Justin W. Thai (Young Musician and Educator)
As a young musician and educator, Justin William Thai is a passionate artist, striving to share his insight both on the stage and side-by-side in the teaching studio and classroom. He has had experience performing in the recital hall along with collegiate to semi-professional musicians in concert. These groups have ranged from chamber ensembles, wind bands, pit-orchestras, and orchestras, including a community organization during his study abroad semesters: the Orchesterverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Vienna, Austria. Justin is no stranger to the craft of education. He has devoted time to providing individual and small-group instructional curricula over the years, teaching and coaching students who vary from elementary-aged through the college level in the flute and piccolo, music theory, conducting, and more. In the world of academia, he has found a deep interest in music theory, music history, and language, pursing research and the study of sophisticated topics at the graduate level — such as approaching music analysis from the Schenkerian perspective.
In the field, Justin has had the esteemed privilege of becoming the first intern at the world-renowned Vienna State Opera in their Music Library, carrying out high volumes of projects and tasks of precision. Additionally, he has gained a great deal of other local professional experiences, working with local schools and organizations for several years, including the Conejo Valley Summer Music Camp — coaching and conducting young musicians, preparing workshops, managing logistics, and maintaining close partnership with the director and long-time educator, Janine Delwarte.
Justin is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities with a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Flute Performance and has earned the Latin Honors distinction, summa cum laude. During his collegiate career, he has also studied in Vienna, Austria with IES (Institut für Europäische Studien) Abroad along with faculty from the University of Vienna, the Universität für Musik und darnstellende-Kunst Wien (University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, mdw), and the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität (Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna, MUK). He is indebted to his multitude of pedagogues including the following in this modest, partial list of flutists: Immanuel Davis, Dr. Ulrike Anton, Frau Mag. Maria Jauk, Frau Prof. Furugh Karimi Djafar-Zadeh, James “Jim” Walker, Sara Andon, Sandra “Sandy” Kipp-Iles, Diana Morgan, Julie Burkert, Mary Predmore, & Ann Erwin — as well as conductors, in a modest, partial list: Dr. Emily Threinen, Maestro Mark Russell Smith, Professor Elizabeth “Betsy” McCann, Professor Emeritus Craig Kirchoff, Carrie Backman, Dr. John Nick Smith, Dr. Cory Near, Timothy Redmond, Tom Hammond, & Peter Davies.