Amy
O'Neill, B.Mus.
Amy O'Neill leads a widely varied musical life. She obtained her Bachelor of Music (Hons.) from the University of Western Ontario in 2000, and has since become firmly entrenched in the Irish music scene.
On the Classical side of things, Amy has over fifteen years of teaching and performing experience. She has studied privately with Annelie Metrakos (Orchestra London) and Margaret Voorhaar (Orchestra London), and participates frequently in masterclasses given by such noted flutists as Peter Lloyd, Emmanuel Pahud, Louis Moyse, Eyal Ein-Habar, Per Øien, Fiona Wilkinson, Kathleen Rudolph, and Anne Thompson. She performs regularly as principal flutist of the London Community Orchestra, in various pit orchestras and in many smaller ensembles. She often appears as a clinician with schools and community music groups, where her goal is to create in each student a love of music which stays with him/her for life.
On the Irish/folk side, Amy plays wooden flute for the band Jig Shinny, is a core member of the Chaucer's Trad Session, co-hosts the Black Shire Pub Session and is one of south-western Ontario's most sought-after wooden flutists.
Amy believes in life-long learning, and often attends workshops such as the Boxwood Flute Festival and the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, where she has worked with wooden flutists Chris Norman, Kevin Crawford, Jean-Michel Veillon, June McCormack, Nuala Kennedy, Loretto Reid, Brendan Dolan and piper Paddy Keenan.
Jennifer
Baetz Chester, B.Mus., Art. Dip.
Jennifer was born and raised in Strathroy, Ontario. Jennifer began playing flute at the age of fourteen through the music program at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute. She was accepted on scholarship to the music program at UWO in 1995. During her time at UWO, Jennifer studied privately with Sharon Kahan and was coached by Anne Thompson, Fiona Wilkinson, Kevin McMillan, and John Hess in master classes and chamber music ensembles. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Music (Education) degree in 1999 and returned to UWO the following year for a one-year performance diploma. After completing her studies, Jennifer began to teach privately at Conservatory Canada’s London teaching campus and led Kindermusik classes. She continues to teach in her home studio and her students regularly place in area music festivals and have received awards through Conservatory Canada examinations.
Jennifer is an active freelance music in the London area. She has performed with Orchestra London, the Windsor Symphony, the Huron Country Playhouse, and currently plays flute and piccolo for the Stratford Civic Orchestra. Jennifer is also a member of Light of East, a Middle Eastern music ensemble. Jennifer’s most recent musical journeys have drawn her to learning about genres outside the classical sphere and to step into the world of improvisation.