Darlene Drew has been a part of the Chicago music scene for the past 30 years. She has performed with many ensembles including the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, Grant Park Symphony, Joffrey Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and has served as Principal Flute and soloist with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra for over 20 years. A longtime performer in musical theatre, she has played for many major productions including Showboat, Ragtime, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Wicked,  She currently serves as a member of the touring company of Disney's Lion King performing on 14 ethnic flutes. She was highlighted on ABC' s Backstage Pass to the Lion King in many cities across the country and was interviewed on NPR.

Her chamber ensemble Trio Elan, has been featured on WFMT Radio and has a CD Premiere Trio Elan published and distributed by World Library Publications.

A graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy, where she was principal flute in the orchestra, she holds music performance degrees from  Northwestern University and Florida State University.  Her teachers include Frances Shelly, Shaul Ben Meir, Jacqueline Hofto, Walfrid Kujala, Peter Lloyd, Charles Delaney, Robert Aitken and Jean Berkenstock.