Davin Pierson Torre
Director
Flint School of Performing Arts

Davin Pierson Torre was appointed director of the Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA) in 1995 by the Flint Institute of Music Board of Trustees. Prior to that time, she served as String Department Chair.

In addition to her duties as director, Pierson Torre is conductor of the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra, which has performed in London, Paris, Ota (Japan) and at Carnegie Hall. She has served as guest conductor for the Southeastern Michigan Chamber Orchestra, the Ohio State High School Honors Orchestra and the Delaware All-State Honors Orchestra.

Pierson Torre is trustee of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts Regional Chapter.

Her educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees with distinction in viola performance and music education from the University of Michigan.

AJUNTS, Galina (ext. 246) Violin/Viola; D.M.A. and M.M., Michigan State University; B.M., Togliatti Music College (Russia). She has studied in Azerbbaijan, Armenia, Russia and the U.S.

ANDERSEN, Carol E. (no ext.), Flute: Attended Houghton College (New York). Private teaching studio in Flint area since 1960. Master classes with W. Bennett, J. Baker, G. Gilbert, R. Wilson, M. Thomas, D. Peck, S. Ben Meir and E. Monroe. Former member, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Flint Philharmonia and Flint Woodwind Quintet. Current member, Show Band, Genesee Wind Symphony, Flint Music Teacher Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, National Music Teachers Association and National Flute Association. Former instructor, The University of Michigan-Flint. Instructor, Mott Community College Fine Arts Camp. Adjunct instructor, Mott Community College.

BRODEN WILLIAMS, Pia (ext. 258), Voice; B.A. (vocal performance and philosophy), University of Michigan. Taught general music to all grade levels, K-12, in Flint and Mt. Morris. Served as musician and choir director for various churches. She is a seasoned vocalist and has acquired extensive recording and performance experience with several organizations, including various jazz groups and currently with the Michigan Opera Theatre (chorus member) and Flint Jubilee Chorale. She has appeared at the Detroit Jazz Festival and other venues across the Midwest. A rare voice that can execute proficiently classical, jazz, gospel and pop styles.

BYRD, Alesia (ext. 128), Violin, Viola, FSPA String, Harp and Guitar Department Chair, Music on the Move Coordinator, Flint Youth Philharmonia Conductor, Troubadours Violist: B.M. (string education specialist), Michigan State University. Studied with C. Tait, W. Vehrder, Mark O'Connor and Julliard String Quartet. Member of the American String Teachers Association. Principal second violin, Flint Symphony Orchestra and Saginaw Symphony. Violiist, Classic Impressions Strings Quartet.

BYRON, Talia (ext. 259), Dance; student (physical therapy), University of Michigan-Flint. Winner of scholarships to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Joffrey Midwest Workshop, Dance Theatre of Harlem. Former member, Flint Youth Ballet, cast member of FIM's Nutcracker.

CASE, Wendy (ext. 265), Violin/Viola; Violin Performance major, University of Michigan. Member, University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra. Former member, Flint Youth Symphony, Marcia W. Dort Honors String Quartet. Two-time Marcia W. Dort Memorial Scholarship winner. Bob Jones University Commencement Competition finalist.

CAVALLINI, Francesco (ext. 216), Guitar: M.M. (classical guitar performance), Eastern Michigan University. Winner of the 1994-95 Graduate Music Competition at EMU. Attended American Mandolin and Guitar Summer School as a recipient of the Hibbard A. Perry scholarship. Completed third term as instructor of Italian for Ann Arbor Community Education.

CHAPMAN, Isoa (ext. 208), Violin; B.M., University of Canterbury, New Zealand; M.M., University of Limerick, Ireland; doctoral candidate, Michigan State University. Private teacher in U.S. and New Zealand. He has performed with New Zealand Symphony, Auchland Philharmonia and is a current member of the Flint and Lansing Symphony Orchestras.

