ABOUT YOUR BSO
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 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!
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).
cmaida@brevardsymphony.com
Catherine (Cat) Maida is an artist and photographer who was
born and raised in Staten Island, New York. Attending Drew University in
Madison, New Jersey, she graduated with a BFA in Media and Communications as
well as Studio Art and Photography. Cat has a strong background in video and
audio production, and is able to seamlessly integrate her creative skills with her
software skills and marketing knowledge as the Communications and Marketing Director
at the BSO. She was awarded the Stanly Prescott Hooper Memorial Prize in Studio
Art by her university in 2024, which is presented to the student who
demonstrates the highest potential, promise, and integrity in studio art. She
continues to develop her practice as an independent artist outside of the BSO. When
Cat is not in the office, you can find her working on her paintings or enjoying
live music!
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.
