Kahkonen, Gay

Gay Kahkonen (b. 1968)

Gay Kahkonen is a composer and flutist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She earned her degree in composition from Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied with Edward J. Miller, Randolf Coleman, Michael Daugherty, and Elizabeth Hinkle-Turner. She spent a summer at Aspen Music Festival studying with Michael Czajkowski. Her flute studies were with Wendy Webb Kumer and Bernard Z. Goldberg.

Kahkonen’s award-winning compositions are performed across the United States and abroad. Kahkonen has been commissioned by many outstanding ensembles and organizations. Her works can be heard on Aerocade Music, YouTube, ALRY Publications’ website (https://ummpstore.com), and her own website (www.gaykahkonen.com).

Kahkonen taught private flute lessons for over 20 years, founded and directed three student flute choirs, and coached the flute and piccolo sections of four high school marching bands. She performs with the Pittsburgh Flute Academy City Flutes, Pittsburgh Professional Flute Orchestra, and Flute Friends Quartet. In addition to her endeavors as a musician, Kahkonen pursues a parallel career in theater arts as the properties manager at Pittsburgh Public Theater, where she was awarded a Legacy Award for over 25 years of excellence.