I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with two wonderful musicians for this recording. The pianist, Colleen Mckirdy, teaches private piano lessons in Dickinson, ND and is an adjunct professor of music and staff accompanist at Dickinson State University. She has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, and a Master of Arts degree in piano pedagogy from the University of Denver. She has also worked as a K-12 music teacher, church choir director, church pianist and adjudicator. Colleen is active in the Dickinson United Methodist Church and the Dakotas Conference United Methodist Women. She loves traveling with her husband and two daughters, keeping scrapbooks of family photos, and is a Star Trek connoisseur.

The flautist of the recording, Marnie Kraft, grew up in Underwood, ND and is the daughter of Steve and Barbara Gazdik of Underwood. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND and a Master of Music degree from the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. Her primary former teachers were Loran Eckroth and Richard Hahn. Marnie taught ear training and private flute studies at the University of Mary from 1993-2000. She is currently employed with J.W. Pepper, a printed music retailer, in receiving and accounts payable, and has taught private flute lessons since 1986. Marnie lives in Bismarck, ND with her husband, Paul, and their three cats.

For Ruth Heley's Bio, click here.