Syracuse-based flutist Lana Stafford earned her bachelor’s and master's degrees in flute performance at the University at Buffalo (SUNY). Lana has given flute recitals across Central New York, in addition to performing with the Society for New Music, Civic Morning Musicals, Syracuse Chamber Orchestra, Hamilton College Orchestra, Syracuse Vocal Ensemble, and Breadcrumbs Productions.

While in grad school Lana and percussionist Michelle Purdy commissioned several new works, with premieres in Manhattan, University at Buffalo, and University of Maryland Baltimore County. Lana and dancer/ choreographer Laura Neese have performed in concerts for music and dance, UB Celebration of Academic Excellence, Staten Island Arts LUMEN Festival, and Greenspace Dance in Queens, NY.

Her principal flute teachers included John Oberbrunner, Barry Crawford, Cheryl Gobbetti Hoffman, and Dana DiGennaro. Further studies include masterclasses with Ian Clarke, Wissam Boustany, Mario Caroli, Trevor Wye, and others. Lana has been recognized as recipient of the University at Buffalo Millonzi Distinguished Honors Arts Scholarship, Morris Center for 21st Century Music travel grant, UB Concerto Competition 1st prize, and the Gobbetti Hoffman Memorial Flute Fellowship.

Lana is a member of the Central New York Association of Music Teachers, National Association for Music Educators, American Federation of Musicians Local 78, the Board of Directors at Society for New Music, and past board member at CMM and CNYAMT. She was the UB Flute Studio teaching assistant and has taught flutists of all ages since 2010.