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Suzanne Teng & Gilbert LevyInstructor | Intermediate, Advanced, Master Levels
Called a “brilliant flutist” by the Los Angeles Times, Suzanne is the winner of the Los Angeles Music Awards, International Acoustic Music Awards and two-time winner of the Independent Music Awards (Best New Age Artist). Suzanne plays an array of flutes from the around the world and performs internationally with her husband and music partner Gilbert Levy and their world music band MYSTIC JOURNEY. Their album “Kingdom of Mountains” recently received a New Mexican Music Award, Akademia Award and Global Music Award. As a recording artist, she can be heard on numerous feature film and television soundtracks and commercials. She has performed on the SURVIVOR (live) shows that were viewed by over 70 million people and has had her music featured on America’s Got Talent. Suzanne started playing the flute at 10 and was teaching by 14. She has taught at universities, conservatories, conventions and camps across the country. A known and respected educator, she has been invited to serve on the panel for Music Education for the National Endowment for the Arts for the past three years. Suzanne received her Masters degree in Music Performance from Boston University and completed the coursework for the Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology at UCLA. She is an endorsed artist for YAMAHA. SuzanneTeng.com Watch A Window into Suzanne's World video |
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joseph L youngInstructor | Intermediate, Advanced, Master Levels
Joe has spent his entire life intimately involved with music. He composed his first song at age eleven, continued with classical training on saxophone from sixth grade through college, then fell in love with the Native American-style flute. Joe’s fourth and fifth self-produced albums “Ethereum” (2016) and “Every Moment” (2018) both received Triple Silver Global Music Awards for Best Album, Composer and Instrumentalist, as well as many other award nominations and wins. His compositions have garnered accolades from recognized critics around the globe, and his albums continue to receive worldwide acknowledgments, radio airplay, and top chart placements. “Sheer abundance of talent,” “breathtakingly beautiful,” and “ground-breaking” are some of the words used to describe his music. As a versatile and gifted multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his mastery on a wide variety of ethnic flutes from around the world – Native American style flutes, the Pueblo/Anasazi, Irish pennywhistle, Chinese xiao, the modern mathematical end-blown Phi flute, South and Central American clay drone flute and others. He is also a 2nd degree black belt in Chinese Shao-Lin Kung Fu and Tai Chi. Having spent 14 years studying the martial arts discipline, he carries many of the philosophies of grounding, breathing, inner balance and training into his musical performances and teachings. JosephLYoung.com Watch A Window into Joe's World video |
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kalani dasInstructor | Intermediate, Advanced, Master Levels
Kalani Das is an internationally recognized musician, educator, and music therapist. He has performed with artists such as Yanni, Suzanne Ciani, Kenny Loggins, Barry Manilow, and others. The author of over ten books, including Together in Rhythm and The Way of Music, Kalani presents workshops for educators across the US and internationally. Kalani has published numerous educational videos and is the creator of the Developmental Community Music (DCM) approach to facilitation. Kalani is the author of “The Healing Flute Program,” a self-study guide to healing through music. He is the director of Golden State Music Therapy, serving people with disabilities and challenges in the Los Angeles area. Connect with Kalani on most social media. Kalanimusic.com Watch A Window into Kalani's World video |
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Rona Yellow RobeInstructor | Beginner 2
2014, 2015 & 2016 Native American Music Awards (NAMA) Flutist of the Year, Rona Yellow Robe was born and raised in Havre, Montana and is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, Montana. Rona is known for her powerful vocal ability, Native American flute style, and heart-filled presence. She picked up her first flute in 2002 and has been on a Musical and Spiritual journey ever since. It is by playing the Native American flute, which she refers to as her “other voice,” that she has become comfortable sharing with all audiences many aspects of her life that are personal and meaningful to her. Rona Yellow Robe and Bruce Witham have been creating music together since May, 2008. They have recorded three albums, “Voice of the Trees” (2009), “The Gathering” (2012) and, most recently a Christmas album entitled “Lighting Our Way” (2013). In 2010, Rona and Bruce received the Native American Music Awards nomination as Songwriters of the Year for their song, “Voice of the Trees.” Also, Rona and Bruce's album, “The Gathering” was Nominated for Record of the Year by the 2014 NAMA. RonaYellowRobe.net Watch A Window into Rona's World video |
