Taylor Hesskamp | Music and Theater | SIU

Taylor Hesskamp is an enthusiastic teacher and performer based in the greater St. Louis area. She is an adjunct professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, McKendree University and Jefferson College. Additionally, Taylor teaches at various other locations in the region, managing a large studio of students.

Taylor earned her master's degree in flute performance from the world-renowned Royal College of Music in 2021, an institution ranked as the top school in the world for Performing Arts in the QS World University Rankings for 2023 and 2022. During her studies, she worked with renowned instructors, including Gitte Marcusson and Adam Walker for flute, Stewart McIlwham for piccolo, and Rachel Brown for baroque flute. Her performances at RCM included the Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra, Opera, and various chamber groups. She completed her bachelor's degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2019, studying under Dr. Shelly Monier. At SIUe, Taylor was active in the Wind Symphony, Orchestra, and Flute Choir, winning the Concerto Competition as a sophomore with C.P.E. Bach’s Concerto in d Minor.

 As a performer, Taylor has played as principal flute, second flute, and piccolo with the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra from 2016 to 2019. She recorded the sopilka for the independent Ukrainian short film *Bound* at Pixar Studios and substituted for the Scott Air Force Band on a week-long tour with the Mid America Air Force Band. Additionally, she has judged high school flute choir for the National Flute Association and evaluated flutists for the ILMEA Junior Honor Band.

 Taylor’s participation in flute camps includes the Iowa Flute Intensive, Whole Flutes, the Consummate Flutist, Wildacres Flute Retreat, and Aria Summer Academy. She has won first prizes in the Flute Society of St. Louis competition (both high school and college divisions), the Central Ohio Flute Association competition, and the SIU Edwardsville Concerto Competition.

 In her teaching roles, Taylor provides private lessons at Buerkle and Washington Middle Schools in the Mehlville School District and offers early music classes for children ages 3-6 at Oakhaven Montessori. She also instructs elementary students in music theory and beginner lessons in kalimba, singing, and recorder playing at Montessori. 

 Outside of her professional life, Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs, Penny and Teddy. She values her time with family and friends and engages in hobbies such as photography, crocheting, cooking, and playing video games.