Our board

Dr. Amy Thiemann is a flutist, dedicated educator, and active orchestral and chamber musician based in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Within Reach Music Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality music education through artist residencies, educational performances, and partnerships with schools and communities across North Texas. Central to her teaching philosophy is a strong commitment to connecting with students and fostering an engaging, supportive learning environment.

An in-demand performer, Dr. Thiemann currently serves as Principal Flute with the Sherman Symphony and Third Flute/Piccolo with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, she has presented guest artist recitals at colleges and music festivals across the United States, with recent appearances in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. She has also appeared with the Abilene Philharmonic, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Omaha Symphony Orchestra, and Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. A passionate advocate for chamber music, she performs frequently with Madera Winds and Mockingbird Flute Quartet.

Dr. Thiemann previously held teaching positions at Midwestern State University, University of North Texas, Concordia University Nebraska and Ithaca College, where she taught applied flute, music history, and music appreciation courses. Her teaching reflects a commitment to artistic excellence, meaningful student engagement, and making music accessible to learners from diverse backgrounds.

Dr. Thiemann earned degrees in flute performance from the University of North Texas (DMA), Ithaca College (MM), and Hastings College (BM). Her primary teachers include Terri Sundberg, Maria Harding, Jill Felber, Dr. Wendy Mehne, and Deborah Johnson.

Dr. Angela K. Winter is an enthusiastic performer and educator and is currently the Assistant Professor of Horn at New Mexico State University. She has given presentations and clinics, adjudicated, conducted, soloed, taught, and performed with a variety of ensembles throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Europe.

Angela has recorded extensively, with releases on Ravello Records, GIA Publications, Klavier, Crescent Phase Records, and Highland Sound Productions. Passionate about chamber music, she performs and clinics extensively with a variety of chamber ensembles including the Madera Wind Quintet and Session Brass.

Angela is originally from Memphis, TN, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Memphis. She holds an M.M. and D.M.A. in horn performance from the University of North Texas. Prior to New Mexico State University, she taught at Adams State University as Director of Brass and Bands, the University of Texas at Dallas and Texas Woman’s University as well as in the public middle and high school system.

In addition to her musical activities, Angela is an extreme dog lover and runner. She has an ever-growing number of rescue dogs and has run more than 60 marathons and ultra-marathons.

Dr. Rafael Powell II is a freelance woodwind teacher, clinician, and performer based in Dallas-Fort Worth. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Midwestern State University where he teaches applied saxophone, clarinet, woodwind methods, and improvisation.

Rafael has performed across the nation as a touring musician with various artists, including R&B artist Sean Fresh as the woodwind player for Children of Indigo. Outside of shows, Rafael can be heard on singles from Sean Fresh, Children of Indigo, Kwestion, Dazz & Brie, Andromeda, Big Piph, Austin Dean Ashford and more.

As a classical artist, he has performed at the NASA Region IV Conference, CMS South Central Conference, SCI Conference, and Mana Saxophone Institute. Along with these conference performances, Rafael has performed with Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, Sherman Symphony, Little Rock Wind Symphony, Stardust Big Band, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Rockwall Summer Musicals, and Flutopia Flute Choir.

Beyond performing and recording, Rafael has taught woodwinds since 2010. Through the years he has taught at various schools in Central Arkansas, East Texas, and West Texas, giving Masterclasses, lessons, and recitals. He also serves the Dallas Symphony Orchestra as a Woodwind Teaching Artist. As a teacher, Rafael believes in meeting students where they are, showing them a patient path, and using music to encourage them to go beyond.

Rafael received his Doctor of Musical Arts from Texas Tech University, where he studied with Professor David Dees. He also holds degrees from Texas A&M University — Commerce (MM) and Henderson State University (BM). His primary teachers are Dr. Steve Becraft, Dr. Jennifer Amox, Dr. Chris Beaty, Dr. Mary Alice Druhan, and Dr. Julee Walker.