Christopher Confessore, Music Director/Principal ConductorChristopher Confessore celebrates his thirteenth season as Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra in 2007-08.  During his tenure, the orchestra has performed a broad repertoire – including the world premieres of seven compositions commissioned by the orchestra – and enjoyed a dramatic period of artistic growth, increased attendance at all performances, and financial stability.   

In 2004 Mr. Confessore was named Resident Conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, having served as the ASO’s Associate Conductor since 2000.  He regularly appears on the ASO’s Masterworks, Gateway, and SuperPops series, garnering rave reviews from the Birmingham News for his “special talent for drawing the broadly lyrical out of his orchestra.” He also leads the orchestra in a wide variety of educational and community outreach performances.
Mr. Confessore made his international debut in June of 2004, conducting the Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania.  His schedule as a guest conductor has included appearances with the Houston Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.
During the 1999-2000 Season, Mr. Confessore served as Interim Education and Outreach Conductor of the Houston Symphony.  In this capacity, he conducted more than fifty performances on the Houston Symphony’s Lollipops, Discovery, and First Concerts series, as well as other community outreach concerts.

From 1992-2000 Mr. Confessore served as Associate Conductor of the Florida West Coast Symphony in Sarasota.  From 1990-1995 he served as Education Director of the Florida West Coast Symphony, administering one of the most intensive orchestral education programs in the country.

Hailed by the Birmingham News as a leader with “firm vision and confidence,” Christopher Confessore has accompanied a distinguished list of artists, including Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Lang Lang, Glenn Dicterow and Carol Wincenc.  As a Pops conductor, he has appeared with a diverse group of performers, including Grammy Award winners Art Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Larry Gatlin and Nanci Griffith, Lee Greenwood and Peabo Bryson as well as Tony Award nominees Jodi Benson, Liz Callaway, Susan Egan and Rebecca Luker and Tony Award winners Debbie Gravitte and Michael Maguire.  In April of 2005, music columnist Mary Colurso of The Birmingham News remarked “Anyone who regards the symphony as stuffy and elitist hasn’t been to a SuperPops show when Confessore’s in charge.  He exudes nice-guy appeal on stage, along with real warmth, a sense of humor and smarts to spare.”

Mr. Confessore’s primary conducting instructors have been Phillip Spurgeon and Daniel Lewis.  He has studied with internationally acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin and has attended workshops and seminars led by Gustav Meier, Harold Farberman, and Lawrence Leighton Smith.

Mr. Confessore holds a Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Southern California and the Bachelor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Florida State University.  His primary bassoon instructors were William Winstead and Trevor Cramer.  As a student in the FSU study-abroad program in London, England, he studied with William Waterhouse, former Principal Bassoon of the BBC Symphony.


Lisa Ferrigno, Concertmaster
Lisa Ferrigno, ConcertmasterLisa Ferrigno is Concertmaster of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne, Florida. A native of New England, she received her musical training at the New England Conservatory in Boston and the Eastman School of Music in New York.  Ms. Ferrigno is active as a soloist. This past summer she and her husband Aaron Hilbun performed the Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin with the Chamber Orchestra of the Trujillo Bach Festival in Peru. Ms. Ferrigno has also appeared as soloist with the Florida Symphony and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestras.

In addition to her solo appearances, Ms. Ferrigno is an avid chamber musician and performs solo and chamber music recitals throughout Central Florida. She can frequently be heard on 90.7 FM WMFE’s “Central Florida in Concert.” Ms. Ferrigno is a regular performer at the Festival Internacional Bach in Trujillo, Perú.  She has soloist with both the Festival Chamber Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Trujillo, and participated in chamber music concerts with the ensembles Opus Four and Solistas del Ecuador.  She has also served as guest concertmaster of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Trujillo.

Ms. Ferrigno served as Concertmaster of the Orlando Philharmonic from 1993-2003. She continues to serve as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra, a position she has held since 1996.

Ms. Ferrigno’s recording credits include Joyous Violin, a collection of romantic music performed with Keiko Andrews of Rollins University for the Madacy label. She can be heard as soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic in music from “Schindler’s List” on the Madacy albums John Williams: A Night at the Movies and John Williams:
The Dream Goes On.

