NY-based flutist Gina Izzo, “Rattles speakers and expectations with stop-time razzle, vocal (flute-talk) and electronic (phaser) effects" (NYC Jazz Record), with an expansive music palette that spans classical, electronic, free improvisation, and new music." Gina has been featured at at Duke Performances with Steve Coleman and Natal Eclipse, Lincoln Center Out of Doors with Revive Music, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and Pharoahe Monch, at The Jazz Standard as part of Ambrose Akinmusire's 'The Imagined Savior is Far Easier To Paint', and at John Zorn's The Stone alongside Todd Reynolds and Jeffrey Zeigler.
She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, the Jazz Standard, National Sawdust, and the Bang on a Can Festival, among others. Recent collaborations include performances and recordings with artists including Doe Paoro, Little Kruta, Gabriel Garzón-Montano, Beccs, and The Hum Series, and on a recent episode "SLAPP Suits" with John Oliver on HBO.
Gina launched bespoken alongside co-founder Eunbi Kim, a mentorship program for women in classical, contemporary, and jazz music, in 2018. Through professional one-on-one mentoring and group workshops, the program equips fellows with skill-building tools and support to develop successful ideas, goals, and projects to create rewarding careers in music. The program provides motivation for fellows to become more active members of the community through connections and familiarity with an array of projects, organizations, and institutions.
Gina co-founded RighteousGIRLS, a contemporary duo bringing 21st century music to new audiences and commissioning works that root themselves in classical idioms but draw from other genres, with pianist Erika Dohi in 2010. RighteousGIRLS debut album gathering blue (New Focus Recordings), featuring works by composers such as Andy Akiho, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Vijay Iyer, has been met with critical acclaim from both jazz and contemporary-classical critics alike; Jackson Cooper, from I Care If You Listen, called it “…one of the most adventurous new music debut albums in recent years.” gathering blue received a 4.5 stars rating by John Ephland in DownBeat magazine. RighteousGIRLS is a finalist in the 2020 SAVVY Chamber Music Competition, has received a 2016 IMPACT award and a 2015 Project Grant from New Music USA, and has been featured on Q2 Music, WQXR, and WNYC. RighteousGIRLS is currently working on their sophomore album in collaboration with composers Daniel Wohl and Ambrose Akinmusire.
Gina has worked with National arts organizations and institutions in music programming, professional development, management, and marketing including Welltone New Music "Cutting Edge Concerts" at Symphony Space, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Chamber Music America, and The College of Performing Arts at The New School.
Gina's work in professional development and entrepreneurship extends through leading workshops and panels as a guest speaker at institutions such as New York University, Berklee College of Music, Boise State University, and the Manhattan School of Music, among others. As an advocate for arts education, she has been on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Summer program, the Larchmont Music Academy, and as an adjunct teaching artist at New York University. Gina is also an Ambassador for the Interlochen Arts Academy, assisting in the planning, coordinating, and implementation of NYC-based events bringing together the Interlochen community, prospective students, supporters, donors, and alumni.
Gina received her B.M. from the Manhattan School of Music and M.M. from New York University.