Nam Le, flute
Meet Nam
Nam Le (flute), 16, is currently a junior at Benton High school, in Benton, Arkansas. He began playing flute during the height of the pandemic when he joined the middle school band. He credits the quarantine for providing him the free time to explore and practice music. Nam is currently a member of the Benton High School Marching and Concert Band and is a private student of Phoebe Robertson at Arkansas Tech University. He holds the role of Principal Flute in the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra and was selected as the 2025-2026 recipient of the associated John and Karen Flake Scholarship.
Nam has had the opportunity to hold principal roles in a number of band programs, including the Arkansas Tech University Band Camp, the University of Central Arkansas Destination Band Camp, and the Arkansas All-Region Band. Most recently, he performed as a member of the 2025 Arkansas All State Wind Symphony. Nam’s first experience in a national program came this past summer when he was selected to participate in Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra program, NYO2, giving him the opportunity to travel to Scotland with the orchestra and soloist, Alisa Weilerstein.
Beyond performance, Nam is also a dedicated teacher at Ovation Music Academy in his hometown of Benton, AR. He enjoys encouraging and mentoring his students in their preparation for youth orchestra auditions, performances, and All-Region tryouts. With his very young students, Nam finds joy in helping to foster confidence and success for their futures, regardless of whether the flute or music is involved.
Outside of music, Nam’s favorite academic subjects include chemistry, algebra, and computer science. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family whether through sharing a meal, shopping, or playing video games. He looks forward to continuing to broaden his musical family within and beyond his local community.
Receiving the award will allow Nam to purchase a new piccolo and flute headjoint that will serve him well as he enters college and on to the professional field. The award will also allow him to participate in the National Flute Association Convention in 2026.
