Alyssa Baranski Gaines - Flutist

Alyssa is an active teacher, solo, chamber, and ensemble performer based in the La Crosse area. She has served as Artist Faculty of Flute at Morningside University and has performed with the Tucson Arts Express Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, and the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. She was named a quarterfinalist in the 2023 NFA Young Artist competition, won 1st place in the San Francisco Flute Society's 2021 Artist Competition, and has been a prizewinner in numerous other regional competitions.  Alyssa has given recitals in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Arizona, and Iowa. 

With a strong passion for teaching, Alyssa prioritizes teaching the fundamentals of the flute and teaches a wide range of ages and experience levels. Ultimately, Alyssa aspires to help students find a love, passion, and understanding of music. Contact Alyssa for more information. She has also explored an interest in arts administration with an internship in the Artistic Department of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She worked alongside the artistic department, music director, guest artists, and orchestra members. 

Alyssa earned a Master of Music degree in flute performance at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music where she studied with Professor Kate Lukas and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in flute performance and music industry from Middle Tennessee State University where she studied with Dr. Deanna Little. She was also selected as one of six flutists from around the world to attend Trevor Wye's 'The Flute Studio' in Kent, England from 2014-2015.

In her free time, Alyssa enjoys hiking, watching Gilmore Girls, baking with her Husband Martin, playing with their puppy, Daisy, and raising the newest addition to the family - their son, H.J., who was born November 2021.