Grammy-nominated local musician Peter Phippen is part of the International Native American and World Flute Association’s advisory board and will be performing at the convention.

Beginning July 18, the Haas Fine Arts Center at UW-Eau Claire will host the International Native American and World Flute Association’s 2012 convention.  Spanning five days from Wednesday through Sunday, the convention unites performers and guests alike through a wide variety of classes and concerts, promising musical performances the likes of which one will not want to miss.

Throughout the year, INAFA seeks to create a powerful lineup of musicians from various parts of the world community. With Grammy-caliber musicians and performers from across the world and nation set to perform, the convention offers something for everyone.  “This is really an event those of us in Eau Claire won’t get to see very often,” said INAFA advisory board member and performer Peter Phippen.  

Presenters will conduct workshops each day from 9am to 2pm, covering a broad spectrum of topics from musical expression to the understanding of flute traditions… from unlocking the mysteries of the Celtic flute to breathing techniques.  While some classes highlight specific areas of interest for flutists, others touch upon topics for a broader audience.  Participants need not pre-register and may attend any and all workshops. 

Following classes, the afternoon concerts commence daily from 3-4:30pm, followed by evening performances beginning at 7pm.  These main concerts in the evenings will feature three to four premier artists and groups encompassing both Native American and world flute traditions.  “The concerts really run the gamut,” said Phippen. “Each day is different, but every performance is definitely worthwhile.” Performers include Grammy Award nominee R. Carlos Nakai, a Native American flute musician noted for his cross-cultural, cross-genre collaborations.  Also performing at this year’s convention is Mithril, one of the most sought after Celtic music groups that weaves American folk, classical, and Middle Eastern melodies into their style. 

Other greats performing at the convention include  G.S. Sachdev, an Indian floutist who has been lauded by The New York Times and has played with George Harrison and Kevin Locke, who has won many awards for his Native American flute playing including an album of the year from the Native American Music Awards and a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Wisconsin-born musician Frank Montano is looking forward to this year’s convention.  Though he has performed throughout the world for nearly half a century and at previous INAFA conventions, Montano said each gathering is better than the last. “The convention will [represent] many well-known different native peoples and countries, with a variety of… information on different cultures,” said Montano.

Throughout the convention, guests may also find numerous vendors featuring a diverse selection of musical items for purchase, including world instruments, Native American flutes, CDs, carrying cases, sheet music, music instruction books, and more.