Alyssa Gaines

Alyssa Gaines (she/her) is an active teacher, solo, chamber, and ensemble performer based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has served as Artist Faculty at Morningside University (IA) and Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (WI). Alyssa has performed with many ensembles including the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, the Tucson Arts Express Orchestra, the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. She won 1st place in the 2021 San Francisco Flute Society's Artist Competition, was a quarterfinalist in the 2023 National Flute Association Young Artist competition, was named a National Finalist in the 2024 American Prize in Instrumental Performance - Professional Division, and has been a prizewinner in numerous other regional competitions. She has given recitals in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Arizona, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 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 internationally to attend Trevor Wye's 'The Flute Studio' in Kent, England from 2014-2015. Alyssa is currently a Program Coordinator at the University of Arizona School of Music but is most proud to be known as “Mommy” to her two toddlers.