Woodwind students are encouraged to develop and explore their musical ability through expression, understanding of technique, and literacy.
Experimentation with a wide variety of woodwind instruments is also encouraged. As students develop, honing skills include participation in small ensembles and orchestras.
Music Conservatory of Sandpoint announces the second annual Northern Idaho Flute Festival on September 27-28, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Classes for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
Meet The Instructors
Gosia Szemelak, Flute
Gosia Szemelak started taking music classes at the age of 9. Her first instrument was piano. At the age of 12 she started taking flute lessons and that became her main focus. During her musical education she participated in many competitions and masterclasses around the world. Gosia studied with many great flutists such as Peter Lukas Graf, Janos Balint, Łukasz Długosz, Wil Offermans.
Her main flute teachers include Cezary Traczewski in Karol Szymanowski Music High School in Wrocław and later Prof. Kazimierz Moszyński and Dr Wiesław Suruło at the Krzysztof Penderecki Music Academy in Kraków where she graduated with a Master's degree in flute performance.
Gosia is Head of Flute Department and teaches beginner piano and Early Childhood music classes at Music Conservatory of Sandpoint. She's also a principal flutist at North Idaho Philharmonia and an active performer.
Alisha Dawson, Flute
Alisha Dawson grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho where she began her musical pursuits plunking the piano and playing violin with Fiddler's Hatchery. At age 10, Alisha picked up a flute and it was a perfect fit. She self taught, yet quickly advanced into a competitive level flutist.
Also an academic scholar and competitive athlete, Alisha was nominated and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy where she played flute and piccolo in the marching band " George M. Cohen's Own" under the direction of Captain K. Force.
Alisha spend many years abroad working as a maritime transportation and logistics specialist, until returning to her hometown as a wife and mother. Alisha plays the flute in the Pend Oreille Orchesta. She is passionate about teaching her students the beauty in learning and mastering an instrument for the pure joy and lifetime love of music. Alisha has had the privilege to study under flute masters Rhonda Bradetich, Sharon Snell, and Rachel Taylor-Geier.
Denis Zwang, Oboe, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone
Denis Zwang teaching experience spans several decades. He is a well versed instructor and specialist on many of the woodwind instruments, including the saxophone, flute and clarinet. Aside from teaching, Mr. Zwang actively performs with orchestras, as a solo artist, and has a rich history with recording studios and National Artists. Mr. Zwang is currently teaching saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe at the Music Conservatory.
Ali Thomas, Percussion, Guitar
Ali has taught West African drumming for 20 years. She also teaches guitar, orchestra percussion and trap set/drum kit. She teaches children and adults of all ages; in large groups or one-on-one private lessons. Ali has deep musical roots, and began her training at the young age of 4, singing in the family band. After learning piano, flute, tenor sax, bass guitar and guitar, Ali found her true passion in West African style drumming, which lead to drum kit and other percussion. She has been to Guinea, West Africa three times to study traditional drumming of the Mandingue ethnic group. Ali has also brought drum masters, from the tradition, to the United States, to collaboratively host international workshops. These workshops were part of her work as Assistant Director of Tam Tam Mandingue, an international school of West African drumming. Ali’s goal is to teach the joy of percussion and rhythmic success to as many people as possible, whether through hand drumming, kit drumming, or in orchestra in the percussion section.
Student recitals give students the opportunity to perform the pieces they have been working on this semester. Sign up sheets will be in the main office, talk with your teacher about arranging a time for your student. There are two recital sessions each day, beginning at 5pm and 6:30pm.