Artist description Flutist Donna Wissinger has been recognized as a dynamic young international star whose concerts include much acclaimed recitals on the mainstages of Carnegie Hall and the Glinka Capella, recital tours of Europe and the USA, and a highly successful tour throughout several republics of the former Soviet Union. The New York Times states "No production should be without an onstage Miss Wissinger" and audiences everywhere are captivated by her beautiful and communicative playing, her charismatic stage presence, and her obvious love and enthusiasm for her art.Donna Wissinger made her New York recital debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 1984 and subsequently played recitals in New York under the auspices of Artists International, whose Distinguished Artist Award she won in 1986 and 1988. Miss Wissinger was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Mozarteum in Salzburg; her teachers have included Julius Baker and Jean-Pierre Rampal. She was selected by Musical America as "'Young Artist of 1986" and her 1989 recital at Merkin Concert Hall was broadcast by National Public Radio. Miss Wissinger's international appearances include recitals in Florence, Graz, Munich, Salzburg, Pads, Moscow, Tbilisi, Kiev, St. Petersburg, and Cairo. Her much acclaimed recitals in the former USSR were broadcast on radio and television stations across that nation.This versatile artist regularly tours the Mid-West and East Coast in recital and with orchestra, presents masterclasses, and has appeared as Artist-in-Residence at colleges and festivals throughout the US. Miss Wissinger is a member of Associated Solo Artists and a principal artist in that organizations educational (The Learning Arts) and corporate (Creative Leaps International) programs as well as in the chamber ensemble The Classic Apple. She is also on the rosters of The Florida Touring Program and Florida's Artists Residency Directory.A firm believer in life-long and interdisciplinary learning, Donna Wissinger is a USPTA teaching professional, a Licensed Neuromuscular Massage Therapist, a marathon runner, and a published poet. She has been featured on National Geographic's Discovery program Bicycle for her Bicycle/Flute tour TOP FORM, the Mazda/Orange County Performing Arts Center 1992 Triathlon, and on numerous television and radio shows in the USA and Europe. Miss Wissinger's professional development programs in creativity and interdisciplinary learning have been part of training programs for GE, McDonnell Douglas, the US Government, Pfizer, The Center for Excellence, and teacher training in FL and the Northeast. She was recently a Leader Lab speaker at the Reinvention Revolution Conference in Washington, DC, and an annual speaker at the ACE/FAAE Summer Leadership Conferences in Florida. She is a founder and principal artist in the Orlando New Music Ensemble. Miss Wissinger is a leader in Youth Development Through the Arts nationally and is co-author of the ACE/FAAE Florida Model Program Tool Kit for artists and educators.

