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 held the inaugural Northern Idaho Flute Festival on September 23, 2023.
Upcoming Events
Classes for Woodwind, Brass and Percussion
Meet The Instructors
Gosia Szemelak-
Dauksza, Flute
Gosia started playing flute when she was 12 years old. She graduated from Academy of Music in Kraków, Poland in 2012. During the course of her musical education, she attended flute workshops in Poland, Spain, and the UK, under the guidance of world-renowned flutists such as Professor Peter Lukas Graf, Professor Janos Balint, Łukasz Długosz, and Wil Offermans. Goisa moved to Sandpoint with her family in 2020 and is currently a flute instructor at the Music Conservatory.
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.
Children Performing for Children presents Music R U.S., a compilation of selections written by American composers in various themes including folk, movie themes and pop. Performed by students in our Music Matters! Orchestra, Youth Choir, Ensemble Choir, Percussion and Handbell Choir.