After the principal player, all players are listed alphabetically

# Charter member
* Supplemental member
** Leave of Absence

Paul Sonner, Concertmaster 
Paul Sonner is Concertmaster of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  In addition to his performance with the TSO  he is Instructor of Violin at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Concertmaster of The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.  Formerly Principal Second Violin and Associate Concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, he has held positions of first violin in the Birmingham String Quartet, solo violin for Capriccio Concerts, violin in the Amabile Trio, and concertmaster for many other venues.   He continues to be a featured soloist and has participated in a number of festivals including the Ojai (CA) Festival Orchestra and Des Moines Metro Opera.  Mr. Sonner has served as Concertmaster and Soloist for the Bermuda (UK) Bach Festival as well as the Manitou (MI) Music Festival.  He has recorded, as a “session” violinist and with the ASO, for a number of studios and labels in Los Angeles, Chicago, Birmingham and Muscle Shoals as well as  for PBS and NPR.  His principal teachers were soloist Alice Shoenfeld and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Samuel Magad.  Mr. Sonner studied in the preparatory department of the University of Southern California and has a degree in violin performance from Northwestern University (IL).

Beth Weston, Principal
Beth Weston’s musical journey began at age 7 with Mozelle Sawyer (a student of Esaye). By age 14, she began playing in the TSO, studied with Catherine Sivits, and later with Paul Statsky at the Interlochen Arts Academy.  Desiring to become a professional musician, she obtained a Music Performance degree at Western Michigan University.   While there, she was Concertmaster of the WMU Symphony and a full-time member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.  After college, she returned to her native Traverse City, rejoined the TSO and established a private teaching studio.  Currently, Ms. Weston is Principal Violinist with the TSO, Concertmaster of the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra and Assistant Concertmaster of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.  She also performs with the TC Theater North and the Weston String Ensemble.  She is a talented music arranger and frequently performs with music recording/CD projects.  She also provides solo violin and string ensembles for weddings, receptions and other special occasions throughout the Northwest Michigan region.  Ms. Weston and her husband Steve have two teenage children, Ben and Stephanie, and reside in Traverse City.

Maria Bucco 
Maria Pia Bucco was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where she began her violin education.  After graduating from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, where she obtained her masters degree in violin performance, she returned to Venezuela where she performed as a soloist and as a member of the National Philharmonic and  Simon Bolivar.  She also helped to found the “Judit Jaimes School for the Arts” and directed their string department.  In 1999, she won a scholarship to complete her Artist Diploma at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she performed with the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet and the Wheeling Symphony.  Currently she lives in Royal Oak, MI, where she maintains an active career as a performer and teacher of violin.  She is a member of the Fair Isle String Quartet and the ensemble “Sonidos de America.”  Maria teaches at the Suzuki Royal Oak Institute of Music and maintains a studio of over 20 students.

Caroline Holden
Caroline Holden, violin, received her Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Hope College.  She continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where she received a Master of Music in Orchestral Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Solo Studies.  Ms. Holden performs regularly with the Jackson, Grand Rapids and Traverse Symphony Orchestras.  She has a private studio at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Community Music School, and is also the Adjunct Professor of Violin at Spring Arbor University.  She currently resides in Kalamazoo with her husband, clarinetist Jonathan Holden, and her two cats, Frodo and Tinkerbell.

Judith Loveless*#
Judith Loveless was born in Illinois and as a small child moved to Ohio where she started violin lessons.  In 1943 her family moved to Petoskey and because there was no string program in the schools, or a teacher, every two weeks she took the bus to Traverse City to have lessons with Mozelle Sawyer and in 1944 she attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.  Ms. Loveless went to the College of Wooster in Ohio for 2 years, and played in the Flint Symphony Orchestra before moving to Traverse City in 1950.  She was elated when a string group was formed in 1952, which after one year became the Northwestern Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and in the 1980’s the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  Ms. Loveless was Personnel Manager of the TSO for about 15 years.  Her four children "grew up" with the orchestra, two of who played with the group during their high school years.  She is very proud to be a charter member of TSO, and to still be playing with the ensemble.

