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 |