Advanced Masterclass with Brook Ferguson

Homeland Allison Loggins-Hall • Performed by Brianne Steif

Tango Etude No. 2 “Anxieux et Rubato” Astor Piazzolla • Performed by Brenna Barrera

Danza de la Mariposa Valerie Coleman • Performed by Heather Havens

Sonata Appassionata Sigfrid Karg-Elert • Performed by Caitlyn Thompson

Partita in A minor Johann Sebastian Bach: Corrente, Sarabande • Performed by Rebecca Percy

2021 Advanced Masterclass Participant Bios

Brenna Barrera is a first-year graduate student at the University of New Mexico studying Flute Performance with Valerie Potter.  She received her bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana in Fall 2020. She is currently part of the UNM Wind Symphony and Orchestra in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has performed at music festivals such as the Louisiana Flute Festival, William Bennett Flute Academy and The Informed Flutist Orchestral Workshop. Brenna enjoys being able to continue to develop her teaching and performing as a student at the University of New Mexico.  

Heather Havens is a flutist currently residing in Austin, TX, where she studies with Marianne Gedigian at the University of Texas at Austin.  This year (2021), Heather was selected as a finalist in the Austin Flute Society’s 2021 Young Artist Competition.  She was also awarded Out-of-State First Place Winner in the 2021 UFA Sonata Competition.  Heather received her Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance from Boston University, where she studied with Linda Toote.  In addition, Heather earned a Bachelors in Musicology and a minor in Arts Leadership.  She holds two Precollegiate Diplomas from the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester, NY.

Rebecca Percy is a native of Trussville, Alabama and currently resides in Knoxville, Tennessee where she works as a freelance musician. She plays 3rd flute and piccolo in the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, performs as a regular substitute with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and serves as Director of Communications and Outreach for Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony. Rebecca’s primary teachers include Shelley Binder and Hannah Hammel. Due to Covid-19, she currently works as a bicycle mechanic and is excited to have this opportunity to perform for other musicians!

Brianne Steif is a senior Music Performance major at Illinois State University and has participated in the top orchestra and wind ensemble for the past four years. Always yearning to grow as a musician, Steif has auditioned and participated in many competitions and masterclasses. She has played for Keith Underwood, Valerie Coleman, Amy Porter, Courtney Morton. Steif has also won the ISU Concerto-Aria Competition and placed 2nd in the South Carolina Flute Society's Collegiate Competition.

Caitlin Thompson is currently pursuing her BM in Flute Performance at Boston University under the instruction of Linda Toote. She frequently performs with the BU Symphony Orchestra, BU Wind Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles throughout the Boston area. Most recently, she won second prize in the Great Composers Bach Competition. A graduate of Seven Lakes High School in Katy, TX, Caitlin is indebted to her previous teachers, Matthew Roitstein and Patty Moeling.

Brook Ferguson