This episode, we interview powerhouse band director and flutist Cynthia Plank. Her band at Beaumont Middle School recently received the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for the best middle school large ensemble in the entire country.

She also serves as an Associate Conductor for the Oregon Symphonic Band, which is a professional-level group of adult musicians. Besides flute, she has also performed extensively on bass, percussion, trombone and currently sings in a 20-piece swing band.

Hear all about how she is living out a life plan she made at age 18, how she and Leah met in the 80s in Euguene, and her philosophy on how to get young folks (especially young women) excited about playing music, and doing it well.

To donate to Beaumont's music program, email cynthiaplank@pps.net.

• WMP theme song 00:29.63
• Charmaine - Beaumont Ambassadors 02:53 (short clip)
• Para Los Congueros - Beaumont Ambassadors 15:04 (interstitial)
• Para Los Congueros - Beaumont Ambassadors 19:38 (long clip)
• Night and Day - Cynthia Plank 29:40 (long clip)
• Got Blues - Beaumont Ambassadors 38:19 (interstitial)
• Charmaine -Beaumont Ambassadors 42:21 (long clip)
• Bye Bye Blackbird - Cynthia Plank 47:07 (long clip)
• Bye Bye Blackbird 53:06 (piano interstitial)
• Got Blues - Beaumont Ambassadors 56:07 (outro clip)