Bios

Rhonda Bowen – Flute

Rhonda is an experienced flutist and pianist.  She is an Arizona native and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in both Flute Performance and Music Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.  After NAU, Rhonda went on to receive her Masters of Music in Flute Performance at Michigan State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.  During her education she had the privilege of studying with accomplished flutists such as Richard Sherman, Philip Swanson and additional studies with Jonathan Snowden.

Throughout her career on stage Rhonda has had the honor of performing at the White House, Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Library of Congress and NY’s Times Square. She has been a member of Capital City Symphony in Washington D.C. and Symphony of the Southwest in Mesa, AZ.  She has also performed in many chamber groups including Columbia Flute Choir, First Light (two flutes and a harp), Desert Echoes Flute Project and her most current project, First Wind, with guitarist Jeff Lauffer.

Rhonda is very active in her field and has served on the Board of Directors for Flute Society of Washington and Arizona Flute Society.  As an educator she has taught instrumental music in public schools in Fairfax, VA and the Phoenix metro area.  She has also taught for Columbia Institute of Fine Arts in Falls Church, Virginia and Levine School of Music in Washington DC.  Currently, Rhonda is the director of bands at Salt River High School in Scottsdale, AZ.

Jeff Lauffer – Guitar

Jeff is originally from Albany, NY but has been living in the Valley since 97′.  He started playing guitar at an early age and after high school began to study music more formally at Schenectady County Community College.  He studied classical guitar there under the direction of Tony Sano and Joel Brown.  In 97′ Jeff transferred to A.S.U. where he studied both Jazz and Classical guitar for 6 more years and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in both Music and Italian.  Since that time Jeff has made his living teaching and performing professionally through out the Southwest.  He is accomplished in many styles of music including Jazz, Pop, Rock, Bossa Nova and Classical.  He has served as the lead guitarist for Carefree Community Church since 2003 and can also be seen performing in numerous successful tribute shows.  Most notable are the tributes “The Chicago Experience” and “You’re The One a Tribute to Blood Sweat & Tears” by Khris Dodge Entertainment. Coming in 2022 are two more tributes to Hall & Oates and Phil Collins.