Meet the Musicians

Get to know the amazing musicians of the Memphis Symphony!

Strings

Barrie-Cooper

Barrie Cooper
VIOLIN I

Concertmaster, The Joy Brown Wiener Chair

  • Barrie Cooper, Concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, started violin at the age of 4 with John Kendall at the Suzuki program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She also served as Kendall's assistant traveling across the United States and Japan to workshops and conferences. Because none of her friends would, Barrie studied viola to play in the Piu Mosso quartet which gave numerous concerts in the Midwest and east coast. She was principal viola for 2 years in the St Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. She attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York and graduated from Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore Maryland. At Peabody, Barrie won the Marbury Violin Competition and the Josef Kasper Prize for excellence in violin performance. Barrie has spent the last 19 summers as principal Second violin in the American Institute of Musical Studies orchestra in Graz, Austria as well as being part of the violin section of the Arizona Musicfest in 2016. Barrie is a diehard St. Louis Cardinal fan and shares her home with her wonderful animal family!

    Learn More About Barrie

Marisa Polesky, a violin player

Marisa Polesky
VIOLIN I

Assistant Concertmaster

  • Colleges attended: Eastman School of Music, Univ. of Rochester, NY

    First Season with the MSO: 1997-98

    MSO Community Involvement: I have an extended family of private students who, interestingly enough, return weekly...

    Fun Facts!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Trolley Stop

    Describe your family and pets: I have one roommate, my nymph-like and ephemeral Persian cat

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: I would run a bed & breakfast in the Scottish Highlands.

    Favorite hobby: traveling, reading, working out

    Age you started your instrument: I started, at age 2, with a cardboard violin. It tasted awful.

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: MI-5 , and/or anything BBC Masterpiece

    Favorite moment onstage: The night we played Bolero. I kept finishing each page of music before my stand partner, then had to wait for her to finish and turn the page because, in my own words, “I already played that part...”

    Favorite onstage activity for those ultra-rare occasions when I am not being a completely serious and professional musician: Making and watching my stand partner crack up.

    Favorite piece of music: From Handel's opera, Serse - Ombra mai fu and Monteverdi's Pur ti Miro

Diane Zelickman Cohen, a violin player

Diane Zelickman Cohen
VIOLIN I

Assistant Principal

 
Wen-Yih Yu, a violin player

Wen-Yih Yu
VIOLIN I

  • MSO First Season: 1994-1995

    Wen Yih Yu joined the Memphis symphony in 1994. Yu, a native of Taiwan, began his musical study at age of 8. Before he came to the United States, Wen Yih served as the assistant concertmaster of Taipei city symphony orchestra from 1986 to 1989 and appeared as a featured soloist in many concerts with that orchestra.

    In addition to that, Wen Yih has won concerto competition and performed as a soloist with the orchestra of National Taiwan Academy of Arts in concert tour around Taiwan. He received a scholarship from Mannes College of Music and came to the United States in 1990 to Study with violinist Nina Beilina. Received a Master's degree and a Diploma of Professional Study in May 1994.

    Wen Yih has performed with Bachanalia Chamber orchestra, New Jersey Philharmonic, 96th street Y chamber orchestra and Korean Chamber orchestra in New York. He was also invited and performed at Colorado Music Festival in Boulder and Cape May Music Festival in New Jersey. He currently serves as a violin instructor at Rhodes College since 2002. When off-season in Memphis, he also performs with Fort Worth Symphony in Texas as well as Music in the Mountain Festival in Durango, Colorado. in 2007 he was invited to go to Taiwan to perform with ProArts chamber Orchestra in Taipei.

Jessica Munson, a violin player

Jessica Munson
VIOLIN I

  • MSO First Season: 2000-2001

    Video: MSO Musician Minute with Jessie Munson

    Ms. Munson, originally from Howard Lake, MN, started playing violin at the age of 4. She played in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies for 10 years, studying with El Gervasio and Sally O’Reilly throughout highschool. Ms. Munson holds a bachelors degree in violin performance from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX, where she studied with John Gilbert.

    During college, she played with the Lubbock Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Big Spring Symphony and Abilene Philharmonic, as well as an early music group, Irish band and a Mariachi band. In her summers, Ms. Munson attended Bravo Summer String Institute, Meadowmount and Roundtop. Since moving to Memphis, she has discovered bluegrass music and now plays in the band Sorghum Hill.

    Learn more about Jessica.

 

Long Long Kang
VIOLIN I

  • Dr. Long Long Kang began his musical education at an early age in his native country of Taiwan, beginning piano studies at the age of four, and violin studies at the age of five. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the National Taiwan Normal University, where he majored in violin performance and music education, with a minor in piano performance. Dr. Kang also earned a Master’s degree from the Mannes School of Music in New York City, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Memphis, majored in violin performance, with a minor in viola performance.

    Dr. Kang is currently a member of the first violin section of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. In the past, he has also been a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Rockefeller Quartet in Little Rock, AR, during the 2005~2006 season. In addition, he has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles in Europe, Asia, and the United States, including performances at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York City. Dr. Kang has won many awards and scholarships, including prizes at the Taipei City Violin Competition (Gold Medal) and Taiwan National Violin Competition, a Yamaha Academic Scholarship, a graduate assistantship at the University of Memphis, and was the winner of the concerto competition at the University of Memphis in 2007.

    In addition to performing, Dr. Kang is a registered Suzuki instructor and has been actively teaching since 1996. He was a teaching assistant at the Mannes School of Music and a violin instructor at the University of Memphis, Harding University, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Community School, and the Arkansas School for the Blind. In the summer of 2008, he taught violin and chamber music at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in Michigan. He also taught at the Shelby County Schools Fine Arts Camp, the Faulkner Chamber Music Festival in Little Rock, AR, the Memphis Music Camp, the GPAC Youth Symphony Program, and the Memphis Youth Symphony Program. Dr. Kang was an orchestra director in Shelby County Schools from 2008 to 2014. Currently, he is the director of orchestras for the Germantown Municipal School District.

Gaylon Patterson
VIOLIN 2

Principal, The Dunbar and
Constance Abston Chair

  • Colleges attended: Washington University in St. Louis, University of Arkansas (BA), University of Memphis (MM)

    Most influential musical teachers: Sigmund Ziebel, Rico McNeela, Julian Ross

    First Season with the MSO: 1985-86

    Teaching Positions: Former faculty at University of Memphis, Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts

    As a Chamber Musician: Former violinist in Ceruti Quartet, many performances with Memphis Chamber Music Society

    MSO Community Involvement: Development team for LFEC and Opus One, program planning for Family Tunes & Tales, active in arts advocacy.

    FUN FACTS!

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Greenland. I seem to gravitate toward obscure destinations.

    Favorite hobby: I love to cook for friends, and I'm adventurous about exploring new (to me) foods and wines.

    Age you started your instrument: 10

    What inspired you to make music your career: I knew I wanted to be a musician at 12, but it took me a long time to get from there to here. I went to engineering school and also studied architecture and visual art before I committed to music as a career. For me, it's a calling, not just a job, and my circuitous path makes me love my work even more.