Oxana Sourine
Oxana Sourine currently lives in Grand Rapids and performs throughout western Michigan. She is a member of Traverse Symphony Orchestra, West Shore Symphony, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and several ensembles including the Transatlantic Trio, where she plays with her husband Leonid. She began her musical career, however, in her own home, learning violin from her father. Her studies drew her from her hometown in the Ukraine all the way to Moscow, where she graduated from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. From there she followed her husband to perform in Mexico, where she worked closely in the founding of a music school, Academia Promusica de Ensenada.  After Mexico she moved to San Diego, CA where she received a degree in accounting degree and adopted the lifestyle of a freelance musician.  She preformed with the San Diego Light Opera Orchestra, played Principal Violin with the Grossmont Symphony and taught at several music schools. Ms. Sourine has been with the TSO for five years.

Leonid Surin
Leonid Surin received his classical training as a violist from the world renowned Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Russia. After playing with the Moscow Philharmonic and touring the world he caught the travel bug and found himself employed by the National Symphony of Mexico. From there he spent several years in Mexico where he not only performed classical music, taught violin and viola, but also dabbled in Country Western and Fiddle tunes. Next, life brought him to San Diego, CA, where he played with several orchestras and chamber music groups, including the San Diego Symphony, and acted as principle violist with the Grossmont Symphony. He kept up well with his Bluegrass and Irish music taking second place at the Julian National Bluegrass Festival. Currently Mr. Surin plays Principal Viola with the West Shore Symphony and performs with Traverse Symphony Orchestra and the Grand Rapids Symphony, playing violin and viola interchangeably. He continues to maintain a private studio teaching violin, viola, and piano.

David Holland, Principal
David Holland, a native of Toledo, OH, is the Resident Instructor of Viola, as well as coordinator of String Camber Music and conductor of the String Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.  From 1996 to 2001, Mr. Holland served as Music Director and Conductor of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and the Traverse Youth Symphony Orchestra.  An active chamber musician, he has performed with the New World String Quartet and the Stradivari Quartet; he is currently a member of the Aurora String Quintet.  Mr. Holland has been visiting instructor of viola at the University of Iowa and Louisiana State University and has presented master classes at several prominent schools including the Cleveland Institute of music, University of Michigan, Eastman School of Music and Arizona State University.  His summer musical engagements have taken him around the United States including as the coach for the Quartet Program and long time Director of the Ithaca Chamber Music Festival.  He is currently Principal Viola with the Traverse and Midland Symphony Orchestras.  He is married to harpist Joan Raeburn Holland, and has two children, Jennifer, a violist and teacher and John, a visual artist and composer.

Judy Gienow, Associate Principal
Born and educated in Louisville, Kentucky, Judy Gienow moved to Traverse City in 1982 and joined the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in that same year.  She receive both a Performance and Music Education degree in Louisville, and performed with the Louisville Orchestra and later the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  Ms. Gienow taught in the public schools in both Kentucky and Georgia where she developed string programs for the schools.  She was the co-founder of the Atlanta Little Symphony Orchestra, a chamber orchestra that now serves as the orchestra for the Atlanta Ballet and the Augusta Opera.  Ms. Gienow maintains a thriving private studio in Traverse City teaching piano, violin and viola.

Cesar Suarez, Associate Principal
Cesar Suarez received his Bachelor degree in viola from the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory in Caracas, Venezuela; an Artist Diploma from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA), a Master degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, and his Doctoral in Music Arts from Michigan State University. Since 2005, Mr. Suarez has been member of the Missouri and Traverse Symphony Orchestras, and Principal viola of the Battle Creek Symphony. Previously he has been principal viola of the Altoona Symphony, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, and Johnstown Symphony (in Pennsylvania), the Caracas Youth Symphony, Jovenes Arcos de Venezuela, and a member of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in Caracas. Mr. Suarez has performed as a soloist in Venezuela and the United State and has made appearance with several symphony orchestras such as Orquesta Sinfonica de Falcon, Orquesta Sinfonica del Tachira, Orquesta Sinfonica de la Guaira, Orquesta de Camara de Venezuela, Westmoreland Youth Symphony Orchestra and Altoona Symphony in the USA. He has taught at Michigan State University, Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, and the Simon Bolivar Music Conservatory in Caracas. He also has participated in the creation of new youth symphony orchestras in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, and Venezuela.

