Biography:

Penny Kohns earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Spring Arbor College and Master of Music degree from University of Massachusetts-Lowell, both in flute performance. After completing her MMus degree, Penny continued to live in New England, performing with the Nashua Flute Choir for six years, which included performances at two National Flute Conventions, recording two CDs, and commissioning and premiering a work by flutist/composer Gary Schocker. During the time, Penny was also faculty flute instructor at the Community Music School in Nashua, New Hampshire where she also directe beginning and intermediate flute ensembles. Penny is currently an adjunct flute instructor at Andrews University where her graduate student was a 2009 Young Artist Competition Winner. Penny also serves as flute instructor at the Citadel Dance and Music Center in Benton Harbor, Crescendo Academy of Music in Kalamazoo, Lakeshore Middle/High School in Stevensville, and maintains a private home studio in St. Joseph. During the last year, Penny has worked to establish and direct the Southwest Michigan Flute Choir (developed from a collaborative effort of adult students who register through the Citadel and Crescendo). Besides teaching flute, Penny enjoys teaching MUSI 101 (Creativity, Culture and Music) online for Regent University out of Virginia Beach, VA and she has earned her Blackboard Certificate to do so. Penny has also become an MSBOA adjudicator for District 12 where she enjoys helping younger students learn through the art of solo and ensemble performance. Since moving to Michigan three years ago, Penny has been a member of the St. Joseph Municipal Band and has recently stood in for the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra to perform Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1.