Festival 2003 Artists Biographies

Artist Biographies

Robert Dick, flutist, composer, improviser, author, teacher and inventor is a creative virtuoso in the tradition of Paganini and Jim Hendrix. He has played his music worldwide and his books, compositions, improvisations and recordings have a major impact on the conception of the flute and its music in our time. He is currently collaborating with Brannen Brother flutemakers on the development of his latest invention, the "Robert Dick Glissando Headjoint".

Patricia George is principal flute in the Idaho State Civic Symphony and performs with the Nova Trio. As a soloist and orchestral performer, she has performed in the Middle East, Europe, Russia and major American cities. Patricia received her Bachelor of Music, Master of Music and Performer's Certificate in Flute from the Eastman School of Music. Her principal teachers include Joseph Mariano, William Kincaid, and Julius Baker. Patricia currently teaches at Brigham Young University in Idaho and at the American Band College and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.

Wendy Rolfe is Professor of Flute at the Berklee College of Music. Wendy is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Robert Willoughby, and earned her M.M. and D.M.A. at the Manhattan School of Music with Harvey Sollberger. She has also studied with Louis Schaefer and Marcel Moyse. She performs, records, and tours nationally and internationally, playing modern and historical flutes with the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, Concert Royal, the American Classical Orchestra, and the Dallas Bach Society.

Alexander Viazovtsev, born in Siberia, Russia, graduated from the Tchaikovsky College of Ekaterinburg, Russia, with an Honors Diploma in performance and teaching. He also studied at the Ural State Conservatory in Ekaterinburg and at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alexander is the 2002 winner of the Myrna W. Brown Artist competition, as well as many other Russian and international contests. His teachers include Brad Garner and Julius Baker.

Leslie Collins is the Director of Bands at Tanahill Intermediate School. She received a B.M. from Tarleton State University and a M.M. from Texas Christian University. Leslie freelances as a performer, teacher and adjudicator and is the assistant flutist and piccoloist of the 531st Air Force Band, Texas Air National Guard.

Melissa Danforth is in her fifth year as Director of Bands at Highland Middle School in the Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD. In 1994 Melissa received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. She has studied flute with Jacqueline Hofto, Kathy Chastain and Claire Johnson. She has directed bands previously in Azle, TX, and currently freelances while maintaining an active private flute studio.

Melissa Arthur, founder and director of the ensemble Flutasia, has degrees in Music and German from Luther College and masters degrees in Flute Performance and Music Education from the University of Arizona. Her principal teachers include Emil Niosi, Jean-Louis Kashy, and George Morey. Currently, Ms. Arthur is an elementary music specialist at Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, maintains a private studio, and is active as a freelance performer and clinician in the DFW area,.