FLUTE

Dylan Abbott, originally from Kennesaw, GA, a town about 30 minutes north of Atlanta, is a Fourth Year Music Performance major at the University of Georgia, currently studying under Professor Angela Jones-Reus. Since Fall 2022, Dylan has performed in the University’s Wind Ensemble, the University’s premier ensemble, as well as other chamber groups, most notably a flute quartet with his fellow studio members. With graduate school auditions looming in the next year, Dylan is excited to spend part of his final summer as an undergrad performing in his second season with the TFO!

Dr. Chelsea Koziatek is a music teacher in Detroit Public Schools where she serves middle school scholars while maintaining a small flute studio and performing with the Ferndale Community Concert Band. Her indie-style band, Consuming Arts, performs original music from Detroit to Pontiac. She last “attended” TFO during the virtual season. Since then, she’s become a home brewer and even more adventurous in the kitchen.

John Ross is an accomplished soloist, educator, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. He is on the music faculty at Cottey College in Nevada, MO. Dr. Ross has been principal flute of the Italian-American Opera Festival Orchestra (CA), the Charleston Chamber Orchestra (WV), and has also performed with the Muncie Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, the Charleston Light Opera Guild, and the Topeka Symphony. He has appeared as soloist with the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra in Hamilton, OH. Dr. Ross attended West Virginia University, Ball State University, and Florida State University, studying with Joyce Catalfano, Thomas Godfrey, Francesca Arnone, Mihoko Watanabe, and Eva Amsler.

Steven Smith is originally from Branson, MO and currently resides in Springfield, MO where he a full-time graphic designer, as well as an adjunct instructor of graphic design. Steven graduated from Drury University where he received a B.S. in Graphic Design. As a musician, Steven plays contrabass clarinet with the Missouri State University Community Band where he has been a member for the last twelve years, as well as Pinnacle Winds in Kansas City for the last two years. This year also makes his 12th season playing flute with the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. In addition to being a founding member of TFO, Steven has also been the graphic designer for the orchestra for the last nine years. Outside of music and work, Steven enjoys his time at home with is 100+ houseplants, the occasional adventure outdoors or underground, and planning his next trip around the world.

Oboist Victoria Lee is a Southern California native returning for her tenth consecutive season with the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra. A dedicated educator, Ms. Lee maintains studios at the Orange County School of the Arts, and the Orange Coast, Irvine Valley, and Fullerton Colleges. Ms. Lee is a founding member of awardwinning reed quintet Syrinx and is principal oboe of the Santa Monica Symphony. She holds BM and MM degrees from the Orchestral Performance program at the Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Lee resides in Huntington Beach and serves her cat overlords Gunner and Sailor in her free time.

Chelsea Kanicsar is the Lecturer of Oboe at Pittsburg State University. She runs her own reed company, Prism Reeds, where she sells oboe and english horn reeds as well as processed cane. With her passion for performing and educating, Chelsea remains active as a freelancer and masterclass instructor.

Jenna Sehmann is an oboist and Instructor of Double Reeds and Music History at Southeast Missouri State University. Dr. Sehmann holds a Doctorate in Woodwind Pedagogy and Performance from the University of Iowa, Master of Music degree in oboe performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Kentucky University. A versatile performer, Jenna has won several solo competitions, performed with orchestras throughout the Midwest, and commissioned several works for oboe and English horn. She also serves as the oboist for the non-profit wind quintet the Wild Prairie Winds.