Utah County Flute Choir
The Utah County Flute Choir is an audition-based performing group featuring the vibrant, rich variety of piccolo, C, alto, bass, and contrabass flutes. Our goal is to continue developing our musical and flute skills and share our love for music with the community and other aspiring flautists.
Meet the Flute Choir
The Utah County Flute Choir is an audition-based performing group featuring the vibrant, rich variety of piccolo, C, alto, bass, and contrabass flutes. We have performed for public and private events in venues all over the valley including Christmas on Temple Square, FanX, Thanksgiving Point, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Springville Museum of Art, Christa McAuliffe Space Center, Encircle, Summerhays MusicFest, various libraries and outdoor city venues, and more. When funding allows, we host and teach an annual spring clinic for players of all ages and abilities.
Founded in 2018 by Jules Loveless, the goal of the UCFC is to continue developing our musical and flute skills and share our love for music with the community and other aspiring flautists in each of our performing seasons. To help with this goal, we are fundraising to expand the opportunities and resources we can provide. You can donate through our Venmo: @utahcountyflutechoir. Thank you for spending some time with us here--we hope to see you at more of our events!
We are the members of the Utah County Flute Choir.
Get to know us below.
Jules Loveless
Founder
C flute, alto, bass
Jules Loveless grew up in a very musical family; her 10 older siblings and parents each played different instruments, and by the time it was her turn to learn to play, flute was one of a few instruments not already claimed.
Jules continued playing through high school and played in a flute choir in college. Now she is a stay-at-home, previously-homeschooling mother of five that enjoys off-roading and exploring life with the family.
Jules started the Utah County Flute Choir to maintain her own skills, provide an opportunity for other adults do the same, and to show her children by example that music is an important part of life.
Jenny Sittig
President, Librarian
Piccolo, C flute, alto, bass, contrabass
currently playing: Piccolo and C flute
Jenny Sittig knew in 5th grade when they demonstrated all of the band instruments that she wanted to learn to play the flute, and she has been playing in at least one musical group ever since. Some memorable band trips in middle school and high school include St. Louis, Washington DC, Disney World, Southern Utah, and throughout Europe.
While studying flute performance in college, she traveled with the orchestra to NYC, where she had the amazing experience of playing at Carnegie Hall. She was a guest piccolo performer with Utah's 23rd Army National Guard band for 5 years. While in that group, she was honored to play with the band for President George W. Bush, Latter-day Saint President Gordon B. Hinckley, and in Germany for the US troops returning home from the Middle East.
In addition to the flute choir, she plays with the Wasatch Winds in American Fork and has been a member of that band since 2010. She continues to pass on her love of music to her private flute students.
Eileen Amari-Vaught
Events Co-Coordinator
C flute
currently playing: C flute
Eileen Amari-Vaught has played flute since the age of 9 in various college and community bands and wind ensembles. Most recently, she played flute with the Kansas City Wind Symphony in Prairie Village, Kansas.
She and her family moved to Utah after living Overland Park, Kansas, for 21 years. Eileen is a nurse practitioner and a nursing professor. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family.
Maggie Marchant
Social Media & Advertising
C flute
currently playing: C flute
Maggie Marchant started playing the flute in fifth grade and fell in love with the instrument from the start. Throughout middle school, high school, and college she enjoyed developing her talent and performing in a variety of ensembles.
She moved back to Utah after completing a Masters of Information Sciences in Tennessee and now works at the BYU Library.
In her spare time, Maggie enjoys baking, reading, and being aunt to 27 nieces and nephews.
She is excited to continue to play and share her love of music as part of the Utah County Flute Choir.
Angela Decker
Secretary, Videographer
Alto, C flute, bass, piccolo
currently playing: Alto
Angela Decker has played the flute for over 20 years. As a teenager she studied with Laurel Ann Maurer, during which time she attained Superior and Excellent ratings at the Utah Flute Federation's Solo and Ensemble solo competitions. In addition to piccolo in high school, Angela had the opportunity to play the alto flute too and loved it.
Angela has previously played in the Utah Youth Preparatory Orchestra, West Jordan Symphony, Salt Lake Community College summer band, and BYU's University Band and University Orchestra. She enjoys the opportunity to practice and perform with the Utah County Flute Choir. In addition to UCFC, she also plays with Flutopia in West Jordan.
