Flute
Musician First Class Courtney Morton is from San Jose, California and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 2000. She began her collegiate music studies at San Francisco State University where she spent two years studying with Linda Lukas. She completed a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance in 2004 at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying with Dr. Brad Garner and piccoloist Jack Wellbaum. In 2006, she completed a Master of Music degree in flute performance and literature from Northwestern University. She has also studied with Walfrid Kujala and Richard Graef.
After graduating from Northwestern, MU1 Morton played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago from 2006-2008. She also worked with Civic’s education and advocacy program, MusiCorps, which focused on bringing music education and performances to Chicago’s under-privileged areas. MU1 Morton has performed with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Iowa, Battle Creek Symphony in Michigan, New World Symphony in Miami, Florida, and as principal flute with the Millennium Chamber Players in Chicago, Illinois. She has an extensive background in education, having served on the faculty of North Park University in Chicago, and having taught private lessons at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, IL. In addition, MU1 Morton served as the woodwind quintet coach for the Chicago Youth Symphony’s Music Ambassador Program. In 2012, she won second place in the National Flute Association's Piccolo Artist Competition in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In June 2009, MU1 Morton auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following recruit training at RTC Great Lakes, she reported for duty in August 2010 as flutist with the wind ensemble, marching band, woodwind quintet, and ceremonial units.
Petty Officer Morton has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.