Gwen Klassen began her tenure as the Assistant Principal Flute/
Piccolo of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra in 1995, 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 CPO as solo piccolo and
second flute, Gwen can be heard frequently as concerto soloist and as
Acting Principal Flute. Her most recent review from the Calgary Herald:
“The brilliant sections (of Dvorak Eight’s last movement) ….could hardly
have been bettered with …terrific virtuosic licks by flutist Gwen
Klassen”. May 2019

Ms. Klassen is a dedicated member of our Calgary community; as a
producer, performer for various charities and as the Sessional
Instructor at the University of Calgary; leading our future teachers in
local schools.

Nationally, Gwen, as a Life and Music Coach, is published and is a
visiting guest lecturer at McGill University and across the country;
bringing her enthusiasm, humour, education and experience to her
unique “Musician Wellness and Leadership” workshops from coast to
Coast.

Gwen is passionate about integrating who we are, with what we do
and the ability of music to expand ones’ mind and heart in unexpected
ways. This is the foundation of her vision for the annual, Internationally
renowned, Pender Island Flute Retreat, of which she has been Founder
and Director for ten years. www.fluteretreat.com