After five fun years of summer parade band as a teenager, in college Angela invited her now-husband to play in one with her. They have two children. In addition to flute, her hobbies include graphic design, video editing (including the videos on the choir's YouTube channel), reading, crafting epic Halloween costumes, and collecting rubber ducks.
Brooke Dodds
Vice President
C flute, bass
currently playing: Bass
Brooke Dodds started flute at ten years old and has found ways to play ever since. She enjoyed playing all throughout junior and high school including marching in the Inaugural Parade for George W. Bush and performing in a youth orchestra at Abravanel Hall.
Now the mom of five, she continues to find ways to improve and perform on the instrument that she loves.
Maddi Lee
Treasurer
C flute, alto, bass, piccolo
currently playing: Alto
Maddi Lee has been studying the flute since 2007 and teaching since 2017. She studied most recently at Utah Valley University under Rebecca Chapman. Maddi has a minor in music, focusing on flute pedagogy. Over the years she has helped many flute players succeed and excel in their musical abilities, many of whom have received superior ratings and high placements.
When she's not teaching or playing flute with the flute choir or the Saratoga Springs Community Orchestra, you can find her spending her free time crocheting, reading, and being a mom.
She loves playing the flute and getting to share what she knows about music with her students.
Rachel Sittig
Social Media & Advertising
C flute
currently playing: Bass
Rachel Sittig's love for music began early. She started piano at 6 years old, and at 9 began playing the flute just like her older sister Jenny, who is also a member of the flute choir.
She played the xylophone for a year of her band experience. Rachel has played in the UVU band, West Valley Symphony, and was a guest flute performer with Utah 23rd Army National Guard band for three years. While in that group, she had the amazing opportunity to play for President George W. Bush during the 2002 Olympics.
Rachel has always been eager to try new instruments, even performing with the Utah Valley Handbells for several seasons.
There is always some sort of music blasting at her home; from 1940s jazz to 50s and 60s music, to classic rock, indie, classical, musicals, and opera. It's probably harder to find music she doesn't like than to list what she does.
In her spare time, she enjoys amigurumi, podcasting, watching true crime, D&D, collecting houseplants and frogs, and spending time with her family, cats, and dog.
Kristen Parrish
Conductor
C flute, piccolo
currently: Conductor, C flute
Kristen Parrish is a private flute instructor and flutist in the north Utah County area. She taught band and orchestra at South Ogden Junior High for two years, was a flute teacher in the Davis School District area for 3 years, and now teaches in Lehi where she works with local band programs and teaches private lessons. She is a member of the Utah County Flute Choir as both a performer and an assistant director.
Kristen graduated from Brigham Young University in 2017 with a degree in instrumental music education and studied flute with Dr. April Clayton and Hillary Kimball. She performed with various BYU ensembles including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz lab band, and various chamber ensembles. She has been a woodwind technician with Skyridge High School, Lehi High School, and Herriman High School marching bands and loves working with students of all ages.
Kristen is an active member of the National Flute Association and the Utah Flute Association. She currently serves as the secretary of the Utah Flute Association. She loves teaching private lessons and working with students one on one to discover each student's musical potential.
Charice West
Events Coordinator, Party Planner
C flute
currently playing: Bass
Charice came from a family of trumpet and piano players, but decided to branch out and play the flute. In high school she played in a variety of groups, including playing with the Rockbridge County Symphony and being the drum major in marching band.
She won the John Philip Sousa award, Woody Herman jazz award, and best drum major at two major competitions. She played piccolo in the BYU marching band for four years, while also playing flute in the university band and alto flute in the BYU flute choir. Charice obtained a music minor from BYU and is now currently pursuing a master's degree in music therapy from Augsburg University. As a future music therapist, she also plays the guitar, piano, drum set, and a variety of other instruments.
When not playing music, Charice can be found rock hounding with her husband, reading Harry Potter, scrapbooking, gaming, or taking her cute puppy Azula on walks.
Jennifer Neilson
Stage Crew
C flute
currently playing: Alto
Jennifer Neilson started playing the flute the summer before 8th grade. She knew immediately that she had found the perfect instrument for her. She played in various groups throughout middle and high school and competed in solo and ensemble festivals where she was often awarded superior ratings. She attended both Snow College and Utah State University, where she was again involved in many groups. After college she got married and her flute playing was put on the back burner as she worked and raised a family.
