Mark Alvarez is a native of Oklahoma City and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s in Flute performance in 2018. He started work on a Master’s in Multiple Woodwind Performance at the University of New Mexico in the fall of 2018 and has since transferred to OCU to complete a Master’s in Multiple Woodwind Performance! Mark hopes to become either a successful Broadway-style musician or teach at the collegiate level, hopefully teaching multiple instruments! In his free time, Mark loves spending time with family and friends and his adorable cat Lilac.
Devin Bartlett is from Munnsville, NY and is currently working toward his Masters of Multiple Woodwind Performance. He completed his undergraduate degree in Music Education at Nazareth College School of Music in Rochester, NY. In Rochester he studied Oboe under Judith Ricker, clarinet under Dr. Marcy Bacon and flute with Annette Farrington. Devin hopes to work as a doubler in musicals and be a gigging woodwind musician. As well, he hopes to teach woodwinds within his own studio in the future.
Katie Crim is a senior Flute Performance major and aspiring conductor from Hallsville Texas. Katie hopes to work in a professional opera someday as a conductor and vocal coach. She is passionate about the arts; great musical, theater, visual, culinary arts, and the written word. Katie loves to travel and has been fortunate to visit and perform in some of the world’s great cities.
Anna Deng is working towards a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership degree with a focus in Arts Administration after earning a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Oklahoma City University. She was raised near Cleveland, Ohio, and has been a flutist for 14 years. With experience from being a part of a diverse amount of ensemble groups—from an Early Music ensemble to a flute choir that performs contemporary music—she enjoys collaborating with other musicians to perform various styles of music. Anna is currently a flute faculty member at El Sistema Oklahoma, where she helps young students learn how to better express themselves through music. In her free time, Anna enjoys watching choreography videos, listening to Kpop, and learning about different cultures.
Mollie Flanagan is a junior business administration student who is a non-major in the flute studio. She has lived in Oklahoma City for most of her life and has been playing the flute for nine years. Mollie is undecided on a career but she hopes to continue playing the flute after she graduates. In her free time, she like to hang out with friends and family, do crafts, and discover new places around OKC.
Dillan Francis has returned to Oklahoma City University to complete a graduate degree in conducting. He previously taught at Mid-America Christian University for 7 years, directing the Instrumental Ensemble and Pep Band as well as teaching courses in recording arts, music theory, music history, and conducting. He also enjoys playing woodwinds for musicals in local theaters. His primary teachers have been Dr. Suzanne Tirk, Bradford Behm, and Stacy Smith on clarinet, Parthena Owens on flute and piccolo, Joe Fine on Saxophone, and Lisa Harvey-Reed on oboe and English horn. Outside of playing, Dillan can also be found conducting the Spirit Winds and Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Dillan received his M.M. Clarinet Performance from Oklahoma City University as well as his B.M.E. in Instrumental Education and B.S in Instrumental Performance from Southern Nazarene University.
Emma Gaona is a transfer student from Edmond, Oklahoma studying for a Bachelors of Music in flute performance. She was raised in a military family and moved around the U.S. until they settled in Oklahoma in 2014. She has played flute since 2010 and has been playing the piccolo since 2015. She started college in 2019 at the University of Central Oklahoma and transferred to Oklahoma City University for music school. Emma recently performed in a masterclass for guest artist Daniel Velasco. She is currently a member of the Oklahoma 145th Army National Guard Band as a flute and piccolo player and hopes to go active duty in an Army band after she graduates. Emma favorite part of being a musician is being a member of large ensembles and learning new music! In her free time, she loves baking and cuddling with her beloved dog, Daisy Lou.
Jonathan Grasso is woodwind instrumentalist specializing in flute performance for more than 20 years. Originally from central Florida, Jonathan relocated to Oklahoma in 2014 to join the 77th Army Band of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He is active in community outreach—volunteering to support local school musical education programs with the mission that ensuring learning music remains accessible to all students. Jonathan has played with many ensembles over his career and is currently a member of the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band. He is currently a senior undergraduate pursuing his BFA in Flute Performance here at Oklahoma City University with plans to teach private flute lessons after graduation. When not playing or teaching flute, Jonathan enjoys traveling with his husband, baking and spending time with their four dogs.
