10039903_MCM_OCT2021

MYMUSIC

Flint Symphony Orchestra ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

PRINCIPAL HARPIST COMPILED BY SHERRON BARDEN PHOTO PROVIDED BY FLINT INSTITUTE OF MUSIC

rincipal Harpist for the FSO and Windsor Sym phony Orchestra, Amy Ley has held the prin

cipal harp position in the Lansing Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, and Saginaw Bay Orchestras. She has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, National Ballet Orchestra in Toronto, Kitchner-Wa terloo Symphony, Orchestra Lon don, Toledo Symphony, and Charles ton Symphony. Her performance of the “Flute and Harp Concerto” by Mozart with the Windsor Sym phony has been broadcast on the Ca nadian Broadcasting Corporation’s radio network across Canada and the United States. She also performs as a part of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival in Washington and the Lancaster Music Festival, Ohio. Ley is the harp instructor at Hills dale College and the University of Windsor and has been a harp instruc tor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Festival for over 15 years. She also works extensively with elementary-age

children in her Windsor-based “Mu sic for Young Children” program. Championing classical music in her home community of Windsor, Ontario, Ley is a founder, artistic director, and regular performer in a chamber music series called 4th Wall Music.This series aims to connect with new audiences by collaborating with musicians and a wide range of other local artists. Ley also pursues her love of chamber music as a mem ber of the Michigan Harp Ensemble, the new music ensemble Brave New Works, and various other stages. Ley received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan under Lynne Aspnes. She attended the Harp Colony in Maine, the Aspen Music Festival, the Pacific

Music Festival, Pine Mountain Music Festival and was a top prizewinner in the Young Professional Division of the American Harp Society competition. Conducted by Maestro Enrique Diemecke, the November 13 performance will feature: • Dances Sacrée et Profane for Harp and String Orchestra Claude Debussy • Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op.68, “Pastoral ” Ludwig van Beethoven Experiences with nature are a common thread that weaves through all living beings, so it’s no surprise that humans have been writing music inspired by nature since the beginning

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