Performer Spotlight: - Prof. Andrea Apter (Flute)

Professor Emerita of Medicine

What is your connection to Penn Medicine?

Medical school faculty. I am an active Professor Emerita of Medicine specializing in allergy and immunology.

What made you specialize in allergy and immunology?

I trained in internal medicine then allergy-immunology (An allergist-immunologist trains first in internal medicine or pediatrics or combined med-peds). I chose allergy because I wanted a challenging field within which one could follow children and adults over a lifetime. I wanted to have long-term relationships with patients. In addition, I wanted an area with a wide range of medical problems and A&I includes the study of common diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, drug and food allergies to very complex problems including primary immunodeficiencies and eosinophilic diseases.

What drives you to do research in this field?

I have always been interested in clinical research and particularly in trying to improve the health of low-income and vulnerable groups – I have a master of science in epidemiology. My research focuses on asthma in adults from low-income inner city neighborhoods, the environmental and social factors that influence disease, patient-clinician communication including electronic communication, access to care, and the impact of health literacy on health, all with the goal of reducing health disparities. The research is funded by the NIH/NHLBI and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

What brought you to Penn and how long have you been here?

I have been at Penn for the second time for 20 years. I originally was a math teacher and did a post-baccalaureate at Penn then went to medical school here.  After that I did further training in Chicago (internal medicine and allergy-immunology) and worked in Connecticut before returning to Penn.

How long have you been playing in the PMSO and what do you play?

I am proud to say that I have been playing in the PMSO since its establishment. I play flute/piccolo. I play because music has always been a very important part of my life and especially making music with others. I do play with others: with Penn Flutes, in a Klezmer band, and chamber music groups but being able to join together to enjoy the orchestral literature is a big privilege. I thank the talented and dedicated group that makes this possible.  

 How long have you been playing the flute for?

I started playing the flute when I was 9. Our public school had a great band leader, (who was a composer and a jazz pianist) who started children at that age on band instruments (there was no orchestra). The first time I heard an orchestra rehearse was in college. I had never heard anything so beautiful and joined immediately.

How have you seen the PMSO change in your time playing in it?

It has grown remarkably in numbers, in accomplishments, and in ability to tackle more difficult and longer programs. I can’t say enough for the musicality and devotion of our leaders including conductor Dan Zhang, concertmaster Joe Park, Gina Chang, Martin Baker and those who work behind the scenes. From the start and increasingly PMSO has expanded its communication with the Philadelphia musical community and also with younger students. We have had coaching from Philadelphia Orchestra members and in turn have collaborated with Play, On Philly! I applaud our leaders for pursuing these important efforts.

Which is your favorite work that you've performed with us?

I have enjoyed all the pieces as we get to know them with rehearsal. Probably I have enjoyed Dvorak’s New World symphony and Smetana’s The Moldau the most. But we have a great concert coming with the Wagner Tannhauser Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, and the Saint-Saens Piano concerto no. 2 played by a very talented soloist, Minh Nguyen, a dental student.

Interview with Andrea Apter prior to the Fall 2019 concert. Published 12/03/2019