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: I like books better than movies, and movies better than TV. It's tough to choose a single favorite.

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: I once knocked a very large flower arrangement into the orchestra pit while turning around for a curtain call after a concerto.

    Favorite piece of music: I have kaleidoscopic tastes in music, but Beethoven 7, Mahler 2, Strauss "Four Last Songs," and the late Beethoven quartets are always near the top.

    Interesting Fact about yourself: I like pie, fresh haircuts, naps, and new socks.

Erin Kaste
VIOLIN 2

Assistant Principal

  • Minneapolis native Erin Kaste began violin studies in the MacPhail Suzuki program at the age of 4. She is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied violin performance with Charles Castleman and Suzuki pedagogy with Anastasia Jempelis. She has been a member of the Memphis Symphony violin section since 1996 and has served as the Memphis Symphony Orchestra personnel manager since 2014.

    Prior to her time in Memphis, Erin taught orchestra and private lessons in a performing arts magnet school in Odessa, Texas. During her stint there, she performed with the Midland/Odessa Symphony, the Big Spring Symphony, and the Symphony of the Southwest. Once in Memphis, she taught for many years in the University of Memphis’ Suzuki String program and co-directed their summer institute. She has spent summers with the Ohio Light Opera company and the Penn’s Woods festival.

    Erin lives in East Memphis with her wife, M-SCS Orff Music Specialist and trumpet player Betsy Carter, and has two children: Allie, who is a student at the University of Memphis, and Jordan, who attends Memphis East High School. She shares her house with rescue dogs Theo and Elvira, and cats Lee, Orchid, and Bizkit.

    Erin’s first novel, I Know About You, was released by Bold Strokes Books in October of 2023, and she is busily working on new projects. In addition to music and writing, she loves road trips, hiking in the mountains, channeling her grandmother as she raises African violets and Christmas cacti, and cheering on the Minnesota Twins.

Lenore Mclntyre
VIOLIN 2

Assistant Principal

  • Lenore McIntyre has been a core member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra Violin section since 2005 and will celebrate her 15th Season in 2020 as Assistant Principal Second Violin of the MSO. As a celebrated violinist in the United States and Canada, she has brought exceptional musicianship and virtuosity to many Solo and Chamber Music performances. Lenore is enthusiastic about performing the Classical repertoire as well as Modern day compositions. She has performed on stage for world premieres of some very relevant compositions by modern composers Jennifer Higdon, Mason Bates, D.J. Sparr and John Corigliano.

    As a Canadian Violinist, Lenore graduated at the top of her class from the University of Toronto with distinction and was invited to be Concertmaster of the Orchestral Training Program at The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. Lenore was chosen as one of the founding orchestral members of The National Academy Orchestra of Canada. (Boris Brott Conductor) Shortly after, she was appointed Concertmaster and Soloist of Jeunnes Virtuoses de Montreal, performing at venues such as: Cathedral Notre Dame, Place des Arts, and McGill University. She has performed with Orchestra Baroque de Montreal (Jean Francois Rivest) and McGill Chamber Orchestra (Alexander Brott).

    As a Fellowship recipient from The Civic Orchestra of Chicago and DePaul University, Lenore completed her Masters Degree in Chicago under Joe Genualdi (Master Violin Teacher). During her time as Assistant Principal Second Violinist, Lenore performed with Music Directors: Daniel Barenboim, Sir George Solti, Pierre Boulez, and Zubin Mehta. While in Chicago, Mrs McIntyre performed as a freelance violinist, and was the Concertmaster and Contractor of the Monte Carlo Strings (Bradley Young Entertainment).

    Mrs. McIntyre has had a full and varied Professional career as an Orchestral and Chamber Violinist including performances with The National Ballet of Canada, Schleswig Holstein Music Festival (Loren Mazel, Mstislav Rostropovich, Valery Gergiev), Luzerne Music Festival Recital Series, Interlochen Faculty Recital Series, The Chicago Civic Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Virginia Opera, The Illinois Philharmonic, Opera Memphis, and Ballet Memphis.

    As a Master teacher, Lenore has been on Faculty at Luzerne Music Center, Hot Springs Music Festival, Interlochesn Center for the Arts and Cazadero (Berkley) Music Camp. She is also very involved with the Community maintaining a Private Studio at Lane Music, Germantown. Lenore also volunteers by Coaching and teaching through The Memphis Symphony outreach program CAPA ( Creative Arts and Performing Arts) in schools like Colonial Middle School, Overton High School and Stax Charter School. Through these programs she hopes to both inspire, educate, and encourage young musicians.

    There are many wonderful violin teachers that have shaped Lenore’s career over the years. She would like to acknowledge: Camilla Wicks, David Zafer, Jaime Weisenblum, Richard Roberts, Pinchas Zukerman, Joseph Genualdi, Victor Denchenko, David Taylor Lenore is married to acclaimed 7 string Jazz Guitarist, Ted Ludwig. Her hobbies include: Travel, Swimming, Biking, Movies, French language studies, Wine and Cooking at home.

Yennifer Correia
VIOLIN 2

  • Venezuelan violinist, Yennifer Correia enjoys a versatile career as an orchestral musician, educator, and chamber musician. Having performed worldwide across North America, South America and Europe, she has appeared on stages including the Lincoln Center, Teatro Teresa Carreño, and most recently at Carnegie Hall in a tribute to Philip Glass.

    Yennifer was appointed to the Second Violin section of the Memphis Symphony in 2019. She is also a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and has appeared with many orchestras throughout the United States, including the Louisiana Philharmonic, Fort Worth Symphony, Missouri Symphony, San Antonio Chamber Orchestra, Plano Symphony, and Irving Symphony.

    As a passionate chamber musician, Yennifer has participated in the Fischoff, Coleman, and Plowman chamber music competitions, and in 2005 received First Prize at the Chamber Music International Competition in Dallas, TX. Yennifer has performed at many music festivals, including Music Academy of the West, where she received the Fellowship Award, Spoleto USA, Meadowmount School of Music, Interlochen Arts Camp, and most recently serving as Assistant Concertmaster at the Missouri Symphony’s Hot Summer Nights Festival

    Yennifer completed her undergraduate degree with Julia Bushkova at the University of North Texas, received a Master’s Degree from Rice University with Kenneth Goldsmith, and an Artist Diploma from the University of Memphis under So-Hyun Park-Altino.

 
 

Jennifer Puckett
VIOLA

Principal, The Corinne Falls Murrah Chair

  • Colleges attended: University of Alabama and University of Colorado

    Most influential musical teachers: Connie Heard, Erika Eckert, Patrick Rafferty, Judith Glyde, Jennifer John and Carlton McCreery

    First Season with the MSO: Fall 2005

    Teaching Positions: Founder and primary teacher of the East Memphis Music Academy. Have also taught in the Columbus, Mississippi Suzuki program, and the Boulder Suzuki Program.