 

Igor Markstein, Assistant Concertmaster
Igor Markstein, born in Germany and raised in Israel, is Assistant Concertmaster of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. He studied violin with Ilona Feher at the Academy of Music, University of Tel Aviv. Mr. Markstein holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in music performance from Northern Illinois University where he studied with Shmuel Ashkenazi. Formerly Concertmaster of the Atlantic Classical Symphony, the Brevard Symphony and Assistant Concertmaster with the Thunder Bay Symphony in Ontario, he has been a Violin Instructor at UCF and Director of Music at Lakehead University Thunder Bay, Canada. He teaches violin privately and at Brevard Community College.
Igor Markstein, Assistant Concertmaster

Derry Deane, ViolinDerry Deane, Violin
A Graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the University of Illinois, Ms. Deane is the former head of the String Department of the School of Music of the University of Tulsa.  Presently she teaches at the Community School of Stetson University in Celebration, Fl. She is also a member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Deane has served on the faculties of Universities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and has been concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestras of Memphis, Anchorage, Guadalajara, Mexico, Jalapa, Mexico, and Victoria,Canada

As a soloist and chamber musician, she has toured North and South America, Europe, and Asia, and has appeared on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, N P R, and many European networks.  As Artistic Ambassador for the United States Information Agency, she toured with Trio Tulsa and the Deane-Norberg Duo to the Caribbean, Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, the Persian Gulf, Jordan and Africa.

Her teachers have included Andre de Ribeaupierre, Paul Rolland, Roman Totenberg, and Nadia Boulanger at the Fontainebleau School in France.

Marius Tabacila, Violin

Marius Tabacila,
Violin
Victor Feroni, Violin

Victor Feroni,
Violin
Jason Erwin, Violin

Jason Erwin,
Violin
Richard Collins, Violin

Richard Collins,
Violin

Olga Feroni, Violin
Olga Feroni, Violin


Iris Rogan, Violin
Iris Rogan, Violin

Julia Gessinger, Violin
Julia Gessinger, Violin
Sacha Phelps, Violin
Sacha Phelps,
Violin


Gail Collins, Principal Second Violin
Gail Collins

Gail Collins is a native of St. Petersburg, Florida. A graduate of Florida State University, she played in the University Symphony, St. Petersburg Symphony and Philharmonic , and Fla. Gulf Coast Symphony before marrying and moving to Florida's east coast.
She taught English at Melbourne High School before "retiring" to start a family. She has been a member of the BSO since 1979.

Mrs. Collins currently teaches string classes to fourth and fifth graders in five elementary schools in Orange County. She also plays in the Bach Festival orchestra and remains active in freelance ensemble playing. She and husband Richard, a violinist with the BSO, live in Orlando.

Laura Pinfield, Assistant Principal Second ViolinLaura Pinfield
Laura Pinfield has played with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra for 18 years.  She is also a string consultant, traveling among Brevard County schools working with young string students and their music directors to shape superior string music programs.   In 1999 Laura helped to launch the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra's newest group, the Chamber Ensemble, which she directed for three years. Laura was recognized as the BSO’s Outstanding Musician for the 03-04 Season.  Laura enjoys playing in various BSO chamber ensembles for functions such as weddings and receptions.

Laura began playing the violin at the age of four through the University of Wisconsin's cooperative Suzuki program when it was new in this country.  She played in the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra as a student in Madison.  Laura received her BA in Violin Music Performance from the University of South Florida and her MA in Music Education from the University of Central Florida.

Jill Weiss, Violin

Jill Weiss,
Violin
Michele Gurevich, Violin

Michele Gurevich,
Violin
Michelle Jones, Violin

Michelle Jones,
Violin
Jennifer Bent, Violin

Jennifer Bent,
Violin


Carey Moorman, Violini

Carey Moorman, Violin
Nancy Christy, Violin

Nancy Christy,
Violin
James Miles, Violin

James Miles,
Violin


Susan M. Bearden, Principal ViolaSusan M. Bearden, Principal Viola
Susan M. Bearden has been Principal Violist of the BSO since 1999.  She joined the BSO in 1997 as Assistant Principal Viola after 2 years with the Jacksonville Symphony.  In addition to performing with the BSO she has a busy freelance career and several private students.  She also works in the BSO administrative office as Database Administrator and Educational Programs Liaison.