Margaret Beck
Violist Margaret Beck is a graduate of American University, Washington, D.C., with degrees in performance and music education.  While living in Northern Virginia, she co-founded and is a past president of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra.  In 1994 she retired as a tenured member of the Kennedy Center Orchestra and returned to Michigan to make her home in the beautiful Jordan Valley.  Currently she serves as Artistic Administrator and Principal Viola of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) based in Petoskey, of which she is a co-founder.  Ms. Beck fills her spare time serving as principal viola with the Marquette Symphony Orchestra and performing with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra and the Gailliard String Trio.  She has also been seen (and heard) in various ensembles representing the GLCO at civic events and in outreach programs for schools throughout northwestern Michigan.  

Karen Morrell
Karen Morrell has been with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra since 1985, playing both violin and viola.  Originally from Midland, MI, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI where she studied the Kodaly approach to music education.  Ms. Morrell taught general music for many years and especially enjoyed teaching orchestral listening to her elementary students.  She has been a clinician for several conferences of the Midwest Kodaly Music Educators Association.  Ms. Morrell is now happily teaching 6^th and 7^th grade orchestra at both East and West Junior High.  In addition to her work as a music educator and her playing with the TSO, Ms. Morrell is a strolling violinist [link] in the area.  Ms. Morrell first laid her eyes on her future husband in 1985 when he performed in the Nutcracker with Ballet Michigan while the TSO was playing in the pit!

Jan Ostrowski
Jan Ostrowski played clarinet for 17 years in a variety of musical ensembles including the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra in 1972, and in every conceivable band at the University of Michigan from 1973-76 including marching, basketball and even hockey band.  After graduation (with a degree in liberal arts), she decided to switch to a string instrument and learned to play the violin as an adult (despite years of lessons).  One of her instructors was a brilliant violinist but a lousy teacher, which gave her the confidence to become a Suzuki violin teacher even though she was not a professional violinist.  Ms. Ostrowski taught herself to play the viola around age 40 and dearly loves playing with the TSO (since 1997).  She also maintains a studio in Suttons Bay of about 15 young and old violin students and plays weddings and special events with her ensemble, Festival Strings [link to Festival Strings].

Laura Staubes
Laura Staubes grew up in McLean, Virginia, where she began studying viola at the age of 10. While maintaining a music scholarship and the principal viola position in the university symphony, Ms. Staubes earned her Bachelor degree in nursing in 1990 from East Carolina University. After graduating she worked as a nurse in North Carolina while continuing to perform around the state until she visited, fell in love with and finally moved to Traverse City in 2002. Ms. Staubes continues to work full-time as a cardiac nurse at Munson Hospital. In addition to being a core member of TSO, she is a member of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and Marquette Symphony, and enjoys performing with small chamber groups throughout northern Michigan. Ms. Staubes studies privately with David Holland and is thrilled to be playing with her former teacher and life mentor, Margaret Beck.

Elizabeth Bert, Principal
A native of Wauseon, Ohio, Elizabeth Bert was born into a musical family.  Her father, John Merrill, sister Mary Nieuwenhuis and daughter Deanna Chryst are all professional musicians.  She began her piano studies at age 7, and her cello studies at age 10 under the tutelage of famed string educator Elizabeth Green.  She attended Michigan State University as a performance major but transferred to the University of Toledo to receive her undergraduate degree in instrumental music education and her Master degree in guidance and counseling. Ms. Bert is Principal Cellist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, serving in that position for over 20 years.  She performs yearly with the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra, in Fish Creek, Wisconsin.  In addition she has played with the Northwood Symphony Orchestra, Midland Symphony Orchestra, Marquette Symphony, Sault Saint Marie Symphony, as well as 15 years with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra.  She has appeared numerous times as soloist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as well as performing with her husband Jack Bert in “Stradivari Summertime Strings” [link to Stradivari Summertime Strings] ensembles.  Ms. Bert is currently hold a position on the music faculty of the Traverse City Public Schools teaching elementary strings.

