Festival 2003 Artists Biographies

Artist Biographies

Paul Edmund-Davies made his Wigmore Hall début in 1978 and joined the London Symphony Orchestra as Co-Principal Flute, being appointed to Principal Flute in 1987. He has appeared as guest Principal with many London orchestras and has recorded regularly as an orchestral player and as soloist with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Apart from performing, Mr. Edmund-Davies has a music writing and recording company for television and video. He is Professor of Flute at the Guildhall School of Music and has also been involved in editing several books of music.

Dr. Christine Potter received her Doctorate in Flute Performance from Samuel Baron at the State University of New York at Stonybrook. She has taught at Oklahoma State University, the University of Wyoming, and at the University of Colorado at Denver since 1991. A nationally recognized alto and bass flute expert, she has recently recorded her first CD Flute Menagerie. Her teaching expertise has been recognized at the national level through the presentation of pedagogy workshops at three National Flute Association Conventions. She has five published books for flute, including Halloween Duets, a winner in the Newly Published Music Competition sponsored by NFA.

Laurel Ann Maurer began her musical studies in Seattle, Washington under the direction of Dorothy Bjarnason and continued her musical education in New York City, studying with Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Samuel Baron. Ms. Maurer has appeared as flute soloist throughout the United States and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Dedicated to contemporary music, she has commissioned numerous works for the flute. Laurel Ann Maurer has recorded for Albany Records, CRI, Soundspells, and 4-Tay Records. Ms. Maurer performs exclusively on Miyazawa flutes and is a Miyazawa artist.

Clint Foreman holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music (M.M.), where he studied with Linda Chesis, and the University of North Texas (B.M., B.M.E.), where he studied with Dr. Mary Karen Clardy. He has been a finalist in the Frank Bowen Young Artist Competition, and has won the Myrna Brown Artist Competition and University of North Texas Concerto Competition.

Dr. Sarah M. Gill is Assistant Professor of Flute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where she teaches applied flute, flute choir, and music theory. She holds degrees in flute performance from Millikin University, the University of North Texas, and Florida State University and has performed as a semifinalist in the Young Artist Competition at the National Flute Convention.

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. Currently, Ms. Arthur is elementary music specialist and instrumental director at Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville, maintains a private studio, and is active as a freelance performer and clinician in the DFW area.

Jennifer Hay, Assistant Band Director in the Arlington Independent School District is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. Over the last five years, she has led flute choirs that have earned Division I’s at UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest. Ms. Hayes is listed in the Who’s Who Among American Teachers and was a student of Laurel Beavers and Karl Kraber.

Lisa Book is a free-lance musician in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. She currently teaches flute in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD and maintains a home studio. She performs with the New Philharmonic of Irving, the Northeast Orchestra, The Winds of Note Woodwind Quintet, The Heritage Duo, Flutissimo! Flute Choir, and The National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir.