Haitian-American Flutist Nathalie Joachim’s “Fanm d’Ayiti” Receives Grammy Nomination

“I am speechless. My album, Fanm d’Ayiti – is a labor of love that was made possible by my incredible creative team, my family and the people of Haiti. Today, it was nominated for a Grammy in the Best World Music Album category, and I am so incredibly proud.”

Nathalie Joachim is a Grammy-nominated flutist, composer, and vocalist. The Brooklyn born Haitian-American artist is hailed for being “a fresh and invigorating cross-cultural voice”. (The Nation). She is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed urban art pop duo, Flutronix, and flutist of the contemporary chamber ensemble Eighth Blackbird. Joachim comfortably navigates everything from classical to indie-rock, all while advocating for social change and cultural awareness. Her authenticity has gained her the reputation of being “powerful and unpretentious.” (The New York Times)

Joachim is a graduate of The Juilliard School and was the first person to successfully complete the conservatory’s MAP, Pre-College, and College Division programs. Upon graduation, she was granted the first-ever Juilliard InterArts Award for independently producing and presenting exceptional interdisciplinary arts performances involving music, dance, theater and technology while pursuing her degree. She continued her graduate degree studies at The New School, where her focus was audio production and sound design.

Ms. Joachim has performed and recorded with an impressive range of today’s most exciting artists and ensembles including Bryce Dessner, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Richard Reed Parry, Miguel Zenón, and the International Contemporary Ensemble. As a composer, Joachim is regularly commissioned to write for instrumental and vocal artists, dance, and interdisciplinary theater, each highlighting her unique electroacoustic style. Upcoming works include Discourse, an evening-length performance, community engagement, and social change initiative commissioned by Carolina Performing Arts; new solo instrumental works for cellist Seth Parker Woods and violinist Yvonne Lam; and larger-scale chamber works for So Percussion, Lorelei Ensemble, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and Duo Noire.

Joachim’s current touring project, Fanm d’Ayiti, is an evening-length work for flute, voice, string quartet and electronics that celebrates some of Haiti’s most iconic yet under-recognized female artists, and explores Joachim’s personal Haitian heritage. Commissioned by and developed in-residence through St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music series, Fanm d’Ayiti was recorded with Chicago-based ensemble Spektral Quartet. The work, released in 2019 on New Amsterdam Records as Joachim’s first featured solo album, received a Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album.

Learn more about Joachim here.