UW Flute Choir Selected to Perform at National Flute Association Convention
Published February 27, 2026
Members of the UW Flute Choir are, from left, front: Rachel Good, Cheyenne; Seanna Lohmann, Cheyenne; and Amanda Smith, Chubbuck, Idaho; middle, Rylie Johnson, Green River; Isabella Peña, Cheyenne; and Karina Schoessler, Cody; back, Julia Griner, Casper; Madeline Elston, Casper; and Emilee Ewing, Grapevine, Texas. (UW Photo)
The University of Wyoming Flute Choir, the performing arm of the Wyoming Flute Association
(WFA), has been selected to perform a showcase at the 54th annual National Flute Association
(NFA) Convention in Portland, Ore.
The NFA is the premier professional organization for North American flutists. Conventions
average an attendance of 3,000-3,400 registrants and feature hundreds of performers
and clinicians throughout four days. Performance spots at the convention are highly
competitive, with less than 30 percent of proposals accepted in any given year.
“This is a huge accomplishment for the students and a real honor for the entire music
department to be able to represent UW at this international convention,” says Nicole
Riner, a UW flute professor. “I am so proud of these flutists.”
Locations and themes rotate annually. This year’s convention will take place at the
Oregon Convention Center Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 6-9; the UW Flute Choir performs
Saturday, Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. The convention’s theme is “Origins: Celebrating Trailblazing
and Discovery.”
To be selected for a showcase, the group submitted a proposal that included sample
representative recordings and a proposed program of repertoire that fit the convention’s
theme.
Emilee Ewing, a graduate teaching assistant at UW, conducts the choir as part of her
assistantship duties. In preparation for the recording session, she rehearsed the
flute choir, selected the repertoire and wrote the successful proposal that secured
the group’s invitation to the convention.
Sophomore music student Rachel Good, of Cheyenne, served both as a flutist in the
ensemble and as recording engineer, primed for the task by her work with audio technology
professor Will Flagg.
In addition to her judging responsibilities and committee work, Riner also will perform
two works on the “Home, Sweet Home” concert Thursday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. and will serve
as a featured artist at the Altus Handmade Flutes booth.
WFA is a recognized student organization on campus, advised by Riner. Officers are
Julia Griner, of Casper, president; Rylie Johnson, of Green River, vice president;
Karina Schoessler, of Cody, secretary; and Madeline Elston, of Casper, treasurer.
Donations to help flute choir members get to Portland can be made here. Those who wish to give can search for WFA under “Giving Priorities.”
To learn more about the UW Flute Choir, email Riner at nriner@uwyo.edu.
