Teaching Artists/Specialists

Diana Barios received her bachelor of arts in dramatic arts, dance from the University of California, Berkeley where she founded the Annual Outdoor Festival of the Arts, a one day interdisciplinary collaboration of artists designed to generate support and visibility for the arts in a science dominated university environment. After college, she went on to become the senior producer and managing partner of Web Zeit, a small Internet development firm located in Manhattan. Diana has choreographed eight works that have been shown in both Berkeley, California and New York City. She danced from 1994–1997 with the Bay Area Repertory Dance Company, touring throughout California and Mexico. Additionally, Diana has extensive experience as a stage manager and lighting designer. She has had the opportunity to study dance with Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, Bill T. Jones, Susan Marshall, Margaret Jenkins, Joe Goode, Stephen Petronio, Robert Moses, and with company members from Alvin Ailey, Margaret Jenkins, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Trisha Brown, Oberlin Dance Company, Elizabeth Streb, and Isaacs/McCaleb & Dancers.

Donita Bauer began her musical studies on bassoon and piano in the second grade. She received a bachelor’s degree from Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska and a master’s degree in bassoon performance from the Saint Louis Conservatory, where she studied with George Berry and Robert Wisneskey. Presently, Donita is an extra player with the Saint Louis Symphony and also plays with the Webster Symphony Orchestra and the Equinox Chamber Players. Her other freelance engagements include Opera Theatre St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera, Bach Society, Masterworks Chorale, A Perfect Fifth Woodwind Quintet, Trio d’Anches, Neon Cadilac, and the popular duo, “The Poor People of Paris.” Donita not only serves on the faculties at the Symphony Music School at Webster University and Washington University, but also is currently the Director of Music at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Webster Groves.

Summer Beasley is a member of aTrek Dance Collective.

William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Boycott hails from Lander, Wyoming. In addition to five audio recordings to his credit, William has produced two programs on the history of the West and the Oregon Trail in cooperation with Wyoming Public TV. As musician and storyteller, he performed in concert with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Waddie Mitchell and Riders in the Sky.

Suzie Broddon has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Missouri–St. Louis. For over 25 years she was the producer and director of the Clayton’s Summer Children’s Theatre. She has been a Springboard & Young Audiences teacher for over 20 years, and for 19 years has directed the Surprise Endings radio show project.

Joe Buerger has performed and taught drumming throughout the Midwest. He has played with such artists as Barbara McNair and jazz vibraphonist Don DeMichael. After releasing two jazz albums, “The First of Many” and “Pushing Patrick,” Joe wrote several free–lance pieces for Modern Drummer publications. Currently, Joe is the house drummer on “The Belle of St. Louis” showboat.

Michael Buerk, clarinet player for the Opus Ensemble, is a versatile woodwind performer and teacher who graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. He is currently the principal woodwind player in the Muny Opera Orchestra and has been featured soloist on alto saxophone and clarinet with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Mike has accompanied such noted artists as Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Hope, and many others. He is a former band director at area elementary and high schools. Mike’s Saxophone Method books are in worldwide distribution through The Bay Publishing Company. He is the founder of the Michael Buerk Music Conservatory of Kirkwood, offering diversified music instruction.

Peg Bumb, member of the Opus Ensemble, studied bassoon with Robert Wisneskey at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and received her master’s degree from Northwestern University. She is active as a free–lance musician in St. Louis, playing in various groups, including the Ballet Orchestra of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony, and the Bach Society Orchestra. Peg has enjoyed teaching bassoon lessons and bassoon reed–making to middle school, high school, and college students since 1988.