Dr. Jessica Sherer, Flute & Co-Director
The UPS director chair
An adventurous flutist hailed for her "versatility and depth of understanding" (Composer Eva Kendrick), Dr. Jessica Sherer currently serves as principal flutist with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, piccoloist with the Albany Symphony, assistant principal flutist with the LaGrange Symphony, and performs regularly with orchestras throughout the Southeast, including the Greenville Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Spartanburg Philharmonic, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, and the Orlando Philharmonic. She has also shared the stage with such artists as Sarah McLachlan, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and Ben Folds. Jessica is co-founder of Anon Ensemble, a flute, viola, and bassoon trio whose commissioned work, Juntos, by Eva Kendrick, was recently awared the Judith Lang Zaimont Prize for the International Alliance of Women in Music New Music Search. She is also a member of Atlanta’s acclaimed new music ensemble, Chamber Cartel.
Jessica serves on the faculties of Emory University and Agnes Scott College and maintains a large and selective private studio, where her students regularly win competition prizes and positions in prominent youth orchestras and All-State ensembles. A long time advocate of social change through music, Jessica served as the Flute Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project, an El Sistema organization providing intensive musical training for children in underserved communities, from its inception in 2010 until 2015. She was a speaker at the 2012 TEDx Centennial Park Women conference on the topic of social change through music, and has recently launched Play It Forward, which provides private lesson scholarships for financially disadvantaged students in exchange for hour-for-hour volunteer work. In addition to ACMF, Jessica spends her summers as an Artist in Residence at the Orfeo Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy. Jessica holds a D.M. from Florida State University, a M.M. from the Longy School of Music, and a B.M. from Boston University, and has studied at the Brevard and Bowdoin music festivals. Her principal teachers include Robert Willoughby, Eva Amsler, Laura Gilbert, Marianne Gedigian, Linda Toote, and Elizabeth Goode. She can be heard on recordings with the FSU Symphony Orchestra (Naxos) and Chamber Cartel (independent).
Jessica serves on the faculties of Emory University and Agnes Scott College and maintains a large and selective private studio, where her students regularly win competition prizes and positions in prominent youth orchestras and All-State ensembles. A long time advocate of social change through music, Jessica served as the Flute Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project, an El Sistema organization providing intensive musical training for children in underserved communities, from its inception in 2010 until 2015. She was a speaker at the 2012 TEDx Centennial Park Women conference on the topic of social change through music, and has recently launched Play It Forward, which provides private lesson scholarships for financially disadvantaged students in exchange for hour-for-hour volunteer work. In addition to ACMF, Jessica spends her summers as an Artist in Residence at the Orfeo Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy. Jessica holds a D.M. from Florida State University, a M.M. from the Longy School of Music, and a B.M. from Boston University, and has studied at the Brevard and Bowdoin music festivals. Her principal teachers include Robert Willoughby, Eva Amsler, Laura Gilbert, Marianne Gedigian, Linda Toote, and Elizabeth Goode. She can be heard on recordings with the FSU Symphony Orchestra (Naxos) and Chamber Cartel (independent).
Kelly Via, Flute
The CBRE flute faculty chair
Kelly Via received the Bachelor of Music from Drake University and the Master of Music from East Carolina University. He is the piccoloist with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Macon Symphony Orchestra. A flute choir enthusiast and arranger, Kelly has been selected to perform with the National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir each year since 2000. He served as Flute Choirs Coordinator for the NFA from 2007 to 2012 and Coordinator for the High School Flute Choir Competition from 2012 to 2014. He conducted the NFA High School Flute Choir in 2008 and the Windy City Flute Orchestra to open the 2014 NFA Convention in Chicago! Kelly’s arrangements and compositions for flute choir are available through Nourse Wind Publications. Two of his arrangements were named winners in the NFA’s 2002 and 2013 Newly Published Music Competition and another was a finalist in 2004. He has appeared as guest conductor for flute choirs in Arizona, Canada, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia. Kelly teaches flute at Mercer University, University of North Georgia and the Atlanta Music Academy. He also directs the Mercer University Flute Choir, University of North Georgia Flute Ensemble and the Atlanta Metro Youth Flute Choir.
