Jody Chaffee is a musician with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra in Sandusky, Ohio. For over 20 years, she has held the chairs of Flute II and Piccolo. In addition, she serves as Personnel Manager, Librarian and Community Engagement Director for the Orchestra and Firelands Symphony Chorale.  

As Music Education and Community Engagement Director, Jody creates and presents engaging programming for all ages, ranging from infancy through adulthood. She is in contact with over 5,000 students each year in 12 different school districts. For this work, Jody was one of five selected from across the country to receive the prestigious national Ford Musician Award from the League of American Orchestras.  

In addition to responsibilities for the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Jody participates in numerous professional performance activities. She has been a substitute musician with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Ashland Symphony Orchestra. She is part of a professional flute quartet, High Frequency, which performs for a variety of events in and around the community.  She plays various woodwind instruments for high school and professional musicals, community engagements and church events.   

Jody served as a band director for six years and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, still holding a current Ohio teaching license. Jody, along with her husband Ben, resides in North Fairfield with their three children, Benjamin, Lydia and Bryan. In her spare time, she serves as Vice President for the South Central High School Music Parents Organization and is part of the Junior Class Advisors. Jody also volunteers her time with church functions as well as community events.