Biography
Cynthia Hopkins, Flutist
A native South Carolinian, Cynthia Hopkins earned both a BME and MM in flute performance from the University of South Carolina, where she studied with Constance Lane. In the years following, she enjoyed postgraduate study with Judith Mendenhall, Paul Renzi, Carl Hall, and Louis Moyse. Some of her greatest inspiration has come from participation in master classes with Paula Robison, Carol Wincenc, and Ransom Wilson.
Ms. Hopkins is a highly experienced solo, chamber, and symphony musician. She has held positions with the South Carolina Philharmonic since 1986, the Augusta (GA) Symphony from 1988-2012, and the AikenSymphony since 2015. She has worked with the Greenville, Long Bay, and Charleston Symphonies, the Myrtle Beach Philharmonic, and the Norfolk Symphony.
In the world of chamber music, Ms. Hopkins performs with The Charleston Chamber Players, The Columbia Flute and Harp Duo, The Magnolia Flute and Piano Duo, and The Goodwinds Quartet. She has also worked with the Hilton Head Chamber Players, the Vista Strings Trio, and the Weinberg Jazz Quintet.
Her solo performances include appearances with the South Carolina Philharmonic in 2001 and the Long Bay Symphony in 1996, and guest artist recitals at Charleston Southern University in 2007 and St. John’s Lutheran, Charleston in 2008. Ms. Hopkins performed annually at the acclaimed Piccolo Spoleto festival from 1987-1995 and in 2008 and 2011, and was honored to play on recital at the 2011 National Flute Association Convention. In the fall of 2013, Ms. Hopkins was the featured soloist with the Furman University Wind Ensemble, in a premier performance of Jess Turner’s Concertino Caboclo.
Having played a Sankyo flute since 1984, Ms. Hopkins was honored in 2014 to be recognized as a Sankyo Artist.
Ms. Hopkins is passionate about education and music pedagogy. She has owned and run her own private studio since 1987, and after teaching at Columbia College and Columbia International University, she created generations of memories on the faculty of Furman University from 1997-2020. Having joined the faculty at Allen University in 2018, Ms. Hopkins is focusing on growing Palmetto Flute Studio and reaching young people across South Carolina in a new exciting way with virtual study, master classes and recitals.
Her teaching philosophy is one of encouragement and expectation. Her students balance their development of sound and technique with knowledge of literature throughout the ages. Students are encouraged and guided in using artistic creativity and technical clarity to reach a new standard of excellence in performance.
Philosophy
My philosophy is quite simple, really: Help young people fall in love with music and teach them how to be wonderful musicians. First, there must be some excitement and desire that is encouraged both from parents and mentors.
Young people today have so many things to look at and do.... “Things” that keep them busy. I believe it is our job as artists to help the next generation find their own creative vision, and their own physical manifestation of something great. It is this work and creativity, not trophies, that builds strong character and a vibrant look on life.
In training the youngest ones, it is my job to find the excitement in their spirit and build on it. While finding and nurturing a young love, I concentrate on teaching a solid foundation for lifelong success in sound and technique. As a student ages, and even perhaps would like to become a professional musician, it is my job to find the fire in them and then hold their feet to it. As the real work begins, it is my place to help them always to remember that both the technique, artistry, beauty and worth the work and sweat equity.
I have been blessed with hundreds of students to cross my path in these 35 years of teaching. I love every personality, every unique twist, and every level of expectancy for achievement in each student. I am humbled and honored to be a part of the process for each one of them, no matter how they utilize this skill as their life progresses.
