Erik Swanson
Born into a family of musicians, music has always been an integral part of Erik's life. He attended the University of Redlands, CA, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Music in 1991. Shortly thereafter, he began repairing instruments at Sliger's Music in Redlands. Through the encouragement of his father, Phil Swanson, who was a founding member of the National Flute Association, Erik began his training in 1993. In 1995, he moved to Flagstaff, AZ, and opened his own shop repairing all woodwind instruments but specializing in flute and piccolo. During this time, Erik received additional training with David Straubinger in Indianapolis and obtained his Straubinger Certification. In the spring of 2000, he secured his current position with Miyazawa/Flute Authority, where he performs the final set-up on new flutes and piccolos, repairs customers’ instruments, and works closely with the Miyazawa factory in Japan to create one of the world's finest instruments.
Cris Quintana
Originally born in Albuquerque, NM, Cris entered the world of music at an early age. He played continuously throughout school and with great support from his parents decided to pursue a musical career by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps as a bandsman. After basic training and graduation from the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA, Cris was assigned to the Marine Forces Reserve Band in New Orleans, LA, in 2001. For the next three years, Cris acted as the interim repair technician and learned his trade by apprenticing at local music stores and studying repair manuals. Cris was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his work as a technician all the while maintaining the rigorous schedule of a Marine Bandsman. After completion of his active duty tour, Cris attended Minnesota State College’s world renowned repair school in Redwing, MN. There he met Tonya Wegner, an alumnus of the school, and was introduced to the world of handmade flutes. Cris continues his relationship with Minnesota State College by serving on the Band Instrument Repair Advisory Committee. Since his graduation in 2005, Cris has been a member of the Flute Authority team and became Straubinger Certified. In 2007, Cris was given the opportunity to spend a month in Japan learning how to build the Miyazawa Flute. The flute he built was presented to him as a gift from the President of Miyazawa Flutes and remains one of his most cherished possessions.
Tonya Wegner
Music has always been an important part of Tonya's life. While growing up, she played both flute and piano and pursued majoring in music in college. She graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a B.A. in Music Education in May of 2000. After graduation, Tonya’s interest in repair led her to attend Minnesota State College in Red Wing, MN, for their world renowned band instrument repair program. She has been working with the Flute Authority team since 2001 and became Straubinger Certified. Tonya has had the opportunity to travel to many flute shows all around the country, as well as to the Miyazawa factory in Asaka, Japan for extended training. She has played flute in the Iowa National Guard Band in Fairfield, IA, for 14 years and is the Section Leader. She also frequently performs with many local ensembles, including the Iowa City Community Band and as a pit musician for musicals.
Kim Saito
Kim has been involved in music from a young age, starting with piano and adding clarinet, saxophone, and cello to her list of instruments all before graduating high school. Her love of music drove her to major in music in college. She received a B. A. in Music from Iowa State University in 2005. While in college she spent two summers working for a piano repair shop and developed a passion for repairing instruments. She then decided to pursue an instrument repair degree from Minnesota State College in Red Wing, Minnesota. After a rigorous interview and testing process, Kim was invited to join the Flute Authority team in 2006, became Straubinger Certified, and has been working on all makes of handmade professional flutes ever since. Kim is currently based out of our Moline, IL, location where she services all band instruments in addition to her emphasis on handmade flutes and piccolos.