Mary Lyons stands as a beacon of dedication and expertise in the flute community. An accomplished flutist, her educational journey commenced with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Art from the University of North Texas in 1994, reflecting a keen aesthetic sensibility. This foundation seamlessly transitioned into the realm of music when Mary attained her Master of Arts in Music, with a specialization in Flute Pedagogy, from Texas Woman’s University in 2006. It was under the mentorship of Dr. Pam Youngblood that Mary honed her craft, embedding profound musical insights into her approach.

Beyond academia, Mary's passion resonates in her affiliations with esteemed ensembles. Since 2002, she has enriched the Brookhaven Flute Choir with her presence, and even earlier, in 2001, she became a pivotal member of the Flutes of the Spirit Flute Choir.

In 2003, the Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company recognized Mary's vast expertise, ushering her into roles of increasing responsibility. Here, she has risen as the Instrument Inventory Manager and later as the Flute Sales Specialist, with a noteworthy specialization in bass flutes. Mary's tenure, marked by dedication and an unwavering commitment to flute education, positions her as an essential figure guiding flutists across all stages of their artistic journey.

Jacob Crozier, seamlessly merging his love for music with meticulous craftsmanship, joined the CNMC team in the summer of 2022. He quickly established himself as an invaluable asset, now serving as a full-time member of the repair department. Jacob's academic journey culminated with a bachelor's degree in flute performance from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2023. There, he benefited from the combined mentorship of esteemed flutists Ebonee Thomas, Mary Posses, and Mary Bassett-Shemon.

When stepping away from the intricate world of flute repair, Jacob immerses himself in the simple joys of life. He treasures moments spent with his beloved dog, experiments with new baking recipes, and unwinds by delving into audiobooks. Balancing artistry with practical skills and a zest for life, Jacob Crozier is a multifaceted individual contributing significantly to the world of flute maintenance and beyond.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Chris Cox is a vibrant and versatile musician.

As a freelancing musician, he performs frequently with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, Sulphur Springs Symphony, and South Arkansas Symphony. He has also played with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Shreveport Symphony. He is also an active chamber musician, performing with several groups across the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Chris was a semifinalist in the 2021 Myrna Brown Competition, and winner of the 2013 Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Concerto Competition where he performed the Georges Hue Fantasie under the baton of Dr. Douglas Bakenhus. As a winner for various masterclass competitions, he has performed for William Bennett, Carl Hall, Seth Morris, Sergio Pallottelli and Carol Wincenc.

Music education and teaching has been an enormous part of Mr. Cox’s life. He currently maintains a private studio in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. As a clinician, he has worked with many school districts across the area giving masterclasses, workshops, and lessons. Since 2019, he has served as the artistic director and conductor of the Young Artists Flute Ensemble. He has been on faculty with the FlootFire since 2019 and has been involved with the Texas Flute society, serving both as volunteer coordinator in 2015 and president from 2016-2018. Starting in 2019, he has served as both artistic director and conductor of the SMU Young Artists Flute Ensemble.

Chris holds a performers diploma from Southern Methodist University, Master of Musical Arts from Northwestern State University and his Bachelors degree in music performance from Western Carolina University. His primary flute instructors include Eldred Spell, Dennette McDermott, Kara Kirkendoll Welch, and Debbie Baron

Frances Orteza, blending her passion for music with modern marketing dynamics, has recently stepped into her role as the Social Media Manager for CNMC, having joined the team in June. With a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Texas Woman’s University (2023), she flourished under the guidance of Dr. Pamela Youngblood, while also contributing as a graduate assistant for the flute studio.

Before her Texan chapter, Frances embarked on her academic journey at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, obtaining her Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2021. There, she honed her skills under Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich and actively engaged as a work-study student for the flute studio.

Demonstrating her zeal as a young professional, Frances garnered valuable experience interning with the National Flute Association at their 2022 convention in Chicago. Her dedication to the world of flutes continues in her current role as the Texas Flute Society Publicity Coordinator in the DFW area. With a symbiotic blend of musical prowess and digital acumen, Frances Orteza is poised to make waves in both the musical and marketing arenas.

Jessica Schaumberg is an Asian American flutist, teacher, and composer. She received a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance and Composition from Western Illinois University, studying flute under Suyeon Ko and composition under James Romig and Hong-da Chin. Under the baton of Mike Fansler, she participated in the 2019 recording of David Maslanka’s Symphony No. 10: The River of Time for Naxos Records. Jessica later went on to earn a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Texas A&M University - Commerce where her teachers included Mehrdad Gholami and Julee Kim Walker. There, she also performed with the premiere TAMUC Graduate Woodwind Quintet. 

In addition to her position as Inventory Specialist at Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company, Schaumberg also remains an active clinician and educator. Her private studio is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and includes students ranging from beginners to collegiate level performers. She is also an active member of the Texas Flute Society and National Flute Association. Outside of the practice room, she spends her time reading science fiction novels from authors like Suzette Haden Elgin, Orson Scott Card, Cixin Liu, and Xiran Jay Zhou.