MWFF Faculty

Guest Artist


Dr. Sasha Garver

Dr. Garver is Assistant Professor of Flute at Augustana College (IL) and teaches at the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City. Sasha has taught at Northern New Mexico College, United World College, Colorado Christian University and Regis University-Denver. She has played with multiple orchestras around the US
and was the assistant principal / piccolo of the Macau Orchestra.

Sasha holds her DMA from CU-Boulder
and MM from The University of Cincinnati. She has two BM degrees in flute and voice. Sasha has been a
columnist for Flute Focus International Flute Magazine (NZ), and has contributed to American Suzuki
Journals, the Flutist Quarterly print and online and is on the NFA Editorial Board.

Sasha has lectured at the Suzuki World Conference, National Flute Conventions, Suzuki Association of the America’s International Conferences, and the 2023 Chicago Flute Club Flute Festival. Sasha has been faculty at Desert Suzuki Institute, Santa Fe Talent Education, Santa Fe Suzuki Institute, Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts-Colorado Music Festival, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department, and the 2009 Suzuki World Conference in Melbourne, Australia. Sasha has also taught at Suzuki Institutes in Mexico City and was Flute Ensemble Conductor for the 2010 and 2012 SAA
Conferences.

Her primary teachers include Alexa Still, Randy Bowman, Jack Wellbaum and Catherine Kasch, voice.

Program Director

Katrina Young

Katrina Young is a celebrated Suzuki Flute Teacher who specializes in teaching the very Young Flutist and has operated her own private flute studio for over 30 years. She is a certified elementary and early childhood music educator who has taught in the classroom as an Elementary Music Teacher. Her expertise goes beyond the classroom as well; Katrina has organized and designed several large-scale creative Flute Institutes, Workshops, Concerts, and Recitals for the Suzuki Association of Utah. In 2022 she served as the director for the debut of MountainWest FluteFest, a regional Institute for students in the Western United States. She has volunteered on the boards for both the SAU and the Utah Flute Association, and in 2015 she received the SAU Distinguished Service Award for her passion to create these educational events for flute students in Utah. 

Katrina’s focus on excellence, musicality, and joy are evident in the success of her amazing students. Students in the Young Flutists Studio have placed nationally in MTNA, routinely win State and Region competitions, receive college Flute scholarships, have been featured on Concerto Nights, been selected as Sterling Scholars, and win auditions to play in local youth symphonies.  The Young Flutists Studio was featured in a performance with The One Voice Children’s Choir on Temple Square in The Holy Child (a Christmas production performed in the Tabernacle on Temple Square), at The National Flute Convention in SLC, and often collaborates with instruments from other music studios, including the harp.  Katrina resides and teaches in Stansbury Park, Utah.

Faculty

MWFF Collaborative Pianist
Dr. Mitchell Giambalvo

Dr. Mitchell Giambalvo moved to Salt Lake City on a whim right before the pandemic. Originally from Pennsylvania, he received his doctorate from Florida State University in piano performance. After his doctorate he went back to complete a second Masters degree in collaborative piano. Following his second masters, Dr. Giambalvo was an adjunct professor of piano at Troy University in Alabama. After moving to SLC in 2019, Giambalvo has become highly active in collaborating. On staff at the University of Utah where he is the pianist for the graduate vocal quartet, Giambalvo is also a freelance vocal diction coach for singers and works with instrumentalists. Fulfilling a life goal, Giambalvo is also a substitute pianist with the Utah Symphony. Giambalvo performs regularly with faculty at UVU, BYU,  and U of U, as well as on the NOVA Chamber Series. He is on faculty of the Red Lodge Music Festival in Montana during the Summer and will be a pianist for the International Trombone Festival this Summer, held at the University of Utah. 

Anna Lisa Davidson

Anna Lisa Davidson, BM USU, is an active flute teacher, adjudicator, and performer in Cache Valley. She plays flutes, piccolo, traverso, and recorders with Music Theatre West, Northern Utah Symphony, American Festival Orchestra, USU Alumni Band, Cache Symphony Orchestra, and the early music group, “The Food of Love.” She is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration and has a black belt in Kyuki-do.

Dr. Nadine Luke

Dr. Nadine Luke is a full-time faculty member in the Brigham Young University–Idaho Department of Music where she instructs the flute studio and courses in music history and chamber music. An award-winning flutist, Nadine has performed throughout the United States, including performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and as a guest artist at Salt Lake City’s Temple Square Concert Series. She has been a featured soloist with the Rexburg Tabernacle Orchestra, BYU–Idaho Symphony Orchestra, BYU–Idaho Symphony Band, University of Utah Philharmonia, and Arizona State University Symphony Orchestra.

