Winds and Brass Department

Flint School of Performing Arts

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Jessica Price, Chair

(ext. 115), Flute, Winds and Brass Department Chair, Chamber Music Coordinator: Doctoral candidate (flute performance), Michigan State University. M.M., Bowling Green State University; B.M., University of Wyoming. Instructor, Spring Arbor University, MSU Community Music School and FSPA. Performs with the Jackson Symphony. Has also performed with the West Shore Symphony and Alma Symphony. Former instructor, Bowling Green State University.

Carol E. Anderson

(no ext.), Flute: Attended Houghton College (New York). Private teaching studio in Flint area since 1960. Master classes with W. Bennett, J. Baker, G. Gilbert, R. Wilson, M. Thomas, D. Peck, S. Ben Meir and E. Monroe. Former member, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Flint Philharmonia and Flint Woodwind Quintet. Current member, Show Band, Genesee Wind Symphony, Flint Music Teacher Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, National Music Teachers Association and National Flute Association. Former instructor, The University of Michigan-Flint. Instructor, Mott Community College Fine Arts Camp. Adjunct instructor, Mott Community College.

Jamal Duncan

(ext. 214),Flint Youth Wind Ensemble Conductor: B.M. (music and music education), University of Michigan. Studied with Deborah Chodacki, Richard Hawkins and Fred Ormand. FSPA Alumnus and FSPA Concerto Competition winner.

James Layfield

(ext. 276) Low Brass. A native of Texas, James received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington where he studied under Fort Worth Symphony Bass Trombonist, Dennis Bubert. Continuing his education in Texas he received his masters degree from Southern Methodist University where he studied under Dallas Symphony Principal Trombonist, John Kitzman. He is currently the Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan where he is earning a Doctorate in Musical Arts on Trombone. James has performed with the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Wind Symphony, Abline Philharmonic and the Los Colinas Symphony Orchestra. He has taught privately for the past 7 years and enjoys the connection he has with all his students, former and present.

Dietrich Koch

(ext 225), Oboe: local freelance orchestral and chamber musician, recently earned his Master of Music in chamber music at the University of Michigan. He grew up on Vashon Island, Washington and went on to attend St. Olaf College (BA Music) and the University of Minnesota (MM Performance). In addition to his growing private studio, over the last two summer he has taught alongside international virtuoso Nancy Ambrose King at the Mpulse Double Reed Institute. Recently he as participated in both concert and masterclass performances at the International Double Reed Conferences.

Meghan Merciers

(ext. 275), Clarinet Instructor, Hentgen Honors Woodwind Quintet Coach: doctoral candidate (clarinet performance), Michigan State University; M.M. (clarinet performance), University of New Mexico; B.M. (clarinet performance), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In addition to her studio at FIM, Meghan is clarinet instructor at both Albion College and Mott College, and has a large private studio in the Greater Lansing area. She is an active soloist, chamber musician, and masterclass clinician. Recent orchestral experience includes playing in the Lansing, Jackson, and Plymouth Symphony Orchestras of mid-Michigan. Former teaching posts include Cadek Conservatory of Music and Bayside School for the Performing Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Jeffrey M. Price

(ext. 235), Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble, Faculty Recital Series Coordinator, Adult Programs Coordinator: Doctoral Candidate, Michigan State University; M.M. (music performance), Bowling Green State University, B.M. (music performance), Youngstown State University; Adjunct faculty, University of Michigan-Flint. Winner, 2001 and 2002 Coleman Chamber Music Competition (California), 2002 MTNA Chamber Music Competition.

Leo Ruebke

(ext. 267), New Horizons Intermediate Band, trumpet: M.M. and B.M. (music education), Southern Illinois University. Instructor for 32 years in Illinois and Michigan public schools, 27 of those years in the Kearsley School District. He enjoys adjudicating solo and ensemble as well as band and orchestra festivals. Member, Genesee Wind Symphony.

Nancy Ruebke

(ext. 268), New Horizons Intermediate Band, French Horn: Graduate of Central Michigan University. Clinics bands and serves as director of honors bands in Michigan. Taught in Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District III for 32 years, 30 of those at Carter Middle School in Clio. Studied horn with Norm Dietz, Jack Sauders, Marvin Howe and Louis Stout. Held many MSBOA positions including district president, secretary and vice president and was secretary-treasurer and vice president of music selection at the state level. Former conductor, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Jim Lee Fine Arts Camp, adjudicator at district and state solo and ensemble and band and orchestra festivals. Member, Genesee Wind Symphony.

Matthew Thomas

(ext. 203), Trumpet: bachelor's degree, Ithaca College; master's degree, New England Conservatory of Music. Principal trumpet, Midland Symphony. Fellow of the Tanglewood Music Center. Orchestral experience includes Sarasota Opera, Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, New World Symphony, Flint Symphony Orchestra and many regional orchestras in Michigan. Orchestral experience includes performances with conductors Ozawa, Temirkanov, Norrington, Williams, Rattle, Slatkin, de Leeuw, Tilson-Thomas, and Rostropovich. Has performed with a variety of artists including Mannheim Steamroller, Dave Brubeck, Rosemary Clooney, and Captain and Tennille.Member, Great Lakes Brass. Grand Prize winner of the Coleman Chamber Music Competition (Los Angeles, CA). Former faculty member at University of Miami (Coral Gables). Teachers have included Gilbert Johnson, Timothy Morrison, and Roger Voisin.

Roger Weyersberg

(ext. 269), New Horizons Beginning Band: Graduate of Michigan State University with postgraduate work done at MSU, CMU, and Vandercook College. Currently, Low Brass instructor teaching trombone, euphonium and tuba at Saginaw Valley State University. Currently, director of the Lions of Michigan All State Band, which has represented the Lions of Michigan at every International convention since 1978. Through this organization, Roger has taken students to nearly every state in the union as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, China and Thailand. Member. Lansing Symphony Big Band, J. and J. Sounds, German Connection and Maple River Brass Quintet. He continues to be an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Music Educators National Conference, Michigan Music Educators Association and American School Band Directors Association. He is the State Chair for the Modern Music Masters Honor Society, a youth division of MENC. He is an active clinician and adjudicator, working with his peer throughout the state to help further the goals of music education in our schools as well as solo and ensemble, band and orchestra performance evaluations at the district and state level. Former Director of Music of Ovid-Elsie schools for 30 years.

Dean Zimmerman

(ext. 238), Bassoon, Outreach, Headstart: B.M., M.M. (performance), University of Michigan. Member, Flint, Saginaw and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestras. Instructor, University of Michigan-Flint.

Flint School of Performing Arts

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