For our 80th anniversary, MusicFest Northwest is more honored than ever to announce our 2025 Visiting Artist lineup. We are welcoming adjudicators from all over the country to share their expertise and performance insight. Visiting clinicians will lead young musicians in our second annual Choral Festival and our first annual Jazz Festival. And, this year, we are launching our innovative Composition Division, aimed at celebrating new works.  Learn more about our esteemed adjudicators, clinicians, and new festivals below! 

BALLET

 

 

Christopher Stowell– Artistic Director (Royal Winnipeg Ballet)

 

 

BRASS

 

 

David Turnbull– Brass and Percussion Area Coordinator (Washington State University School of Music)

 

 

COMPOSITION

 

 

Phil Aaberg– Grammy- and Emmy-nominated composer

 

 

FLUTE

 

 

Daniel Velasco– Associate Professor of Flute (University of Kansas), Yamaha performing artist

 

 

PIANO

 

 

Silvan Negruţiu– Director of Piano Studies, Kitt Endowed Professor (Northern Arizona University Kitt School of Music)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Breth– D.C. Metro Area educator, published author and pedagogue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jee Wong– Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, music philanthropist

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pierce Emata– Faculty (Interlochen Center for the Arts), international concert performer

 

 

REED

 

 

Todd Goranson– Professor of Saxophone and Bassoon (Messiah University) international clinician and adjudicator

 

 

STRING

 

 

Sally Singer Tuttle– Cello Music Instructor (Whitman College), international performer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret Baldridge– Professor of Violin and Viola (University of Montana), chamber musician

 

 

VOICE

 

 

Louise Toppin– University Distinguished Professor of Diversity and Social Transformation, Professor of Voice (University of Michigan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danny Gurwin– Head of Musical Theatre (Oakland University), Broadway and off-Broadway actor

 

 

VISITING CLINICIANS

CHORAL FESTIVAL

 

 

Jabarie Glass– Associate Director of Choral Studies (University of South Carolina), acclaimed clinician and published researcher

 

 

Read more about Dr. Glass here on our website. Students for our second annual Choral Festival can look forward to having their choirs adjudicated by Dr. Glass, and may also participate in the mass choral experience for all levels on the last Saturday of competition week.  

JAZZ FESTIVAL

 

 

Vern Sielert–Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies (University of Idaho)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brent Edstrom– Amy M. Ryan Endowed Professor (Whitworth University), published transcriber

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eugene Jablonsky– Performer (Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Spokane Jazz Orchestra), regional educator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derek Munson– Drum Chair (Bob Curnow Big Band), regional multi-genre performer

 

 

Visit our main visiting artist graphic here to learn about our jazz artists in depth. High school and college-aged jazz musicians will enjoy rehearsing their contrasting pieces with our visiting rhythm section. They’ll then be coached as an ensemble by our visiting clinician, Vern Sielert. Students can also compete for the chance to perform as a featured guest artist with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra at the nearby Bing Crosby Theatre. Learn more here! 

MusicFest Northwest is honored by all our visiting artists’ coming to share their feedback and insights in our 80th anniversary year. Registration is open until February 28th: register yourself, your child, or your ensemble today! Needs-based scholarships are available by application until registration period closes.