Ms. Bearden holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts (English) degrees from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  Her teachers have included Heidi Castleman, Eliot Chapo, Jeffrey Irvine, Martha Katz, and Lynne Ramsey. She has recorded for Opus One records as a member of the Sierra Quartet and is a former Aspen Music Festival Fellow.

Linda Kessler, Assistant Principal ViolaLinda Kessler, Assistant Principal Viola
Linda Kessler received her bachelor of music degree from Indiana University in viola performance, and went on to do graduate work at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. She has been the Principal violist for the Milwaukee Ballet orchestra and the Waukesha Symphony, as well as a substitute violist for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  Her positions in Central Florida include Assistant Principal violist for the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, musician for Walt Disney World, substitute violist for the Orlando Philharmonic, and violist for the Soli Deo Gloria String Quartet.



Jennifer Mueller, Viola

Jennifer Mueller,
Viola
John Adams, Viola

John Adams, Viola
Juan Carlos Siviero, Viola

Juan Carlos Siviero, Viola
Linda Utz, Viola

Linda Utz, Viola
Linda Waid, Viola

Linda Waid, Viola
John Harbaugh, Viola

John Harbaugh, Viola

 

Joan Markstein, Principal CelloJoan Markstein, Principal Cello
Joan Markstein, a native of Chicago, Brevard Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist, started her musical studies at age four with her parents, pianists Harry and Thalia Davidson. Cellos studies followed later under Chicago Symphony cellist Don Moline.

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, holding Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance, Joan’s principal teachers include cellists Lee Fiser, Lynn Harrell, and Peter Wiley.

A former Principal Cellist with the Thunder Bay Symphony in Ontario, Cancada, Joan has served as cello instructor at Lakehead University, Canada, and at the UCF.

Currently, in addition to her duties with the BSO, Joan teaches many private cello students, and instructs cello at Brevard Community College, Cocoa.


Thomas Silliman, Assistant Principal CelloThomas Silliman, Assist. Principal Cello
Tom Silliman joined the Brevard Symphony in 1993 and was named assistant principal cellist for the 1994-95 season. 

A native of Frederick, Maryland; Tom started playing cello in his school string program at the age of 9.  He received a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance from James Madison University and Masters of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in cello performance from Arizona State University.  His teachers have been Takayori Atsumi, Robert Ashby, Jacquelyn Dillon, and Robert Swenson.  In 1981, he was a national finalist in the MTNA Collegiate Artists Competition.  He is in his thirteenth year as anorchestra director and string teacher with the Brevard County School District, currently teaching in the Bayside High School feeder chain and serving as orchestra director at Southwest Middle School in Palm Bay.  He is also the artistic director of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, and has served as the conductor of its concert orchestra since 1996.  Prior to joining the BSO, he served as professor of string education at Southern Utah University for three years. Tom and his wife Becky, a flutist, perform frequently as the Highwire Duo.  They are the proud parents of three young children and they enjoy scuba diving and visiting all of central Florida’s theme parks.



Shona McFadyen-Mungall, Cello

Shona McFadyen-Mungall, Cello
Jonathan Stilwell, Cello
Jonathan Stilwell, Cello

Adriana Venturini, Cello

Adriana Venturini, Cello

Brenda Higgins, Cello

Brenda Higgins, Cello
   


 Richard Desgrange, Principal Bass

Richard Desgrange,
Principal Bass
Gary Mousseau, Assistant Principal Bass

Gary Mousseau, Assistant Principal Bass
Michael Hill, Bass

Michael Hill, Bass
Kevin Gallagher, Bass

Kevin Gallagher, Bass
Elizabeth Nichols, Bass

Elizabeth Nichols, Bass

 

Christina Burr, Principal FluteChristina Burr, Principal Flute
Christina Burr is one of the most sought after flutists in Florida today. She currently holds the position of Principal Flute with both the Brevard Symphony and the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, and has been a featured soloist with both orchestras many times. In addition to her regular positions, she is a frequent performer with the Naples and Orlando Philharmonics. Ms. Burr also recently had the honor of performing with the Boston Pops Orchestra on their Florida tour.

