Gwen Klassen
Described as “technically brilliant and always musical”, GWEN KLASSEN is the Assistant Principal Flute and Principal Piccolo of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra; the position she has held for 14 years. From 2003-2006 she was the Acting Principal Flute as well.
Ms. Klassen was born and raised in Winnipeg, where she studied flute from the age of nine. She continued her musical training at the University of Manitoba, graduating on the Dean’s List, with a Bachelors of Music in flute performance, winning many competitions, awards and scholarships along the way. Ms. Klassen went on to study at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois under renowned pedagogue Walfrid Kujala. At age 22, Ms. Klassen received her Masters of Music from Northwestern University with the prestigious award for Performance Excellence. She has participated in many summer festivals taking her from Washington DC with the National Orchestral Institute (US) to Ontario with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.
Between graduating and her position with the CPO, Gwen played with the Winnipeg Symphony and toured with the Phantom of the Opera production to Hawaii and Alaska.
Ms. Klassen has recorded for CBC on many occasions. She has performed as soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Red Deer Symphony Orchestra six times within the last seven years, generating rave reviews from conductors, musicians and audiences alike. The past few seasons have seen Gwen perform recitals for the Celebrity Series at the University of Calgary and the Instrumental Society of Calgary as well as finding time to organize and perform recitals for the benefit of the Cochrane Humane Society “PetsDOMatter” campaign, a cause near and dear to her heart. She performs regularly with chamber groups Rosa Selvatica, Land’s End and Kensington Sinfonia.
Ms. Klassen is a dedicated teacher. After taking a few years respite from teaching to raise her children, she is now Instructor of Flute at the University of Calgary. Her students have won orchestral positions as well as National competitions. The positive nature of her teaching combined with her demanding work ethic produces excellent flute players and musicians. She has been asked to give Masterclasses throughout Western Canada and has adjudicated for CMC competition and the Syrinx Flute Festival.
Personal Statement
"By my 30's I had achieved the career goals I had set for myself earlier in life. i.e., an orchestral job and teaching at a University. I enjoyed both jobs but I knew I could contribute more. So I began to seek a deeper understanding of quality of soul and connection to self, colleagues, the audience and students. I wanted to know how to bring this “quality” to more performances and to figure out how I could teach this to my students. After many years of classes, workshops, experiments and questions some things have become clearer to me and I am very excited to share what I have learned.
"Lorna McGhee has had a tremendous influence on my playing and teaching of the flute. Ms. McGhee represents to me the quality of soul I mentioned earlier, matched with personal integrity and an exceptionally high quality of performing and teaching. Ms. McGhee and I will be leading the workshops on how the four aspects of humanity (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) may be applied to flute playing and teaching. Lorna is particularly interested in working with the raw materials of expression, i.e., finding a natural connection to the breath in order to tap into the narrative quality of any piece of music, and bringing depth to the narrative through unwavering commitment and love for great sound and tonal colours.
"One of the invaluable resources available to me over the last four years is Heather Campbell, owner and operator of Varsity Natural Health Centre. I have attended a wide variety of classes given by Heather; from exploring the physical through Pilates for “members of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra” to attending her highly innovative workshops, which focus on the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. I am truly inspired by Heather, who lives what she teaches.
"I am so honoured that these women want to be involved in the retreat."
Gwen Klassen
Founder and Director, Pender Island Flute Retreat