About This Journey
Hi, I'm Donna Moore: Teacher, Musician, Flutist, Dog Mom and Lifelong Learner
I was a shy, quiet, introverted little kid who always felt vaguely out of place. Then I found music! And more specifically, THE FLUTE!!! I loved everything about it: the sound, the way it was held when played, the shininess! Even better - I found my place. I love nothing more than sharing music with others and would love to help you find your place in this amazing community of music!
How it started
One day in school I saw someone playing a flute and I just knew I had to do that too!
After three solid years my persistence paid off and my dream of being able to play the flute came true!
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Encouraged by Mr. Armstrong, my first band director, and with my bestie, Laura, I survived my first band concert. And was hooked!
I seemed to be unable to progress to a better chair and wanted to drop band. But I still loved playing the flute, being with my friends in band and learning more and more difficult pieces in my private lessons so I decided to stick it out until high school and am so happy I did because...
...sticking it out paid off!
The encouragement and support of my private teachers, high school band directors and parents helped me get through the rough patch of middle school and hit the ground running in ninth grade (ok, lots of practice had something to do with it, too). When it came time to decide what to do about college, guess what?
So, here I am, eager to show how you can find your place in this community of music.
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My studio is located in the Rancocas Heights neighborhood of Hainesport which borders the Rancocas Creek
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​The property is rustic and is managed by Bruno, the elder statesman and Jedi, who keeps the squirrels in line
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And, if you like classic cars, there's a garage full of them that I'm sure my husband would be happy to show
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Scroll down to read a more detailed description of what I've been up to over the years
Here's some biographical information if you'd like some more details:
Donna is a member of the Newark Symphony Orchestra, performing on both flute and piccolo. She frequently works with other ensembles when the need for flute or piccolo arises including the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, Cairn University Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Chamber Orchestra and Delaware County Symphony.
Since discovering just how much fun and enrichment can be found as a member of a flute choir you can find her performing regularly with the First State Flute Choir, Gloucester County Flute Ensemble and Pennsylvania Flute Choir. She was also a member of the National Flute Association’s Professional Flute Choir in 2023 and 2024.
Given how much she cherishes participating in music and in the musical community itself Donna takes delight in opening these doors for others to enjoy. Her students have surprised themselves with their ability to learn, plan and achieve goals that they thought were a stretch. One of her early models for making flute study such a joy was Jerry Stone, her high school teacher, who set a high and gentle bar for studio teaching.
Previously, Donna was principal/solo flute of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Rolf Smedvig and Robin Fountain as well as second flute of the Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra (now the Symphony in C) under the direction of Alan Gilbert. She regularly worked with additional ensembles when needed including the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Susquehanna Valley Chorale Orchestra and Bucknell University Orchestra.
Donna holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance and Studio Teaching from Susquehanna University where she studied with Mary Hannigan. She is a member of the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP), where she served on the Board of Directors as Membership Secretary, the National Flute Association (NFA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and the New Jersey Music Educators Association. She currently studies with Megan Emigh Carroll and has been fortunate to have had opportunities for additional work with Leone Buyse, James Scott, Geoffrey Gilbert, Kazuo Tokito, Edward Schultz, Amy Porter, Stephen Preston and Bart Feller.