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My flute/piccolo pillars are Sound, Stories, Colour, and Character. If you want to explore this Artistic and Archetypal approach to music in person or online, reach out. These pillars are inspired by my time with William Bennett and Lorna McGhee at the Pender Island flute Retreat Inc (2009-2021).
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I have been trained, certified and practicing as a coach since 2017, with 300 hours of experience. I adhere to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics. Within that coaching paradigm I created a template for resilience and resonance for musicians which includes mental skills, emotional intelligence, and creative intuition, as we care for both the music and the musician - with both excellence and compassion!. Musician Wellness and Leadership
This is a great option for those not in Calgary - send me a recording and I'll listen to it, organize feedback, documents, tools etc before our scheduled FaceTime. We go through it all together in real time!
CONTACT GWEN |
Coaching is different than consulting/teaching in that I do not offer advice! You are competent and capable! I listen, ask questions, and hold space as an ally so you may create a plan, evaluate it, and change it when needs be.
CONTACT GWEN |
This is my dance of facilitator, coach, performer, teacher. During the online workshops, I begin with information, with some personal stories, practicum, and a lot of science and strategies. When we're together in person, we integrate it in real time, with you, your instrument and music.
CONTACT GWEN |
In addition to hearing me weekly on the Calgary Phil stage and in chamber recitals, you are welcome to listen to some of my recordings here.
I would like to create a monthly Sensory Accessible Monthly Concert Series in Calgary similar to the monthly Cecelia Concerts produced by ScotiaFest in Halifax or what the Lotus Centre and NAC Orchestra are producing. Please do reach out if you're interested in bringing this to life with me!
I would like to create a monthly Sensory Accessible Monthly Concert Series in Calgary similar to the monthly Cecelia Concerts produced by ScotiaFest in Halifax or what the Lotus Centre and NAC Orchestra are producing. Please do reach out if you're interested in bringing this to life with me!
Musician Cohorts
Between Oct 2024 - May 2025, WLI has curated a 13 bi-monthly series for serious young musicians in the APP MRU Conservatory programme who are invested in mind-body awareness and connections, as they enter into post secondary education and professional career.
Topics ranged from how to practice (Mental Skills), how to re-charge and re-connect to yourself and the music (Movement and Mindfulness) to Feldenkrais, Yoga, and Injury Prevention.
Guests were Dr Terry Clark, Alex Cohen, Malcolm Lim, Mary Sullivan, Khatija Westbrook, Adam Zinatelli.
CONTACT GWEN if you're interested in joining a WLI Sept 2025 series
Topics ranged from how to practice (Mental Skills), how to re-charge and re-connect to yourself and the music (Movement and Mindfulness) to Feldenkrais, Yoga, and Injury Prevention.
Guests were Dr Terry Clark, Alex Cohen, Malcolm Lim, Mary Sullivan, Khatija Westbrook, Adam Zinatelli.
CONTACT GWEN if you're interested in joining a WLI Sept 2025 series
 Ruth Bergen Braun photography
1. Flute/Picc CONSULTATIONS with Gwen - in person and online. Strategies and support for you in the practice room
2. Performance COACHING Series for a specific goal or performance Support for your practicing and performing plan 3. MWL Workshops & Flute/Picc Masterclass COMBINATION for your studio Knowledge, resources, and practicum as you interact with music and colleagues |
Gwen Klassen is a Certified Life Coach (ILCT), facilitator, Reiki Master, Certified End of Life Doula, an accomplished classical musician (Master of Music; Northwestern University), employed by the Calgary Phil as a recording and performing artist for over 28 years, and by the University of Calgary as a Sessional Instructor for over 20 years. Gwen is passionate about teaching and performing female and BIPOC composers' works. For list of ongoing professional development and CV, click here.
In addition toperforming all (except Daphnis) of the orchestral excerpts as principal flute/second flute/solo piccolo, Gwen has performed 9 concerti with the Calgary Phil, with many positive reviews in the Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun. As a Chamber musician, Gwen has performed most of the flute repertoire, recorded for CBC, independent labels, and she recorded a CD with William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, and Colleen Athparia for the Pender Island Flute Retreat. Gwen also produced the album. Ms. Klassen is a Founding member of the chamber group Rosa Selvatica, has performed in recital for the University of Calgary Celebrity Series and Instrumental Society of Calgary many times.
