Donna Fairbanks, violin
Hilary Demske, piano
Jeff O'Flynn, clarinet
January 29, 2024
7:00 p.m.
As a recording artist, violinist Donna Fairbanks has released several published CDs with the labels Albany Records, MSR Classics,
4TAY Records, and Tantara Records. Her recording list includes notoriously difficult
works such as Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Violin and Percussion and Arvo Pärt’s Fratres, as well as classic masterpieces such as Camille Saint-Saëns’ Fantasie for violin and harp. Reviewers praise her “great precision” (Fanfare), “delicacy and
fire” (Grammophone), and her performances as “very convincing and pristine” (ConcertoNet),
with “plenty of melodic beauty” (Atlanta Audio Club). Her recordings have been featured on major
public radio stations, among them WNYC New York City, WFMT Chicago, WPRB Princeton,
and the Beethoven Satellite Network.
Her international recitals include performances in China, Brazil, Mexico, and Europe.
Notable venues include the Gent Festival in Belgium, Schumann Festival in Germany,
Rotterdam Conservatory, Hungarian National Gallery, Teatro Ouro Verde in Brazil, and
the Nanjing, Shanxi, and Huazhong Universities in China. She has completed faculty
residencies at Universidade Estadual de Londrina in Brazil and the YouHao Art Center
in Beijing, China.
Dr. Fairbanks received the 2021 Utah-ASTA Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of her contributions to teaching. Her students have excelled in competitions,
job placements, and graduate programs.
She received degrees from the University of Arizona (DMA), the Eastman School of Music
(MM), and Brigham Young University (BM), with additional studies at the University
of Missouri Kansas City and the University of Cincinnati. Major mentors include Zvi
Zeitlin, Varujan Kojian, Tiberius Klausner, and William Haroutonian.
Hilary holds a Doctorate in performance from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Music degree from The Peabody Conservatory of Music.
Clarinetists at UVU work one-on-one with Dr. Jeffrey O'Flynn and benefit from his
diverse musical experience. Dr. O'Flynn served as principal clarinet of the Queen
City Opera and has appeared with the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, the Orlando Philharmonic,
the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Opera, and the Richmond Symphony, among other
ensembles. He was the featured artist at the Hebei International Clarinet Festival
(China) and the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (Mexico City, Mexico) Taller
de Clarinet. He was featured artist at the University of Texas at Arlington Clarinet
Day, the University of Southern Mississippi Clarinet Day and has given recitals at
the University of Arizona, Adams State University, and the Las Vegas Clarinet Day.
Recent chamber performances include "My Private Body" at UVU, and a concert at the
International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest 2022.
In addition to his performance credentials, Dr. O'Flynn has a successful record as
a teacher. UVU clarinet graduates have perfect job placement records in their chosen
fields. Students have won positions in performing groups (band, orchestra, military),
are excellent music educators, work as composers/arrangers, and more. UVU clarinetists
have won the UVU Concerto Competition and regularly place in other competitions. A
noted clinician, Dr. O'Flynn has presented masterclasses and lectures around the world.
He holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA),
Florida State University (MM), and Wichita State University (BM). Major mentors include
Ixi Chen, Ron Aufmann, Frank Kowalsky, and Suzanne Tirk. Dr. O'Flynn is currently
associate professor of clarinet, woodwind area coordinator, and chair of the Department
of Music at Utah Valley University.
Utah Valley University acknowledges that we gather on land sacred to all Indigenous people who came before us in this vast crossroads region. The University is committed to working in partnership—as enacted through education and community activities—with Utah’s Native Nations comprising: the San Juan Southern Paiute, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Uintah & Ouray Reservation of the Northern Ute, Skull Valley Goshute, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation, Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute-White Mesa Community, and urban Indian communities. We recognize these Native Nations and their continued connections with traditional homelands, mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as their sovereign relationships with state and federal governments. We honor their collective memory and continued physical and spiritual presence. We revere their resilience and example in preserving their connections to the Creator and to all their relations, now and in the future.
With this statement comes responsibility and accountability. We resolve to follow
up with actionable items to make the School of the Arts at UVU and The Noorda Center
for the Performing Arts an inclusive, equitable, and just space for all. There is
much work to be done, and we are committed to putting these words into practice.
Artwork by Shane Walking Eagle (Sisseton Dakota).
Our mission is to produce and present artistic excellence, which would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We thank them and express our deep gratitude to all patrons, supporters, and friends of The Noorda.
The arts possess the unparalleled power to inspire, educate, liberate, and transform. They elevate moments, mark milestones, soften edges, and generate profound meaning. Experience the beauty and wonder of the arts with us this season at The Noorda and begin at once to live!
Courtney R. Davis, J.D., M.A.
Dean, School of the Arts
Department Chair
JEFFREY O'FLYNN
Administrative Assistant
CHRIS GINES
Chamber Choir/Deep Green
REED CRIDDLE
Emerald Singers
CHERILYN WORTHEN
Concert Choir
DEMAREE BROWN
Opera Coordinator
ISAAC HURTADO
Voice Coordinator
MELISSA HEATH
Private Voice Instructors
AUBREY ADAMS-MACMILLAN
CECILY BILLS
ADRIENNE BRAUN
DEMAREE BROWN
ANTHONY BUCK
REED CRIDDLE
MELISSA HEATH
CHRISTOPHER HOLMES
ISAAC HURTADO
CONSTANCE JENSEN
SERENA KANIG BENISH
EMILY MERRELL
JOSEPH MOORE
