Congratulations to flutist Honor Hickman ’26E (MM) for winning this year’s Tallon Perkes Flute Competition that took place on May 8, 2026, in Hatch Recital Hall. Honor performed Mariposa by Valerie Coleman for her solo piece, in addition to the memorized Mozart concerto exposition and excerpts. All competitors also performed a commissioned etude by composer Evan Williams, that was funded by the Eastman School of Music and the Thelma Hunter Fund at the American Composers Forum.
This year’s jury was comprised of clinician Randy Bowman, principal flute of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; Kasumi Leonard ’09E, ’22E (MM), flutist in the Sarasota Opera; Joanna Bassett ’86E (MM), former flutist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; Richard Killmer, professor of oboe at the Eastman School of Music, and Douglas Prosser ’85E, former principal trumpet of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Established in 2015, the Tal Perkes Flute Prize Fund is awarded annually and is open to all Eastman graduate and undergraduate flute students. The prize and competition was created in memory of Eastman alumnus Tallon Sterling Perkes ’84E and is presented to students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the study of flute.
In addition to this prestigious recognition, Honor also won the principal flute position with the Erie Philharmonic.
Honor recently received her Master of Music degree in flute performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Professor Bonita Boyd.
Pictured in Featured Image (L to R): Kasumi Leonard, Joanna Bassett, Bonita Boyd, Honor Hickman, Randy Bowman, Richard Killmer, and Douglas Prosser.