Rebecca Collins, Oboe
Rebecca Collins is a busy professional oboist and teacher in the Atlanta area. She holds performance degrees from Loyola University in New Orleans and the Mannes College of Music in New York City. She began her studies at age 13 and has studied with John Corina at UGA, Helen Erb of the New Orleans Symphony, and Elaine Douvas of the Metropolitan Opera. She is an active freelancer and plays with the Macon Symphony, the Dekalb Symphony, The Rome Symphony, The John’s Creek Symphony, and the Toccoa Symphony. Rebecca is also a popular oboe soloist and performs regularly at several churches in the Atlanta area. Rebecca has a large studio of successful oboe students and runs a reed making business serving oboists all over the country.
Pamela Holloway, Oboe
The Kabbage oboe faculty chair
Pamela Holloway earned her Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Columbus State University and Master of Music Performance degree from Georgia State University where she was a graduate assistant. Her primary teachers include renown oboists Russell deLuna, Dr. Lara Saville Dahl, and Holly Gornik.
Mrs. Holloway has performed with the Carroll Symphony, Rome Symphony, Ludwig Symphony, Macon Pops, New Atlanta Philharmonic, Lagrange Symphony, and Auburn Symphony Orchestras; Musica Sacra Atlanta, Voices of North Georgia, and North Georgia Wind Symphony. She really enjoys performing in pit orchestras for ballet and opera and was the second oboist/English hornist for the Columbus (GA) Ballet from 2005 to 2009. She has appeared as principal oboe and English horn with the Gwinnett Ballet performing Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker; as well as principal oboe/English horn for Massenet’s Werther and Mark Adamo’s Little Women with the GSU Opera Theater; Kurt Weill’s Street Scene for the 30th Anniversary Harrower Summer Opera Workshop; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, GA; and most recently, Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado with the Capitol City Opera Company. She has performed at the Chastain Park Amphitheater, Cobb Energy Center, and Atlanta Symphony Hall with such artists as Sarah Mclachlan, Josh Groban, Shakar, and Il Volo. She is also a busy church musician performing regularly all over the metro area as soloist and orchestra member.
Mrs. Holloway is an active middle and high school oboe clinician and maintains a busy private oboe studio. Her students have successfully auditioned and been accepted into GMEA District and All-State Bands; Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra; and performed in masterclasses for professional oboists in the Atlanta area. Her students regularly participate in the Georgia State University Annual Double Reed Day; Reinhardt University Annual Oboe Day; University of Georgia Annual MidFest and JanFest Band Festivals; and have attended summer music camps including Atlanta Chamber Music Festival and Oxford Oboe Camp. In the Spring of 2012 and 2014, Mrs. Holloway was the maternity replacement for oboe at Georgia State University. She resides in Canton, GA with her husband, Daniel, a cellist, and their daughter, Hannah.
Mrs. Holloway has performed with the Carroll Symphony, Rome Symphony, Ludwig Symphony, Macon Pops, New Atlanta Philharmonic, Lagrange Symphony, and Auburn Symphony Orchestras; Musica Sacra Atlanta, Voices of North Georgia, and North Georgia Wind Symphony. She really enjoys performing in pit orchestras for ballet and opera and was the second oboist/English hornist for the Columbus (GA) Ballet from 2005 to 2009. She has appeared as principal oboe and English horn with the Gwinnett Ballet performing Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker; as well as principal oboe/English horn for Massenet’s Werther and Mark Adamo’s Little Women with the GSU Opera Theater; Kurt Weill’s Street Scene for the 30th Anniversary Harrower Summer Opera Workshop; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Springer Opera House in Columbus, GA; and most recently, Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado with the Capitol City Opera Company. She has performed at the Chastain Park Amphitheater, Cobb Energy Center, and Atlanta Symphony Hall with such artists as Sarah Mclachlan, Josh Groban, Shakar, and Il Volo. She is also a busy church musician performing regularly all over the metro area as soloist and orchestra member.
