ABOUT YOUR BSO

Administrative Staff

Christopher Confessore

Music Director & Principal Conductor

Years with the BSO: 30

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 E.T., 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.

Hadassah (Dassa) Etienne

Executive Director

[email protected]

Hadassah was raised just down the street in Palm Bay. She’s a proud BSYO alum and has played the violin for about 10 years. Most of her free time is spent walking with her dog, either hiking or exploring. Some of her favorite composers include Vivaldi and Alexander Borodin. When asked what her favorite media is, it’s impossible for her to pick a favorite! She takes incredible pride in working for the BSO and is happy to help!

Bethany Confessore

Director of Artistic Operations

Rebecca Simons

Director of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO)

Rebecca Simons is a professional violinist and private instructor local to Melbourne, FL. Mrs. Simons graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education in 2008. While at FSU, Mrs. Simons studied violin with Eliot Chapo and string pedagogy with Dr. Michael Allen. After graduation, Mrs. Simons moved to Clearwater, where she taught Orchestra at Largo Middle School for 5 years before returning home to Brevard County. She spent 3 years teaching orchestra at Heritage High School before leaving public school teaching to be home with her first son. At that time, she directed her attention to developing her private studio and began training with the Suzuki Association of the Americas for which she is now certified through level three. Mrs. Simons maintains an active performance career in orchestras and small ensembles throughout Central and South Florida. Among her many and varied experiences, Mrs. Simons feels that her most important achievement is the continued nurturing of her four children: Graham (8), Logan (5), Vera (2), and Jake (10 months).

Laura Sayer

Communications & Marketing Director

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Years with the BSO: 1

Laura proudly serves as the Director of Communications for the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. After growing up in Jacksonville, Florida as a piano student, theatre kid and dancer, Laura went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Media Communication Studies and Master’s Degree in Public Interest Media and Communications from Florida State University.

Laura also specializes in digital video production. Her favorite project she’s made so far is a short documentary titled The Adderley Groove, which discusses jazz legends Julian “Cannonball” and Nat Adderley and their mark on the Tallahassee community.

When she’s not at the office or a BSO concert, you’ll find her either reading (mainly fantasy or sci-fi), crocheting, fencing, or swing dancing.

Diane Van Aman

Finance Manager

Years with the BSO: 5

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.