Darlene Dugan Adult Flute Orchestra and Chamber Choir

Darlene Dugan, director of the West Michigan Flute Orchestra and Chamber Choir, is a flute instructor for Cornerstone University and has a Grand Rapids studio.  Former principal flute of the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Amarillo Symphony Orchestras, she has taught flute at Interlochen, the Western Michigan University Summer Seminars and Kalamazoo Chamber Music Workshops.  Her music theory teaching experience includes Grand Rapids Community College, Amarillo College and Bethel College.  She has been a preliminary judge for the NFA’s Newly Published Music Competitions and is the composer of “Patchwork Christmas” and "Reflections on Bonnie Doon" for flute choir. 

She was the conductor of the GRCC and Calvin College flute choirs, conducted NFA convention flute choir master classes and in 1997, 2000 and 2004 was the director of the showcased WMFO at NFA conventions.   Darlene has performed with the American Director’s Orchestra, the Colorado Flute Orchestra and has toured Ireland, France, England/Wales and Eastern Europe with the American Flute Orchestra.     In 2002 Darlene was guest conductor for the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair in Alexandria, VA and conducted a Masterclass and concert for five flute choirs at Slippery Rock University (PA).  In 2000 and 2001 she directed the flute orchestra for Jeanne Baxtresser’s Masterclass at Juilliard and in 2003 and 2005 at Carnegie Mellon University.  For the 2004 NFA convention she was the conductor of the National High School Flute Choir.  She has studied with Albert Tipton and John Wummer. Other major influences have been Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser and Geoffrey Gilbert.

Beth Koster

High School Choir

Beth Koster is the director of the West Michigan Flute Association High School Flute Ensemble.  She is a band director at Plymouth Christian School.  Beth, also, is the principle flutist of The Kent Philharmonia Orchestra.  She performs in several chamber groups and teaches privately in her home.  Beth’s teachers include Darlene Dugan and Israel Borouchoff. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in flute performance from Calvin College, and her Master’s Degree from Michigan State University.

Christy Kliewer

Middle School Choir

Christy Kliewer is founder and has been conductor of the West Michigan Flute Association’s Middle School Flute Choir since 1996.  She taught band in the Grand Rapids area for several years, has served as adjunct professor at Cornerstone University, and is currently an adjudicator for Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

Mrs. Kliewer teaches private flute lessons at Rockford High School and has her own studio at home.  She performs with Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre and the WMFA Adult Flute Choir.  Christy was performer/participant in Master classes with Christine Smith, Nancy Andrew, Nan Raphael and Jeanne Baxtresser.  She received her degrees in music from GRSBM and Cornerstone University.  Her teachers include Darlene Dugan and Jeff Zook.

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