Jennifer Kennard moderates a discussion of flute, teaching, and life during COVID-19. Panelists will be available to respond to your questions and comments in real-time. Make plans to watch live at https://www.facebook.com/umfaflutes/
Join Jen and Sonja Giles, Bethany Gonella, and Tiana Grisé to discuss topics relating to traditional practice and the new COVID normal, including motivating ourselves and our students; teaching and learning interpretation; and our favorite exercises for problem solving. We'll share what repertoire is getting us through the shelter-in-place and what we're looking forward to performing with friends. Student or teacher, join us Thursday evening!
Sonja Giles has appeared as a recitalist, chamber musician, and educator at a variety of venues both domestically and abroad. She is a member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra and the flutist for all National Touring Musicals at the Des Moines Civic Center. Sonja is the flute professor at Iowa State University, where she received the University Award for Early Excellence in Teaching, as well as the Cassling Early Excellence in Teaching Award. Her book, The Melody Book, is a supplemental guide to Marcel Moyse’s Tone Development Through Interpretation. Sonja is exclusively a Miyazawa Artist.
A native Montanan, Dr. Tiana Grisé has spent much of her life working, playing, and teaching in different areas of the United States. After four years as the flute instructor at Idaho State University, she and her husband accepted graduate assistantships in the doctoral program at James Madison University, where she completed her D.M.A. in flute performance, pedagogy, and literature with Beth Chandler. In addition, she holds a Master of Music degree from Oklahoma State University, where she studied with Jonathan Keeble, and a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Montana, where she studied with Margaret Schuberg. Dr. Grisé has received numerous awards and accolades for her playing and teaching, and is a two-time recipient of the Idaho State University Honors College Influential Educator Award. More recently, she received a generous grant from The Arts Partnership and Jade Presents in 2018 for her recital project “Awash in Sound,” a sensory exploration of the flute and performance space. Since moving to Moorhead in 2012, Tiana has been very active as a teacher and performer. In 2013, she was asked to join the faculty at Minnesota State University Moorhead as instructor of flute. In 2016, she became the Executive Director of the Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphonies; a vocation that suits her well as an artist and educator. Dr. Grise continues to perform regularly as a soloist, and as a member of numerous wonderful chamber ensembles in the Fargo Moorhead Area. Her summers are spent teaching at the International Music Camp, performing as an active member of Chamber Music Montana, and traveling with her family.
Bethany Gonella performs frequently as an extra/substitute musician with Minnesota Opera Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra and plays regularly in South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, and Winona Symphony Orchestra, and Chione Quintet, an active Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet. She is a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota and holds degrees in flute performance from Northwestern University and the University of Southern California. Bethany maintains an active teaching studio (privately and at University of St. Thomas) and loves working with students of all ages and levels. Her teaching style is strongly influenced by the Suzuki philosophy; she creates a positive, encouraging atmosphere for students to develop as musicians and accomplished learners. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, biking, and gardening. More: www.BethanyGonella.com
An avid educator and performer, Dr. Jennifer Kennard has performed with orchestras throughout the Northeast and Midwest and has performed as a solo and chamber musician throughout the United States and Australia. Dr. Kennard received her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from Michigan State University and her Bachelor of Music degree (education and performance) from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam. Her teachers include Richard Sherman, Ervin Monroe, Randy Bowman, and Kenneth Andrews.