    As a Chamber Musician: MSO Community Involvement: Capa program, Family Tunes and Tales, and Soulsville

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Sekisui Pacific Rim

    Describe your family and pets: I have a 2 ½ year old son who is the joy of my life! I also have 2 dogs and 1 cat.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Hawaii or the Alps

    Favorite hobby: Teaching, Cooking, Bikram yoga, and going to the Shelby Farms dog park

    Age you started your instrument: I started violin when I was 4 and didn't switch to the viola until the age of 24.

    What inspired you to make music your career: Barber's Adagio for Strings

    Favorite piece of music: “Imagine” by John Lennon

    Interesting Fact about yourself: I grew up in the south.

Michelle Pellay-Walker
VIOLA

Assistant Principal

  • Colleges attended: Southwestern at Memphis (Bachelor of Music, 1980), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Master of Music, 1983)

    Most influential musical teachers: There are three teachers who stand out above all the rest: John Wehlan (viola), Vincent de Frank (conductor), and Linda Jackson (piano). No, I didn’t take conducting lessons, but it was under Mr. de Frank (first in the Memphis Youth Symphony and later in the MSO) that I really learned how to be a good orchestral musician. In addition to piano, Mrs. Jackson saw that I was well grounded in basic music theory—and she also accompanied every audition I ever played as a violist! I had nine years of study with Mr. Wehlan (who, by the way, was Principal Violist of the MSO and Associate Professor of Music at Southwestern at Memphis) during my high school and undergraduate years. He was a phenomenal musician, a generous and giving instructor, and he wound up being a close and treasured friend once I returned home as a bona fide professional musician.

    Other important teachers and coaches: Guillermo Perich (Professor of Viola at UofI); Anne Epperson, Ian Hobson, and Catherine Tait (all UofI chamber music coaches during my grad school years)

    First Season with the MSO: 1977-1978. I took six years off (1981-1987) for graduate school and my first job, came back to Memphis at the end of September of 1987 to rejoin the MSO, and have been here ever since. The 2012-2013 season will be my 30th with the MSO.

    Other orchestra positions held: Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Chamber Orchestra (Principal Viola); Tennessee Summer Symphony (Principal Viola). For two years (1993-1995) I also served as Acting Principal Violist of the MSO. Played as an Extra off and on with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra while in Savannah.

    Teaching Positions: Adjunct Instructor (Music Appreciation, Basic Music Theory, College Survival Skills): Southwest Tennessee Community College; University of Memphis. I also taught viola at the University of Memphis during the summer of 1992 when the college was between full-time teachers. Have coached chamber music through both the Community Music School and Memphis Music Camp off and on since the mid-2000s.

    As a Chamber Musician: Violist and founding member, Bluff City String Quartet (Memphis, TN); Violist, Empire String Quartet (Savannah, GA).

    Appeared as a soloist with: Germantown Symphony Orchestra; Baroque & Classical Chamber Orchestra of Memphis; Camerata String Ensemble (Jackson, TN); Tennessee Summer Symphony; Dyersburg College Community Orchestra

    Notable achievements: Performing as viola soloist with the Combined Choirs of Calvary Episcopal Church on Tennessee Day at the Washington National Cathedral in 2005—that’s the big one (and I gave up an entire MasterWorks week here in order to do it!!). I also received the Dr. Marian B. Ham Award for Outstanding Adjunct Faculty at State Technical Institute at Memphis in 2000, just before the college combined with Shelby State to form STCC.

    MSO Community Involvement: Soulsville mentoring, CAPA Virtuosi mentoring, string quartet performances at facilities specializing in care for the elderly, music history presentations in connection with our concert programming.

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Café Society (Paul and I refer to it as “Our Place”), and I have to include Bari as a close runner-up since we had our Rehearsal Dinner there—it’s far and away the best Italian restaurant in Memphis.

    Describe your family and pets: I’ve been married for a little over a year to The Most Wonderful Man In The World. Paul (Pellay) is a composer and a freelance music editor in Canterbury, England—and his first commercial CD has just been released (shameless plug—I’m very proud of my husband). By the way, Paul received his DMA in Composition at the University of Memphis (1993)!! My younger sister Monica teaches Health & Physical Education at a middle school in Nashville, and she’s habitually the life of the party! I grew up with an adorable French Poodle named Chi-Chi, whom I have missed for a very long time now. I owe a great debt of thanks to my paternal grandparents (George and Florence Walker) for giving me all the opportunities and encouragement necessary to become a professional musician.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: First on the list: An Alaska Inside Passage cruise! Next: Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and the South Pacific Islands in general. Third: St. Petersburg and the Hermitage Museum there!

    Favorite hobby: My interests cover a wide range, and include (but are not limited to): architecture, ballroom dancing, geology, gourmet cooking, journaling, marine biology (which I seriously considered majoring in), needlework, photography, politics, puzzle and word games, reading, sports (I wanted to be a baseball player before I got serious about music), and traveling.

    Age you started your instrument: About twelve-and-a-half; I was in the middle of my 7th grade year. My musical background is a lot earlier than that: I started playing piano at age three or four, and started guitar lessons when I was eight.

    What inspired you to make music your career: The sound of the symphony orchestra—I wanted to be a part of that!

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: Book(s): David Weber’s “Honor Harrington” science-fiction series; Movie: The Sound of Music; TV show(s): A tossup between “The West Wing” and “Boston Legal.” And yes, and I’ll watch almost ANYTHING that has Gordon Ramsay in it—a true guilty pleasure!

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: My first concert with the MSO—my very first one!—a string broke right before the beginning of the overture. I had to leave the stage and change it before the second number. Not a particularly auspicious beginning to my professional career!

    Favorite composer or piece of music: That’s a really tough call, but at the end of the day, Brahms and Bach lead the way. One sentimental favourite of mine is the second movement of the Brahms 1st Piano Concerto. Another is the first movement of Bach’s Cantata 29. The latter has inspired many composers over the years, and it’s easy to hear why!

    Interesting Fact about yourself: In many ways, I’m a woman of two worlds: Memphis, Tennessee, and Canterbury, England. Paul shares my love of travel (though both of us HATE flying these days!), so a “Transatlantic” marriage suits us quite well.

Aaron Tubergen
VIOLA

Assistant Principal

 

Beth Luscombe
VIOLA

  • Beth Luscombe has been a member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1989. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with a degree in viola performance. An active free-lancer in the Mid-South; she formed the Beth Luscombe Strings and performs for many special music occasions. She has performed and recorded for many well recognized commercial artists. She also plays with the IRIS Orchestra, the Jackson Symphony (TN), the Orpheum Theater Orchestra, and many area churches. Prior to coming to Memphis, Beth was a member of the Orquesta Sinfonica de! Estado de Mexico (asst. princ.), the Ohio Chamber Orchestra (asst. princ.), the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, and was active in the theater and studio work in Cleveland, Ohio. While in Cleveland, Beth had an active private teaching studio. She was a faculty member of the preparatory department at the Cleveland Institute of Music as well as on her own.