Elizabeth Suminski
Elizabeth Suminski began studying cello at the age of five as a Suzuki student with Marilyn Kessler.  She continued her studies with Louis Potter, and went on to complete a Bachelor or Arts in cello performance at the University of Notre Dame, under the tutelage of Karen Buranskas.  She has performed as a soloist with the Notre Dame Chamber Orchestra, the Jackson Symphony and the Alma College Symphony, and has been a member of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the West Shore Symphony, and South Bend Symphony.  Ms. Suminski went on to pursue her medical degree at Michigan State University, and is now a practicing emergency physician in Grayling.  She has three children who are studying violin, piano and cello.

Lynne Tobin
Lynne Tobin teaches pre-school through 8^th grade general music and strings at Interlochen Pathfinder School, is a cellist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and conducts the unique multi-age community orchestra, Bay Chamber Strings.  Ms Tobin grew up in Plymouth, Michigan, and is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy.  She holds a Bachelor and a Master degrees in Cello Performance from the University of Michigan and from Northern Illinois University.  Prior to moving to the Grand Traverse area, Ms Tobin taught music and photography at the Emerson School in Ann Arbor.  Earlier in her career, Ms Tobin was director of strings at the Savannah (Georgia) Country Day School and conducted the SCDS award-winning high school orchestra. She was also a cellist with the Savannah Symphony. While in Savannah, the mayor declared April 18, 1994, “LYNNE TOBIN DAY” to honor and thank Ms Tobin for her many contributions to Savannah’s musical community.  Ms Tobin has presented lectures and clinics for the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Georgia and Michigan Music Educators Associations, and the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

Richard Jaissle 
Richard Jaissle joined the TSO bass section in the 2000-2001 concert season. Originally from Detroit, he earned a degree in music performance as a classical guitarist at Wayne State University. Mr. Jaissle, currently a letter carrier, moved to Traverse City in 1984 with his wife Monica and sons Paul and Keith. It was his son’s interest in playing bass guitar that re-kindled Mr. Jaissle’s love of music making and led him to seriously study the string bass. You may also find him playing jazz with Harry Goldson, the NMC jazz big band and concert band, and even playing some Dixieland banjo with the TSO Dixielanders [link to TSO Dixielanders]! In his limited spare time, he enjoys cycling and cross-country skiing.

Nancy Stagnitta, Principal
Nancy Stagnitta is the instructor of flute at Interlochen Arts Academy and is principal flutist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. She also performs with the National Philharmonic and the National Gallery Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and is principal piccoloist with the Sarasota and Baltimore Opera Orchestras.  She was appointed by the U.S. Information Agency as an Artistic Ambassador to southern Africa, where she presented recitals and master classes in Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia.  She has performed as concerto soloist with the Annapolis Symphony and the Columbia Orchestra, and as a member of the Spoleto U.S.A. Festival Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Ballet, Wolf Trap Opera and Washington Contemporary Music Forum in Washington, D.C.  Equally active in the realm of jazz, Ms. Stagnitta was selected as a finalist for the U.S. Information Agency/Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassador program for two consecutive years.  Ms. Stagnitta earned the degrees of Master and Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. 

Tess Miller
Tess Miller is an adjunct instructor at Albion College where she teaches Flute, Music appreciation, and conducts the Albion College Flute Ensemble.  She studied with Richard Herman at Michigan State University where in 2004 she received her DMA.  Ms. Miller has performed in Master Classes for Linda Chesis, Bonita Boyd, Carol Wincenc, Jim Walker, Sebastian Bell, and Timothy Hutchins.  In 2006, she was named the 2nd alternate for the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition.  As a member of the chamber ensembles Everon Duo (flute and percussion), Flûtée (flute quartet), and The London Trio (2 flutes and a cello), Ms. Miller enjoys promoting and performing new and old music styles.

