In the World Music class I teach at South Dakota State University, my students are required to write a research paper. The topic they have to explore is the country of Indonesia, and they have to look beyond the musical traditions. It’s a good opportunity for them to learn about a country they usually have …
Jessica Dunnavant’s Tango in D Minor recorded at Performing Arts Center, South Dakota State University January 13, 2017 Dr. Carl Spaeth, soprano saxophone Dr. Tammy Evans Yonce, flute
I teach woodwind pedagogy at South Dakota State University each fall, and it is always a juggling act. I like the text I use (Teaching Woodwinds, Mountain Peak Music) and I’m confident that my students will be able to employ it later as a helpful resource when they are in the trenches. However, it is …
I recently performed Rob Cronin‘s new Sonata for Flute and Piano at three different locations this semester: Kennesaw State University, Columbus State University, and South Dakota State University. My husband commissioned this work from Rob for my birthday, and it has been a blast to work on. Check out the performance from Columbus State here:
One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to collaborate with all types of musicians on different projects. Recently, I’ve had the good fortune to work with players here on my home campus, in the community, and in the region. My first collaboration this academic year was with my dear friends from …
This week, I’ve had the opportunity to try out the new Powell Sonaré piccolo, PS-750. This new instrument has been available for about 6 months now. I had the pleasure of seeing it when it was introduced at the British Flute Society convention last summer but wasn’t able to spend an extended period of time …
This is a little delayed, perhaps, but it’s time for a bit of perspective on the events of last year. As I went back and read through my summary of 2011, I can’t help but be reminded of how incredibly, insanely different this January is compared to last January. Last January, I wrote my end-of-year …