    Beth is married to Greg Luscombe, who is the principal trombonist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, active freelancer, and teacher. They have two daughters and a son in law.

    Colleges attended: Cleveland Institute of Music

    Most influential musical teachers: Mr. William Kiraly and Mr. Edward Ormond (violists with the Cleveland Orch.)

    First Season with the MSO: Aug. 1989

    Teaching Positions: CIM Prep Dept. Various other locations in Cleveland area and now also here in Memphis

    As a Chamber Musician: Notable achievements: Performed the 'Trout Quintet' with members of the Cleveland Orchestra

    MSO Community Involvement: Leading sectionals for the MSYO, and Shelby County Fine Arts Academy and private teaching

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: anything Mexican

    Describe your family and pets: married to Greg Luscombe, 2 daughters Sarah and Julia , dog Cocoa

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Greece

    Favorite hobby: crossword puzzles, cryptograms, reading, cooking, time with family

    Age you started your instrument: violin 8 yrs. old, viola 10 years old

    What inspired you to make music your career: attending Eastern Music Festival in high school and performing Shostakovich's 5th Symphony

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: books by Maeve Binchy, Bridges of Madison County, You've Got Mail

Karen Casey
VIOLA

  • MSO First Season: 1976-1977

    One cooling fall day in 1959, Mrs. Reeves sent me home with a violin. It was the beginning of the Alachua County string program in Gainesville, Florida. I can't say I fell in love on that day, but my father, bless him, took the ball and ran with it. Private lessons came shortly after, as well as piano lessons, and by 7th grade, the alarm clock was set for 5 a.m. so that practice could be completed before school.

    I transitioned to viola in college, and there the love began. I had found an instrument that was in my vocal range! Though my dad wanted me to take the sensible route (" Get a degree in education!"), I wanted only to play, so my first degree in Music Performance at University of Miami led me to a graduate assistantship at Memphis State, where I majored in performance, and minored in Suzuki Pedagogy (maybe Dad might be right!).

    After being in Memphis a couple years, I was invited to audition for the MSO. Auditions were not nearly the rigorous affair they are today! I just stood on the stage in Harris Auditorium, behind a jerry-rigged screen, and played the requested excerpts, then waited a few minutes for the committee to confer. In a minute or two, Maestro DeFrank said, "welcome to the orchestra." I am not exaggerating when I say every subsequent decision I have made has been affected by my membership in this orchestra. To play is to live, and "making a living" must be worked around that core belief.

    So I end again with my favorite viola joke - "What do you do with a dead viola player? Move her to the back of the section!" Thanks, Dad.

 
 

Ruth Valente Burgess
CELLO

Principal, The Vincent de Frank Chair

  • Colleges attended: Indiana University, Musik Hochschule Freiburg (Germany), New England Conservatory

    Most influential musical teachers: Janos Starker, Tsyoshi Tsutsumi, Adriana Contino, Natasha Brofsky, Donna Davis, Phyllis Kline

    First Season with the MSO: 2008-2009

    Teaching Positions: private studio, Suzuki teacher

    As a Chamber Musician: Notable achievements: toured internationally with the Schleswig- Holstein Orchestra Academy , attended many summer music festivals

    MSO Community Involvement: CAPA, Tunes and Tales

    FUN FACTS!

    Describe your family and pets: I live with my husband Chris, who is also a musician, and we have two orange cats, Archie and Ginny

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: England and Wales

    Favorite hobby: reading and knitting

    Age you started your instrument: 6

    What inspired you to make music your career: My parents always encouraged me to find a career that would be fulfilling and I have always loved making music.

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: Harry Potter books and movies

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: I fell on my face walking up the stairs to the stage at a piano recital in high school.

    Favorite piece of music: anything by the folk band Harpeth Rising

Iren Zombor
CELLO

Assistant Principal

  • MSO First Season: 1996-1997

    Iren Zombor is a native of Miskolc, Hungary. After attending music college in her hometown, she lived in Bratislava, Slovakia for two years, where she studied with the famous Slovak cellist, Joseph Podhoransky. She received her Masters of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has been the member of the Memphis symphony Orchestra since the fall of 1996, where she currently holds the Assistant Principal Cello position.

    Ms. Zombor has performed around the world with various orchestras as far as Eastern and Western Europe and Japan. In addition to her busy performance schedule, her passion has long been private teaching. She has taught students of all ages at all levels. She has been on the Rhodes College faculty since 2004.

Jonathan Kirkscey
CELLO

Assistant Principal

  • The MSO has been partnering with the Greater Memphis Chamber on a collaborative effort – the Memphis Soundtrack Project. MSO musicians have created original music to accompany three short films featuring local businesses. Two of these films were revealed at the recent Greater Memphis Chamber’s annual Chairman’s Luncheon on December 17th. The short film below, Soundtrack Project: A Tangible Birthplace from Memphis Chamber on Vimeo, features work by Jonathan Kirkscey.

    Soundtrack Project

 

Jeffrey Jurciukonis
CELLO

  • Jeffrey received his first cello lessons from his father, an amateur musician, and continued in the Rapid City, SD public schools. Instruction continued at the New School of Music in Philadelphia after his family returned to Bucks County, PA - further studies yielded degrees in music from the universities of Miami, FL and Memphis, TN. He first joined the MSO before entering what was then MSU, later moving to Little Rock, AR to form what would become the Quapaw Quartet of the Arkansas Symphony. a position he held for 12 years. Returning to the symphony here, he remains based in Little Rock, maintaining a circa 1911 house in the historic Quapaw Quarter district, managing an automotive orphanage for neglected international classics, and sailing a wooden Thistle (#1178 - "Y.U.I. Oughta" ) on nearby Lake Maumelle.

Hannah Schmidt
CELLO

  • Hannah Schmidt has been a member of the MSO cello section since 2012. She is a native of Memphis and completed both her undergraduate and masters degrees in cello performance under Leonardo Altino at the University of Memphis. Hannah enjoys teaching her inspiring students and playing outreach concerts as part of the Tunes and Tales program. In her spare time, you can find her devouring a good book with a cup of coffee or spending time with her husband and kids.

    Get to Know Hannah...

    What inspired you to become a musician?
    In high school, when I was on the fence about career choices, I saw Lynn Harrell play Elgar with the MSO and realized that I couldn’t imagine my life without being a part of that world.

    What drew you to your instrument?
    Initially, I think I loved the cello because it was different. I have an older sister who plays violin, so I was surrounded by her community of violinists. As I got older, I think my passion for the cello was due to the incredible singing sound and range the instrument is capable of.

    Do you teach, perform, or record outside of your work with the MSO?
    I have a studio of some amazing, inspiring students.

    What are some of your favorite places in Memphis?
    Shelby Farms, the Greenline, Big River Crossing, The Zoo, Crosstown

    Favorite non-classical artist?
    Andrew Peterson

    When you’re not rehearsing or performing, what do you enjoy doing?
    Running, Reading, Hanging out with my family

    Favorite sports team or athlete
    Memphis Tigers!