Lynn Hansen, Principal
The 2006-2007 season marks Lynn Hansen's 26th year with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  She finds great joy and fulfillment in making music with her TSO friends and colleagues in the full orchestra setting as well as with other community ensembles, and Down a Fifth?[link to Down a Fifth? in hire TSO musicians] a versatile ensemble featuring a variety of duet/quartet/quintet groupings.  Music has been a major focus throughout her life.  Two degrees in music education from the University of Michigan led Ms. Hansen to a career as a public school band conductor, mostly at Traverse City's wonderful West Junior High School.  She continues to share her commitment and passion for all things kid-related as one of WJH's principals.  When not at school or making music, Ms. Hansen enjoys laughing with friends, riding her awesome BMW motorcycle, and relaxing at home.

Phil Popham
Phil Popham graduated in 2001 from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore as a student of Joseph Turner. That year he held the Principal Oboe position for the Annapolis Opera Orchestra and was awarded the Lynn Taylor Hebden Prize in performance.  As well as the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, horn plays English Horn for the West Shore and Midland Symphonies and has performed with the Jackson and Grand Rapids Symphonies. He is co-founder of the Helix 7 Chamber Ensemble (which includes three other TSO members) and the Helix 7 Concert Series in East Lansing. Following a year of study with Chicago Symphony English Hornist Grover Schiltz, Mr. Popham is now a Doctoral Candidate in Oboe Performance at Michigan State University under the guidance of Jan Eberle. As a composer, he has completed several commissions and his music has begun to be performed across the country. Jeanmarie Riccobono, Principal
Jeanmarie Kolar Riccobono holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University and the Interlochen Arts Academy and is currently principal clarinetist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with numerous orchestras including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, Florida West Coast Symphony, Savannah Symphony, South Bend Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. An active recitalist and chamber musician, Ms. Riccobono was the 1996 grand prize winner of the Boosey and Hawkes/Buffet North American Clarinet Competition. In April of 1998 she performed a solo recital at the Paris Conservatory in Paris, France as a guest artist at the Musicora Festival.  Her principal teachers include Robert Marcellus, Stanley Hasty, John Bruce Yeh, Charles Neidich and Frank Kowalsky.  Ms. Riccobono has recorded with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Eastman Wind Ensemble with trumpet soloist Wynton Marsalis under the direction of Donald Hunsberger. Ms. Riccobono lives in Traverse City with her husband Thomas and three children; Noelle, Michael and Gabrielle.

Jonathan Holden
Before moving to Michigan to study with Dr. Elsa Verdehr at Michigan State University, Jonathan Holden obtained his Bachelor and Master degrees in music performance from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London. There he studied clarinet with celebrated recording artist Dame Thea King. He also received orchestral training under conductors such as Pierre Boulez and Sir Colin Davies, and in rehearsal with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia. In addition to his work with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Holden plays Principal Clarinet with the West Shore Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, where he often plays second and e-flat clarinet. He is Principal Clarinetist of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, with whom he has performed as a concert soloist, and plays regularly with the Grand Rapids Symphony. He has performed concertos at several venues including Manchester Cathedral and the Wharton Center in Lansing and was a semi-finalist in the 2005 Carl Nielsen International Clarinet Competition. He is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Hope College.

George Townsend*
George Townsend is Professor Emeritus of clarinet at Western Illinois University.  He is a former clarinet soloist with the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own", the Camerata Woodwind Quintet, and various orchestras throughout the midwest.  A former faculty member with the Interlochen Arts Camp, he performs locally in the Encore Wind Symphony, the Old Town Playhouse, and the Traverse Winds.

Lauren Murphy , Principal
Lauren is the newly-appointed Principal Bassoonist of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  She is also a member of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra in Muskegon, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.  Lauren has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony and the New World Symphony and has participated in the Sarasota Music Festival, the Chautauqua Music School Festival, the Ohio Light Opera, and the Thy Masterclass Chamber Music Festival in Denmark.  She has performed with such artists as Michael Tilson Thomas, Garrison Keillor, Kathleen Battle, and Ralph Votapek.  Lauren earned a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University in 1997 and a Master of Music from Michigan State University in 1999.  Lauren graduated magna cum laude from the Michigan State University College of Law in May 2006 and passed the July 2006 Michigan bar exam.  Lauren lives in Traverse City with her husband, Nathan Miller.  They are both new to the area, so please introduce yourself!

