Meet the Teaching Faculty
Scottish-born LORNA MCGHEE was appointed principal flute of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2012. Known for her “exceptionally rich and vibrant tone” (Washington Post) Lorna has performed as guest principal with Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and has been fortunate to work with conductors such as Haitink, Gergiev, Rattle, Solti, Harnoncourt, Muti and Honeck.
Having taught at the University of Michigan and the University of British Columbia, Lorna is now a member of the flute faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. She has given master classes at universities, conservatoires and flute festivals in the UK, USA, Japan and Canada, including Juilliard School and the Royal Academy of Music. She often teaches at summer schools, including the Pender Island Flute Retreat, the William Bennett International Summer School, and the Galway Flute Festival. Lorna studied with David Nicholson in Scotland, and with Michie and William Bennett at the Royal Academy of Music, London. She is an honorary “Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.” www.lornamcghee.com
"To me, The Flute Retreat is an artistic oasis. It is a space where we can go deeply into our art, refine our craft and reflect on the relationship we have to ourselves and our work. I was lucky to study with William Bennett. Every lesson with him was expansive and filled with joy and curiosity. Music is generous and regenerative. These are qualities that we can often feel far removed from in our busy professional lives. The Flute Retreat is a chance to re-establish and strengthen those values."
GWEN KLASSEN began her tenure as the Assistant Principal Flute/Piccolo, endowed chair, of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra after graduating at age 22, with a masters of music degree from Northwestern University, where she won the prestigious award for Performance Excellence. In addition to her regular role with the Calgary Phil as solo piccolo and Assistant Principal Flute, Klassen can be heard as concerto soloist and as Acting Principal Flute.
Ms. Klassen is a dedicated member of the Calgary community; as a producer, chamber music performer for various charities, and as the Sessional Flute Instructor at the University of Calgary.
As a Musician Wellness and Leadership Coach, Klassen is published, and is a visiting guest lecturer across the country; bringing her enthusiasm, humour, education, and experience to her unique workshops from from coast to coast, as well as online.
Gwen is passionate about integrating who we are, with what we do, and the ability of music to expand one’s mind and heart in unexpected ways. This is the foundation of her vision for the annual, internationally renowned Flute Retreat, of which she has been Founder and Director for 12 years. www.musician-intuition.com
For more from GWEN KLASSEN in her role as the Founder and Creative Director of The Flute Retreat, click here
Ms. Klassen is a dedicated member of the Calgary community; as a producer, chamber music performer for various charities, and as the Sessional Flute Instructor at the University of Calgary.
As a Musician Wellness and Leadership Coach, Klassen is published, and is a visiting guest lecturer across the country; bringing her enthusiasm, humour, education, and experience to her unique workshops from from coast to coast, as well as online.
Gwen is passionate about integrating who we are, with what we do, and the ability of music to expand one’s mind and heart in unexpected ways. This is the foundation of her vision for the annual, internationally renowned Flute Retreat, of which she has been Founder and Director for 12 years. www.musician-intuition.com
For more from GWEN KLASSEN in her role as the Founder and Creative Director of The Flute Retreat, click here
"At The Flute Retreat, I have witnessed not only expansive, imaginative, and creative storytelling, but also the practical gateways to resonant sound and musical expression.
This, and the community which we create together, inspires, replenishes, and nourishes my artistic soul."
This, and the community which we create together, inspires, replenishes, and nourishes my artistic soul."
DR. GABRIELLA MINNES BRANDES has been teaching the Alexander Technique for over thirty years and has had a particular interest in working with performers. Gaby currently teaches the Alexander Technique both online and face-to-face at the Alexander Technique Centre in Vancouver. Gaby’s workshops and private lessons are experiential, focusing on the application of the Alexander Technique in different contexts. Gaby works in collaboration with voice and movement instructors and music coaches focusing on the application of the Alexander Technique, as students are encouraged to explore and experiment, so that each one can fully express themselves artistically. Gaby has worked with many actors, singers, and musicians. She taught Alexander Technique in the Theatre Department at Capilano University, Young artists Program at the Vancouver Opera, Pender Island Flute Retreat, VSO School of Music, Calgary Philharmonic to name a few.
Much of Gaby’s current work and research focus on exploring the connections between Alexander Technique and creativity as it pertains to performers. Informed by her Ph.D. and research in education, she is also exploring the connections between current educational research and Alexander teacher training.
Member of CANSTAT / ATC, STAT, AmSAT and ATI, Gaby has shared her work in many international conferences and Alexander teacher training courses. For more information see www.alexandertechniquecentre.com
Much of Gaby’s current work and research focus on exploring the connections between Alexander Technique and creativity as it pertains to performers. Informed by her Ph.D. and research in education, she is also exploring the connections between current educational research and Alexander teacher training.
Member of CANSTAT / ATC, STAT, AmSAT and ATI, Gaby has shared her work in many international conferences and Alexander teacher training courses. For more information see www.alexandertechniquecentre.com
"When I am surrounded by music, music lovers and music makers I am inspired and enriched, and my heart expands. Alexander technique provides us with specific tools to enhance ourselves since we, each one of us, is the instrument that breathes, vibrates and makes sound. So, I cherish the time and structure in the retreat to support each musician in finding ways to express themselves fully as they make music. Team-teaching with Lorna and working closely with Gwen and Alex have been a place to nurture and nourish the joy of creating beautiful sounds together."