CHUCHRAN, Lisa (ext. 211), Early Childhood Music: B.M.E., Michigan State University. Member, Music Educator’s National Conference, Sigma Alpha Iota, Gordon Institute for Music Learning Theory. Former member, MSU symphony band, concert band, State Singers, Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass. Former instructor, Michigan State University’s Community Music School, Warren Consolidated Schools, East Lansing Public Schools and New Horizons Band. Former marching band instructor, Michigan All Star Band, Dewitt H.S., South Lake H.S., Warren Mott H.S., Yale H.S.

CHUCHRAN, Lisa (ext. 211), Early Childhood Music: B.M.E., Michigan State University. Member, Music Educator’s National Conference, Sigma Alpha Iota, Gordon Institute for Music Learning Theory. Former member, MSU symphony band, concert band, State Singers, Spartan Marching Band, Spartan Brass. Former instructor, Michigan State University’s Community Music School, Warren Consolidated Schools, East Lansing Public Schools and New Horizons Band. Former marching band instructor, Michigan All Star Band, Dewitt H.S., South Lake H.S., Warren Mott H.S., Yale H.S.

COLLINS, Nkela (ext. 213), Creative Arts Preschool Teacher: M.E. student (early childhood education), Oakland University (Dec. 2008); BA (psychology), University of Michigan; AAS (early childhood education), Mott College. Former literacy and numeracy coach, Mott College; childcare worker. Received Child Development Associate Credential, Council for Professional Recognition.

DOBBS, Quincy Oad (ext. 231), Piano: B.M. (keyboard performance), Valdosta State College, GA; M.M. (keyboard performance), University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music; D.M.A. (solo performance), Arizona State University. Doctoral dissertation, "Holy Minimalism: The Solo Organ Works of Arvo Part." Minister of Music and Fine Arts, Woodside Church, Flint.

DUNCAN, Jamal (ext. 214), Clarinet, Flint Youth Wind Ensemble Conductor: B.M. (music and music education), University of Michigan. Studied with Deborah Chodacki, Richard Hawkins and Fred Ormand. FSPA Alumnus and FSPA Concerto Competition winner.

FLODEN, Andrea Zlatec (no ext.), Piano: B.M.(performance, education), Eastern Michigan University. Performing member and past president, St. Cecilia Society. Faculty member, Mott Community College. Member, Touring Arts Association and Michigan Council of the Arts.

FREEMAN, Tara (ext. 223), Hip Hop Dance: MBA, University of Phoenix; BA (English), University of Michigan; current Sr. Assist. Director of Admissions, Kettering University; former enrollment counselor, University of Phoenix, Metro Detroit Campus; dance education at University of Michigan; Dance Theatre Studio, Ann Arbor; Debbie’s Dance Studio, Stone Mountain, GA. Former dance instructor, Pittsfield Township Parks and Recreation; Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.

HAIRSTON, Angela (ext. 245), Creative Arts Preschool, MSRP Teacher, Kinder Camp Coordinator: B.S. (early childhood education) with honors, Rochester College (Dec. 2007); A.A.S. (early childhood education) with honors. CDA credential (Child Development Associate). Seven years experience as owner/operator of Kingdom Cares Day Care as well as preschool director and teacher at Kingdom Academy.

HARMON, R.J. (ext. 222), Guitar: B.A. (language arts), University of Michigan-Flint with credits in guitar performance, music history, music education and choir. Independent study of classical guitar, jazz guitar and music theory with John Hall at Oakland University. Taught at Orchard Lake School of Music in West Bloomfield and Clarkston Conservatory.

HARRIS, Julie (ext. 249), Cello; M.M., Michigan State University; B.M. (music education), University of Michigan-Flint; post-graduate work, Mary Grove College and University of Michigan. Member, Flint Symphony Orchestra, Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. Band and orchestra instructor, Flint Community Schools.

HOEFFEL, Robin (ext. 262), Creative Arts Preschool, MSRP Teacher: B.S. (early childhood studies), Alpha Sigma Lamda National Honor Society, Rochester College (Dec. 2007); A.A.S. (early childhood education) with honors, Mott College; A.A. (child development); CDA credential (Child Development Associate), awarded Great Lakes Professional Development Initiative certificate, University of Michigan. Taught dance and Irish step and gymnastics coach, G.O.B. Gymnastics.