Robert Pavelek, Principal
Robert Pavelek has been Principal horn with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra since 1990.  He is a native of Detroit and after playing trumpet and horn in high school he studied horn with the late Marvin Howe. Mr. Pavelek free-lanced in night clubs concert circuits throughout Michigan and Canada on trumpet and horn.  He moved to Traverse City in 1973 and began free-lancing in the area.  He played for 10 years with Newt and the Salamanders throughout Michigan and with West Side Winds and numerous musicals at Old Towne Playhouse.  Currently he is a journeyman/sheet metal worker with Cooke Sheet Metal in Kalkaska.  Mr. Pavelek is a member of the TSO Brass Ensemble [link to TSO Brass Ensemble] and he contracts musical events through his business Fresh Water Music [link to Fresh Water Music].

Mary Beth Orr
Mary Beth Orr has been a member of the Horn section for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra since 2004 and recently won fourth horn in both Lansing and Midland Symphonies. She is currently horn Professor at Alma College and a professional accompanist for Central Michigan University. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and has played with the Charleston Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, Sagainaw Bay Symphony.  Ms. Orr has participated twice in the world renowned Aspen Music Festival and school. She continues to teach and perform throughout the state of Michigan.

Robert Hicks, Co-Principal
Robert Hicks, Principle Trumpet, has been a member of the TSO since 1982. An active player in the Traverse City area, he has performed with many name bands and stars over the years. Mr. Hicks is a member of Luther Gravy & the Soul Biscuits, a blues band, and co-leads the TSO Brass Ensemble [link to TSO Brass Ensemble]. Currently, he supplements his musician’s income as a School Service professional at Marshall Music.

Kenneth Larson, Co-Principal
Kenneth Larson, a native of California, received his Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in Trumpet Performance from the California Institute of the Arts near Los Angeles.  Mr. Larson has played for many film scores including Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, and Police Academy 2, 5 and 7.  He has recorded for many television programs including China Beach, Beetlejuice and The Ollie North Story.  In addition, he has recorded with many orchestras including the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra.  Mr. Larson has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, a variety of Broadway shows, and various Big Bands and Rock and Roll acts throughout his career. Currently he is the trumpet instructor at the Interlochen Arts Academy, Co-Principal Trumpet of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Trumpet of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra.  Mr. Larson also conducts a number of master classes on trumpet performance and equipment at various universities and schools around the country.  In addition to teaching and performing, Mr. Larson designs and builds trumpets for himself as well as other professionals through his company BrassWerks.

Scott Sorenson, Associate Principal
Scott Sorenson is in his 8th season as associate principal trumpet with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He is currently a music instructor for the Traverse City Area Public Schools and Northwestern Michigan College. Mr. Sorenson holds Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in music education from the University of Minnesota and Luther College. He studied trumpet with David Baldwin, Robert Getchell, and Clement Volpe. Mr. Sorenson has also served on the music faculties for the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the University of Minnesota, and the Hong Kong International School. He is the author of books, articles, and critiques on music, and is also a composer and arranger. His music is published by Southern Music, Shawnee Press, Concordia Publishing, and the Denver Brass. During the summers, Mr. Sorenson pursues his interest in long distance wilderness canoeing. In 2006, he completed a 558 mile solo circumnavigation of Ontario’s Quetico and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters - the first to do so.

David Cowperthwaite
David Cowperthwaite recently retired from the Traverse City Area Public Schools after a career of 30 years teaching instrumental music. He has been a member of the trumpet section in the Traverse Symphony Orchestra since 1973. Prior to moving to Interlochen in 1973, he played trumpet with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians touring the US in 1972-73. Mr. Cowperthwaite has toured abroad in past summers with the Fairfield Festival Orchestra and the Casa del Sol Orchestra in Spain and two tours with the Boston University Alumni Concert Band to Portugal and Yugoslavia. He has been active as a freelance musician in Michigan playing in bands and orchestras backing many popular musicians and entertainers such as Bob Hope, Steve Allen, Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Williams and was member of the Dave Sporny Big Band for eight years. Mr. Cowperthwaite spent six years teaching trumpet at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and continues to maintain a private teaching studio in his home. While not teaching or playing the trumpet his other passions include running for health and fitness as well as competition. Mr. Cowperthwaite has completed 30 marathons including ten Boston and two New York Marathons.

