In July, UNO sophomore flute performance major Dakota Valle had the privilege of participating in the XI Festival Internacional de Flautas de Costa Rica. The festival brought in numerous world-renowned guest artists – including Michel Bellavance (Switzerland), Matej Grahek (Slovenia), Christopher Lee (Canada), Carla Rees (UK), Milica Milojevich (Serbia), Horacio Massone (Argentina), Carlos Feller (Brazil), Joel Tse (China/USA), and American flutists Regina Helcher Yost, Sheryl Cohen, Francesca Arnone, Zawa! (Claudia Anderson and Jill Felber), Eldred Spell, and UNO’s flute professor, Christine Erlander Beard – to give masterclasses and perform in faculty recitals. During the week-long festival, Dakota attended classes and  performed in  a masterclass to receive  feedback from the former principal flautist of Brazil’s national orchestra, RogerioWolf.

Dakota also joined over 150 flute students from Central America who participated in the festival flute choir conducted  by AngelitaFloyd (University of Northern Iowa). The flute orchestra performed a variety of pieces ranging from the ever-popular Pavane (Fauré) to the contemporary style of Lamasery Jigsaw (McLearnon). Dakota is excited to be back in Omaha to use her newfound knowledge in her second year at UNO. GoMavs!