Nadine performs regularly in solo and chamber recitals, and is the flutist of the Prismatic Winds. For the 2021–22 season, she is Acting Principal Flute of the Idaho Falls Symphony. A dedicated and enthusiastic educator, Nadine was honored with the BYU–Idaho Exemplary Faculty Award in 2012. She has instructed classes at Arizona State University and the University of Utah and presented masterclasses and recitals at Southern Utah University, Brigham Young University, Snow College, the Salt Lake Flute Forum, the Grand Teton Music Festival, and the National Flute Association Convention.

Nadine completed a Bachelor of Music at Brigham Young University (cum laude), a Master of Music at Arizona State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Utah. She has performed at masterclasses for Emmanuel Pahud, Amy Porter, Tadeu Coelho, Rachel Brown, and Leone Buyse. Her principal teachers include April Clayton, Elizabeth Buck, and Lisa Byrnes. When she isn’t playing the flute, Nadine enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and cross-country skiing with her family.

Nancy Toone

Nancy Toone, a seasoned performer and dedicated teacher, is celebrated for her excellence both on the concert stage and in the classroom. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Utah State University and has continued her flute studies by learning from top players and educators across the country.

Throughout her career, Nancy has held prestigious flute teaching positions at several institutions, including Utah State University, Utah Valley University, BYU Idaho, and Weber State University. Her students, ranging from ages 4 to 74, have achieved remarkable success in state and national competitions.

As a certified Suzuki Flute Instructor, Nancy has contributed to the Desert Suzuki Flute Institute and the Suzuki Association of the Americas National Conference. Her performances as a soloist, in chamber ensembles, and with various flute choirs have captivated audiences. She has also participated as conductor and performer in flute choirs at several National Flute Association Conventions.

Nancy’s commitment extends beyond teaching. She has served on the board of the Utah Flute Association, where her students consistently excel in competitions. Additionally, she maintains a private studio with 30 dedicated students. Nancy performs as the Assistant Principal Flutist with the Salt Lake Symphony. She can also be seen on broadcasts with the Orchestra at Temple Square. Her freelance work keeps her engaged and connected to the vibrant music scene.

One of Nancy’s true passions lies in directing flute choirs. Each summer, she leads the Davis County Flute Choirs, and she eagerly anticipates directing the Rocky Mountain Flute Orchestra—a group of highly skilled adult flutists. For more details, feel free to reach out to Nancy.

Excitingly, Nancy will be teaching at the Mountain West Flute Fest, sharing her expertise alongside other top flute performers and educators from the state.

Drew Powell

Drew Powell is a professional flutist based in Salt Lake County, Utah. His recent concert engagements have included playing with the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Symphony San Jose, and many other notable ensembles such as the San Francisco Opera. He has been a current substitute flutist for the New World Symphony since 2020.

His first national competition win was the 2017 Myrna W. Brown Artist Competition hosted by the Texas Flute Society, which included a reappearance as a featured guest artist and clinician at their convention the following year.

He has also made several appearances at National Flute Association competitions, winning 2nd place at the 2020 Orchestral Audition and Masterclass Competition, advancing to quarterfinals in the 2019 Young Artist Competition, and being an
alternate finalist for the 2018 Orchestral Audition and Masterclass Competition. Additionally, he won both the Utah Flute Association Artist Competition and Orchestral Excerpt Competition in 2023.

He has appeared as a featured soloist with the Utah Philharmonic Orchestra, Utah Wind Symphony, and the Brigham Young University Philharmonic. He has performed in numerous masterclasses given by renowned artists such as William Bennett, Jeanne Baxtresser, Carol Wincenc, Elizabeth Rowe, and others.

Drew obtained his MM from Northwestern University studying under John Thorne and his BM from Brigham Young University studying under Dr. April Clayton.

Drew enjoys living an active lifestyle outside of music. When he isn’t performing or teaching, he is probably rock climbing, rucking, trying to win a chess match, or cooking up something new for dinner.

Meet MWFF CCC’s!

(College Camp Counselors)

Briaunna Young

Briaunna Young is a flute performance undergrad student of Dr. Hasan’s at USU. Some flute highlights of hers include being National Third-Place Winner in the 2019 MTNA competition, 11 time UFA Sonata Comp winner, soloing with the One Voice Children’s Choir at Temple Square, and winning her 75 point Federation Gold Cup.

Melia Morrison

Melia Morrison is a music education major at Weber State University where she studies with Cindy Henderson, adjunct professor of flute. She enjoys being a part of Weber State’s performance ensembles, including its honors flute ensemble, symphony orchestra, symphonic band, marching band, and pep band. In her free time, Melia loves to travel and hike.