Anna Belle O'Shea
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Anna Belle O’Shea is a free-lance flutist in the Chicago area and a member of the Music Staff of the Archdiocese of Chicago. As a liturgical musician, she has played flute for church functions throughout the United States as well as in Europe. She can be heard as the flutist on more than twenty albums of contemporary and traditional sacred music. An active member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, she has served that organization as workshop clinician, member of the Board of Directors of their "Ensemble Section," and flutist for numerous liturgies and events at their regional and national conventions. With colleague Denise LaGiglia, Anna Belle has co-authored a book, The Liturgical Flutist, published by GIA, Publications. It is both a method book for flutists, and a liturgical text for all pastoral musicians. She has also composed 'C' instrument descants for World Library Publications' "People's Mass Book."
In addition to maintaining a large private student clientele, Ms. O'Shea co-founded and directed Flutes Unlimited, a community ensemble comprised of fifty members in three different flute choirs, ranging from elementary level through semi-professionals. Under her direction, Flutes Unlimited became a leader among musical ensembles in the Chicago area, performing at St. Xavier University, Navy Pier, Rockefeller Chapel, Holy Name Cathedral, as well as at the Chicago Flute Fair, the Milwaukee Flute Fair, and the NPM Chicago Regional Convention in 2004.
For 12 years Ms. O’Shea was principal flutist with the Northwest Indiana Symphony, and was the featured soloist with that orchestra on several occasions at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, IN. She has also performed at the 1992 and 1997 conventions of the National Flute Association as a member of the Professional Flute Choir.
Ms. O’Shea holds a Master of Arts Degree in Church Music and Liturgy from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN, the first flutist to achieve such a degree there. She is also a graduate of De Paul University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree, Magna cum Laude. Her flute teachers have included Phil Sieburg, Donald Peck, Kaye Clements, and Julius Baker.