HOFFMEYER, Torrie (ext. 224), Dance: Dance BDA (dance), BA (psychology), University of Michigan. Former member, Flint Youth Ballet. Choreographed several ballets FYB, two of which were selected to be performed on the Emerging Choreographers Showcase at MidStates Regional Dance America Festival.

HOLCOMB, Glen L. (ext. 134) Voice, Early Childhood Music, FSPA Saturday School Coordinator: M.M. (vocal performance) and M.A. (american culture studies), Bowling Green State University; B.M. (vocal performance and general history), Marygrove College. He is the recipient of numerous awards in vocal competition throughout his academic career. Performed with Michigan Opera Theatre, Detroit Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Brazeal Dennard Chorale, Hostia and the Flint Jubilee Singers. He regularly performs a variety of recitals in Metro Detroit and Flint. Member, National Association of Teachers of Singing. Performing member, St. Cecilia Society.

HUGO, Chilali (ext. 201) Harp: M.M. and B.M., University of Michigan. Recently awarded the Diploma of the Royal Academy of Music (Dip RAM). Certified Music Practitioner (CMP), providing therapeutic bedside music for the ill. Moves freely between classical and popular music, constantly seeking out new and invigorating performance experiences. She enjoys a productive freelancing career as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician in the Ann Arbor-Detroit area as well as a large studio of private students.

HULL, Julia (ext.242), Piano: Degree (piano), State Musical College (Samara, Russia); musicologist degree (history and theory of music), State Conservatory (Novasi-firsk, Russia); B.D. (music education). Piano instructor and accompanist, Rochester Conservatory of Music. Directory of Music and Choir Directory, Presbyterian Church (Holly). Served as a music critic.

JELÍNKOVÁ, Bohuslava, (ext. 234) Dance: Royal Conservatory of Dance in Prague (vaganova method of ballet),
advanced degree in dance pedagogy from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. 1993 grant recipient from The Netherlands to study at the Royal Conservatory of Dance in The Hague and the Academy of Modern Dance in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Danced for 10 years with the National Theatre Opera Ballet in Prague, Czech Republic, as a soloist and ensemble member. Instructor, Brighton Ballet School, Dance Gallery (Ann Arbor) and in her native Czech Republic in the summers. Remains an active dancer, choreographer and teacher.

JENNINGS, Karen Mills (ext. 137), Dance, Dance Division Chair, Outreach Programs Coordinator, Artistic Director for the Flint Youth Ballet and Nutcracker: B.F.A. (dance, theatre), Marygrove College. Studied extensively with Gayla Zukevich and in New York with David Howard. Studied the Russian Method with Jürgen Sneider. Danced professionally with Ballet Michigan.

JONES, Deborah (no ext.), Super Saturdays Counselor: MSW (social work), Wayne State University; BS (social work), Marygrove College; AA Wayne Community College. Former health program coordinator, clinical supervisor and clinical therapist, Wayne County Community Mental Health, also supervised homeless and apartment programs, crisis intervention and adult foster care placement. Genesee Intermediate School District Safe Schools Healthy Students school facilitator and student mental health assessment screener.

KALMSKY, Vladmir (no ext.), Dance Division Piano Accompanist.

KAYE, G. Donald (ext. 228), Classical Organ: M.S., Juilliard School of Music; B.A., Wilkes College. Music Director, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Flint. Adjunct instructor, University of Michigan-Flint. Former Music Director, Trinity United Presbyterian Church (NJ), Green Ridge Presbyterian Church (PA), Scranton Singer's Guild (PA), West End Methodist Church (TN). Member, Diocese of Michigan Liturgy and Music Committee.

LECHOTA, Susan (ext. 119), Early Childhood Division Chair, Creative Arts Preschool Director, MSRP Director: M.A. (education); B.M. (music therapy). Former Early Childhood Education Faculty, Mott Community College. Former teacher, Kearsley Schools. Experience as a literacy and numeracy coach. Private piano instructor and accompanist for more than 20 years.

