Biographies

FLUTE

Angela Kirchner

Angela Kirchner holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Music Education from Towson University. While at Towson she participated in various ensembles such as The Towson Marching and Symphonic band, Woodwind quintet, Flute ensemble, Jazz ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.

In 2008 Angela was a featured Soloist for the Bel Air Community Band and performed Chaminade’s Concertino. In addition to her love of performing, she also finds joy in teaching young musicians. Currently, Angela is teaching vocal music in Harford County Public schools and is the director of her school steel drum ensemble. Her steel drum students have performed throughout Harford County to rave reviews.

OBOE

Faye O'Brien

Faye O'Brien received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Music Education from Towson University. She has studied with Dr. James Prodan, Mindy Niles, Ann Bilezikian and Leslie Starr.

Currently, Faye teaches fourth and fifth grade band and strings in Harford County. She was a 2005 finalist for Harford County Teacher of the Year. Faye has been a guest conductor for the Towson University Concert Band and various area high schools and has adjudicated in various county and state solo/ensemble and marching band events.

Faye also enjoys instructing private oboe and flute students from her home and working as a color guard instructor in Harford County. She performs actively with the Baltimore Symphonic Band and has been a regular pit musician for the Covered Bridge and Pheonix Festival Theaters. She has been a guest performer throughout Harford County and has performed with various small ensembles.

In her spare time Faye enjoys playing with her daughters Hayden and Avery.

CLARINET

Sara Egner

Sara Egner graduated from the Peabody Conservatory with a Bachelors of
Music Education and a Performance Certificate in Clarinet. While at
Peabody, she studied clarinet with Steven Barta, principal clarinetist of
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and conducting with Dr. Harlan Parker. Other teachers include Mary Elissa Tomecek.

Sara is currently teaching middle school band for the Harford County Public Schools, where she has also started the first county steel drum program. She also teaches private lessons to students from elementary through college levels. Many of her students have been selected to participate in local and state honors groups. Sara has served as an adjudicator for all-county events in Harford County.

Sara is now pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and
Administration. She performs regularly with the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra and was a founding member of the Susquehanna Woodwind Quintet.

HORN

Dawn Zipay

Dawn Zipay holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Master of Science in Music Education from the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Dawn started her teaching career in 1997 as a Band Director in Schnectady, NY. After moving to Maryland in 2001, Dawn taught chorus and band for Cecil County Public Schools and currently teaches elementary band and orchestra for Harford County Public Schools.

In addition to teaching in the public schools, Dawn maintains a private studio for young brass players. She is also a member of the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra and the Upper Chesapeake Wind Ensemble. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys boating and spending time with her husband Mike and their son Collin.

BASSOON

Elizabeth Fetters

Elizabeth Rusch Fetters holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA) and a Master’s Degree in bassoon performance from Kent State University (Kent, Ohio).

Elizabeth has performed in numerous ensembles, solo recitals, and as a guest soloist for the Delta Omicron Triennial Conferences in 2000 and 2003 and with the Kent State Summer "Comuniversity Band." In Ohio she managed a private studio of over 20 students. Her students have gone on to win scholarships at colleges across northeastern Ohio, as well as seats in the Akron Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony and the All-Ohio State Fair Band.

In Maryland Elizabeth teaches bassoon and oboe privately from her home and has been active as an adjudicator and judge for county and state-wide events. She has five articles related to bassoon pedagogy published in The Double Reed and the Instrumentalist (June 2004, January 2005 and September 2006). She also recently presented a workshop titled, "Who’s Afraid of the Big Bassoon?" at the Maryland Music Educators Association Conference to excellent reviews.

Elizabeth currently teaches 6^th grade general music and chorus for Harford County Public Schools in Bel Air, Maryland and is (slowly) working towards a second masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Maryland. She, her husband and their three cats live in Forest Hill, Maryland.