Alumni
Where are they now?
Since 1972 MYS has been a musical home for thousands of Minnesota’s most talented young musicians. Our students frequently enter the top conservatories and universities in the country – Juilliard, Eastman, Curtis Institute of Music, New England Conservatory and Harvard. Although some of our students are professional musicians, MYS alumni are scattered around the globe making music and working in a variety of careers. Here are a few examples of what MYS alumni are doing.
Photo on the Right: Ralph Winkler, founder of MYS in 1972, is pictured here with his bride of 50+ years, Margie. They celebrated their 50th anniversary by renewing their wedding vows at St. John’s Church in Dover, Ohio on August 22, 2009. Standing with them are their two daughters, Carole and Cherie. Ralph and Margie reside in Alameda, CA. As you can see from the photo, they are forever young.
SSCW = MYS Symphony Solo Competition Winner
Robert Adney, percussion (1974?)
Faculty-Gustavus Adolphus, Northwestern College and MacPhail Center for Music, Freelance Percussionist, Percussion Teacher, MN
Julie Aiken, violin (2002-2005) SSCW
Julie attended Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Emily Anderson, violin (2004-2009) SSCW
Emily is studying at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. In the summer of 2011 she will be attending the Heifetz International Music Institute in New Hampshire.
Sofia Ardalan, violin (1990-1998)
Director of Choir School-House of Hope Presbyterian Church, Freelance Vocalist, MN
Heather Johnson Askeland, violin (1989-1997) SSCW
Heather earned a degree in violin performance from New England Conservatory in 2002 and went on to study at Eugene Lang College and received a degree in Cultural Studies in 2003. She currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Monica Baik, violin (1997-2003)
Financial Analyst-General Mills, MN
Eleanor Bartsch, violin (2004-2007) SSCW
Eleanor is attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Lisa Berman, violin (1990-91) SSCW
Author and Producer-Simply Violin Series, Violin Instructor, MN
Rachel Bittner, oboe (1994-1997)
MYS Operations Manager, Piano Instructor-St. Joseph’s School of Music
Jay Bluhm, percussion (2002-2007)
Instructor-Arthur Murray Studios, MYS Percussion Assistant
Linnea Brown, violin, viola (1991-2000)
Social Worker, Ramsey County, MN
Tallie Brunfelt, violin (1996-2005) SSCW
Tallie graduated with a performance degree from Manhattan School of Music. She is a freelance Musician & violin instructor in New York City
Joel Bryan, trombone (2000-2001)
Music Teacher-Cannon Falls High School, MN
Kevin Burk, percussion (1999-2005) SSCW
Kevin graduated as a PM from Cleveland Institute of Music and is currently working on his MM in music from Carnegie Mellon University. A busy freelance musician, Kevin has performed with a number of professional orchestras in the northeast.
Emily Cain, viola (1997-2004)
MYS Admin Assistant/Communications Coordinator
Brian Campbell, Trombone, (1974-1976)
Brian is music professor of theory and composition at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. He also performs as a trombonist. “MYS was a wonderful experience for me, especially because orchestral music was my passion and my high school did not have an orchestra—it did have an excellent band. I went on get an undergraduate degree in trombone performance before doing graduate work in music theory.”
Elizabeth Campton, cello (1990-1995)
Music Director-Bethany Baptist Church, Cello, Piano Instructor, MN
Lisa Campton Marek, cello (1985-1988)
Graphic Designer and owner-Fat Cat Art Studio, Twin Cities
Lisa (Shirk) Carriere, flute (1977-1978)
Graduated with a math and French BA degree from Hamline University, St. Paul MN. She is an active musician and lives with her husband and two children in Apple Valley, MN.
Deidre Chang, violin (1997-2000)
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), Tampa, FL
Scott Christian, percussion (1990-1996) SSCW
Scott Christian has a MM and a BMus from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Scott has played timpani with the Charlotte Symphony, Atlanta Symphony and several others. He continues to freelance and teaches percussion instruments at South Park Music School in Charlotte, ND.
Anna Clearman, violin (2002-2005) SSCW
Anna Clearman is a performance major at Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Brent Comeau, tuba (1997-98)
Band Director-Woodbury High School, MN
Seth Cruden, cello (1994-1999)
Financial Planning-Ameriprise, MN
Emily Curtner-Atkinson, clarinet (1990-94) SSCW
Emily Curtner attended William Mitchell College of Law on full scholarship after graduating from the University of Minnesota with honors. She practices law in the Twin Cities.