Born in New York City, Ms. Burr attended the Juilliard School while still in high school, and later earned a BFA from the State University of New York at Purchase, where she was a student of Keith Underwood. While in New York, Ms.Burr was an active recitalist, giving solo performances at the Lincoln Center Library and Trinity Church. She is also seen as one of the area's most gifted teachers, with a large and active studio both privately and through the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University. In 2003 Ms. Burr was awarded the first ever "mARTi" award given by the Martin County Council for the Arts in which she was named "Outstanding Performing Artist of the Year". www.tinaburr.com

Nicole Scott, FluteNicole Scott, Flute
Nicole Scott has been a member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since 1997.  A lifelong Brevard resident, she originally performed with the orchestra for the 1978-80 seasons.  She is an active freelance musician, and has been featured as a soloist, on both flute and piccolo, with a variety of ensembles throughout Brevard County.  In addition to the BSO, Nicole plays with the Space Coast Flute Orchestra, Flutes Afire (a flute trio), Treasure Coast Opera, and the Space Coast Pops, where she has served as Principal Flute since 1994.  She also enjoys performing in a flute and piano duo with her son, in various venues, including nursing homes.  Ms. Stabile teaches private flute lessons, as well as flute clinics for local public schools.  She holds a Master of Music degree in an Orchestral Instrument from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Florida State University.  Nicole lives in Rockledge with her family and three Siamese cats. www.theflutist.com

Nora Lee Garcia, Flute

Nora Lee Garcia,
Flute


Lora MacPherson, Principal OboeLora MacPherson, Principal Oboe
Lora MacPherson has a master’s degree in music performance from Northwestern University and has played principal oboe with the Brevard Symphony since 1989.  She freelances with every major orchestra in Florida, and plays the fife part-time with the "Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps" at Epcot.  She also creates arrangements for, records and performs with "The Healy Consort," a chamber group which combines classical, Celtic, and American music. Lora lives in Orlando with her three Dachshunds.
www.LoraMacPherson.com


Anita Juilianna, Oboe

Anita Julianna.
Oboe
Aaron Hilbun, Oboe

Aaron Hilbun,
Oboe
Keith Koons, Principal Clarinet


Keith Koons, Principal Clarinet
Keith Koons has performed with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since 1992. A native of Maryland , he holds degrees from the University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill, the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Southern California . He has studied with Mitchell Lurie, Leon Russianoff, Robert Genovese and Donald Oehler. His experience includes the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the opera companies of Orlando , Arkansas , Annapolis , and many others.  He has performed at clarinet festivals and academic conferences throughout the United States and Europe . He teaches at the University of Central Florida , where he is Professor of Music and Associate Chair.

 

Kevin Strang, Bass Clarinet

Kevin Strang, Bass Clarinet

 

 


Julie Fox, Principal BassoonJulie Fox,
Principal Bassoon
A member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since 1993 and principal bassoonist since 1998, Julie Fox attended The University of Texas at Austin where she studied with composer Dan Welcher. She joined the Austin Symphony as contrabassoonist while still a college student. After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree, she was a member of several mid-Texas symphonies before moving to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory on full scholarship. While in Boston, she held the position of principal bassoon in the Portland Symphony and studying with Richard Svoboda of the Boston Symphony. She received her Master of Music degree from the University of South Florida in 2002.

Ms. Fox is concurrently Second/Assistant Principal Bassoon of the Orlando Philharmonic since 1994. She is Adjunct Professor of Bassoon at The University of Central Florida in Orlando since 1996 and is active in the faculty Pegasus Wind Quintet. She is also an active freelancer in the central Florida area. Ms. Fox currently resides in Kissimmee with her husband, son and numerous cats and fish. Her other interests include gardening, sewing/cross-stitch and reading.

