BCSO principal bassist for 18 years and retired music teacher
I started as a drummer in my school’s band program. After moving from Indiana to Chester County, PA, I became interested in playing bass. However, we did not have an orchestra program in my district, so I played bass in concert band. One year our school district hosted the district orchestra festival, and while I did not win a spot in the section by audition, my band director arranged for me to sit in with the bass section anyway. That was my first experience in a section, and gave me a whole new appreciation of the instrument. That experience led me to pursue bass as my primary instrument, and led me to music education as a career.

BCSO bassist for six years and information technology consultant
My most notable performance experience was in the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. I sat Assistant Principal for a performance of Mozart’s Masses in C Minor and C Major. The ensemble was the CCM Philharmonia and we were in NYC for the year-long tribute to Mozart on the 200-year anniversary of his death. A few days later, I sat Principal for a performance of Zaide, a lost and reconstructed Mozart Opera, at Julliard. A magical week never to be forgotten!