Kristine Dizon Graybar, clarinet (2004-2007)
MYS Alumni Chair, conducts the
Susan Enger, trumpet (1994)
Memphis Symphony
Ilya Finkelshteyn, cello (1990-1991)
Cello, Cincinnati Symphony
Michelle Frisch, flute (1974-76)
Flute Teacher, Freelance Musician
Jennifer Greupner, horn (1991-92)
Band Director, Harding High School, St. Paul
Sonja Olson Grimes, violin horn (1973-1982)
Accompanist, Piano Teacher, MN
Jennifer Haugh, horn (1991-1994)
Graduated 2011 from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University with a Master in Public Administration Mid-Career degree (MPA/MC).
Newell Hill, violin (1992-1995)
Owner, Econo Piano Move and Tune, Inc.
Founder, Keys 4/4 Kids Charity, MN
Russell Holsapple, trombone (1993-1995)
Russell holds a Bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Minnesota and has completed the SMPTV program at the University of Southern California. MYS has premiered two of Russell’s compositions. He has scored several films and he is alzo a freelance pianist. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife LeAnn.
Sandy Johnson, bassoon (1992-1998)
Bassoon, Air Force Concert Band, Washington, D.C.
Carolyn Kan, violin (2005-2008)
Currently Ph.D student in physics, University of Illinois
Brendan Kane, bass (1997-2000)
Brendan lives in Miami Beach, FL and is an active musician.
Daniel Kim, viola (2004-2007) SSCW
Daniel is attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Sophia Kim, violin (2004-2008) SSCW
Sophia is attending Amherst College.
Dona Vellek Klein, cello (1972-1973)
Assistant Principal Cello, Atlanta Symphony
Max Lundgren, cello (2004-2009) SSCW
Max is studying music, math and anthropology the University of Minnesota.
Peter Kennedy, clarinet (2003-2006)
Graduate School at Carnegie Melon University in Clarinet performance.
Greg Knudsen, trumpet (1989-91)
Principal Trumpet, New Florida West Coast Symphony and Sarasota Orchestra
Alicia Koelz, violin (1989-1999) SSCW
Violin, Cleveland Orchestra
Laura Koning Jordan, trumpet (1992-95)
Currently lives in Gilbert, AZ
Stephanie Krejcarek, violin (1986-1997)
Physician, Boston MA
Tai-Jin Lee, violin (1997-2003)
Software Engineer-Mountain View, CA
Mia Less Heinrich, violin (1990-1994) SSCW
Mia lives in Dallas, TX with her husband and two children.
Alex Legeros, bassoon, contra bassoon (2007)
MYS Administrative Intern 2011-12, Graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with Major in Honors Philosophy and a Minor in Scandinavian Studies; currently at the University of MN working on a Masters in Arts and Cultural Leadership
Steven Leung, violin (1983-1990) SSCW
Steven Leung is a violin and viola instructor in the Twin Cities. http://stevenleungstudios.com/Steven_Leung_Studios_Website/Home.html
Heather LeVesseur, bassoon, contra bassoon (1996-2000)
Heather graduated with a degree in music from the University of Minnesota, She is the Parish Schools Band Director at Hill-Murray School in St. Paul, MN.
Kelsey Long, violin (1996-2001)
Aerialist with the International Circus, Ireland
Yousi Ma, violin (1999-2001)
Physicist-CERN, CA
Andriana Macres Magness, violin (1991-1998)
Vee Corporation, Minneapolis
Paul Macres, bass (1995-2002)
One World Symphony, Brooklyn, NY
Meghan McGuire, cello (1991-1994) SSCW
Megan McGuire holds degrees from San Francisco Conservatory and Florida State University. She is a cello instructor at Lynam-Huthmaker Performance Center in Duluth, GA.Megan and her husband, Louis Vitale have 2 children.
Nicole Millner, flute (1992-2002)
Organist, Flute Instructor, MN
Edward “Teddy” Niedermaier, piano and violin (1997-2001)
Teddy graduated with a degree in composition from Juilliard and is currently completing his graduate degree at St. Joseph School of Music at Indiana University. MYS commissioned a piece from Teddy for their 35th anniversary.
Karen Neinstadt, violin (1991-1997)
Member of the St. Paul JCC Symphony & Roseville Strings, Roseville MN; Librarian for the city of St. Paul
Michael Nelson, violin (2004-2009)
Michael is at Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music studying violin performance with Piotr Milewski.