As a teacher, Ms. Klassen's student have gone on to win orchestra and teaching positions, competing successfully in National and International competitions, as well as being accepted to prestigious graduate schools. In addition to leading Masterclasses/workshops at University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, Ms. Klassen has been a visiting guest lecturer at Acadia University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and Victoria Conservatory. Gwen is a lifelong learner and is committed to both excellence and compassion in service of music and the community.
Gwen has published articles with Flutist Quarterly (USA flute society), PAN (British flute society), Una Voce (Orchestra Canadienne Symphony Musicians) and Prelude Magazine (Calgary Phil). In August 2023, Ms. Klassen presented a workshop at the National Flute Convention (US) with the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts grant.
Gwen is also contracted independently as a Wellness and Leadership Coach/Facilitator, offering monthly coaching cohorts to Womyn in the Arts, as well as one-one musician coaching, and one-one coaching for womyn. Gwen also has extensive administrative experience as the Founder and Director (producing, developing, fundraising, grant writer, marketing, bookkeeping, performing, teaching) of the highly successful and original Pender Island Flute Retreat Inc 2009-2021. The integrative, nuanced, paradoxical wisdom gathered from all Gwen’s experiences, expertise and education is the foundation of her performing, teaching and coaching career.
Ms. Klassen is a founding member of Calgary Phil's Health & Wellness and Anti Racist Equity Diversity and Inclusion committees. Gwen has produced and performed in several fundraising recitals for the Cochrane Humane Society, Pender Island Flute Retreat, Red River Relief, Syrian Refugees.
In addition toperforming all (except Daphnis) of the orchestral excerpts as principal flute/second flute/solo piccolo, Gwen has performed 9 concerti with the Calgary Phil, with many positive reviews in the Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun. As a Chamber musician, Gwen has performed most of the flute repertoire, recorded for CBC, independent labels, and she recorded a CD with William Bennett, Lorna McGhee, and Colleen Athparia for the Pender Island Flute Retreat. Gwen also produced the album. Ms. Klassen is a Founding member of the chamber group Rosa Selvatica, has performed in recital for the University of Calgary Celebrity Series and Instrumental Society of Calgary many times.
As a teacher, Ms. Klassen's student have gone on to win orchestra and teaching positions, competing successfully in National and International competitions, as well as being accepted to prestigious graduate schools. In addition to leading Masterclasses/workshops at University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, Ms. Klassen has been a visiting guest lecturer at Acadia University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and Victoria Conservatory. Gwen is a lifelong learner and is committed to both excellence and compassion in service of music and the community.
Gwen has published articles with Flutist Quarterly (USA flute society), PAN (British flute society), Una Voce (Orchestra Canadienne Symphony Musicians) and Prelude Magazine (Calgary Phil). In August 2023, Ms. Klassen presented a workshop at the National Flute Convention (US) with the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts grant.
Gwen is also contracted independently as a Wellness and Leadership Coach/Facilitator, offering monthly coaching cohorts to Womyn in the Arts, as well as one-one musician coaching, and one-one coaching for womyn. Gwen also has extensive administrative experience as the Founder and Director (producing, developing, fundraising, grant writer, marketing, bookkeeping, performing, teaching) of the highly successful and original Pender Island Flute Retreat Inc 2009-2021. The integrative, nuanced, paradoxical wisdom gathered from all Gwen’s experiences, expertise and education is the foundation of her performing, teaching and coaching career.
Ms. Klassen is a founding member of Calgary Phil's Health & Wellness and Anti Racist Equity Diversity and Inclusion committees. Gwen has produced and performed in several fundraising recitals for the Cochrane Humane Society, Pender Island Flute Retreat, Red River Relief, Syrian Refugees.
Wellness and Leadership is Incorporated on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (District 5 & 6), and all people who work, create and play in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
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Wellness and Leadership Incorporated
All Rights Reserved
Wellness and Leadership Incorporated
All Rights Reserved