Mrs. Holloway is an active middle and high school oboe clinician and maintains a busy private oboe studio. Her students have successfully auditioned and been accepted into GMEA District and All-State Bands; Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra; and performed in masterclasses for professional oboists in the Atlanta area. Her students regularly participate in the Georgia State University Annual Double Reed Day; Reinhardt University Annual Oboe Day; University of Georgia Annual MidFest and JanFest Band Festivals; and have attended summer music camps including Atlanta Chamber Music Festival and Oxford Oboe Camp. In the Spring of 2012 and 2014, Mrs. Holloway was the maternity replacement for oboe at Georgia State University. She resides in Canton, GA with her husband, Daniel, a cellist, and their daughter, Hannah.
Miranda Dohrman, Clarinet
The Robert Frohwein clarinet faculty chair
Miranda Dohrman is a freelance clarinetist and instructor. She has performed with the Atlanta, Charleston, and Greenville Symphony Orchestras, the Atlanta Ballet and Opera Orchestras, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, the Savannah Philharmonic, the Sarasota Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, and the Orlando Philharmonic. She has also performed several shows with Broadway Across America, including Billy Elliot, Evita, Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, South Pacific, and Wicked. Miranda is a charter member of the Atlanta Chamber Winds and served as clarinetist in the final seasons of the Pandean Players, an Atlanta-based chamber music ensemble. She is a founding member of the Balkan-style brass band Mercury Orkestar. For the 2004-2005 season, Miranda was Principal Clarinet with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and the Augusta Opera Orchestra. Miranda received both her Bachelor of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. She received a Master of Music degree from Florida State University. Her primary teachers include Dr. Frank Kowalsky and Mr. Kenneth Grant. Miranda is an Artist Affiliate at Agnes Scott College and she also teaches at the Atlanta International School and the Paideia School. She was previously
an instructor for both the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program and the Community Music Centers of Atlanta. Her recordings include performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Donald Runnicles (Telarc), the Atlanta Chamber
Winds (Albany), The Florida Orchestra (Naxos), and the New York-based new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound (Nonesuch). www.mirandadohrman.com
an instructor for both the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program and the Community Music Centers of Atlanta. Her recordings include performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Donald Runnicles (Telarc), the Atlanta Chamber
Winds (Albany), The Florida Orchestra (Naxos), and the New York-based new music ensemble Alarm Will Sound (Nonesuch). www.mirandadohrman.com
Shannon Lowe, Bassoon
Dr. Shannon Lowe serves as the Associate Professor of Bassoon at Valdosta State University. She has also served as adjunct Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the University of Florida. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Bassoon Performance at SUNY Stony Brook, where she studied with the renowned performer and pedagogue Dr. Frank Morelli. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree with a Performance Certificate as well as her Master of Music in Bassoon Performance degree from the University of Florida, under both Dr. Arnold Irchai and Dr. Kim Woolly.
Currently, Dr. Lowe is the principal bassoonist of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, 2014 recipient of the American Prize. She is also principal bassoonist of the Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with preeminent orchestras in the southeast such as the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Macon Symphony. For six seasons, she was principal bassoonist of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra (now known as the Gainesville Orchestra).
An avid chamber musician, Dr. Lowe performs in several chamber groups in the southeast. Recently, she became bassoonist for the Anon Ensemble, a group consisting of flute, viola, and bassoon. In April 2015, the ensemble was featured in an online premiere of Eva Kendrick's Juntos at the 20th Anniversary Congress of the International Alliance of Women in Music (IAWM). Kendrick's Juntos was the recipient of the Judith Lang Zaimont Prize for the IAWM 2014 New Music Search. She is a founding member of the Scirocco Quartet which has performed to high acclaim throughout the southeast and southwest. The group has been a featured performance ensemble at the National Flute Association Conference, Florida Flute Convention, and Symphony at the Museum Series in Albany, Georgia.