Sarah Hamel is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Music Education. Originally from Mustang, Oklahoma; she has been playing the flute for ten years and the piano for twelve. Outside of school, she enjoys movies and time with her friends and family. Sarah looks forward to teaching middle and high school students while maintaining an active private flute studio.
Carlos Dela is a first-year multiple woodwind graduate student. Carlos spent the last 4 years serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Saxophone instrumentalist at 2d Marine Air Wing, Cherry Point., NC. He holds a dual Bachelors in Saxophone Performance and Music Education. Carlos hopes to expand his horizons with every single one of his instruments and is excited to see where his time at OCU takes him. Carlos enjoys listening to podcasts/audiobooks, working out, building Lego's and window shopping.
Megan Howell is a first year graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Multiple Woodwind Performance at OCU. Originally from the UK, Megan grew up on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Flute Performance in December of 2021. After finishing her Master’s, Megan hopes to perform in a pit orchestra with a touring theatre company. Outside of music, she enjoys teaching, swimming, and anything to do with being outdoors.
Michael Kowalchyk is an aspiring music educator from Blanchard, Oklahoma. He is currently a junior at Oklahoma City University where he is pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education. After graduation, Michael hopes to teach music in a public school. Outside of school, Michael loves to garden, create floral designs and spoil his two cats, Pearlie and Milo.
Jenny Nguyen is a Freshman Flute Performance major at Oklahoma City University. She attended Mustang High School and was the drum major and flute soloist for the Mustang High School Marching Band. As a high school senior, she has won several awards and honors. She was the recipient of the 2021 Yamaha Corporation of America Scholarship, 2022 Ladies Music Club High School Woodwind Division winner, 2022 OKPHIL Young Musician Competition Woodwind/Brass Carver Award 2nd Prize, and the 2022 Oklahoma City Symphonic Band Young Artist Competition winner. In her free time she enjoys playing piano and calligraphy. Jenny plans to play in a symphony orchestra or military band in the future.
Josh Roberts is in his first year as a master's student at OCU, pursuing a degree in Multiple Woodwind Performance. Josh is originally from Wisconsin where he received his bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with Saxophone as a Primary. He hopes to use his study of woodwind instruments towards his goals of teaching in higher education and performing.
Kelsey Shanks is from Edmond, Oklahoma and is a second year graduate student in pursuit of a Masters in Flute Performance at Oklahoma City University. She attended Oklahoma Christian University for her undergraduate studies in Music as well as a minor in International Studies. Kelsey’s goal is to play flute in a professional orchestra and, ultimately, to perform in an orchestra that records soundtrack music. She currently has a small studio in Yukon, Oklahoma where she teaches beginner flutists.
Colton Sprenkle is from Carthage, MO and is working towards a Masters of Performance in Multiple Woodwinds. He completed his undergraduate studies in Music Education at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS in the fall of 2020. During his time in Pittsburg, he studied oboe with Dr. David Hurley, and Clarinet with Dr. Joanne Britz. Colton enjoys performing with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Philharmonic, Flute Choir, and Pit Orchestras here at OCU.
Isabela Stefanyshyn is a first-year graduate student from Ashburn, VA pursuing a degree in Flute Performance. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas with a minor in French. After graduating, Isabela aspires to serve in one of the military bands or play professionally in an orchestra. When not playing flute, Isabela is traveling, being outdoorsy, watching Glee, or trying to crochet a sweater.
Hailey Tucker is a freshman at Oklahoma City University. She is from Edmond, Oklahoma and recently graduated from Edmond North High school. She enjoys volunteering at musical events and is a member of the Oklahoma Flute Society. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, crafting, and riding horses.
Katherine White is currently a sophomore studying instrumental music education. She transferred in the spring of 2022 from a college in Durango, Colorado. Katherine is originally from Edmond, Oklahoma and have been playing the flute for about 8 years now. After graduation, she hopes to teach middle and high school band students while also teaching her own private flute studio. In her free time, she enjoys listening to all kinds of music and spending time with her friends!