In 2013, a friend in the American Fork Symphony asked her to fill in as a substitute, which was just what she needed to rekindle her love of playing. Eventually she was asked to be a permanent member of the symphony. Playing in the orchestra has been a dream come true. In 2023 she joined the Utah County Flute Choir. She loves the many opportunities to perform with them and is currently playing the alto flute, which might be her favorite thing ever!!
Throughout the years she has had the opportunity to study with Elaine Jorgensen, Leslie Timmons, and currently studies with Beth Weissman. Jennifer is married to the most supportive husband. She has four children that are probably really tired of hearing her practice. When she is not mothering or fluting, she loves to travel, hike, bake, sew, work out, do puzzles, watch movies, read cookbooks and self improvement books, and hang out with her husband and kids.
Isaac Warner
YouTube Manager
Alto, C flute
currently playing: Contrabass
Bio to come!
Aubrey Shelton
Events Co-Coordinator
C flute
currently playing: Alto
When Aubrey heard the high school marching band play at her elementary school, she knew she wanted to join band. In 6th grade she chose the flute like her older sister. She played through middle and high school, where she finally joined the American Fork High School Marching Band, playing flute and piccolo. She was able to play in the presidential inauguration parade in Washington, DC as well as the Bands of America grand nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She took a 15-year hiatus from the flute and decided to pick it back up again in 2023 after receiving a new flute as a Christmas gift. She is honored to be part of the Utah County Flute Choir with so many amazing flute players.
When she's not playing the flute she enjoys traveling, camping, gardening, crocheting, birding, baking, ASL, reading, hiking, and making memories with her husband and two kids.
Heidi Bingham
Assistant Conductor
C flute, piccolo
currently: C flute, conductor
Heidi Bingham began playing the flute as a young child, and developed a great love for music. She has a doctorate in music education from Boston University. She has taught private flute lessons for over 25 years and enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities. She is active in the community as a freelance musician, adjudicator, and a woodwind clinician and coach in the local schools. Most recently she has worked with students at Skyridge High School, Lehi Junior High School, and Willowcreek Middle School.
While still in high school, Heidi was a soloist with the Orchestra of Southern Utah. Since that point, Heidi has performed with a number of ensembles and chamber groups, including the University of Utah Wind Symphony, the University of Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Opera Theatre, the University of Chicago Symphonic Band, the Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the Oregon Symphonic Band.
Heidi also has a love of flute choirs, and has many years of experience performing with or directing both student and professional groups. Before moving to Utah, she soloed and performed with the Rose City Flute and the Pennsylvania flute choirs, eventually becoming director of the Pennsylvania Flute Choir.
Jenifer Swanson
Stage Crew
C flute, piccolo
currently playing: C flute
Jenifer has been playing flute for more than 25 years and recently went back to school at Utah Valley University to pursue her undergrad degree in flute performance. She loves playing in this choir and the weekly rehearsal is a highlight of her week. She also plays with the West Jordan Symphony and teaches in the Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain areas of Utah County.
Hugh J. Sittig
Sound Technician
Bio to come!
Ashtyn Keith
Stage Crew
C flute
currently playing: C flute
Bio to come!
Aiden Jonas
Substitute (spring 2025)
C flute
currently playing:
Aiden Jonas has been playing the flute since he was 13 years old. While in high school, he fell in love with playing through marching band and flute choirs for school performances. Because of his love of playing, he decided to pursue a degree in music at Snow College.
Aiden started his degree on the education track, but later changed to performance. While at Snow, he had the opportunity to study with some amazing flute teachers including the late Dr. Elaine Jorgensen, Tina Castellanos, Dr. Tia Jaynes, and Dr. April Clayton. Aiden was the first chair player in both Snow's Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra and always played in some sort of flute chamber ensemble every semester. Aiden also won Snow College’s concerto competition in fall 2023 and participated in many Utah Music Teachers Association Federations, where he won Superior ratings. He is also a substitute player for the Utah Valley Symphony.
Aiden recently graduated from Snow with a Bachelor's degree in Music with an emphasis in Commercial Music and is currently looking to further his education in music by pursuing a Master's degree. His dream career is to play in a symphony professionally.
Outside of music, Aiden loves to read, game, and hang out with friends.
Gallery
Photos from our performances and events.
