Beth Burdick (nee. Lichtenberg) was an educator of gifted students in the Revere Local and Brooklyn City Schools. She is currently a stay at home mom and substitute teacher in several area school districts. She grew up in Grafton, Ohio, graduating from Midview Schools. Beth received bachelor's degrees in elementary and gifted education with a concentration in Music and a Masters in Educational Administration from Kent State University. Beth was very involved in the music program at Kent, performing in the Symphony & Concert Bands, Flute Ensemble, an officer of Tau Beta Sigma and was Captain of the Dance Line for the Marching Band. She studied flute with Marion Russell.  She lives in Brunswick with her husband, Christopher, who plays trumpet in the band and her three children, Ryan, Brendan and Sarah.

James Donahue received his Bachelor of Music degree from Baylor University, where he was a student of Helen Ann Shanley.  After completing his undergraduate studies, James moved to Ohio and earned an Artist Diploma at the Oberlin Conservatory, following intensive studies with renowned French flutist Michel Debost.  In addition to frequent solo recital appearances, James has performed with such ensembles as the Lyric Opera of Waco, the Waco Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, and the acclaimed Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble. 

An avid proponent of new music, James has collaborated with such composers as Warner Jepson, Timothy McCormack, Lewis Nielsen, and Helmut Lachenmann.  In May of 2008 he gave the world premier performances of McCormack’s chamber concerto Tumma Pilvi for solo bass flute and chamber orchestra, and HämmäräPilvi for solo bass flute, both of which were written for and dedicated to him. 

While not fluting, James pursues his other passion in life as a breeder and exhibitor of champion Afghan Hounds and Salukis.  He is a professional all-breed show dog handler, and the owner of Groomingdale’s Pet Salon, a full service grooming facility in Oberlin.

 

Section Leader and Soloist 

Sue McLaughlin has been a member of the Medina Community Band since 1994 and is a former student of Deidre McGuire.  While in school, she was a member of the band, orchestra and jazz band, playing clarinet and saxophone.  In addition to playing flute and piccolo in the Medina Community Band, Sue has also performed with Marcus Neiman & The Sounds of Sousa Band, Symphony West Orchestra, and several area churches.  She is a systems analyst at Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights.  Sue lives in Medina with her two cats, Truffles and Kokopelli.

Rebecca Shirley, MRDD Provider (Medina)

Soloist

Amy Thach-McArtor originally from Lyme, Connecticut, moved to Ohio to study music education at Oberlin Conservatory in 1991.  She graduated in 1995 and taught strings for two years at Willard City Schools.  In 1997, Amy was given a full scholarship to Kent State University to work on her Master's Degree in Music Education which she completed in 1998.  She then taught instrumental music at Buckeye High School, in Medina OH, and in the fall of 1999, became the elementary band teacher for Buckeye Local Schools.  In 2001, Amy accepted the position of Middle School Band Director in Wadsworth City Schools, and in the fall of 2003, she began teaching elementary instrumental music at Central Intermediate School in Wadsworth.  Amy has served as the Director of Bands for the Medina County Honors Fair Bands from 1998-2008.  Amy also plays flute/piccolo and piano and teaches private lessons, in addition to being a member of Medina Community Band and Sounds of Sousa Band.

  

Cherie Zdanowicz attended The University of Akron where she studied flute with George Pope and earned her Bachelor of Music degree.  She then moved to North Carolina where she learned the fine art of flute repair and received a Master of Arts in Applied Music at Western Carolina University under the tutelage of Eldred Spell.  Coming back to Ohio, Cherie then began employment at Musician's Repair Service in Akron (1999) and joined the Band in 2000.  She now resides in Cuyahoga Falls with her husband Scott and their two children, Devin (5) and Regan (2 1/2), who will probably play percussion or oboe.

 

Kelly Zunic is a graduate of The University of Akron where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education and music (flute) performance as well as her master’s degree in performance.  She is currently finishing her master’s degree in music education.  As a graduate student, she served as graduate assistant of bands at The University of Akron where she worked closely with all aspects of the and program.  After graduation, she took a position with the Austintown Local Schools (Youngstown, OH). She taught concert band and assisted with the marching band and concert choir at Fitch High School. Kelly currently teachers in the Berea City School as well as have a private woodwind studio in Akron at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, and its feeder elementary schools.