Drue Kataoka, Jazz and Classical Flutist
Drue Kataoka is a versatile and passionate performer of the flute. She began at a young age, first inspired after watching Jean-Pierre Rampal live in concert. She has studied with New York based flutist Keith Underwood, traveling to many of his master classes around the world. Other musical influences include trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and flutist Kent Jordan. She played for Jean-Pierre Rampal during one of his last trips to North America.
Drue’s flute-playing has been featured in performances as diverse as during her presentations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, to the main stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, to the Opening ceremonies of Cuisines of the Sun in Kona, HI, to a performance of Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto at Stanford’s Memorial Church as well as Live on CNN, WWL-TV, WGNO, and KGO. Drue plays a gold Powell, and wood Powell with gold mechanism. She believes in the importance of immersing young people in music at an early age, and has mentored other young musicians and artists.
