The Fair Winds

About Us

The Fair Winds was founded in 2023 by State College residents Laurel Sanders (flute), Jenny Koberna (clarinet), and Rich Manning (bassoon). Ensembles currently include The Fair Winds V (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon), The Fair Winds III (flute, clarinet and bassoon) and The Fair Winds II (flute with bassoon; flute with clarinet; and clarinet with bassoon). Our repertoire includes classical literature as well as Gershwin, Cole Porter, tangos, ragtime, fiddle tunes, reels, Irish and Celtic folksongs, popular tunes from 19th century and a wide array of Christmas songs. In 2025, The Fair Winds II provided pre-show music for the opening of the Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival in Huntingdon, Pa. The Fair Winds III also performed as festival artists at the 2025 Summer Music in Tuscany in Sarteano, Italy. We share our music at art gallery openings, First Fridays, private receptions, fundraisers for nonprofits, retirement homes, weddings, and holiday events such as Bellefonte Victorian Christmas. Listen to audio samples on our site and visit our contact page to inquire about us playing for your event!

Click on The Fair Winds III for our trio.
Click on The Fair Winds V for our quintet.

Laurel Sanders is a flutist, composer, conductor, and vocalist. She received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Ithaca College and the college’s London Centre and her Master of Music in arts administration from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, with additional studies in musicology. Laurel plays in The Fair Winds, The Whistle Tones (flute quartet), and Raystown Wind Orchestra. She is the Director of Music and Arts Ministries at Grace Lutheran Church in State College, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband Graham.

Jenny Koberna is a clarinetist and lifelong music enthusiast. She received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Nursing from the University of Virginia and her post-masters Family Nurse Practitioner degree from The Pennsylvania State University. Throughout her career and now in retirement, she has remained actively involved in various music ensembles. In addition to The Fair Winds, Jenny is currently playing with The State College Area Municipal Band, Raystown Wind Orchestra, Raystown Woods, The Bellefonte Community Band, The Bavarian Stompers, and The Little German Band. She lives in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Paul.

State College native Richard (Rich) Manning, a civil engineer for The Pennsylvania State University, has been actively involved in performing chamber music for several decades. In addition to playing bassoon in The Fair Winds, Rich is currently a member of the Raystown Wind Orchestra, Juniata College Wind Symphony, State College Area Municipal Band, and the Hollidaysburg Community Band. Rich also plays bassoon (and occasionally trombone) for churches, in the pit orchestras, and other area events on request.

“Fair Winds performed during our museum’s opening celebration of two complimentary exhibitions of historical and contemporary railroad photography. Their music provided the keystone element of a such a wonderful night, as their skill, enthusiasm, and purity of heart resounded joyfully throughout the evening. Through the usage of thematically appropriate costume and period appropriate music to complement our exhibitions, their efforts as musicians went above and beyond typical musical entertainment. I would recommend Fair Winds to any venue or group looking to provide elegance and eloquence in sound and atmosphere for their event.” - Danté DiAndrea Site Director (Altoona), Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art

Diane Haldeman fell in love with music performance while attending the Bellefonte Area School District. She had the opportunity of participating in multiple middle school and high school band festivals across the state. She studied oboe under Barry Kroeker and bass clarinet under Dr. Ned Deihl. When she’s not busy with her career of software engineering at Penn State University, Diane actively participates in the State College Area Municipal Band, Raystown Wind Orchestra and various chamber music ensembles.

Stephanie Law plays French horn and piano. She received her B.S. in Physics from Iowa State University and her Ph.D in Physics from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. She is currently a professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State University. She has played in a variety of groups throughout her life including wind ensembles, orchestras, symphonic bands, and chamber groups. In addition to playing in The Fair Winds V, she also plays in the Raystown Wind Orchestra and the State College Area Municipal Band. She lives in Spring Mills with her husband, Matt.