Area of Study

Chamber Music , Chimes , First Instrument Classes , Handbells , Musicianship , Private Lessons , Summer Arts Program

Career Highlights

B.M., M.M. Flute Performance  Chapman University
Professional Studies Mannes College of Music

In addition to serving as principal flute in the New Choral Society Orchestra and managing a busy teaching schedule throughout the New York area, Donna Elaine is a gifted recitalist whose performances appeal to both professional musicians and newcomers to the recital medium. Not only is Miss Elaine committed to uncovering little known treasures in the repertoire, including virtuoso pieces for piccolo (even turn-of-the-century works for D-flat piccolo!), her recitals also include illuminating commentary, as well as such entertaining touches as multi-media performances with other artists. For example, in her repertoire Miss Elaine performs a Divertissement by Kuhlau which is aurally pristine, but visually enhanced with a slide presentation of a cartoon melodrama.

Miss Elaine received Certificates of Honor from the Académie Internationale d’Eté in Nice, France, where she studied with Jean Pierre Rampal, Maxence Larrieu, Alain Marion and Andras Adorjan.

In 1991 Miss Elaine premiered a work on the Newly Published Music concert at the National Flute Association Convention in Washington, D.C. In 1999 she was again selected to premiere a newly published work and to teach for the Pedagogy Forum at the National Flute Association Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Miss Elaine plays with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Yonkers Philharmonic and the Yonkers Pops Band. She is the Director of the HBMS Chamber Music Program and Co-Director of the Summer Arts Program.

“I wanted to make sure that Ms. Elaine received proper recognition for her near miracle work with my son with her lessons. She has taken a boy who lost almost all interest in flute and taken him to a level that he would otherwise not have reached, teaching him to love music in other aspects of his life as a result. She is a remarkable teacher, and we wanted to thank her for everything she’s done for him.”
Hoff-Barthelson Family