Dr. Lowe actively performs at International Double Reed Society Conferences. Her most recent performances were with VSU’s Azalea String Quartet in a recital of bassoon and string works at the 2016 IDRS Conference in Columbus (GA) State University and a recital of woodwind quartet premieres with the Ragin’ Reeds Quartet at the 2015 IDRS Conference in Tokyo, Japan.
Dr. Lowe has participated in the Sarasota Music Festival and International Music Festival in Burgos, Spain. Also, she has performed at the prestigious Campos do Jordão International Music Festival (Brazil). She has premiered contemporary works for the bassoon at the Florida Electroacoustic Music Festival as well as the Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival in Richmond, Virginia. In November 2013, Dr. Lowe was the featured soloist with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on Mozart's Bassoon Concerto. She looks forwards to soloing again in the 2017-2018 season with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Winds. This July, she will travel to the Netherlands to perform as a member of the American Chamber Winds at the 2017 WASBE Conference.
Currently, Dr. Lowe is the principal bassoonist of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, 2014 recipient of the American Prize. She is also principal bassoonist of the Albany (GA) Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with preeminent orchestras in the southeast such as the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Macon Symphony. For six seasons, she was principal bassoonist of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra (now known as the Gainesville Orchestra).
An avid chamber musician, Dr. Lowe performs in several chamber groups in the southeast. Recently, she became bassoonist for the Anon Ensemble, a group consisting of flute, viola, and bassoon. In April 2015, the ensemble was featured in an online premiere of Eva Kendrick's Juntos at the 20th Anniversary Congress of the International Alliance of Women in Music (IAWM). Kendrick's Juntos was the recipient of the Judith Lang Zaimont Prize for the IAWM 2014 New Music Search. She is a founding member of the Scirocco Quartet which has performed to high acclaim throughout the southeast and southwest. The group has been a featured performance ensemble at the National Flute Association Conference, Florida Flute Convention, and Symphony at the Museum Series in Albany, Georgia.
Dr. Lowe actively performs at International Double Reed Society Conferences. Her most recent performances were with VSU’s Azalea String Quartet in a recital of bassoon and string works at the 2016 IDRS Conference in Columbus (GA) State University and a recital of woodwind quartet premieres with the Ragin’ Reeds Quartet at the 2015 IDRS Conference in Tokyo, Japan.
Dr. Lowe has participated in the Sarasota Music Festival and International Music Festival in Burgos, Spain. Also, she has performed at the prestigious Campos do Jordão International Music Festival (Brazil). She has premiered contemporary works for the bassoon at the Florida Electroacoustic Music Festival as well as the Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival in Richmond, Virginia. In November 2013, Dr. Lowe was the featured soloist with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on Mozart's Bassoon Concerto. She looks forwards to soloing again in the 2017-2018 season with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Winds. This July, she will travel to the Netherlands to perform as a member of the American Chamber Winds at the 2017 WASBE Conference.
Amy Pollard, Bassoon
The Diane Bartlett bassoon faculty chair
Amy Pollard is assistant professor of bassoon at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. She formerly served as lecturer of bassoon at Baylor University and has also been on faculty at the University of Dayton and the Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts. During the summer she has been on the faculty of the Interlochen Arts Center Advanced Bassoon Institute. She is currently second bassoonist with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Pollard also serves on the administrative board for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and Symposium. Pollard has performed as a soloist with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony as well as with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Players. An avid chamber musician, she has performed at venues throughout the United States and also in Ireland, Belgium, and Argentina with such groups as the Georgia Woodwind Quintet, the Baylor University Woodwind Quintet, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Woodwind Quintet, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Chamber Players. Her bassoon-percussion duo, Col Legno (www.collegnoduo.com), has performed recitals and presented master classes at numerous venues throughout the country. Pollard’s debut solo album, Ruminations: Bassoon Works of Eugène Bozza, was recently released by Mark Records and on iTunes in February 2015.
*Artist-faculty are subject to change.
