Chaparral Chamber Music Workshop

This is CCMW’s Fourteenth workshop!

2025 Chaparral Chamber Music Workshop is Friday May 30-Sunday June 1 at

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Avenue, Prescott, 86303.

Individuals and Pre-formed groups are encouraged! Pre-formed groups may come with their own repertoire or can choose rep in consultation with faculty.

Limited SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for youth and adults! Please apply early if you are interested.

Testimonials from past participants:

“All music, all day. What could be better?”
“You offer more than a chance to play with people all day- you offer professional expertise in the coaching.”
“I really enjoyed this whole experience. Thank you so much for the scholarship.”
“Drumming circle was a great tool to explore ensemble playing.”
“I liked the experience of putting together and playing a few pieces in a limited amount of time. It’s a good skill to have.”
“I like the diversity of the group. Sure enjoy these workshops.”
“I liked that there were people of all ages that got together with the interest of music and played together. It was fun and a great experience.” (youth participant)

FACULTY BIOS

Seventh Roadrunner Ensemble, founded in 2010 by Andrew O’Brien, Katherine Shields, and Brian Viliunas (clarinet), was juried onto the Teaching Artists Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. They have performed at various venues, including the Silverton (CO) Chamber Music Festival, Colorado Mesa University, Scottsdale CC, Glendale CC, Wickenburg Concert Series, Church of the Epiphany Concerts, and Friendship Village (Tempe). They’ve collaborated with artists such as clarinetists Stefanie Gardner, Joshua Mietz, Jun Watabe, and soprano Cynthia Elek. Since 2014, they have coached and performed at the Chaparral Chamber Music Workshop in Prescott.

Katherine Shields (CCMW Director, viola) holds a doctorate and master’s from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s from Northwestern University. She is a member of the Arizona Opera Orchestra and violist of Quartet Sabaku, on the Teaching Artists Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Katherine started chamber music studies in junior high at the Music Center of the North Shore (Winnetka, IL) and had coaching with members of the Fine Arts Quartet. At Indiana University, she studied chamber with Eva Czako Janzer of the Grumiaux Trio. Her chamber music appearances include Festival de las Artes (Sinaloa, Mexico), Breckenridge Music Festival (CO), ASU Faculty Recital Series, Chamber Music on the Mountain at Echo Glen, Green Valley Concert Society, and Glendale Public Library. She founded the Chaparral Chamber Music Workshop in 2011.

Christina Steffen (flute) enjoys a diverse music career as a musician and educator. She has performed in the U.S. and Europe and at many music festivals including the International Low Flutes Festival, Abiquiu Chamber Music Festival, Music on the Rocks Music Festival, Chaparral MusicFest, and the Red Rocks Music Festival. (more on Christina coming soon!)

Andrew O’Brien (piano) received his doctorate in piano performance from Arizona State University. He has performed at the Tempe Center for the Arts and as soloist with San Tan Orchestra and Scottsdale Concert Band. Andrew teaches piano at his private studio in Prescott Valley. He is a member of the College of Examiners of the Royal Conservatory of Canada and the Music Development Program, and adjudicates for the Arizona State Music Teachers Association. Andrew has studied with Robert McDowell, Pawel Checinski, Gabriel Chodos, Karl Ulrich Schnabel, and Robert Hamilton. He has been coaching at CCMW since 2015.

Maria Flurry (percussion) serves as principal timpanist in the Flagstaff Symphony and the Arizona Philharmonic. She received critical acclaim for her performances of Tan Dun’s Water Concerto for Water Percussion in Spokane, Tucson, Flint (MI), and Flagstaff. With her husband, Henry Flurry, she performs concerts in schools, libraries, and recital halls as the duo Sticks and Tones. Having taught in public and charter schools, Mrs. Flurry now enjoys teaching privately at her home in Prescott. She relishes time spent with her family and her dog, Copper. Her daughter, Anna, is an alumna of CCMW. Maria has been coaching at CCMW since 2021.