute with downbeat poll winner James Newton, Brazilian
music with Berklee’s flutist Fernando Brandao,
arranging with pianist Tamir Hendleman, and classical music with Rachel
Rudich, Geoffrey Gilbert, Robert Stallman, and Katherine Kemler.
He received a National endowment for the Arts Grant to study at the
summer school of the Paris Conservatory in Nice, France.
As a music educator Kirk has taught at the American International
Schools abroad and the University of Colorado International College.
Kirk has traveled extensively performing and teaching in jazz ensembles
and orchestras throughout four different countries in Asia, Europe,
The Middle East and Brazil over a period of ten years.
His
recent Latin flute Jazz composition and recording session “Latin
Night Falling” has been published in the Complete Pro Tools
Handbook.
He currently
lives in San Diego, California where he is an active music
educator/conductor, flute instructor, songwriter, and composer.
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