    Favorite book?
    C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy

Mark Wallace
CELLO

 

Scott Best
BASS

Principal

Chris Butler
BASS

Assistant Principal

  • Colleges attended: Michigan State University, Indiana University

    Most influential musical teachers: John V. Brown, Jack Budrow, Lawrence Hurst

    First Season with the MSO: 2007

    MSO Community Involvement: Soulsville, Opus One, Family Tunes and Tales

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Central BBQ

    Age you started your instrument: 16

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: Seinfeld

    Favorite piece of music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

Sean O'Hara
BASS

  • Sean O’Hara was born in St. Louis, Missouri and began playing the bass during the fifth grade. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree at The Juilliard School where he studied with noted double bass pedagogue Homer Mensch. Following graduation, Sean spent three years in Miami as a member of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In 2009, he was awarded a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

    A member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 2012, Sean has also performed with the symphony orchestras of St. Louis, Kansas City, Detroit, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. During the summers, he has been a regular member of the Artosphere Festival and has served as principal bass of the Missouri Symphony’s Hot Summer Nights Festival since 2013. Other festival appearances include the Verbier Festival Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, and National Orchestral Institute. For two summers, Sean served as principal bass of the Castleton Festival Orchestra under the direction of Lorin Maazel.

    In addition to performing with the Memphis Symphony, Sean has been active in community engagement through the Memphis Music Initiative and various MSO outreach programs. He is currently pursuing a DMA at the University of Memphis under the guidance of John Chiego.

 

Andrew Palmer
BASS

  • Colleges attended: James Madison University (B.M.) , The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University(M.M.), The University of Memphis (D.M.A.)

    Most influential musical teachers: Sam Cross, Harold Robinson, John Chiego

    First Season with the MSO: 1991

    Teaching Positions: Strings Teacher in the Memphis City Schools: Beginner Elementary Strings and the Orchestras at White Station High

    As a Composer: a few things for my school groups

    Appeared as a soloist with: Univ. of Memphis Symphony Orchestra, 1994

    Notable achievements: The Memphis Symphony Orchestra's Outstanding Music Teacher Award, 2007, National Board Certified Teacher, 2009

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Corky's

    Describe your family and pets: Wife, Susie. 3 boys: Jacob (13), Zachary (9) and Daniel (9) yes, twins. 2 dogs, Jozie and Max.

    Favorite hobby: Who has time for a hobby?

    Age you started your instrument: 10, Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia

    What inspired you to make music your career: My high school orchestra teacher, Michael Trowbridge

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: MythBusters

Jeremy Upton
BASS

Marian Shaffer
HARP

Principal, The Ruth Marie Moore Cobb Chair

  • Colleges attended: Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, Hochschule fur Musik in Cologne, Germany (Fulbright Scholarship), University of Memphis

    Most influential musical teachers: Mimi Allen, Linda Wilson, Marjorie Tyre, Lucile Lawrence, Hans Joachim Zingel

    First Season with the MSO: 1973

    Teaching Positions: Vanderbilt University since 1996, Hutchison School since 1973, University of Memphis since 1978, Sewanee Summer Music Festival since 1980

    As a Chamber Musician: Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Vanderbilt University, University of Memphis, and Memphis Chamber Music Society.

    Appeared as a soloist with: Five times with the Memphis Symphony, four times with the Sewanee Festival Orchestra, Vanderbilt Symphony Orchestra, Kingsport Symphony

    Notable achievements: I have enjoyed performing with other musical organizations as well as the Memphis Symphony. I have traveled to Anchorage, Alaska twice to play with Anchorage Opera, Shreveport Opera, Springfield (Illinois) Orchestra, Jackson (Mississippi) Symphony, and IRIS Orchestra. Also, I have traveled to Recife, Brazil twice to perform in the Festival Virtuosi

    FUN FACTS!

    Describe your family: Our two daughters grew up playing piano and harp. We had a harp trio and performed throughout the Mid South with percussion additions by Frank! Now Julia teaches at the Covington Integrated Arts Academy and plays second harp in the Memphis Symphony with me. Mimi is an OB/GYN resident at UC San Diego and is married to Sebastien Habert, a helicopter pilot from France.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: I would love to go on one of the National Geographic cruises to Antarctica or just about anywhere on a Windjammer cruise.

    Favorite hobby: Traveling

    What inspired you to make music your career: I always knew. As a child in Hernando, Mississippi my parents brought me to musical events in Memphis. I especially loved the symphony and the touring operas that the Metropolitan Opera presented every year.

    Interesting Fact about yourself: In addition to music, I majored in English and German in college.

    More About Me: I grew up with cows, sheep, and chickens. My job from age 10 through high school was to “work” the hundreds of eggs every day -- weighing them, candling and grading them, and putting them in cartons. I was even on the championship poultry judging team for the state of Mississippi in 1968!

 

Woodwinds

Shantanique Moore
FLUTE

Principal, The Marion Dugdale McClure Chair

  • Flutist Shantanique Moore is a sought-after freelance musician who is often noted for her “brilliant sound and technical mastery.” Shantanique has built a dynamic freelance career as an orchestral musician, performing with the Pittsburgh, Detroit, Seattle, Minnesota, and National Symphonies, and internationally with the Chinecke! Orchestra in London (among others).

    As an advocate for promoting musicianship and flute playing, Shantanique has served on the board of directors of the Southeast Michigan Flute Association as secretary, and as the SEMFA Flute Choir director. She is also an active member of the National Flute Association. Shantanique loves teaching enthusiastic flute students and takes pride in the development and success of her students. Her students frequently garner high ratings at State and Regional Solo & Ensemble, are active members of youth symphony programs such as the Detroit Civic Youth Ensembles, and have gone on to pursue music at the collegiate level.

    Shantanique holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Music degree from Wayne State University, where she held numerous scholarships and was awarded several honors while studying with the Detroit Symphony’s Assistant Principal Flutist, Sharon Sparrow and the Detroit Opera Theatre Orchestra’s Second Flutist, Laura Larson. She has had the privilege to study with and appear in masterclasses for Carrie Wiesinger, Lorna McGhee, Mark Sparks, Robert Aitken, William Bennett, and Amy Porter.

    When not practicing or performing, Shantanique enjoys kayaking, sleeping, and binging her favorite TV shows.

    Shantanique plays on a Haynes Custom flute and Hammig piccolo.

Delara Hashemi
FLUTE

Saundra D'Amato
OBOE

Acting Principal, The Paul and Linnea Bert Chair

  • Connecticut native Saundra D’Amato graduated Yale University in 1979 (B.A.) and 1981 (M.M.), freelanced in Boston, was a member of the Springfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra, and, after a stint as English Horn in the Colorado Symphony, arrived in Memphis in 1992. She is currently Acting Principal Oboe of the Memphis Symphony, principal oboe of the Jackson (TN) Symphony, member of the Memphis Symphony Woodwind Quintet, and has played with many area groups as well. She also teaches Suzuki piano and group classes, and has taught in classrooms in both Shelby County Schools and private schools. She is the former host of the Memphis Symphony Radio Hour on WKNO-FM. She also arranged the music for the symphony’s Tunes and Tales shows for the past three years.