LESHCHINSKAYA, Ida (ext. 247), Piano: Degrees in piano and harp, The State Academy of Music, Moscow, State Conservatory, Kishinev, and Professional Music School, Kishinev, Moldova. Piano instructor, staff accompanist, University of Michigan-Flint. Honored Musician of Russia. Board member, Flint Music Teachers Association. Soloist, St. Cecilia Society. Author of textbooks, The Kid at the Piano, Moscow 1986, 1989, 1992, 1994 and Daily Exercises for Young Pianists, Moscow 1994.

LYONS, Melvin (no ext), Super Saturdays Assistant: Experience with community programs as Group Leader, 21st Century Community Learning Center, Washington Elementary School; Actor/Educator, Sloan Museum Education Department. Wrote, produced, directed and acted in numerous plays.

MERCIERS, Meghan (ext. 275), Clarinet: D.M.A. candidate (clarinet performance), Michigan State University; M.M. (clarinet performance), University of New Mexico; B.M. (clarinet performance), University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Member of the International Clarinet Association. Former instructor in schools in Tennessee, New Mexico and Georgia. Former instructor at Cadek Conservatory of Music, affiliated with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

MIDDLETON, Graham (ext. 209), Low Brass instructor: MA (performance), University of Michigan; BA (performance), Northwestern University. Participant: Aspen Music Festival, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, The Peabody Institute. Performed with Columbus Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony and Symphony Pro Musica. Former instructor: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH; Contemporary Arts Studio, Hilliard, OH; Ohio State University Summer Band Clinic, Columbus, OH. Former director of handslide production and craftsman, S.E. Shires Co. (producer of custom trombones and musical instruments).

MIHAILOFF, Yvonne (no ext.), Dance: Trained with Southwest Ballet School. Former company member, Impact Productions and corp de ballet, Southwest Ballet Company.

NEWMAN, Larry (ext. 244), Dance, Guitar: Studied with the Pittsburg Ballet Theater, School of American Ballet and Harkness School in New York. Taught guitar for 30 years. Performs in studio sessions, clubs, concerts and multi-media theater along East Coast and Bahamas. Transcribes, arranges and composes.

NEWMAN, Terrence (ext. 236), Electric Bass: Former student, Juilliard School of Music. Experienced musician, professional engagements include concerts, clubs and festivals, including Detroit/Montreux, New York and Greenwich Village Jazz Festivals. Member, Shiawassee Chamber Orchestra. Musical production director.

OBERMAN, Delaina (ext. 233), Percussion, Percussion Department Chair: B.M., University of Michigan-Flint. Adjunct instructor, Mott Community College. Instructor, Mott Community College Fine Arts Camp. Freelance percussionist. Member, Flint Music Teachers Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, National Music Teachers Association and Percussive Arts Society. Vice president and performing member of the St. Cecilia Society. Co-counselor for Student Musicale. Chairman, National Federation of Music Clubs Percussion Scholarship.

PEPPERS, Megan (ext. 221), Voice, Early Childhood Music B.M. (music education), Magna Cum Laude, Ithaca College. Member, Music Educator's National Conference, Orff-Schulwerk Association, American Choral Director's Association. Former member, Eastman-Rochester Chorus, Ithaca College Women's Chorale, Ithaca College Chorus. Choral performances, Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall), tour of Ireland's historical venues. Piano, voice, and conducting studies with Charis Dimaras, Angus Godwin, and Janet Galván. Music Teacher, Flint Community Schools.

PHILIPPI, Elizabeth (ext. 219), Dance, Ballet Mistress for Flint Youth Ballet and Nutcracker: Studied at Wright State University, Flint School of Performing Arts, Ruth Page Foundation. Previous member, Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet.

PITTMAN, Sylvia (ext. 254), Voice, Early Childhood Music, Voice Department Chair, Flint Festival Youth Chorus Director: B.M. (education), Northern Michigan University; M.M. (performance), University of Michigan. More than 18 years experience teaching private voice, public school and directing choirs. Performs vocal styles from jazz to opera. Works as a vocal coach for recording artists and is greatly sought as a studio musician.