Ashley Heintzen, Bassoon

Ashley Heintzen, Bassoon




Paul Basler, Principal HornPaul Basler , Principal French Horn
Paul Basler 1993-94 Fulbright Senior Lecturer in Music at Kenyatta University (Nairobi, Kenya), 1995-96 University of Florida Teacher of the Year and the 2001-03 College of Fine Arts University of Florida Research Foundation Professor is currently Professor of Music at the University of Florida where he teaches horn and composition. Basler has been resident hornist for the annual Composers Conference in Boston and has performed as guest artist at numerous International Horn Society Workshops, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, the Winchester Festival in England and the St. Petersburg International Chamber Music Festival in Russia.  Basler has been a member of the Charleston, Greenville, Asheville, Tallahassee and Valdosta Symphonies, and continues to maintain a busy performing schedule throughout the United States and abroad, having premiered over 200 works written for him over the years. He also has received 2 American Cultural Affairs Specialist Grants from the U.S. Department of State and serves as a Visiting Artist in Residence with the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Culture and the National Conservatory of Music. He received his B.M. degree magna cum laudefrom the Florida State University and M.M., M.A. and D.M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University. Basler's horn teachers have included William Purvis, William Capps and Barry Benjamin.

One of the most performed composers of his generation, his music has been performed throughout the world and recent compositions have received performances at Carnegie Hall, Tanglewood, the Spoleto Festival, Symphony Hall in Chicago, Kennedy Center, the National Theatres of the Dominican Republic and Kenya, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, the Aspen Music Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival and in Shanghai by the Shanghai Philharmonic. His music is published by Carl Fischer, Colla Voce Music, Walton Music, Southern Music, Hinshaw Music, R.M. Williams Publishing, and the IHS Press. http://www.arts.ufl.edu/Faculty/bio.asp?PID=159

Susan McGee, Horn

Susan McGee,
French Horn
Cathy Caldwell, Horn

Cathy Caldwell, French Horn
John Ryther, Horn

John Ryther, French Horn
 






Pamela J. Titus, HornPamela J. Titus, French Horn
Pamela Titus holds a bachelor and masters degree from the Juilliard School of Music. Ms. Titus relocated to the Central Florida area after having played with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra for thirteen years. She is currently in her second year as Adjunct Professor of Horn at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. While keeping a very busy freelancing and teaching schedule, Ms. Titus resides in DeLand, FL with her husband and two children.



Thomas Macklin , Principal Trumpet


Chris Dolske, TrumpetChris Dolske, Trumpet
Chris Dolske is a member of the music faculty at Rollins College and Valencia Community College.  Mr. Dolske performs with the Bach Festival Orchestra, is a member of the Cathedral Brass Quintet of St. James Cathedral, Orlando and performs with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. In the jazz idiom, Mr. Dolske performs with the Altamonte Jazz Ensemble and can be heard as a featured soloist on the CD release “20th Anniversary concert.” He has played in the big bands of Jimmy Dorsey, Billy May and more. Mr. Dolske has been a Disney musician since 1996. Mr. Dolske has a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Illinois, a Master’s degree in trumpet performance from the University of North Texas, and attended Auburn University.

John Kuntz, Trumpet

John Kuntz, Trumpet



 

Brian Foote, Principal TromboneBrian Foote, Principal Trombone
Brian Foote grew up right here in Brevard County.  He first started performing with the BSO in 1979 while in high school (Titusville HS).  After graduation, Mr. Foote left the BSO and attended Florida State University where he received Bachelor's and Masters' degrees in music performance.  In 1988, Mr. Foote moved to Texas to perform in the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra for one season.  The following year, he returned to Florida and also to the BSO.  Currently, Mr. Foote also teaches music at Challenger 7 Elementary School in Port Saint John.



Laurie Broadway, Trombone
Laurie Broadway, Trombone




Claude Kashnig, Principal TubaClaude Kashnig, Principal Tuba
Upon graduation from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Mr. Kashnig attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received his BM in applied tuba in 1981.  He toured and performed with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra and completed his 2nd. tour in 1983. Upon graduation from Minnesota State where Claude completed course work in Band Instrument Repair, he moved to Orlando and has been the Principal Tubist with the BSO since 1984. Currently, Claude performs at Universal Studios, with a brass quintet, 'Brass Works,' and is a member of the Bach Festival Orchestra. He enjoys teaching and is a faculty member at Rollins College.  Spare time is spent with his wife Gina and the two enjoy restoring Karmann Ghias.