Thomas Riccobono, Principal
Thomas Riccobono is the instructor of low brass at the Interlochen Arts Academy. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Penn State University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has performed concertos with the Penn State and Florida State University orchestras, Interlochen Arts Academy Band, Encore Society of Winds and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  He was a concerto winner and soloist at Pennsylvania State University and Florida State University, and a solo competition winner at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in 1996.  Mr. Riccobono has also performed with the Savannah Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra in Salzau, Germany, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, (Italy).  Mr. Riccobono is principal trombonist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and conducts the NMC Concert Band and the Traverse Youth Symphony Orchestra.  He lives in Traverse City with his wife Jeanmarie and children Noelle, Michael and Gabrielle.

James Perez
James Perez, second trombone with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra is originally from Miami, Florida.  He holds degrees received from University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Arizona.  Mr. Perez is the Assistant Director of Human Resources at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and is the newly elected Director of the Northern Michigan Association for a Castro-free Cuba.  His hobbies include Golf and Basketball. 

George Bliss, Principal
The 2006-2007 TSO season marks George Bliss's 25th season with the orchestra.  Although employed by Midwestern Broadcasting as a Senior Marketing Consultant, his musical adventures include performing with the TSO Brass Ensemble [link TSO Brass Ensemble in “hire TSO musicians], private instruction of low brass instruments to area students, and free lancing as a trombone & bass trombone player throughout the mid-west.  Performances with such notables as Bob Hope, Johnnie Mathis, Ann Murray, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville, Jerry Lewis, Don Rickles and others have highlighted an avocation that spans over 45 years.  Mr. Bliss was a charter member of The Dave Sporny Big Band, The Reef Petroleum Big Band, 45th Parallel Big Band, and currently performs with the Sun Radius Big Band.

Stephen Molnar, Principal
Stephen Molnar possesses a Bachelor degree from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory (Berea, OH) and a Master degree from Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) in music performance.  In addition to serving as the Principal Tuba for the TSO, Mr. Molnar is a founding member of the Helios Brass Quintet which performs throughout Southeastern Michigan. Previously was the low-brass coach and director of the South Bend (Indiana) Youth Symphony Brass Choir. An avid teacher as well as an adept performer, Mr. Molnar maintains low brass private teaching studios in the Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Flint areas. When he's not playing the tuba, Mr. Molnar is an enthusiastic sportsman, enjoys racquetball, scuba diving and sailing the Great Lakes. Currently he serves as an admissions advisor for Baker College in Flint, MI. Mr. Molnar and his wife, Laura, reside in Davison, Michigan.

John Alfieri, Principal
John Alfieri, Principal Timpanist for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, .is instructor of percussion and conductor of the percussion ensemble at Interlochen Arts Academy. He holds a bachelor of music degree from the State University of New York and a master of music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he was a student of John Beck. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including a Creative Arts Grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Kennedy Center Fellowship, Meet the Composer Grant, Christa McAullife Fellowship, Outstanding Percussionist and Outstanding Composer Awards from the Notre Dame Jazz Festival, and Who's Who in American Teachers Award. Mr. Alfieri is a clinician for the Zildjian Cymbal Company, and he has performed in concert as a percussionist/drummer with such artists as Maureen McGovern, the Temptations, Don Menza, Burt Bacharach, Kansas, Yes, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lewis, and Robert Goulet.

