Claire Eltoft

Claire Eltoft is a sophomore at Lafayette High School and this is her first year in the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. She began playing the flute in sixth grade and started to take private lessons in 2022 with Jalene Huang. Since then, she has been first chair flute of the St. Louis All-Suburban Middle School Honor Band, placed as 2nd Honorable Mention in the Missouri All-State Band the following year, and has placed 1st (2024) and 2nd (2023) in the annual Mike Russo Concerto Competition of the Saint Charles County Youth Orchestra. She has also participated in Lafayette’s marching band, pit orchestra, and more. 

Claire would like to thank all of her former and present instructors. These include her middle school band director John Menner, her high school band directors Brad Balog and Andrew Reader, and her flute teacher Jalene Huang. Additionally, she would like to thank her family and friends for their support.