A Northern Arizona native, Charles (Charly) Spining was born on the Navajo reservation, where his father served more than 30 years as a medical missionary at Ganado Mission's Sage Memorial Hospital. Mr. Spining's musical training began there, first with his mother and later with his high school principal, a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. Keyboard studies continued while he pursued Bachelor and Master degrees in music at Occidental College and Boston University.
A Flagstaff resident for the past 30 years, Mr. Spining assisted his relatives in the restoration of the historic Hotel Weatherford, where he was resident pianist at Charly's Restaurant and Pub. He has served as organist at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany since 1986. A founding member of the Flagstaff Light Opera Company, Mr. Spining is a frequent rehearsal accompanist, sings tenor with the Flagstaff Master Chorale, and writes program notes for the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Sedona as well as occasional previews and reviews of musical events for the Arizona Daily Sun. He has been a member of the board of directors of Theatrikos, the Flagstaff Summer Festival, Flagstaff Light Opera, and Chamber Music Sedona. Now retired, Mr. Spining is busier than ever pursuing his various musical avocations.
--by Charles Spining [ Back to concert program ]