From the Depths to the Heights

Bios

L. Elise Carter, flutes, debuted in Carnegie Hall in 2005 and then returned in 2007. She can be heard on six commercially available CDs: Into the Next Dimension with guitarist and composer David Calkins (heard widely on national public radio); Waiting for Love, a children’s cantata by G. Chiusano and M. Hochman; and 5 soon to be 6 Albums with UpTown flutes; 21st Century Gems, A Flute Renaissance, An Uptown Christmas and Streaming Dreams. She will be on the new release of their 5th album in 2026.  As well as a performer, Ms. Carter is an award-winning composer and is published by Falls House Press and Art of Sound Music. Her composition Triptych for Flutes was commissioned and premiered by the National High School Flute Choir at the 2009 National Flute Convention in NYC. Ms Carter has studied with Katherine Hoover, Julius Baker, Thomas Robertello, Bart Feller, Diva Goodfriend-Koven, Linda Wetherill and Stephanie Jutt. Ms. Carter received her bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Masters from Montclair University. Ms. Carter is the music director and organist at Calvary Lutheran Church in Allendale, NJ. She is co-founder and former president of the NJ Flute Society and is the founder and Executive Director for Carter-Glennon Center for Arts and Nature. Ms Carter maintains a private studio in Allendale and West Milford.

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Laura Ravotti piano, started her musical career in Nashville, TN where she was rehearsal accompanist for the Nashville Ballet, Staff Accompanist at Vanderbilt, Adjunct Faculty at Belmont College, and a substitute French horn player with the Nashville Symphony. She went on to perform in Branson, MO, where she backed up such entertainers as Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Andy Williams, and Shari Lewis. In 2000, Laura moved to New York City where she played on Broadway, off Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, and at Town Hall. Ms. Ravotti has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA and MM from Bowling Green State University, OH. She was the Music Department Chairperson at the Academy of Mt. St. Ursula in the Bronx for 10 yrs. While there, she started a vocal and instrumental program. Ms Ravotti was the Music Director at St. Augustine’s Church in Croton-on-Hudson, NY for 17 years. Ms Ravotti is a member of the women’s acapella group Angelica and the accompanist for Kol Rinah-the Jewish Chorale of Westchester.  Ms Ravotti maintains  a private teaching studio in Montrose, NY.

Thank you to Calvary Lutheran Church for their support in providing the space for this concert series and their support of our overall program.

Thank you to Laura Ravotti and Elise Carter for donating their time and talent for this concert.

Thank you to all the volunteers for our Raise the Roof instrumental music program, including David Rimelis, Ashley Bifalco, Carol Boysen, Juan Carlos Narvaez, Erica Rojas, Michelle Sanchez, Bill Scher, Christine Souza. Thank you to the Apostolic Church Glorious Vision Newark II for partnering with Carter Glennon to provide this program, including Pastor Elijah, Pastor Ambo and Pastor Ologede.