Festival 2003 Artists Biographies

Artist Biographies

Jan Gippo has been Piccoloist/Flutist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 1972. A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, he has taught at Webster University since 1980, has been on the faculty of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and has presented recitals and masterclasses throughout the Unites States and abroad. Founder of the NFA Piccolo committee, Jan has commissioned 15 new works for the instrument. He has served on the NFA board of directors. Jan is an author and editor-at-large of the Flute Talk Magazine.

Aralee Dorough is the principal flutist of the Houston Symphony. A frequent soloist with the orchestra, she recorded Mozart's Concert in G and performed the premier of Bright Sheng's "Flute Moon". With the Houston Symphony Chamber Players she has recorded and performed music in Europe and Japan and at Chicago's Ravinia Festival. She has studied with Keith Underwood, Robert Willoughby, Thomas Nyfenger and Nadine Asin. Aralee's father is jazz vocalist and composer Bob Dorough known for composing "Schoolhouse Rock".

Lorna McGhee studied at the Royal Academy of Music with William Bennett. Upon graduating she was awarded the Royal Academy's top prize, the "Queen's Commendation for Excellence". Lorna has performed with London's BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Scottish Symphony. As a recitalist, she was broadcast on BBC, CBC and NPR radio networks in Britain, Canada, and the United States. Lorna currently teaches at the University of British Columbia.

Yuki Otsuka began her musical education in 1996 at the Osaka College of Music where she received her bachelor's degree. After studying at the Indiana University School of Music, she received her Performer Diploma in 2001. She is currently working toward an Artist Diploma at Indiana University. Ms. Otsuka has performed in solo recitals throughout Japan. Her awards include the 2000 Julius Baker Masterclass Yamaha Prize and first place at the 2001 Japanese Flute Convention Ensemble Competition in Kobe, Japan.

Catherine L. Besyner holds a BME degree from Indiana University and a MA degree from Ball State University. For the past 30 years Catherine has taught private flute as well as directing bands. She held the principal flute position in the Waukegan Symphony and the Waukegan Woodwind Quintet in Illinois for 12 years before relocating to Texas. Catherine is currently the Head Director of Bands at Hutcheson Jr. High in Arlington and has taught there for 5 years.

Leticia Alessandra Ledesma, director of bands in Crowley ISD, is an active flute instructor, adjudicator and clinician throughout Texas. She was nominated for Disney's American Teacher Award, as well as Who's Who Among American Teachers in 2002. Her bands hold numerous sweepstakes and superior ratings. She has been a clinician for the Texas Tech University Flute Festival and Flute! at UNT. Leticia graduated from Texas Tech University in 1989 and has studied under Michael Stoune, Margaret Redcay, and Anna Whitlock Henry. She currently studies under Mary Karen Clardy. Leticia is a Yamaha Artist/Clinician.

Judy Pierce is an active flute instructor, adjudicator, flute choir director and clinician in Arlington, TX and surrounding areas. She holds a performance degree from TCU and has worked on a Master's degree at UNT. Judy has studied flute with Jim Mahoney, Dean Corey, Ralph Guenther, Merrill Jordan, George Morey and currently with Claire Johnson. Judy is a co-founder of the Texas Flute Festival and the founder of the UTA Solo & Ensemble festival in addition to having taught at UTA Arlington. She is also an instructor for Floot Fire West, AIDS and maintains an active private studio.

Sandra McCormick graduated cum laude with a BFA in Music Education with a minor in flute performance from Stephen F. Austin Statu University. She was the primary flute instructior at the SFA Summer JH Band Camps for 11 years. Sandra has taught over 24 years in the Texas public schools and has been named to Who's Who in Education twice. She is a member of Tau Beta Sigma, Mu Phi Epsilon, TBA, and TMEA. She is currently the head director of bands at Brewer High School in the White Settlement ISD.