Festival 2003 Artists Biographies

Artist Biographies

Liz Goodwin started playing the flute at the age of 10 but always knew she wanted to teach, and so qualified as a classroom teacher. After the birth of her two sons, now aged 20 and 22, she realized she missed having music in her life so decided to study flute again. This led her to establishing, Flutewise, the international organization for young flute players, in 1988. (website: http://www.flutewise.com) As well as editing the magazine, she runs a wide variety of flute events in England. She is the author of the acclaimed "Fife Book" a method of starting beginners on the flute using a Yamaha fife.

Jean Weger Larson has been principle flute with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 1971. Jean began her musical education with her parents, Floyd and Irene Weger, longtime music educators in Paris, Texas. Jean studied at the University of Texas in Austin, where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music performance, under John Hicks. She has also studied with James Pappoutsakis of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and world-renowned flutist Jean Pierre Rampal. Her career with the DSO has included several tours of Europe, Asia, South America, and several performances at Carnegie Hall.

Nancy Cobun Clew is flute instructor at Brevard Community College, director of the 40 member adult Space Coast Flute Orchestra and maintains a large private studio. A National Flute Association delegate to China in 1987 and East Germany in 1994, she continued the tradition of touring flutists by founding the American Flute Orchestra which toured Ireland 1996, France 1997, Germany/Austria 1998, Italy 1999, England 2000, Spain 2001, Eastern Europe 2004, and China in 2005. She is founding advisor of the Florida Flute Association, adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association, and has been a guest clinician in Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, New Jersey, Florida, Singapore, Bangkok and Chiangmai, Thailand.

Leah Arsenault is a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. In 2005, Leah won first prize in the Myrna Brown Competition, second prize in the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition, and third place in the Fort Collins Young Artist Competition. In 2004, she made her solo debut with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Leah's teachers include Bradley Garner, Tadeu Coelho, and Philip Dunigan.

Christina Jennings received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at The Juilliard School, where she earned the Nina Caruso Prize for Outstanding Achievement. In 1996, she was awarded a Frank Huntington Beebe Grant to pursue studies in London and Paris. Winner at the 50th Anniversary 2001 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, Ms. Jennings is the first flutist in fifteen years to receive the coveted award. In addition, she earned First Prize at the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition, the William C. Byrd Competition, and the competitions sponsored by the NFA and the New York Flute Club. Her teachers include Jeanne Baxtresser, Carol Wincenc, George Pope, and Leone Buyse. Ms. Jennings’ faculty positions have included Bowling Green State University (OH), University of Oklahoma, the Bloomingdale House of Music, and Bowdoin Summer Festival.

Terri Sundberg is currently Associate Professor of Flute and a member of the North Texas Chamber Winds at the University of North Texas. She has held the position of Principal Flute with the Orchestra Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City, the Haydenfestspie Orchestra in Austria, and the New Hampshire Music Festival. She has also played with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Dallas Opera, and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. She has been on the faculty of several international music festivals, and has presented masterclasses and performed solo and chamber recitals across the United States and abroad. Her students have won professional positions, summer festival positions, fellowships, and prizes in competitions throughout the United States. Professor Sundberg's degrees are from Yale University and Lawrence Conservatory, and her principal teachers have included Jeanne Baxtresser, Thomas Nyfenger, and Ernestine Whitman.

Tamara Hudgin is an active band director, clarinet instructor, performer, adjudicator, and clinician in DFW metroplex and surrounding areas. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas. She has previously held studios in the Birdville and Waxahachie school districts and is currently the Assistant Band Director for Shackelford Junior High in Arlington, Texas.