David Warne, Co-Principal
An US citizen since 1994, David Warne, is one of the most active percussion instructors in Michigan.  He is Co-Principal Percussionist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Instructor at Northwestern Michigan College, President and owner of The Academy of Music, Sun Radius Music, International, and Radius Recording Studio in Logan’s Landing. His student ensembles including his Steel Pan Band, have performed for the Traverse Symphony, the Encore Society of Music, the Great Wolf Lodge, The National Cherry Festival and for many other events from Mackinaw Island to Midland to Muskegon. Mr. Warne received his Bachelor and Master of music degrees in performance from Indiana University. In 1981 he moved to Michigan, built by hand his own Scandinavian scribed fit log home on the Old Mission Peninsula. His company, Sun Radius Music, Intl. & Radius Recording has just created a new Music & Art festival, “Logan’s Landfest” and will take place August 18^th and 19^th 2006.

Guy Leslie
Guy Leslie, percussion, attended Wayne State University in Detroit and studied with Salvatore Rabbio of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.  After attending the Armed Forces School of Music Mr. Leslie earned a spot as a percussionist with the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., retiring in 1998 after 26 years of service.  While in the band, he toured extensively throughout the U.S., Sweden and Russia as well as performing for official functions at The White House, Pentagon, The Capitol, and the National Monuments on the Mall in DC.  Since moving to Traverse City, Mr. Leslie plays with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, maintains an active teaching studio in his home and enjoys playing with TSO Brass Ensemble [link to TSO Brass Ensemble] (“when they'll have me...”).  Mr. Leslie sails on West Bay whenever possible aboard the sloop "Tacet ll."
Joan Holland
Joan Raeburn Holland is Instructor of harp for the Interlochen Arts Academy and Interlochen Arts Camp.  She is principal harp for the Midland Symphony Orchestra and co-principal of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to her position at IAA, she was principal harp for the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Ballet Orchestra.  She acted as substitute harpist for the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras and the Ohio Chamber Orchestra.  An active chamber musician, Ms. Holland frequently performs with her IAA colleagues and has participated in recital programs for the regional and national conventions of the American Harp Society.  She performed as guest recitalist for the Philadelphia and Toledo AHS chapters, and as a chamber musician for the World Harp Congress and the International Viola Congress.  Concerto performances include collaboration with the Midland Symphony Chamber Orchestra; the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra; the Traverse Symphony Orchestra; the Sault Symphony; the Bach Festival in Lexington, MI and the Interlochen Arts Academy String orchestra. Ms. Raeburn Holland and her husband, David Holland, have a family of two children, Jennifer and John.

Sylvia Norris
Harpist, Sylvia Norris, is well known to Michigan audiences as both an entertainer and an orchestral musician. A Michigan native, she has played with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra since 1985 and is a longtime member the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. She has appeared with the Detroit Symphony as well as with every other Michigan orchestra of note. For seven summers, she held the principle harp instructor position at the world renowned Interlochen Arts Camp. Ms. Norris is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with the legendary Eileen Malone. She resides in Traverse City with her husband, baritone, Jeffery Norris and she is the proud mother of three great children. Ms. Norris is very active in community affairs and with her local church.
David Lake, Principal
David Lake, piano, is currently Music Librarian and Opera Workshop Music Director at the Interlochen Arts Academy. He acquired a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude and valedictorian) and a Master of Arts degree in mathematics at Central Michigan University. Past experience includes Second Clarinet with the Saginaw Symphony, mathematics instructor at CMU and IAA, dance and choral accompanist for Interlochen Arts Academy and Music Director and pianist for Traverse City Civic Players, Lyric Opera of Northern Michigan and professional dinner theaters throughout the area.

Dorothy Vogel*
Dorothy Vogel holds degrees in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory and Western Michigan University.   She has taught at Hope College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  Currently, she is on faculty at Northwestern Michigan College where she teaches music theory, sight singing and ear training, and class piano.  Nationally certified as a teacher, she is an active member of Michigan Music Teachers Association serving as an adjudicator, and guest speaker.  Along with maintaining a private piano studio since 1991, she has served as a staff accompanist at Western Michigan University, Hope College, and Interlochen Center for the Arts where she now teaches on the summer faculty.  In 1998, she released a CD of original piano solos titled Good Harbor.   She is active in the Traverse City area as a chamber music performer and member of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.