Christopher Confessore
Music Director & Principal Conductor
Years with the BSO: 24
Favorite part of the job: Making a difference in the lives of our listeners each and every time we take the stage.
Proud father of two wonderful sons. Loves NFL Football – especially the Miami Dolphins! Definitely a coffee-lover. Enjoys a quiet lunch or dinner at The Columbia with his wife Bethany. Favorite movies are fantasy-adventure movies such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and ET, as well as many of the recent superhero films. His car’s satellite radio is pre-set to ESPN and the Broadway channel. A “perfect day off” would be spent with his family at Disney World.
David Schillhammer
Executive Director
David Schillhammer proudly serves as executive director of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. Prior jobs include executive director of the Orlando Philharmonic, executive director of the San Antonio Symphony, general manager of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and production manager of the Rochester Philharmonic. David received a degree in music, bassoon performance, from the prestigious Eastman School of Music and is a native of Burlington, Vermont.
Bliss Carter
Administrative Coordinator/Subscriber Services
Years with the BSO: 5
Favorite Part of the Job: Concerts and working for an organization she has grown up wanting to be a part of, even if it is not as a musician…. yet.
Born and raised in Brevard County, graduated Satellite High School and received a BA in music from Florida State University. Go Noles! Plays oboe and English horn in small ensembles around the community. Favorite television shows include The Walking Dead and So You Think You Can Dance. Enjoys all kinds of music, new, old, live…. dead and going to movies. Proud aunt to Garrett, her 10 year old nephew and an avid beer maker with her father Bill.
Diane Van Aman
Administrative Assistant
Diane is a Pittsburgh-area native (go Steelers!) with degrees in Piano Performance, Music Education and Music History/Literature. Began playing clarinet/bass clarinet with community ensembles in high school, and has had the opportunity to sub with the Sarasota Orchestra and Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. She also brings administrative experience from Sarasota and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She considers herself a coffee connoisseur and LOVES to read – favorite genres: horror/supernatural and sci-fi; favorite authors include Stephen King and Iain M. Banks. Currently she can be seen around Brevard playing keyboard for the Band of the Bay and occasionally sitting in with the Space Coast Jazz Band.
Diane Bishop
Marketing and Design Manager
Diane is currently Principal Bassoon of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and their former Director of Patron Services. Diane grew up in Bel Air, MD. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree with Distinction from the Eastman School of Music and moved to Orlando in 1984 to become Principal Bassoon of the Florida Symphony Orchestra. She and her husband John have two adult children and live in south Orlando with their five cats.
Bethany Confessore
Director of Artistic Operations
Jennifer Guzman
Orchestra Librarian
Smart Marketing
Telemarketing Company