Special Guest
Special Guest JEAN McCLELLAND is a senior teacher of the Alexander Technique, certified by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) and the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT). Jean received her B.A. from Vassar College and did graduate study at Boston University in opera and vocal performance. She studied extensively at the Carl Stough Institute for Breathing Coordination and is one of fewer than a dozen people personally selected by Stough to teach his work. www.JeanMcClellandVoice.com
Special Guest JEAN McCLELLAND is a senior teacher of the Alexander Technique, certified by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) and the American Center for the Alexander Technique (ACAT). Jean received her B.A. from Vassar College and did graduate study at Boston University in opera and vocal performance. She studied extensively at the Carl Stough Institute for Breathing Coordination and is one of fewer than a dozen people personally selected by Stough to teach his work. www.JeanMcClellandVoice.com
Meet the Administrative Team
ALEX CONWAY, Administrator for The Flute Retreat, enjoys a varied career as a musician and administrator. She is currently second flute/piccolo with Winnipeg Symphony, Administrator of The Flute Retreat, and Executive Director / flutist with New England Chamber Players along with various volunteer positions serving the Manitoba and Winnipeg communities. Previously, she was the piccolo player with the Bangor Symphony, Orchestra Manager with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Frontline Supervisor of the Boston Children's Hospital Emergency Department.
Alex has had the privilege of extensive musical training including a Bachelor of Music Degree from Oberlin Conservatory with Michel Debost, and Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University. Her dissertation on the Flute Music of Mieczyslaw Weinberg is available on ProQuest, OpenBU, and Academia.edu. For more information please visit: www.alexconway.net
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Alex has had the privilege of extensive musical training including a Bachelor of Music Degree from Oberlin Conservatory with Michel Debost, and Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University. Her dissertation on the Flute Music of Mieczyslaw Weinberg is available on ProQuest, OpenBU, and Academia.edu. For more information please visit: www.alexconway.net
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"I choose to be a part of The Flute Retreat because it offers an opportunity for all flutists to reach for new artistic heights in a supportive environment and in a way that fosters continued learning after the period of the retreat is over. As a member of the administrative team, I strive to make this influential experience available to future participants in the most seamless way possible."
STÉPHANIE SUPERLE (“su-PEARL”) is a Canadian flutist, educator, and visionary who has been making music across Canada for decades. A modern musician, Stéphanie has crafted her career through a mosaic of jobs and titles: she is a faculty member with the Royal Conservatory of Music College of Examiners, she is the Executive Director of The Insightful Performer masterclass series with world-renowned flutist, Susan Hoeppner, and she is the founder of FlutePlay: a global community of early childhood flute educators dedicated to reimagining the future of flute pedagogy.
Stéphanie received her Masters degree in Flute Performance at the University of Toronto studying with Camille Watts (Toronto Symphony Orchestra). Previously she earned her Bachelor degrees in Flute Performance and in Music Education from the University of Saskatchewan with Randi Nelson and studied for a year in Vancouver under the tutelage of west coast flutist Brenda Fedoruk.
Stéphanie lives with her husband and daughter in a little suburb just north of Toronto. She is an aspiring roller skater, avid baker, and enjoys her coffee with a hint of maple syrup. To read more about Stéphanie and her work, visit www.stephaniesuperle.com
Stéphanie received her Masters degree in Flute Performance at the University of Toronto studying with Camille Watts (Toronto Symphony Orchestra). Previously she earned her Bachelor degrees in Flute Performance and in Music Education from the University of Saskatchewan with Randi Nelson and studied for a year in Vancouver under the tutelage of west coast flutist Brenda Fedoruk.
Stéphanie lives with her husband and daughter in a little suburb just north of Toronto. She is an aspiring roller skater, avid baker, and enjoys her coffee with a hint of maple syrup. To read more about Stéphanie and her work, visit www.stephaniesuperle.com
“In 2011 I had the tremendous opportunity to perform at The Flute Retreat on Pender Island. I remember arriving with anxiety over the competitiveness that can come with performance programs. It was my first time performing in a masterclass since recovering from cancer and I was worried about judgement and not playing my best. All these feelings quickly melted away thanks to t he welcoming, encouraging, and supportive environment Gwen, Lorna and their team created. I made lifelong friendships and found confidence again in myself and my playing.
Almost a decade later, at the onset of COVID, I received the invitation to attend again- this time, for free (!) as a valued alum. I couldn’t believe the generosity, kindness, and sincerity of the invitation and attended with a grateful heart. It was at the 2020 retreat where I heard Gwen’s MWL Series for the first time. I joined the subsequent MWL online courses, and a partnership evolved over time between Gwen and I, where I offered backstage support and feedback, especially in marketing and design. I am thrilled to bring this set of skills and creative passion to The Flute Retreat this season and beyond!”
Almost a decade later, at the onset of COVID, I received the invitation to attend again- this time, for free (!) as a valued alum. I couldn’t believe the generosity, kindness, and sincerity of the invitation and attended with a grateful heart. It was at the 2020 retreat where I heard Gwen’s MWL Series for the first time. I joined the subsequent MWL online courses, and a partnership evolved over time between Gwen and I, where I offered backstage support and feedback, especially in marketing and design. I am thrilled to bring this set of skills and creative passion to The Flute Retreat this season and beyond!”