PRICE, Jeffrey M. (ext. 235), Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble:Faculty Recital Series Coordinator, Adult Programs Coordinator: Doctoral Candidate, Michigan State University; M.M. (music performance), Bowling Green State University, B.M. (music performance), Youngstown State University; Adjunct faculty, University of Michigan-Flint. Winner, 2001 and 2002 Coleman Chamber Music Competition (California), 2002 MTNA Chamber Music Competition.

PRICE, Jessica (ext. 115), Flute, Winds and Brass Department Chair, Chamber Music Coordinator: Doctoratal candidate (flute performance), Michigan State University. M.M., Bowling Green State University; B.M., University of Wyoming. Instructor, Spring Arbor University, MSU Community Music School and FSPA. Performs with the Jackson Symphony. Has also performed with the West Shore Symphony and Alma Symphony. Former instructor, Bowling Green State University.

REYNOLDS, Steve (ext. 210), Ballroom Dance: Started teaching ballroom dance in 1979 and taught at Fred Astaire Dance Studios and Arthur Murray Studios. Competes across the US and Canada. Receives monthly training from the top world coaches to improve his dance skills and teaching techniques. Owner of Studio 110 in Clio. His competitive students rank among the best dancers in the country. Also teaches an accredited Latin Dance Program at Central Michigan University as well as many local community education dance programs.

ROBINSON, Starletta Diana (no ext.), Creative Arts Preschool Substitute, MSRP Teacher: Associates (early childhood education), CDA credential (Child Development Associate), Mott College. Pursuing bachelor’s degree. Member, NAEYC and Early Childhood Club (Mott). Former lead preschool teacher at a child care facility. Taught Spanish to children ages 4-8, flute exploration.

ROTBERG, Barton (ext. 204), Violin and Viola, B.M., Peabody Conservatory of Music; M.M., DePaul University, Chicago; doctoral candidate, Michigan State University. Taught at Merit School at DePaul University.

RUEBKE, Leo (ext. 267), New Horizons Intermediate Band, trumpet: M.M. and B.M. (music education), Southern Illinois University. Instructor for 32 years in Illinois and Michigan public schools, 27 of those years in the Kearsley school district. He enjoys adjudicating solo and ensemble as well as band and orchestra festivals. Member, Genesee Wind Symphony.

RUEBKE, Nancy (ext. 268), New Horizons Intermediate Band, French Horn: Graduate of Central Michigan University. Clinics bands and serves as director of honors bands in Michigan. Taught in Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District III for 32 years, 30 of those at Carter Middle School in Clio. Studied horn with Norm Dietz, Jack Sauders, Marvin Howe and Louis Stout. Held many MSBOA positions including district president, secretary and vice president and was secretary-treasurer and vice president of music selection at the state level. Former conductor, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Jim Lee Fine Arts Camp, adjudicator at district and state solo and ensemble and band and orchestra festivals. Member, Genesee Wind Symphony.

SCHROEDER, Joy (ext. 212), Organ and Piano, Piano, Organ and Harpsichord Department Chair: B.M. (education), M.M. (theory), D.M.A. (performance), University of Michigan; M.A. (performance), Eastern Michigan University; M.M. (choral music), Wayne State University. She has completed the Grade 10 Certificate (the highest grade) from the Royal Conservatory of Music and has given solo recitals in Michigan, Ohio, Washington, D.C., Germany and England.

SMITH, Alyssa (ext. 243), Percussion; D.M.A., Ohio State University; B.M., DePaul University; M.M., Northwestern University. Spent three years as graduate teaching assistant at OSU. Previously taught at the Contemporary Arts Studio, Hilliard, Ohio; the Flint School of Performing Arts; worked as percussion specialist at middle and high schools in mid-Michigan. Member, Percussive Arts Society.

STEVENS, Daniel (ext. 257), Piano: B.M. (performance) University of South Florida; M.M. (performance) San Francisco Conservatory of Music; D.M.A. candidate, University of Michigan. Recitalist in both piano and cello. Studied with Robert Helps, Evelyne Brancart and Sharon Mann. Faculty member at University of Michigan, teaching ear-training and keyboard harmony.

