Artists
Cindy Anne Broz
Cindy Anne Broz (BA Flute Performance, Univ. of Utah) has established a career as a free-lance musician performing as a soloist, in chamber ensembles, and orchestras throughout Southern California. An active theater musician, she has played at San Diego’s leading venues including The Old Globe Theater (where she performed in the world premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods), the La Jolla Playhouse, and the San Diego Civic Center. She served as principal flutist with the California Consort Chamber Orchestra, and has performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Classics4Kids Philharmonic, and the Pacific Lyric Opera Company. Cindy is the founding member of The WindSong Consort (mixed winds/wind quintet) and Flûtes de Salon (professional flute ensemble).
Also a recitalist and presenter on the East Coast, Ms. Broz has appeared as a soloist and clinician in the Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Maine, and Washington D.C. regions, and is a frequent presenter at flute festivals and conventions for organizations including the National Flute Association, the Flute Society of Washington (Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention), the San Diego Flute Guild, the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia, and the Greater Los Angeles Flute Society.
Also a recitalist and presenter on the East Coast, Ms. Broz has appeared as a soloist and clinician in the Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Maine, and Washington D.C. regions, and is a frequent presenter at flute festivals and conventions for organizations including the National Flute Association, the Flute Society of Washington (Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention), the San Diego Flute Guild, the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia, and the Greater Los Angeles Flute Society.
Toni Cortez-Aguilar
Toni Cortez-Aguilar has performed throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. Her musical journey began in San Diego Unified schools. Performing at Spreckles Theater, Copley Symphony Hall, and the original Jack Murphy Stadium created a love for flute, performance, and community collaboration. These principles have carried throughout her musical career.
A founding member of Connessa Collective (2021 Finalists in Chamber Music, The American Prize, 2023 National Flute Association selected performers, and 2023 London Classical Music Competition finalists), Toni uses music and performance as a way to connect with her community. She has served as a clinician and guest artist throughout Southern California. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where she studied with Cynthia Ellis (Pacific Symphony Orchestra) and Diane Allencraig (LA Phil). Toni also holds a Master of Science with an emphasis in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University.
Toni is passionate about performing works by marginalized and living composers. Toni uses music to connect to her intersectional identities and to her community and is a teaching artist at Villa Musica in San Diego.
A founding member of Connessa Collective (2021 Finalists in Chamber Music, The American Prize, 2023 National Flute Association selected performers, and 2023 London Classical Music Competition finalists), Toni uses music and performance as a way to connect with her community. She has served as a clinician and guest artist throughout Southern California. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts degree, where she studied with Cynthia Ellis (Pacific Symphony Orchestra) and Diane Allencraig (LA Phil). Toni also holds a Master of Science with an emphasis in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University.
Toni is passionate about performing works by marginalized and living composers. Toni uses music to connect to her intersectional identities and to her community and is a teaching artist at Villa Musica in San Diego.
Valerie McElroy
Valerie McElroy (BM, DePaul Univ.) is a flutist, educator, music arranger, and multi-instrumentalist who has traversed the world of music in her teaching and performance. She is the founder and director of VM Studio, a private music studio, and is a regular performer with San Diego-based professional flute ensembles Connessa and Flûtes de Salon.
As a sought-after flute clinician and collaborator, Ms. McElroy serves as the Flute Ensemble Director at Villa Musica, is a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC), and formerly served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Flute Guild. She currently serves on the Competition Committee of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia (FGSP).
A Chicago native, Ms. McElroy studied at DePaul University with Mary Stolper, Hideko Amano, and Jennifer Clippert and has since worked with hundreds of music students in her educational career. Her pedagogy is centered around the development of the whole musician.
As a sought-after flute clinician and collaborator, Ms. McElroy serves as the Flute Ensemble Director at Villa Musica, is a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC), and formerly served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Flute Guild. She currently serves on the Competition Committee of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia (FGSP).
A Chicago native, Ms. McElroy studied at DePaul University with Mary Stolper, Hideko Amano, and Jennifer Clippert and has since worked with hundreds of music students in her educational career. Her pedagogy is centered around the development of the whole musician.
Yana Yan
Dr. Yana Zixuan Yan, who recently relocated to San Diego, is deeply passionate about her roles as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and flute instructor.
Yana holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami. From 2022 to 2023, she served as a flute professor and instructor at Augustana College, Black Hawk College, and Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
Yana holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami. From 2022 to 2023, she served as a flute professor and instructor at Augustana College, Black Hawk College, and Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
Sunah Jong
Sunah Jong came to the United States when she was 16 years old. She graduated from Eastman School of Music with Bachelor's of Music degree in flute performance. She went on to receive her Master's of Music degree (also in flute performance) from Seoul National University in Korea.
Sunah is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), the San Diego Flute Guild, and has volunteered her services as a Director of Music for AMASE (Academy of Music and Art for Special Education) for 10 years. Through the outreach program Hear to Heart, she visits nursing homes in the Poway area to share music.
Ms. Jong is presently on sabbatical and teaching abroad. She returns to the San Diego area several times a year and remains active in local and regional classical music.
Sunah is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), the San Diego Flute Guild, and has volunteered her services as a Director of Music for AMASE (Academy of Music and Art for Special Education) for 10 years. Through the outreach program Hear to Heart, she visits nursing homes in the Poway area to share music.
Ms. Jong is presently on sabbatical and teaching abroad. She returns to the San Diego area several times a year and remains active in local and regional classical music.
