Meerenai Shim is a founding member of both the Ibert Trio (flute, cello, and piano) and the Blithe Duo (flute duo). A passionate advocate of contemporary composition, Ms. Shim has independently commissioned three pieces from three different composers. The first work, Entrometido for flute and cello, a new composition commissioned from San Jose composer Noah Luna, will be released on a studio recording featuring Ms. Shim in early 2011. The second and third commissions engage Brooklyn composer Daniel Felsenfeld and Chicago composer Janice Misurell-Mitchell, respectively. A multi-talented performer, Ms. Shim conducted the Aspen Contemporary Ensembleʼs world premiere of Ken Ueno's No How On in 1998.

Ms. Shim's book, Scale Studies for Beginner and Intermediate Flutists, published in 2007, has received praise from flute pedagogues and publications worldwide. An unconventional flute teacher, Ms. Shim strives to empower students through the Socratic method. Her teaching philosophy is influenced by studies in Body Mapping, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais. As an Andover Educator trainee, she also incorporates the Body Mapping course, What Every Musician Needs to Know About the Body, into her private flute teaching.

Ms. Shim has studied with flute pedagogues including Linda Lukas, Mary Stolper, Liisa Ruoho and Alexa Still. She studied orchestral conducting at the Aspen Music Festival and Eastern Music Festival, with teachers such as Paul Vermel, Murry Sidlin, and Sheldon Morgenstern. Ms. Shim received a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from DePaul University in Chicago and a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from San Francisco State University. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, and grew up in Novato, California. For more information, please visit meerenai.com.

Tamara Maddaford, a native of Iowa, discovered her natural talent and love for the flute at age 8 through her mother, flutist Joanne Chadima. She received her M.M. Magna Cum Laude in Flute Performance from the University of Iowa where she studied with acclaimed soloist and clinician, Dr. Tadeu Coelho. Her other studies include San Jose State University, the Boxwood Music Festival in Rotorua, New Zealand, and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Tamara has performed at the 2005, ’07 and ’09 National Flute Conventions and as a soloist with the Golden State Pops Orchestra and the Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra. She has won various awards and competitions, including the San Jose State University Concerto Competition, the San Jose Mu Phi Epsilon Alumni Association Scholarship Award and the San Jose State Outstanding Senior Award. Other teachers that she has received inspiration and guidance from include Isabelle Chapuis-Starr, Jill Felber and Betty Bang Mather.

Ms. Maddaford is currently a new resident of Denver, Colorado. Her previous positions include principle flute of the Golden State Pops Orchestra and Los Angeles Chamber Players, and Professor of Flute at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA.

Praised for her expressive and dynamic playing style, the multi-faceted Natalie Haworth-Liu has performed with several symphony orchestras in Oregon and the Bay Area, is a founding member of the Blithe Duo, and an active soloist, instructor, clinician, and adjudicator. Her highly successful flute studio based in San Jose has attracted some of the most talented and dedicated students in the valley. Known to over 380 students as “Miss Natalie,” she is also the Music Director at Monticello Academy, where she teaches music appreciation, ear training, theory, band, and flute.

Ms. Haworth-Liu received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Flute Performance from the University of Oregon’s School of Music as a Ruth Close and Phi-Beta scholarship recipient. Recognized early on as a “unique talent,” she served as Principal Flute of the University of Oregon Symphony, Oregon Opera Ensemble, the acclaimed Oregon Wind Ensemble, and also premiered several new works at the University of Oregon’s Music Today Festival. An active musician throughout Oregon, Natalie free-lanced with local orchestras and music organizations, was invited to perform with the Oregon Mozart Players for a special presentation of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concert No. IV, and performed frequently in master class with such flute masters as Susan Milan, Patrick Gallois, and Michael Hasel. Graduating with top honors and distinction, Natalie was awarded the “Outstanding Woodwind Performance Award” with special recognition from the Dean of the University of Oregon School of Music and invited to perform at commencement.

Upon graduation, Natalie relocated to the Bay Area where she became an active soloist, orchestral, and chamber musician. Eventually settling in San Jose, Natalie continued her studies with French Flutist Isabelle Chapuis and received additional coaching from Robert Stallman.

A passionate advocate for arts education, Natalie has worked extensively in Arts Administration and Educational Outreach with several Bay Area arts organizations, including, Ballet San Jose, Ballet San Jose School, sjDanceco, and the Ives String Quartet.

Although teaching takes up most of Natalie’s time, she is a founding member of the Blithe Duo with fellow flutist Meerenai Shim. Natalie’s future plans include a recording of solo works for flute with a nation-wide recital tour, and performances with the Blithe Duo.

Natalie resides in San Jose with her husband and two sons.