STEVENS, Elizabeth (ext. 260), Oboe, Woodwinds Ensemble Coach; B.M., University of South Florida; M.M., Northwestern University; doctoral candidate, Michigan State University. Currently, University of Windsor oboe instructor. Extensive performance and teaching experience. Owns a reed-making business.

THOMAS, Matthew (ext. 203), Trumpet: bachelor's degree, Ithaca College; master's degree, New England Conservatory of Music. Principal trumpet, Midland Symphony. Fellow of the Tanglewood Music Center. Orchestral experience includes Sarasota Opera, Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, New World Symphony and Flint Symphony Orchestra. Member, Great Lakes Brass. Grand Prize winner of the Coleman Chamber Music Competition (Los Angeles, CA). Former faculty member at University of Miami (Coral Gables). Teachers have included Gilbert Johnson and Timothy Morrison.

TOBEN, Nicholas (ext. 263), Cello: Currently pursuing D.M.A. (cello performance), Michigan State University; M.M. (cello performance), University of Oregon; B.M. (cello performance), Hope College. Former principal cellist, University of Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Hope College Orchestra, Hope College Symphonette. Performed with Jackson Symphony, Corvallis Symphony (OR), Eugene Concert Choir (OR), Dearborn Summer Symphony.

VERNER, Antony (ext. 207), Violin/Viola:  Violin Performance major, University of Michigan. M.M. from Illinois State University, B.M. from Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.  Member of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony Orchestra, and University of Michigan Orchestra. Also played with Illinois State University Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

WALKER, Jeffrey (ext. 256), Harpsichord, Piano and Organ: M.M. (performance), Eastman School of Music; B.M. (performance), Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. Organist/Choir Master, Christ Episcopal Church in Detroit. Former Organist and Director of Music (for 18 years), First Presbyterian Church of Flint.

WATSON, Dorothy (no ext.), Outreach: Gerontology and Hospitality Certificates, Mott Community College. Certified fitness professional and instructor. Former Director of Health/Fitness, YWCA of greater Flint. Member, Genesee County Commission on Aging and Activity Director's Association.

WEYERSBERG, Roger (ext. 269), New Horizons Beginning Band: Graduate of Michigan State University with postgraduate work done at MSU, CMU, and Vandercook College. Currently, Low Brass instructor teaching trombone, euphonium and tuba at Saginaw Valley State University. Currently, director of the Lions of Michigan All State Band, which has represented the Lions of Michigan at every International convention since 1978. Through this organization, Roger has taken students to nearly every state in the union as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, China and Thailand. Member. Lansing Symphony Big Band, J. and J. Sounds, German Connection and Maple River Brass Quintet. He continues to be an active member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Music Educators National Conference, Michigan Music Educators Association and American School Band Directors Association. He is the State Chair for the Modern Music Masters Honor Society, a youth division of MENC. He is an active clinician and adjudicator, working with his peer throughout the state to help further the goals of music education in our schools as well as solo and ensemble, band and orchestra performance evaluations at the district and state level. Former Director of Music of Ovid-Elsie schools for 30 years.

YOON, Ina (ext. 217), Piano; Doctoratal candidate (performance), Michigan State University; M.M. (performance), Ohio State University; B.A. (music and business), Saginaw Valley State. Studied with Louis Nagel, Steven Glaser and Panayis Lyras. Teaching piano for 10 years.

YOUNG, James (ext. 264), Trumpet; doctoral student, Michigan State University; M.M., Eastern Kentucky University; B.M., University of Iowa. Performed with Midland Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Eastern Kentucky Faculty Brass Quintet, Owensboro (KY) Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony (IA), Cedar Rapids Symphony (IA), Dubuque Symphony (IA), Oskaloosa Symphony (IA).

ZIMMERMAN, Dean (ext. 238), Bassoon, Outreach, Headstart: B.M., M.M. (performance), University of Michigan. Member, Flint, Saginaw and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestras. Instructor, University of Michigan-Flint.