Jessica Wilson Newhouse, violin (2003-2006)
Jessica will graduate with a performance degree from the University of Minnesota in 2011. Jessica is currently the string assistant for the MYS String Orchestra.
Eruejerien Okoh, cello (1995-2002)
Music Teache- Baltimore Public Schools
Sonja Olson Grimes, clarinet (1975-1984)
Professional accompanist, piano instructor
Heike Otterson, violin (1972-73)
Heike was an AFS student from Germany. She has a PhD in Theoretical Education and is teaching philosophy and history at a Senior High School. “I never came back to USA, but I miss a lot the time spent in Minnesota and especially the great educational experience in the MYS with the wonderful Director Mr. Winkler (and his wife as assistent): a truly life long present!”
Daniel Persitz, violin (1993-1999) SSCW
Movie Development, Hasbro Motion Pictures, Los Angeles, CA
Hannah Peterson, flute (2002-2009) SSCW
Hannah is majoring in music at the University of Cincinnati.
David Pojar, percussion (1994-1998)
United States Navy Band, Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii
Rachael Ryan, cello (2001-2004) SSCW
Rachael holds a performance degree from Eastman School of Music. She is getting married in October 2011 so she is busy planning for the big event but still has time to do some freelance performing in the Winona area where she is living.
Sam Sather, violin (1990-1999)
Music Teacher-Jonathan Elementary, Chaska MN
Bernhard Scully, horn (1993-1995)
Principal Horn, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Rachel Serber, trumpet (1999-2003)
Freelance Musician, subs with Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Sonia Sielaff, clarinet (1990-1997)
Associate Principal Clarinet, Norwegian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, Oslo
Lisa Svejkovsky Schaffer, cello (1975-1985)
Cello, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra
April Stiles, violin (1991-1998)
Music Teacher-Las Vegas Public Schools
Holly Stiles Quant, violin (1992-2001) SSCW
Holly received a degree in violin performance at the University of Minnesota School of Music. Holly lives in Decatur, GA with her husband and two children.
Paul Straka, horn (1973-1976)
Horn, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Marissa Swanson Ferro, viola (1992-1996) SSCW
Violin/Viola instructor, Boulder, CO
Nicole Swanson, viola (1993-2000)
Nicole Swanson holds the title of Miss Minnesota 2006. She earned a BA in Music from the University of Minnesota.
Nicholas Trygstad , cello (1991-1998) SSCW
Principal Cello, Hallé Orchestra, Manchester, England
Ben Ullery, viola (1990-1992)
Viola, Minnesota Orchestra
Jessica Valeri, horn (1991-1993)
Horn, San Francisco Symphony
Jenni Volby, violin (1991-1995)
Violin Instructor, Twin Cities MN
Emily Vold, violin (2002-2007)
Violin Teacher-River Road Elementary ,Columbus, GA
Violin, Columbus & LeGrange Symphonies
Sonja (Grete) Wangensteen, harp (1999-2001) SSCW
Sonja completed her first year at The Juilliard School and then went to The Curtis Institute and received a BA, Music Performance-Harp in 2007. She continued to pursue an MM in harp performance at Indiana University.
Miranda Wardell Bryan, flute (1997-2002)
Operations Manager, GTCYS
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Whipple, violin (1999-2007) SSCW
Elizabeth is attending Cleveland Institute of Music as a violin performance major.
Nathan Wilson, violin (1997-1998)
Owner, Integrity Music Academy, MN
Gary Alan Wood, clarinet (1977-1979)
Director, Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield CT
Gary is responsible for all programming and management of the 760-seat Kelley Theater, the 120-seat Wien Experimental Theatre (Black Box) and the Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery.
Barry Zumwalde, trombone (1992-1995)
Band Director-Forest Lake High School, MN
We would love to hear from you. Drop us an email at mys@mnyouthsymphonies.org and let us know what you are doing.
MYS Quarter Notes
The January 2012 MYS newsletter is now available. Click Here to download the January 2012 Quarter Notes.
Alumni Committee
We want to involve as many alumni as possible in the 40th anniversary celebration and beyond. We need alumni to help brainstorm ideas, organize events, locate alumni and other related tasks. Kristine Dizon Graybar is the alumni committee chair. If you would like to play an active role in MYS today, please contact her at, kristine.j.dizon@gmail.com, or call her at, 651-730-5953.or call the MYS office at 651-699-5811.
MYS News
The January 2012 MYS newsletter is now available. Click Here to download the January 2012 Quarter Notes.