    In her free time she likes to cook, read, write, watch black-and-white movies, and enjoy life in Cooper-Young with her husband, percussionist Michael Karcz, and their cats (4 and counting).

Shelly Sublett
ENGLISH HORN OBOE

Assistant Principal Oboe / Principal English Horn

  • Colleges attended: University of Memphis, D.M.A. Eastman School of Music, M.M Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, B.M

    Most influential musical teachers: John Mack, Richard Killmer, Pamela Pecha, Robert Weiner

    First Season with the MSO: 1985-1986

    Teaching Positions: University of Memphis, Distance Education; Southwest TN Community College, Adjunct Instructor of music theory and music appreciation; Private instruction

    Appeared as a soloist with: Memphis Symphony Orchestra, November 2000, Copland's Quiet City with Scott Moore

    Notable achievements: TN Arts Commission Fellowship Award, 1995-96 This award enabled me to fund a tour to premiere commissioned works by Robert Patterson, Paul Pellay and John Elmquist. Coauthored Great Oboes of the Twentieth Century articles for the International Double Reed Society journals. I am currently researching and writing articles about the history of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for our 60th anniversary.

    MSO Community Involvement: Memphis Symphony Orchestra League Board Member and Memphis Symphony, Orchestra Historian

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Firebirds, Collettas, and Formosa

    Describe your family and pets: Mike, husband and Persephone, cat

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: New York to attend > a Metropolitan Opera performance

    Favorite hobby: Knitting, gardening, and power walking

    Age you started your instrument: 14

    What inspired you to make music your career: My love for it..couldn't imagine doing anything else!

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (book and movie) and the Big Bang Theory

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: Can't think of one, but do remember when it rained on stage during a Masterworks Concert with Alan Balter before Vincent De Frank Hall was remodeled.

    Favorite piece of music: Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin

    Interesting Fact about yourself: Owner of Sublett Woodwind Repair. I repair oboes and have the Fox dealership. Being a Mary Kay Consultant. This is my fun business. As a member of Sara Chiego's unit, I really enjoy interacting with a diverse group of women. We enjoy attending local meetings, special events, and seminar in Dallas where we receive wonderful training. Last year, I had the honor of performing for our National Sales Director, Pat Campbell, at her retirement dinner.

Lani Kelly
VISITING OBOE

  • Prior to joining the MSO, Lani Kelly served as Principal Oboe in the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, in addition to recent appearances with the Nashville, Fort Worth and St Louis Symphony Orchestras. Lani loves working with young musicians, and has served as faculty at Alma College and Michigan State University, where she directed several courses and maintained a private studio. She received her Bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory and her Masters from Michigan State University, where she was awarded the prestigious University Distinguished Fellowship. Lani was a prizewinner at the Sphinx Orchestral Partners Competition in 2023, and a recipient of a fellowship from the Pittsburgh Symphony in 2007. In her free time, she enjoys jigsaw puzzles, reading, and a nascent skill in carpentry.

    “I am thrilled to be joining the Memphis Symphony this year 2023-24)! I absolutely love the dynamic, shared involvement of symphonic playing–the combining of the collective focus and skill of every member of the ensemble to create our art. It’s such a magical experience. I loved sharing this experience with everyone in the MSO for a week last spring and I’m thankful that I’ll be able to enjoy it with you all season long! “

Andre Dyachenko
CLARINET

Principal, The Gayle S. Rose Chair

  • MSO First Season: 1986-1987

    Rena Feller has been E-flat/Second Clarinetist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1986. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin College and a Master of Music degree at Juilliard, where she studied with David Weber. From 1991 to 1999 she was principal clarinet with the Berkshire Opera. As a solo recitalist and chamber musician, Ms. Feller has premiered and recorded many contemporary compositions. She maintains an active private teaching studio in Memphis.

Rena Feller
CLARINET

Nobuko Igarashi
BASS CLARINET

  • MSO First Season: 1996-1997

Susanna Whitney
BASSOON

Principal, The Carolyn Horrell Heppel Chair

  • First season with MSO: Susanna Whitney was appointed Principal Bassoon of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2012.

    Colleges attended: She attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Northwestern Beinen School of Music, where she studied with John Clouser and Christopher Millard.

    Notable achievements: She has played with the Blossom Festival Band and Orchestra and the Youngstown Symphony. She participated in the Kent/Blossom and Pacific Music Festivals.

    FUN FACTS!

    Interesting Fact about yourself: In her free time, she enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

  • Colleges attended: Memphis State University and Western Illinois University

    Most influential musical teachers: Robert Koper, Russell Pugh, Ronald Tyree and members of The Camerata Quintet

    First Season with the MSO: August 1976

    Teaching Positions: Southwest Tennessee Community College, University of Memphis and the Governor’s School for the Arts

    As a Chamber Musician: Many chamber groups in Memphis throughout the years

    Notable achievements: I have Designed online and tele-web music appreciation courses for Southwest Tennessee Community College. Hundreds of my students have been introduced to the symphony by way of these classes. Grants that were fund through the Greater Memphis Arts Council:

    1) Notes On Notes (high school students received college credit through dual enrollment while attending symphony concerts and were coached by local music critics on how to write music reviews.)

    2) Student musicians were paired in ensembles with professional musicians and performed at senior citizen homes.

    3) Junior high students studied math, reading, writing and music theory using the MAC computer.

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Any place that’s clean and that serves good and healthy food.

    Describe your family and pets: I have several aquariums, both saltwater and freshwater.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Anywhere there’s a beach

    Favorite hobby: Relaxing with the thermostat on low (No pressure)

    Age you started your instrument: 15

    What inspired you to make music your career: It just kind of happened, and it turned out to be fun.

    Favorite piece of music: Anything by Mozart or Brahms

Michael Scott
BASSOON

Christopher Piecuch
BASSOON
CONTRABASSOON

 

Brass

Caroline Kinsey
HORNS

Principal, The Morrie A. Moss Chair

  • Colleges attended: Eastman School of Music, University of Texas at San Antonio, Cleveland Institute of Music

    Most influential musical teachers: April Myers, my first horn teacher from age 9 – 18; Eli Epstein at CIM, now at New England Conservatory; David Effron, conductor, educator, Eastman.

    First Season with the MSO: 2005

    Teaching Positions: University of Central Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist University

    Appeared as a soloist with: Arkansas Symphony, Germantown Symphony

    Notable achievements: Being married to my best friend, who is also a horn player and having a beautiful son with him.

    MSO Community Involvement: Family Tunes & Tales and Leading from Every Chair

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Bombay House & Casa Blanca in Cordova – we live way too close!

    Describe your family and pets: We have two awesome Boxers, Gina and Romo (yes, I am a Cowboys fan!)

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: I would go see all Wonders of the World – apparently the list gets longer all the time!

    Favorite hobby: besides my family, keeping up with the latest healthy eating habits and nutrition.