Similar Artists Galway, Rampal, Moyse, Bach, Copland

Instruments Flute, Piano

Press Reviews Virtuoso is not a strong enough term to describe the performance of flutist Donna Wissinger, who is not only highly skilled in the technique of playing the flute, but she also has a capability to infuse the music with a soaring spirit of expression that goes far beyond technique.Her performances of Bach, Telemann and Handel are evocative of the spirited, lyrical melodies associated with the Baroque period, when, according to Wissinger, the flute was a very popular instrument."I wish I could say that it was because they were so enlightened they thought the flute was the voice of God," says Wissinger. "But that just isn't so. The real reason is because the king, Frederick the Great, played the flute, and when the king plays the flute, everybody plays the flute."Donna Wissinger's talent is not limited to the concert stage. She plays professional tennis on the U.S. Tennis Association circuit, and is a USPTA teaching professional. She has bicycled from New York City to Miami (exceptional training for a wind instrument!) and is a competitive runner. Her athleticism is evident in her performance, as she accompanies each flute piece with sweeping, rhythmic dance movements.She has studied in Salzburg, Munich, and New York City. She has performed five tours of Europe and Russia, and 12 tours of the United States. She is a proud member of Florida's Artist Residency Program, which brings music to schools in the state.Donna has just completed recording her first CD on the Eroica Classical Recordings label. The Daily Sun.Flutist's Album CommandingBy Jan WalkerThe Village's Daily Sun"Amazing Grace, An American Tapestry," the newly released CD from intemationally renowned concert flutist Donna Wissinger'is an exciting work that makes a gentle but persistent demand of the listener. Just listen.Wissinger, accompanied by Jon Klibonoff on piano, delivers more than just a performance. tier music draws the listener into an experience - a sort of silent, internal conversation that prevents the listener from focusing on anything else. Simply put, this is not "background music." It is futile to engage in other activity: reading, conversation, (yes) writing while listening. In fact, I wouldn't recommend driving either.Just listen. Settle in. Close your eyes and be transported. The CD begins with Aaron Copland's arrangement of the traditional Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts." Wissinger's .sparkling rendition cleanses the "auditory palate," setting the tone for the experience to come. Three more Copland works serve to stimulate the listener's imagination and redirect focus.By the time the aptly titled "Pleasant Song No. I," by Peter Schickele, is heard, Wissinger and Klibonoff have mesmerized the listener into complete submission. What follows is a fascinating 45 minutes or so (give or take a few centuries) of absorbing music from a diverse selection of composers, including the haunting "Canzone" by Samuel Barber; the musically athletic "Three Dances" composed for Wissinger by University of Central Florida professor Stella Sung; and the "Suite Modale for Flute and Piano" by Ernest Bloch.After "Whales Ween Not!" by Ned Rorem, followed by Leonard Bernstein's "Somewhere:' Wissinger begins to gently lead the listener back to the present. From a pair of Stephen Foster tunes, through Grant Foster's reflective "Bayou Home," to Howard Tappan's arrangement of the English hymn "Amazing Grace," Wissinger returns finally to "Simple Gifts:' and the journey is complete. It's a trip you'll want to take again, often.Wissinger, a resident of Lutz, Fla., performed at The Villages Church on the Square in December 1998. Recognized internationally as a gifted musician and captivating performer, Wissinger has toured extensively in Europe, Russia and the Unit- ed States. She made her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall in 1984. In 1986 and 1988, Wissinger was awarded the Distinguished Artist Award by Artists International. Some of her teachers have included Julius Baker and Jean-Pierre Rampal.In addition to touring, Wissinger performs regularly throughout the United States in recitals and with orchestras, and has served as artist-in-residence at colleges and festivals nationwide. A certified teaching professional, she conducts workshops and classes in creative and interdisciplinary learning for young people and is very active in a number of organizations that promote youth development through music, art and storytelling programs.An accomplished athlete, Wissinger has also played professionally on the U.S. Tennis Association circuit and has taught tennis professionally. She is also a competitive cyclist and runnerInspiring artistic expressionA wonderful collection of American composers interpreted with beautiful and inspiring artistic expression. Ms. Wissinger's performance demonstrates great artistry and depth, and captures the essence of the musical spirit she evokes. Mr. Klibonoff is masterful and stylistic in his accompaniment. This CD encompasses a broad range of styles and complexities in American Classical music, and is worth a listen! - August 7, 2000 Amazon.com reviewerA welcome collection of American music beautifully and expertly played...The new CD, Amazing Grace: An American Tapestry, is a welcome collection of American music beautifully and expertly played by flutist, Donna Wissinger, and pianist Jon Klibonoff. The disk begins with "Simple Gift: arranged by Aaron Copland. Ms. Wissinger's lovely, full, pure tone sends us through a treasury of American music.The Copland "Duo" is played very expressively with a variety of dynamics and tone color in both the flute and piano parts. There is energy, drive, and brilliant technique without losing tone quality or clarity. Peter Schickele's "Pleasant Songs" are given a mellow, simple, and indeed pleasant rendition. Samuel Barber's "Canzone" is shaped by the artists with beautiful flowing lines and deeply concentrated feeling. The composition "Three Dances for Flute and Piano" by Stella Sung, is a marvelous addition to the literature. The Andante's intricate and fascinating rhythms and melodies are tossed off with panache by the artists. Playing alone in the Adagio, Ms. Wissinger perfectly captures the improvisational style with a range of emotion and gorgeous color. The Ostinato never lets our attention lag for a moment, and the duo bring it to a dazzling finish. Ms. Wissinger and Mr. Klibonoff continue their excellent ensemble throughout all the selections. In the Ernest Bloch "Suite Modale", they take a very thoughtful approach. There are subtle nuances, much delicacy, elegant long lines, and carefree yet refined style with perfectly spun filigree. The remaining somewhat lighter compositions are charming. They provide the finishing touch to an outstanding recording. - August 24, 2000 Sabina Micarelli, Violinist Clara Schumann Trio"Amazing Grace" costs a spell and lives up to Its titleDonna Wissinger and Jon Klibonoff have done a superb job. Their musicianship is genuinely artistry of the first caliber. All the music is vibrantly and sensitively played.One feels joy, wonderful intelligence and great caring every step of the way in their music making. I was especially struck by their playing of the Copland Duo. What purity of hed-rt-in thd-o-pening phrases! Clear, beautifully balanced tones that sing out from the soul. I come back to it again and again to taste its utter peacefulness. Each breath a graceful, easy flowing. And the third movement of the piece is so full of fun and fabulously virtuosic. Among my other favorites were the two Stephen Foster pieces: "The Old Folks at Home" and "Oh, Boys Carry Me 'long". They magically re- create the charming spirit of another time and place. The pep and bounce of "Carry me 'long" is absolutely contagious. "Bayou Home" is another miniature masterpiece. William Grant Still is another treasure I would love to hear more of. What is so great about their playing together is that they know how to cast a spell with the music and take the time and care to do it magnificently, generously and for the sake of the music. Jon Klibonoff's work is always fully present, rhythmically alive-simply brilliant. The Howard Tappan arrangements of "Simple Gifts" and "Amazing Grace: are sonorously rich and full of heart, and, in the hands of These artists, absolutely uplifting, indeed, eloquent. I have been privileged to hear these two fine artists in concert on numerous occasion. Amazing Grace: An American Tapestry captures their extraordinary gifts with prize-winning authenticity. Congratulations as well to sound engineer, JonathanSchultz. I could not recommend this album more highly. - August 28, 2000 John Cimino, President & CEO Associated Solo Artists & Creative Leaps International PRESS QUOTES"No production should be without an on-stage Miss Wissinger. " - The New York Times"... a flutist of rare gifts. Miss Wissinger played beautifully, shaping her phrases elegantly and producing a sound that was both sinuous and sweet. One hopes to hear her again soon..." - The New York Timesa soaring spirit of expression that goes far beyond technique .... - The Daily Sun"...a consummate professional. Miss Wissinger has not only great musical and technical abilities but also a tremendous facility for making any audience feel a part of the performance." - Allied Concert ServicesHer gifts and abilities as a flutist are rare and compelling. I am greatly impressed by her beautiful sound, exciting musicality, and captivating presence. " - Jean-Pierre Rampal........ a great artist with great warmth ...... a tremendous stage personality. real Renaissance person." - Mid-Western Tour"...a star. Miss Wissinger has the sound and the rhythmic vitality of the very best. " - Lavrov, Director Capella Leningrad, USSR

Location Santa Fe, NM - USA

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