Amy Eyles has performed as principal flutist with the Great Falls Symphony since 2001, and was a featured soloist with the symphony in 2005. She also freelances on flute and piccolo with the Billings Symphony and Helena Symphony. Previously she performed with the Ohio Light Opera Company, Round Top Festival-Institute ensembles, and the Aspen Music Festival ensembles. Devoted to chamber music, Amy performs with the Chinook Winds quintet throughout the Northwest region. She also collaborates with Aurora Chamber Music in Maryland, Virginia, and locally. Past chamber music experiences include performing in multiple chamber ensembles for the Windy Mountain Music Project in Canada, and performing with Silverspruce Flute and Guitar Duo throughout Montana and California.
Amy enjoys providing private flute and piano instruction for all ages and levels. Additionally, Amy serves as PTA Reflections Arts Program Chair for Whittier Elementary School. Her other passions include gardening, baking, and exploring the outdoors with her family. Originally from Northern Virginia, she graduated high school with honors from the Interlochen Arts Academy. After earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, she received a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She appreciates the flute instruction she received from Bonita Boyd, Leone Buyse, Timothy Day, Martha Aarons, and Tyra Gilb.
Bill Aikens is the Principal Oboist of the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Chinook Winds Quintet. Bill is a recent graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he received his Master's Degree in Oboe Performance. During his time in Cincinnati, Bill had the privilege of studying under Dr. Mark Ostoich, as well as the members of the Cincinnati Symphony's oboe section. Originally from Pittsburgh, Bill earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at Duquesne University where he studied with Scott Bell and Jim Gorton. When he's not playing his oboe, Bill is an avid sports fan and likes to fish, hike, and ski with his wife and friends.
Nick Murdick has held principal and section positions with orchestras in Michigan, Montana and Kentucky and was most recently 4th horn player with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a featured artist for the 2010-2011 Northern Showcase Concert Association's Concert Series, performing Brahms's Horn Trio with violinist Irina Mueller and pianist Thomas Strauss. Nick teaches instrumental music at Holy Spirit School.
Douglas Brown joins the Great Falls Symphony and Chinook Winds Quintet for his second season as Principal Bassoonist. A native of Red Lodge, Montana, he completed his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City in the spring of 2009. While in New York, Brown was a member of the Argento New Music Ensemble, and in 2008 toured with the group to Jakarta, Indonesia to perform works of local composer, Tony Prabowo. With members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Brown recorded selections from Beethoven's opera Fidelio issued on the Oboe Classics label in the fall of 2007. Mr. Brown has spent the past two summers in Logan, Utah, playing with the orchestra of the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Company. Previous summer activities have included the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestra Musicians in Hancock, Maine, and the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute in Washington, D.C. In his spare time, Douglas enjoys the outdoors and cooking vegetarian ethnic cuisines.
Allison Sontz is the Principal Clarinetist in the Great Falls Symphony and a member of the Chinook Winds Quintet. Allison attended The Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University receiving her BM in clarinet performance. She then attended the University of Maryland Baltimore County where she studied American Contemporary Music. Prior to moving to Great Falls, Allison played with The Woodbridge Chamber Orchestra, The Capital Wind Symphony, co-founded The Four Winds Quartet, and maintained a private teaching studio. Her former teachers include Sharon Bonneau, Robert Little, Edward Palanker, and Dr. E. Michael Richards. Allison's other interests include camping, hiking, playing with her dog, and spending time with her fiancé.
