Principal Flute of the Seattle Symphony, Mr. McGill is a celebrated soloist, chamber musician, and dedicated educator, and has held numerous other principal positions and teaching posts. He serves on Colburn’s Conservatory and Music Academy faculty for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school year.
Demarre McGill has gained international recognition as one of today’s most compelling flutists, celebrated for his lyrical expressiveness and technical prowess. A recipient of both the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, he has appeared as a soloist with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Grant Park, San Diego, Chicago, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. His captivating performances have earned him critical acclaim and a distinguished place in the world of classical music. Mr. McGill has previously held principal flute positions with the Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He has also served as acting principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
As an educator, he is committed to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of musicians. He has coached and presented master classes in South Africa, South Korea, Japan, Quebec, and throughout the United States. He has served on the faculties of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland, the Orford Music Festival, Summerfest at the Curtis Institute of Music, Sarasota Music Festival, and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa. Previously, he spent seven years as the Associate Professor of Flute at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has been a longtime artist-faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School since 2017.
Born in Chicago, Mr. McGill began playing the flute at age seven and later studied with Susan Levitin. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from The Curtis Institute of Music and a master’s degree from The Juilliard School. A Yamaha Performing Artist, he is widely recognized for his expressive virtuosity, magnetic stage presence, and ability to connect deeply with audiences.
As a champion of accessibility, inclusion, and artistic innovation in in classical music, Mr. McGill actively promotes the works of underrepresented composers and engages in projects that highlight diverse cultural perspectives. His extensive media appearances include PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center, A&E Network’s The Gifted Ones, NBC’s Today Show and Nightly News, and a memorable feature on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood alongside his brother, clarinetist Anthony McGill.
Mr. McGill is a founding member of the Myriad Trio and a former member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Bowers Program. He is also the co-founder of Art of Élan, an organization dedicated to innovative and engaging programming. A sought-after chamber musician, he has been a participant in prestigious chamber music festivals such as Santa Fe, Marlboro, Music@Menlo, and Stellenbosch. In 2014, he co-founded the McGill/McHale Trio with Anthony McGill and pianist Michael McHale. Their debut album Portraits received widespread acclaim, as did Winged Creatures, his recording with Anthony McGill and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.