Adam Sadberry

Sadberry currently serves as acting principal flute player of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and has earned both his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastman School of Music as well as performing certificate.

Musical Journalism: Continuing a Legacy through the Flute is inspired by his late grandfather L. Alex Wilson, an iconic journalist who made an immeasurable difference by covering such significant civil rights events as Emmett Till’s lynching and Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Early Life and Education

Adam Sadberry began playing flute at age eleven, and has since developed an extensive career in music. Now serving as acting principal flutist of Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Adam is dedicated to expanding Black diaspora within classical music through equity promotion, representational initiatives and educational outreach.

As a performer, he is widely renowned for his dynamic and emotive playing. Additionally, he is committed to expanding music education opportunities as well as commissioning works that celebrate Black diaspora stories.

In 2023, Wilson will introduce a piece inspired by his late grandfather L. Alex Wilson, an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement who covered events such as Emmett Till’s execution and Little Rock Nine protests for his newspaper Tri-State Defender. Musical Journalism: Continuing a Legacy through Flute will feature articles collected from Tri-State Defender as well as music and dance that contextualize stories from Tri-State Defender.

Professional Career

Adam Sadberry is an accomplished flutist who specializes in creating an authentic musical experience. With extensive orchestral playing experience and acting principal flute player duties with Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Adam strives to give listeners a captivating musical journey.

Current Faculty Member at University of Minnesota Twin Cities for Spring 2023 semester and nationally performing soloist and chamber musician; sought after for masterclasses and residencies.

Adam Wilson is dedicated to expanding Black diaspora within classical music through equity, representation, and music education. This work is especially meaningful given his late grandfather, L. Alex Wilson – a journalist who covered Emmett Till’s murder as well as Little Rock Nine protests for Tri-State Defender newspaper in Memphis – having covered those events himself during 1957.

Achievement and Honors

Adam Sadberry is revered for his graceful yet emotive playing, as well as his commitment to expanding Black diaspora within classical music by way of equity, representation, music education and commissioning work that tells its own unique narratives.

As acting Principal Flutist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Concert Artists Guild roster member, he maintains both in-person and online flute studios for students in Memphis and beyond. Additionally, he’s involved with non-profit organizations that offer resources free to underserved communities like Raise the Bar and Memphis Music Initiative.

David earned his Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Eastman School of Music and holds a Performer’s Certificate. His gratitude extends to Bonita Boyd, Anne Harrow, Jennifer Keeney and Amanda Blaikie – his former teachers and mentors who inspired his success as an artist.

Personal Life

Adam Sadberry is known for his radiant and lyrical playing and is passionately committed to expanding Black diaspora representation within classical music through equity promotion, representation initiatives, music education initiatives and creating musical journalism – in other words musical journalism.

He is inspired to honor the memory of his late grandfather L. Alex Wilson, an unsung hero of the Civil Rights Movement who worked at Memphis, Tennessee’s Tri-State Defender newspaper during Emmett Till’s lynching and Little Rock Nine school desegregation protests.

He has performed as a soloist with orchestras including Clear Lake Symphony, Conroe Symphony Orchestra, Cordancia Chamber Orchestra and Detroit Chamber Orchestra; guest performances have included Oakland University, University of Memphis, National Flute Association and New York Flute Club recitals, masterclasses, presentations or residencies; his esteemed education is in high demand across the country.

Net Worth

Adam Sadberry, an accomplished flutist and educator who was recently named one of The Washington Post’s 23 for ’23, stands out with his vibrant approach to citizenship, creativity, and vibrancy both on and off stage. He won the Concert Artists Guild’s 2021 Victor Elmaleh Competition and will soon appear with Chamber Music Detroit, Newport Classical, Scottsdale Performing Arts, Macon Concert Series and Pro Musica: San Miguel de Allende among many others. He’s an advocate for broadening Black diaspora representation in classical music through equity, representation and commissioning works that reflect African Americans’ experiences. Additionally, he runs his own flute studio as well as teaching through non-profit organizations like Raise the Bar and Memphis Music Initiative; his estimated net worth is $20,000.

Adam enjoys rollerskating, reading books and magazines, listening to podcasts, and spending time in nature when not making music.