Alicia Mielke, flute          Michelle Zwi, oboe          David Dziardziel, clarinet          Ali Eaton, bassoon          Jenn Robbins, french horn

Calliope Winds, a dynamic and engaging ensemble founded in 2011 at the New England Conservatory, enthusiastically performs throughout New England in both artistic and educational capacities. Calliope, the muse of eloquence, was said to have inspired Homer to write his greatest works. Similarly, the young artists in this lively group strive to embody grace and poise in each performance and to inspire audiences and fellow musicians alike. Each member brings distinct and unique artistic elements to the table that create the cohesive Calliope sound.

In their time at New England Conservatory Calliope studied under the tutelage of renowned faculty member John Heiss. They were featured performers in Jordan Hall's Chamber Music Gala, were honored to appear in the 2013 Arthur Burger memorial concert, and performed in masterclass with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet. Several of Calliope's members received fellowships sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council through New England Conservatory’s Community Performances and Partnerships Program, where they performed throughout Boston promoting literature and social development through classical music. 

The individual members of Calliope are exceptionally active in the community as freelancers, educators, and musical entrepreneurs. They are requested performers in groups such as The Boston Chamber Orchestra, The Spokane Symphony, The Boston Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Cape Ann Symphony, and New Bedford Symphony, among others. Several of Calliope’s members have gained international recognition performing and studying in Japan, Germany, and Italy. They also hold prominent arts administrative positions as concert managers, higher education administrators, and adjunct professors.

As a quintet, their repertoire encompasses not only the entire spectrum of woodwind quintet literature but also includes larger and smaller works for different ensembles and scale. An uncommon feature of Calliope is their willingness to create different sized ensembles based on the needs of the venue. Frequently performing as a trio or duo, Calliope pushes the bounds of what is considered normal concert repertoire. They have been sought after to perform in several local concert series’ including the North End Music and Performing Arts Center Concert Series, The Trinity Summer Series, the Topsfield Historical Society Concert Series, the Winthrop Improvement & Historical Association Benefit Concert Series, and many more.