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shelley morningsongInstructor | Beginner 1
New Mexico’s Shelley Morningsong, winner of multiple honors from the Native American Music Awards, including 2019 “Artist of the Year” Award, 2011 Native American Music Awards “Record of the Year,” Grammy Member, ASCAP Member, and other multiple music awards, was born into music. Her grandmother taught music and played piano. Her mother played accordion and piano. Her grandfather played banjo. Morningsong herself picked up guitar and classical flute as a child, earning an early education in her craft by making up musical skits for her family members. She later picked up the Native flute, an instrument that now holds a special place in her heart. All of those things put her on the trajectory that has brought her to today, when she represents one of the leading voices in Contemporary Native Music. The running theme throughout her traditional Native flute playing and Contemporary music is one of universal oneness and a message of peace and love. Shelley is joined by her husband, Fabian Fontenelle. Fabian is the great, great son of the famed Chief Big Elk, and an original member of the American Indian Dance Theater. ShelleyMorningsongOnline.com Watch A Window into Shelley's & Fabian's World video |
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fabian fontenelleFlute Bag Making Class
Fabian Fontenelle is Zuni/Omaha. He was born in Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico but he also has family in Nebraska. Fabian is the great great grandson of the famed Chief Big Elk of the Omaha people. Fabian compliments The Shelley Morningsong Band by adding what has been a long history of delighting audiences from his countless travels around the world. With powerful dance performances intertwined with traditional storytelling, Fabian depicts a profound imagery of a “Spirit World” pronouncing the spoken word of his ancestors in his fluent Native Zuni Language. A performance by Fabian Fontenelle is a show in itself, a captivating display of ancient sacred songs, dancing, drumming and hand-crafted regalia adorned with the intricacy of hand-beading and more. Fabian is an original member of the American Indian Dance Theatre, and also provided master-work choreography and performances with two-time Grammy Award Winning Taos Pueblo, NM acclaimed artist Robert Mirabal on tour in “Music from a Painted Cave” which was also featured on PBS television under “Great Performances”. Fabian is also an educator on the history of Native America and has done consulting work and acting for the History Channel, “Into the West” produced by Stephen Spielberg and other productions, as well as education for public schools and museums. Learn more about Fabian here. |
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brent hainesFlute Making Master Class
Brent Haines is founder of Woodsounds Flutes, producer of some of the finest, most beautiful flutes in the world and favorites of numerous recording artists. As an engineer, Brent’s life is making peoples’ dreams into reality. As a flute maker, he creates wooden flutes that allow people turn their dreams and feelings into music magic. Over the years, Brent has helped hundreds of people begin playing the flute and has seen them create magical experiences. Woodsounds.com |
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nancy hagaDirector, Solstice Flute School & Festival
Nancy was introduced to the Native flute in 2010 and immediately developed a passion to teach and build a fluting community in the Park City area after attending the Zion Flute Festival. When Nancy met Brent Haines a few years later, their shared vision was realized. In 2013, the first Solstice Flute School and Festival was christened by Mary Youngblood, Joseph Firecrow, Suzanne Teng, and Joseph L. Young as its first teachers. Nancy resides in Boise and Utah where she teaches, performs, and volunteers in hospice. Nancy has a M.ED in Education and is retired from the Utah School for the Deaf. She has shared her love of teaching with children on the Pima reservation in Arizona, the elders on the Mescalero Apache reservation in New Mexico, and through her work with the Adopt A Native Elder program. She has also volunteered with Global Volunteers by teaching English in Romania and Portugal. The Solstice Flute School, where she has served as the volunteer Director since it’s inception, is the highlight of her year |
"The instructors gave their all and the students responded by soaring to heights beyond their own expectations. Even the brand new students that showed up with no experience and no flutes were playing beautifully from their hearts within days. It was magical...it was mystical...and it was moving!"
J.D., Colorado