    Age you started your instrument: the lovely age of 9 – I was still a tomboy

    What inspired you to make music your career: My mother and father – and the soundtrack of ET!

    Favorite piece of music: Such a loaded question – it changes all the time.

Robert Patterson
HORNS

  • MSO First Season: 1994-1995

    Robert Patterson grew up in Memphis. He first studied horn with Richard Dolph in Memphis and later with Robert Fries at Oberlin College. During the 1980s he lived in Memphis but played in the MSO only as a sub. He became a regular member in 1994.

    In addition to playing the horn, Patterson is also a composer. He has written works in a wide variety of genres, including works for orchestra that the Memphis Symphony has performed.

    http://robertgpatterson.com/

    Musician Minute with Robert

Scott Moore
TRUMPET

Principal, The Smith & Nephew Chair

  • MSO First Season: 1988-1989

    Scott Moore is Principal Trumpet in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the leader of the MSO Big Band. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the National Symphony, and as guest principal with the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Toronto, and Jacksonville. He has recorded and performed with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, and with I Fiamminghi, the Orchestra of Flanders. Mr. Moore is also the Assistant Principal Trumpet in the Arizona MusicFest Orchestra.

    As a soloist, Mr. Moore has appeared with the San Antonio Symphony, the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, the Tennessee Summer Symphony, the Chattanooga Symphony, and on numerous occasions with the Memphis Symphony. He has also been a featured Guest Artist at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.

    Scott Moore has a Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from McNeese State University. His teachers have included Charles Schlueter, Robert Nagel, Arnold Jacobs, and Michael Ewald.

 

Susan Enger
TRUMPET

  • Colleges attended: Northwestern University

    Most influential musical teachers: Vincent Chicowicz

    First Season with the MSO: 1994

    Teaching Positions: adjunct at McGill University, U of Memphis, and Rhodes

    As a Chamber Musician: Carmel Bach Festival

    Appeared as a soloist with: Quebec Symphony, Les Violons du Roy, Cannes Orchestra

    Notable achievements: Eckstein Prize winner

    FUN FACTS!

    Describe your family and pets: I have a husband, 2 new grandsons, and 2 Siamese cats

    Favorite hobby: Travel and bird watching

    Age you started your instrument: 11

    Interesting Fact about yourself: I’m a Canadian citizen.

J. Michael McKenzie
TRUMPET

Greg Luscombe
TROMBONE

Principal

  • MSO First Season: 1989-1990

    Greg Luscombe has been the principal trombonist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1989. Greg is also a private instructor of trombone, euphonium/baritone and tuba and has been teaching for well over thirty years. His teaching has included faculty positions at the University of Mississippi, Union University, Murray State University, the University of Memphis and Southwest Tn. Community College. In addition, Greg is known for his extensive work as a musician contractor and has booked professional musicians for a wide variety of engagements in the Mid South and beyond.

    In addition to his performances with the Memphis Symphony, Greg occasionally performs with other orchestras and has performed and recorded with the Chicago Symphony, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Saint Louis Symphony, The Mexico City Philharmonic and the Iris Orchestra. Notable recordings he has participated in include The City Noir by John Adams with the St. Louis Symphony, Ameriques by Edgard Varese with the Cleveland Orchestra, Fantasia(Pines of Rome) with the Chicago Symphony and Brahms 2nd Symphony and Tchaikovsky's 6th Symphony with the Mexico City Philharmonic . Before moving to Memphis, Greg was a member of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio and was the principal trombonist in the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

    As a soloist Greg has been guest recitalist at the International Trombone Festival and the Eastern Trombone Festival. He also has soloed with the Memphis Symphony and other ensembles in the Mid-South as well as in the Chicago and Cleveland ,Ohio areas. In addition, he has given recitals along with Master Classes at various universities and colleges. As a recitalist he often performs on euphonium as well as bass trumpet, in addition to the trombone.

    His private trombone teachers have included Jay Friedman(principal Chicago Symphony) , Per Brevig(former Metropolitan Opera), Art Sares, Ed Zadrosny(Univ. of Akron) , Dee Stewart(lndiana University) and his first teacher, his father, Fred Luscombe. Greg has a MM in music from the University of Akron and a BS in business from Elmhurst College. He has also attended Indiana University, North Texas State University and the University of Memphis.

    His wife Beth, is a member of the viola section of the Memphis Symphony and they have two daughters and a son-in-law. Greg's hobbies include competitive swimming and running and he competes on occasion in various events both locally and out of town. He has completed several marathons and some half marathons along with a variety of road races. As a swimmer he recently qualified for and competed in the U.S. National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

Wes Lebo
TROMBONE

Mark Vail
BASS TROMBONE

  • Colleges attended: North Texas State University

    Most influential musical teachers: John Kitzman, David Waters

    First Season with the MSO: 1985

    Teaching Positions: Rhodes College, Germantown Baptist Conservatory of Music

    As a Chamber Musician: Sunday Traffic Brass Quintet

    As a Composer: I have two published transcriptions for trombone quartet.

    Appeared as a soloist with: Briarcrest HS., Arlington HS., Collierville HS., Overton HS.

    Notable achievements: Kappa Kappa Psi award winner

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: My Favorite Place… it’s a Mexican restaurant.

    Describe your family and pets: I have a wife, Liz who is an executive assistant at ServiceMaster Clean, a daughter who is 12 and a Shetland Sheepdog named Luke

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: As a family, we try to go to Walt Disney World annually.

    Favorite hobby: Listening to WDW podcasts while running.

    Age you started your instrument: I had my first band concert at the age of 10. That was in 1970… Where did the time go?

    What inspired you to make music your career: My father was the euphonium soloist with the United States Naval Academy Band

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: Hmm… difficult to name just one… I like Science Fiction mostly.

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: I was the stage manager for the Midland/Odessa Symphony and during the performance; I had to lift the piano lid of a piano that was on the edge of the stage. I didn’t have any leverage with which to properly do this. So with all my might, I slowly lifted the piano lid… It must have looked rather intense from the audiences’ perspective, because it took like 20 seconds.

    Favorite piece of music: Richard Wagner’s tetralogy “Der Ring des Niebelungen” hmm… about 15 hours long.

Charles Schulz
TUBA

Principal

  • Dr. Charles A. Schulz is Professor Emeritus of The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at The University of Memphis where he served as head of the brass division and twice served as President of the university wide Faculty Senate. Dr. Schulz joined the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as principal tubist in the fall of 1971 and has performed with all the symphony’s music directors. He also performs in the Memphis Symphony Brass Quintet and served for several years as the orchestra personnel manager.

    Dr. Schulz is also Minister of Music at the First Unitarian Church of Memphis, also known as The Church of the River. His choir travels annually to perform with other choirs and has even traveled to Romania to sing and tour with the choir of their sister church. He spends a week every summer as tuba soloist with the Great Western Rocky Mountain Brass Band.

    Dr. Schulz’s interests outside of music are a bit eclectic. He is a professional parliamentarian and has the highest credentials available in parliamentary law and procedure. He is a nationally respected teacher and regularly consults and writes professional opinions for a variety of clients and serves as a convention parliamentarian.

