About Darrin Thaves:Darrin Thaves is currently Instructor of Flute at California State University, Long Beach and principal flute with the Northwest Sinfonietta. He is an honors graduate of the University of Puget Sound with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a 1999 Deans List Graduate of California State University of Long Beach with a Masters in Flute Performance. Darrin maintains a large private studio in Long Beach CA and Diamond Bar CA. In the summer, Mr. Thaves has been a flute specialist for Idyllwild Summer Arts Academy and the Midsummer Music Retreat.
Darrin was asked to give the North American premier of Emil Vicklicky’s Concerto for Flute, Harp, and String orchestra at the World Harp Congress in July 2010 and was the winner of the 2000 Seattle Ladies Music Club Young Artist Competition the 2005 National Flute Association Convention Performers Competition, as well performing in the 2005, 2010, and 2012 NFA Professional Flute Choir. He is past-coordinator of the annual CSULB Flute Competitions and the NFA High School Soloist Competition.
An active teacher and adjudicator, he has judged for Orange County Musical Arts, Junior Bach Festival, CSULB Middle School Flute Competition, MTAC Western Regionals, CBDA High School Honor Group Auditions, SCSBOA High School and Middle School All-Southern Honor Group Auditions, Seattle Ladies Music Club Young Artist Competition, National Flute Association Collegiate Flute Choir Competition, Seattle Flute Society Horsfall Competition, 2015 NFA Flute Choir Competition, and the 2017 NFA High School Flute Choir Competition.
As the founder and conductor of the Pacific Flute Ensemble, he has lead four featured recital performances at NFA Conventions, as well as twenty-one seasons of concerts in Long Beach and numerous other annual public performances. The PFE has commissioned eight original works for flute choir, including two world premiers at the 2016 NFA Convention. As a conductor, he has been asked to lead Flute Choir Sight-reading Sessions at two National Conventions and two Los Angeles Flute Guild Festivals. Mr. Thaves conducted the National High School Flute Choir at the 2016 NFA Convention in San Diego, CA. and is the past National Flute Choir Coordinator for the NFA.
Darrin has appeared as a featured artist with 2nd City Chamber Music Series, P.U.M.A Series, and the Tacoma Art Museum Chamber Music Series, as well as concertos with the, CSULB Symphonic Band, Tacoma Community College Chamber Orchestra, Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Lake Union Civic Orchestra, and multiple times with the Northwest Sinfonietta.