Unlock Your Musical Potential
Exploring the world of Lessons Unlocked Podcast through virtual masterclasses
About the Lessons Unlocked Podcast
About our Host
About our Host
About our Host
Colleen McCracken is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, under Dr. Erika Boysen. She has performed in masterclasses instructed by Bonita Boyd, Silvia Carredu, Walfrid Kujala, Demarre McGill, Amy Porter, and Carol Wincenc. Colleen has performed in ensembles that in
Colleen McCracken is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Music Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, under Dr. Erika Boysen. She has performed in masterclasses instructed by Bonita Boyd, Silvia Carredu, Walfrid Kujala, Demarre McGill, Amy Porter, and Carol Wincenc. Colleen has performed in ensembles that include the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Denver Young Artists Orchestra. She has attended several summer institutes including Credo Flute, WildAcres Flute Retreat, Rocky Ridge College Intensive, the Texas Summer Flute Symposium, Domaine Forget, La Mélodiuese with Yuko Uébayashi, and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. In 2022, Colleen won 1st Prize in the Flute Society of St. Louis Collegiate Young Artist Competition. The following year, she won first prize in the 2023 Central Ohio Flute Association Collegiate Competition. Colleen spent the fall of 2022 studying in Lyon, France, where she had the pleasure of learning the French language and enjoying the music of the area. Colleen earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance, graduating Summa Cum Laude with distinction, in 2024, from the University of Denver - Lamont School of Music. Her former teachers include Dr. Shelly Monier, Michel Lavignolle, and Julie Thornton. Colleen recently completed a successful tour with her quintet, ShakaduGAT! To learn more about her quintet, please check them out at shakadugat.com.
Our Story
About our Host
About our Host
Colleen started Lessons Unlocked Podcast with a simple idea: to create a podcast that could meet the needs of communities who cannot engage with live, in person masterclasses. Growing up in a small town surrounded by rural communities, Colleen couldn't help but wonder about the opportunities available to young musicians who do not have ea
Colleen started Lessons Unlocked Podcast with a simple idea: to create a podcast that could meet the needs of communities who cannot engage with live, in person masterclasses. Growing up in a small town surrounded by rural communities, Colleen couldn't help but wonder about the opportunities available to young musicians who do not have easily accessible music lesson or masterclass opportunities. Further, she felt concern for those without the funds to pay for lessons or masterclass experiences. This is what led her to start this podcast as an accessible option for masterclass-style music education.
What We Do
About our Host
What We Do
The Lessons Unlocked Podcast uses a virtual platform to engage with student musicians through masterclass-style instruction. Students may submit a recording of their playing for in-depth feedback to be shared with all listeners. This way, students who submit can get feedback, and any other student with access to the podcast can learn from the masterclass.
"Submitting a recording was really beneficial because it provided me with doable goals and encouragement. It felt nice to play for a welcoming and supportive audience with other flutists listening."
Ericka, North Carolina