Darlene Dugan, director of the West Michigan Flute Orchestra and Chamber Choir, instructs adult students in her Grand Rapids studio. Former principal flute of the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Amarillo Symphony Orchestras, she has taught flute at Interlochen, the Western Michigan University Summer Seminars and Kalamazoo Chamber Music Workshops. She has been an adjudicator for the Society of American Musicians in Chicago. Her music theory teaching experience includes Grand Rapids Community College, Amarillo College and Bethel College. She is the composer of “Patchwork Christmas”, "Reflections on Bonnie Doon", and “Flint Hills Memories”.

 

Darlene performs annually with the Colorado Flute Orchestra and has toured Ireland, France, England/Wales and Eastern Europe with the International Flute Orchestra.  She was the conductor of the GRCC and Calvin College flute choirs, conducted NFA convention flute choir master classes, and in 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2008 was the director of the showcased WMFO at NFA conventions. From 2000 – 2006 she was a director of the flute orchestra for Jeanne Baxtresser’s International Masterclasses at Juilliard and Carnegie Mellon University. In 2002 Darlene was guest conductor for the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair in Alexandria, VA and conducted a Masterclass and concert for five flute choirs at Slippery Rock University (PA).  At the 2004 NFA convention she conducted the National High School Flute Choir. In 2006 she was the guest conductor/clinician for the Raleigh, NC, Flute Choir Day and in 2009 she guest conducted the flute choir at Oakland University.  For the 37th National Flute Association convention in New York City, she was selected to conduct the Times Square Flute Orchestra of 200+ that served as the "kickoff" for the four day event.  She has studied with Albert Tipton and John Wummer. Other major influences have been Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser and Geoffrey Gilbert.

 

 

 

Danielle Breisach

High School Choir

 

Danielle Breisach is a Madison, WI-area flutist and music teacher.  She holds a masters degree in Flute Performance and a bachelors degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University.  She is currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she is pursuing her doctoral degree in Flute Performance.  In 2009, she was the winner of the 50^th Annual Concerto Competition at WMU, and performed Lowell Liebermann’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra with the University Symphony Orchestra.  Danielle’s primary teachers have included Stephanie Jutt, Christine Smith, Tess Miller, and Barbara Chao.  She has also performed in masterclasses given by Rhonda Larson, Barbara Chao, Jeff Zook, Christopher Kantner, Renée Siebert, and Nancy Rinaldi.  Danielle has taught Flute Methods and coached the WMU Flute Choir at Western Michigan University.  She has played with the Kalamazoo Philharmonia and Kalamazoo Bach Festival.  In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeff, playing with her two Australian Shepherds, Finn and Jasper, kayaking, traveling, reading, and spending time in Bay View, Michigan.  

 

 Christy Kliewer

Middle School Choir

 

Christy Kliewer is founder and has been conductor of the West Michigan Flute Association’s Middle School Flute Choir since 1996.  She taught band in the Grand Rapids area for several years, has served as adjunct professor at Cornerstone University, and is currently an adjudicator for Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

 

 Mrs. Kliewer teaches private flute lessons at Rockford High School and has her own studio at home.  She performs with Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre and the WMFA Adult Flute Choir.  Christy was performer/participant in Master classes with Christine Smith, Nancy Andrew, Nan Raphael and Jeanne Baxtresser.  She received her degrees in music from GRSBM and Cornerstone University.  Her teachers include Darlene Dugan and Jeff Zook.