Kevin Flynn Cello Mr. Flynn is pursuing his Doctor of Music in Cello Performance at Indiana University as the Eva Heinitz Memorial Scholar and as assistant to his teacher, Emilio Colón. He received a Master of Music in Cello Performance at Indiana University, and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Cello Performance, studying under Pablo Mahave-Veglia, and in Philosophy from Grand Valley State University.
Highlights from the 2019/20 season include a 2-week concert tour of Puerto Rico with the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, the release of the GVSU New Music Ensemble’s CD Dawn Chorus on Innova Recordings, and performances in the Bloomington, IN and Berkeley, CA early music festivals.
Diane Wuli Cello 'As a contemporary international artist, Diana Wuli has performed in concerts throughout the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia. She has also performed with the BBC Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand Opera and Ballet Orchestra, and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Diana has been the recipient of numerous prestigious prizes and awards, including the Donovan Johnson Travelling Scholarship (AUS), Thornton Foundation Award (UK), Eva Heinitz Cello Award, and Janos Starker Scholar (USA) at Indiana University in support of her position as Assistant Instructor in Cello at Jacobs School of Music. She is currently completing her Doctor of Music Performance under the tutelage of renowned cellist and distinguished Cello Professor Emilio Colón. In addition to performing, Diana is currently on faculty at Vincennes University as Adjunct Professor in Applied Strings and Director of VU String Ensemble. A passionate pedagogue, Diana gives workshops and masterclasses as Guest Artist at Miami University, Fresno State University, Indiana University, and Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She works closely with renowned pedagogues to research and develop new and innovative cello teaching methods. As an avid believer in the purpose and power of music, Diana is actively involved in projects with the mission of bringing music and music education into underserved communities around the globe.'
Ethan Young Cello Ethan Young grew up in Oswego, Illinois, and is an active orchestral and chamber cellist as well as a teacher currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky. He plays with the Dayton Philharmonic, the Lexington Philharmonic, and the Huntington Symphony Orchestra and teaches cello for the University of Kentucky String Project. He has been the cellist of the Rockefeller String Quartet and a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra where he regularly assumed principal and assistant principal duties. He performed throughout the state of Arkansas with his quartet and other chamber ensembles, including the Platypus Players of whom he is a founding member. Other positions of note include playing principal for the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, and the Indiana University Baroque Orchestra. He has held teaching positions as the cello instructor for the Sturgis Music Academy and as Adjunct Cello Instructor at Hendrix University and Henderson State University. Ethan holds a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Michigan where he studied with Anthony Elliott, and a Master’s Degree from Indiana University under Peter Stumpf. This is his third summer participating in Cello Chan Woods, a session that embodies his belief of musical expression through mindfulness and a deep and transparent understanding of the self. Finding that sense of self through connecting with one’s fellow musicians and vice versa is where true music making begins.
Dory Mead VOICE TEACHER / IMPROVISATION COACH Ms. Mead earned her BMA in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan school of Music, where she studied with George Shirley and Freda Herseth, and has had 20 years of private vocal study. Ms. Mead spent two summers performing with the Aspen Music Festival Opera program, during which she was a featured artist opening for Jessye Norman. Ms. Mead has also performed with the Metro City Lyric Opera, Arbor Opera Theater, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, Brass Tacks Ensemble and the Austin Shakespeare Company. While studying with W. Steven Smith in New York, Ms. Mead incorporated both Jazz and Classical styles into her performance repertoire at the Victor Café in South Philadelphia. Recently appearing with the Brass Tacks Ensemble as King Henry in Shakespeare's Henry V, Titania in Ann Arbor Shakespeare in the Arb, and with composer Donja Jarrar's ensemble in 'Seamstress,' Ms. Mead maintains an active performing life. 2015 alumna of the OperaWorks Intensive training program, member of A2CT's long-form Improv troupe 'Dearly Beloved, 2017 and Rhiannon's Week in Hawaii Vocal River improv workshop. Ms. Mead offers workshops in Vocal Improvisation through the Mead Voice Studio and Ann Arbor Civic Theater, and has been a guest presenter at the University of Michigan SMTD and RC in Vocal Improvisation. She currently teaches privately in Ann Arbor, MI. As a teacher and mentor, Ms. Mead spent ten years teaching rock climbing and outdoor adventure activities to children and adults. She has been teaching singing lessons in Ann Arbor for 7 years and her technique is influenced by teachers George Shirley, W. Stephen Smith, author of The Naked Voice and Freda Herseth, University of Michigan Voice Faculty. Assistant director of the CelloChanWoods Music Retreat, her experience mentoring a wide range of people through challenging processes makes her a uniquely patient and positive vocal instructor.