    For fun he tunes and rebuilds pianos and is a self described racquetball junkie. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of four organizations and is President of his home owners association. His current intellectual pursuits include cognitive dissonance theory, American history and the history of Christian orthodoxy.

    Additionally, Dr. Schulz is involved with the MSO's Family Tunes and Tales program.

 

 

Percussion

 

Frank Shaffer
TIMPANI

Principal

  • Barrie Cooper, Concertmaster of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, started violin at the age of 4 with John Kendall at the Suzuki program at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She also served as Kendall's assistant traveling across the United States and Japan to workshops and conferences. Because none of her friends would, Barrie studied viola to play in the Piu Mosso quartet which gave numerous concerts in the Midwest and east coast. She was principal viola for 2 years in the St Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. She attended Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York and graduated from Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore Maryland. At Peabody, Barrie won the Marbury Violin Competition and the Josef Kasper Prize for excellence in violin performance. Barrie has spent the last 19 summers as principal Second violin in the American Institute of Musical Studies orchestra in Graz, Austria as well as being part of the violin section of the Arizona Musicfest in 2016. Barrie is a diehard St. Louis Cardinal fan and shares her home with her wonderful animal family!

    Learn More About Barrie

David Carlisle
PERCUSSION

Principal

  • Colleges attended: Duquesne University, Yale University

    Most influential musical teachers: Babe Fabrizi, William Schneiderman, Fred Hinger

    First Season with the MSO: 1975

    Teaching Positions: University of Memphis, 1975-; Sewanee Summer Music Festival,1979-2008

    As a Chamber Musician: Sewanee Summer Music Festival, U of M, since 1975

    Appeared as a soloist with: MSO in school concerts in the Balter years, in Pittsburgh Symphony's Concerts for Young People, 1965-66

    Notable achievements: First DMA in my family; performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony in Carnegie Hall

    MSO Community Involvement: MSO Drum Circle Project, Tales & Tunes, Soulsville (first two years)

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: Paulette's

    Describe your family: Wife Marian, harpist MSO, daughter Julia, teacher at Covington Integrated Arts Academy, daughter Mimi, OBGYN resident UC San Diego Hospital, son in law Sebastien Habert (married to Mimi), helicopter pilot.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Windjammer Cruise to Tahiti or to India

    Favorite hobby: Reading, Cooking, Sailing

    Age you started your instrument: 10

    What inspired you to make music your career: Wheeling Youth Symphony Music Camp, summer 1962

    Most embarrassing moment on stage: During a long rest in a performance, I almost fell asleep, catching myself before I did. Unfortunately, I hit the gong I was due to play later in the performance in a very soft spot in the music!

    Interesting Fact about yourself: I was a championship swimmer in middle school.

Ed Murray
PERCUSSION

Assistant Principal

  • MSO First Season: 2000-2001

 

Adrienne Park
PIANO/CELESTE

Principal, The Buzzy Hussey and Hal Brunt Chair

  • Colleges attended: University of Houston-University Park in Houston, Texas and University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Most influential musical teachers: Peggy McComas, Natalia da Roza, Ruth Tomfohrde, Abbey Simon, Lorand Fenyves and Tom Rolston

    First Season with the MSO: 2004-2005

    Teaching Positions: I have been an adjunct instructor at the University of Mississippi as a Collaborative Pianist for the instrumental department since 2001. I was also the Collaborative Pianist for the fall and winter sessions at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada from 1994 to 2000 as well as for several summer instrumental master classes.

    As a Chamber Musician: I have performed in chamber recitals with violinist Joshua Bell, bassist Edgar Meyer, cellists Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Shauna Rolston and Michael Veit, flutists Timothy Hutchins and Paul Edmond-Davies, composer Steve Reich and the percussion group NEXUS. In Vancouver, I worked with Kokoro Dance Company for several productions and have also worked with John Korsrud's Hard Rubber Orchestra. I currently perform in the piano and percussion duo DivaDi with MSO Principal Percussionist David Carlisle.

    Appeared as a soloist with: I was honored to be invited to perform Poulenc's Concerto in d minor for two pianos with Victor Santiago Asuncion and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in the fall of 2011 as part of the Masterworks Series. I have been invited to perform a piano concerto with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra in the spring of 2013.

    Notable achievements: One of the highlights of my life was performing percussion for David Carlisle's piece entitled Mad Cow at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis in 2009. It was thrilling to perform for approximately 1,000 percussionists who had travelled to PASIC from all over the world. Another highlight was performing at the Winnipeg New Music Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba with my trio at the time for piano, percussion and accordion called SqueezPlay. We were invited to perform an evening concert with guest cellist Shauna Rolston. We had a large crowd in the auditorium as well as some audience members behind us on stage. The production crew put together an incredible light show and also arranged our using dry ice during our quartet piece called Smokin' f Holes. For the entire festival, I was amazed at how enthusiastic the audience members were as they cheered on performances of new chamber and orchestral works as if they had been attending rock concerts. In the United States as well as Canada and Europe, I have collaborated and toured with many colleagues. I also love working in the recording studio and have had the good fortune to work with the incredible producer Mark S. Willsher on an original SqueezPlay album entitled Rubber Horn.

    MSO Community Involvement: I enjoy performing with the MSO Big Band at the Peabody Hotel.

    FUN FACTS!

    Favorite Memphis restaurant: India Palace, Flying Fish, Sekisui

    Describe your family and pets: We have two delightful little boys named Connor and Dylan who are an absolute joy to be around. Our family also includes a loving chihuahua/terrier mix named Comet and a beautiful cat named Bunny Carlita who I adopted from the Oxford Humane Society Animal Shelter.

    If you could travel anywhere, where would you go: Italy, Iceland, New Zealand. Also, South Korea and Czechoslovakia to visit distant relatives.

    Favorite hobby: I love to arrange plants for our porch and am brushing up on my French.

    Age you started your instrument: 7

    What inspired you to make music your career: I seemed to be passionate about music from the very beginning. I was inspired to start taking lessons when I heard my mother playing on an old upright that my grandfather had shipped to Maryland all the way from Mississippi. I was mesmerized by my mother's playing and the beautiful sounds coming out of the instrument. From the age of 12, I knew I always wanted to pursue music as a career.

    Favorite book, movie, or TV show: Some favorite movies areBrazil, The Legend of 1900, Seven Samurai, Night on Earth, Lion in Winter, Raising Arizona, Diva, Sophie's Choice, Untouchables, Serenity, The Verdict, The Spy Who Came in from the Coldamong many others.

    Favorite piece of music: Rustles of Springby Sinding, a piano solo my mother used to play on our upright.

    Interesting Fact about yourself: More About Me:Other: I remember rehearsing with the MSO when I was expecting our first son Connor. While I was seated at the piano, he was very active and would move and dance around to the music---especially during the loud bits. I'm happiest when I'm with my family spending time together, cooking, singing and dancing with my boys and reading with them.