Named to The Washington Post’s “23 for ’23,” flutist Adam W. Sadberry uses his bright sense of being, justice, and interconnectivity to cultivate impact. By honoring his ancestry and respecting the dignity of all life, Adam’s artistry builds bridges between people and communities.
A multifaceted artist—flutist, singer, educator, activist, improviser, music director, writer, and podcaster—Adam is best known for his work as a flutist and activist. Winner of Concert Artists Guild’s 2021 Victor Elmaleh Competition and Ambassador Prize, he has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician across North America, appearing with Newport Classical, Chamber Music Detroit, Spivey Hall, Chautauqua Institution, Eastman School of Music, Barnes Foundation, Merkin Hall, Harlem Stage, Phillips Collection, University of Chicago, Hollywood Bowl, and many others. Additionally, he has performed concerti with the DuPage and Marquette Symphonies amongst other ensembles.
A dedicated educator, Adam serves as a teaching artist for DACAMERA, coaches the Houston Youth Symphony, and directs a youth ensemble for Nichiren Buddhists. Adam was Music for Autism’s 2024 Spotlight Artist and has performed for the organization four times since 2021, known for his heightened sense of accessibility, warm communication, sincere programming, and grounding presence. He has taught flute at the University of Minnesota, held residencies at the Eastman School of Music, Lawrence University, Northern Michigan University, South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Wesleyan College (GA), and the DuPage Symphony, and given lectures such as Striving to Be an Artist’s Artist, Using Your Identity to Create a Relevant Voice in Music, and Musical Journalism: Continuing a Legacy through the Flute. Adam also teaches private lessons to flutists aged 10 and older, supporting them in both their musical and life journeys.
Adam draws deep inspiration from his late grandfather, Civil Rights journalist L. Alex Wilson, who courageously covered the lynching of Emmett Till, the Little Rock Nine, and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. With support from New Music USA and a consortium of twenty-one flutists, Adam and composer Tyler Taylor have created a flute concerto honoring L. Alex Wilson, Waves of Voice, which will premiere in its flute-and-piano form on November 3, 2025, at the Kosciuszko Foundation in New York City. Additionally, Concert Artists Guild and the BMI Foundation co-commissioned composer Dameun Strange to write _NOT RUNNING. (The Life of L. Alex Wilson) for flute and electronics, which Adam premiered at Merkin Hall in 2023. He has also shared his grandfather’s story through two documentaries produced by the Lowell Milken Foundation and the Fallen Journalists Memorial.
In 2025, Adam will launch his first podcast, Sound Encouragement, which aims to cultivate a culture of courage in the arts by spotlighting trailblazing voices. Each episode concludes with Adam performing a live improvisation inspired by the guest and the conversation.
Adam began his professional music career as an orchestral musician, holding positions with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. He has also appeared as guest principal flute with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Albany Symphony, and the Sphinx Symphony, among others. Beyond classical settings, he has performed with the Re-Collective Orchestra and Color of Noize Orchestra, collaborating with artists including Beyoncé, Childish Gambino, Earth, Wind & Fire, Solange, T-Pain, Chaka Khan, WILLOW, Nas, Anderson .Paak, Questlove, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, Tina Campbell, Jordin Sparks, and D Smoke. His playing can be heard on the 2019 The Lion King soundtrack.
Having shifted away from full-time orchestral work, Adam now speaks openly about transforming classical music culture. He has presented at the League of American Orchestras Conference in 2023 and 2024 as a panelist, speaker, and musician cohort member, engaging directly with orchestra CEOs on addressing institutional trauma.
Adam is a former Judith Leibowitz Scholar in the Alexander Technique and earned his Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music. He is deeply grateful to his teachers—Bonita Boyd, Anne Harrow, Jennifer Keeney, Christina Jennings, Keith Underwood, Jeff Zook, Amanda Blaikie, Sharon Sparrow, Vicky Williamson, Sandre Benke, and Bob Price—and to his coaches Elizabeth Rowe, Dawson White, and Darryl Poole.
Represented by Concert Artists Guild and a DACAMERA Young Artist, Adam resides in Montgomery, TX, where he grew up. Outside of music, he can be found rollerskating, reading, listening to podcasts, watching anime, eating joyfully, and practicing the art of not doomscrolling.
