Natalie Haworth-Liu is a flutist, educator, conductor, and certified life coach whose career has been shaped by nearly three decades of artistry, mentorship, and leadership. Whether performing on stage, teaching in the studio, conducting an ensemble, or coaching artists through life's transitions, she is passionate about helping others discover their unique voice while building meaningful connections through music.
A sought-after performer throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Natalie appears regularly as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal. Since 2004, she has served as Principal Flute of the Palo Alto Philharmonic, performing frequently in the orchestra's symphonic, chamber, and Baroque concerts. She was featured as soloist in Carl Nielsen's Flute Concerto in 2017 and co-premiered Lee Actor's Concerto for Two Flutes with Ray Furuta in 2022. A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, Natalie has premiered numerous new works and commissioned Andrea Reinkemeyer's Wings to Air in 2013. She is also a founding member of the Blithe Duo with flutist Meerenai Shim.
Teaching has been at the heart of Natalie's career for more than 30 years. She has built one of Silicon Valley's most respected private flute studios, where generations of students have flourished both musically and personally. Her students have earned concerto competition victories, principal positions in leading youth orchestras, all-state honors, and scholarships to prestigious summer festivals and university music programs. Many have gone on to successful careers as performers, educators, and creative professionals.
Known for her thoughtful and individualized approach, Natalie believes that musical excellence develops alongside confidence, curiosity, and self-awareness. Her teaching blends technical artistry with mindset, resilience, and authentic self-expression, helping students become not only exceptional musicians but confident, compassionate individuals. She believes the greatest measure of success is not simply what students accomplish, but who they become through the study of music.
Since 2010, Natalie has served as Director of Music at Monticello Academy, where she developed a thriving K–8 music program that has inspired thousands of students to discover the joy of making music. She also serves on the faculty of the San José State Summer Flute Institute and is a frequent adjudicator, clinician, and coach for youth orchestras, schools, festivals, and music organizations throughout California. Her background in arts administration includes work with Ballet San Jose, Symphony San Jose, sjDANCEco, and The Ives Quartet, and she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Palo Alto Philharmonic.
In 2020, Natalie became a certified life coach, specializing in helping musicians and creative professionals cultivate clarity, resilience, and confidence through times of transition. Her coaching naturally complements her work as a performer and educator, reflecting her belief that artistic growth and personal growth are deeply interconnected.
Natalie earned her Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Oregon, where she graduated with highest honors, received the Outstanding Woodwind Performance Award, and studied with Dr. Richard Trombley. Her artistic development has also been shaped through mentorship with Isabelle Chapuis and masterclasses with Robert Stallman, Patrick Gallois, Michael Hasel, Alexa Still, and Susan Milan.
Natalie lives in San Jose with her husband, Paul. Together they enjoy traveling, cycling, searching for exceptional coffee, and sharing hot pot with family and friends.
She currently plays on a Burkhart 9k flute with 19.5k Burkhart headjoint.
