Cindy West

I started playing the flute in fourth grade simply because my family

already had one. What began as a convenient opportunity quickly

became a lifelong passion. I loved playing and practiced constantly,

always looking for ways to improve.

In high school, I participated in countless Pennsylvania Music

Educators Association (PMEA) band and orchestra festivals and a

summer music experience with Katherine Borst Jones of Ohio State

University, along with high school band, orchestra and pit orchestra. I

had a strong competitive drive and wanted to be the best I could be,

while also learning from musicians who were better than me. I studied

with Joel Behrens of Millersville University and the Harrisburg

Symphony, and later had the opportunity to play with the Penn State

Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, and memorably, attended a

master class given by Sir James Galway.

Today, I live in Fairfax Station, Virginia, where music remains an

important part of my life. I play flute and piccolo and recently added

bass flute to my musical repertoire.

My professional life is quite different from my musical life. By day, I

work as an IT Project Manager, leading software application

development teams and managing complex technology projects.

Music provides a creative balance to that work and continues to

challenge me in a completely different way.

What started with a flute we already had in the house has become

more than forty years of playing, learning, performing, and continuing

to challenge myself. I have enjoyed participating in local concert

bands, flute choirs, small groups, and most especially Woodbridge

Flute Choir!