Brian Slawson, Principal TimpaniBrian Slawson, Principal Timpani
Since his scholarship studies at the Juilliard School, Grammy nominee Brian Slawson has appeared on the Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, The CBS Morning News and NPR’s All Things Considered. Mr. Slawson has six solo CDs to his credit, four on the Sony/CBS label. As percussionist, Brian has shared the stage with classical luminaries Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, recorded with pop icons from Marie Osmond to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and punctuated jokes for comedians Don Rickles, Eddie Murphy and Jerry Seinfeld. Currently, Brian is the voice of "Gusto the Bulldog" in Warner Bros., "Music Expressions" series. His entertainment company, Slawsongs Inc., has created custom music for television, radio and feature films - clients ranging from Northrop Grumman and NASA to IBM, all while maintaining his duties as Principal Timpanist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra.

Kirk Gay, Principal PercussionKirk Gay, Principal Percussion
Mr. Gay obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Illinois University.  He later went on to study with Paul Yancich and Richard Weiner at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he received his Master’s Degree in Timpani Performance.

Mr. Gay marched in Star of Indiana Drum & Bugle Corps from 1986 – 1989 where he was 1989 DCI Timpani Individuals Champion and two time DCM Timpani Individuals Champion. He has taught and written for many drum and bugle corps including The Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, Magic of Orlando and The Yokohama Inspires from Japan. Mr. Gay was head arranger and caption head with Phantom Regiment in 1996 when they were DCI Champions.  He has also written for many bands across the country including Cypress Creek H.S. (FL), Churchill H.S. (TX) and Northrop H.S. (IN).

In 1998 Mr. Gay toured Europe with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.  He has performed with the Walt Disney World Orchestra, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, The Orlando Philharmonic and currently is the Principal Percussionist with The Brevard Symphony Orchestra. 

Recently Mr. Gay joined the faculty of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. There he teaches student lessons, directs “Black Steel”, the UCF steel drum ensemble and arranges for and instructs the Marching Knights Drumline. He is an endorser and clinician for Pro-Mark sticks and Sabian Cymbals.

Sam Forrest, Percussion

Sam Forrest, Percussion


Dawn Marie Edwards, Principal HarpDawn Marie Edwards, Principal Harp
Dawn Marie Edwards, graduate of the Eastman School of Music, is an internationally known harpist.  She has toured Europe extensively with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon (where she was the Principal Harpist for four years) and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife of the Canary Islands.  While in Spain, Ms. Edwards recorded the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto available on the CineArt label.  She has also recorded with great artists such as Wynton Marsalis, James Galway, and Aurora Ginestera.  After recording with Wynton Marsalis, they toured most of the major halls of the eastern seaboard.  Dawn Marie has also recorded with fellow Eastman graduate, Jeff Tyzik on his recording of High Class Brass. 

Performing artists with whom Ms. Edwards has performed include Natalie Cole, Bobbie McFerrin, Johnny Mathis, Doc Severinson, the Smothers Brothers, and Bernadette Peters.  She has also played Principal Harp for an extensive list of Broadway Shows that have included Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella.

Since moving to Florida in 1995, Ms. Edwards has been the Principal Harpist of the Florida Orchestra, the Florida West Coast Symphony, and the Brevard Symphony Orchestra.  She is currently employed as the Harpist for the Victoria Albert Restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World Resorts.  She regularly performs recitals throughout Central Florida.  She also a member of the newly formed Orlando Chamber Soloists.

Musician photos by: Kathy Hagood

Now in its 54th season, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra is recognized as one of the leading arts organizations in Central Florida.  As a fully professional, per-service orchestra the BSO has realized tremendous growth in recent years by maintaining the highest artistic standards under the leadership of Music Director Christopher Confessore.

The Brevard Symphony Orchestra holds auditions on an as-needed basis throughout the season.  Audition repertoire varies, depending on the position, but as a minimum requirement all applicants are asked to prepare a movement of a standard concerto for their instrument, along with three orchestral excerpts of their choice.

Highly qualified applicants can email, fax, or mail their resumes to Bethany Kerr, Personnel Manager in order to apply for an audition. Resumes should highlight performance experience and include information regarding the applicant's education and professional orchestra experience.

SEND YOUR RESUME TO:
Brevard Symphony Orchestra
Attn: Bethany Kerr, Personnel Manager
PO Box 361965, Melbourne, FL 32936-1965

EMAIL: BethanyKerr@cfl.rr.com

FAX: 321-259-4716

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