I started viola around 2000 in elementary strings, and then was in Corvallis Junior Symphony and Corvallis Youth Symphony in high school. I was in Willamette Valley Symphony while in college and Pro Musica Corvallis while in grad school.

Is there a piece the orchestra has played that felt especially meaningful to you? Why?

In 2023 when we did the Americana concert, I really enjoyed the piece “Our Wings Have Caught the Wind” by John Keltonic. That piece had a lot of great energy with the fast-moving strings’ parts and some incredible wind parts, especially for the brass. Getting it to speed was a challenge but very worth it.

How do you prepare differently for solos or exposed passages?

For solos with tricky positioning (such as the harmonics solo I had to do a bit ago), I play around with how I’m going to approach it early on so that I make key choices at an early stage. Then I work on that approach at a slow tempo and then spend time with a metronome to get to concert tempo. It’s important to focus on these passages earlier in the season so that more rehearsals can be spent integrating them with the orchestra.

What’s a memorable performance moment—great or disastrous—that stands out?

When I was with the Corvallis Youth Symphony, we had the pleasure of having Pink Martini join us for one of our concerts. That was an incredible and electric experience. A much more recent great experience with WCYO was our concert last winter. Due to our closeness to the audience in the church concert, when the audience stood up and joined in for Auld Lang Syne at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, we could feel a lot of joy and excitement from them.

How do you balance practicing with work, family, or other commitments?

I try to aim for practicing consistently, which doesn’t always mean practicing for a long time if time doesn’t allow, but sometimes just means focusing on a small goal within some passages that I want to improve.

What’s something you’re currently working to improve as a musician?

I’m trying to learn ukulele as I’ve wanted to learn something in the guitar family for a while. Some skills transfer but it's also giving new challenges that are helping me think about music/theory from a different perspective.

What does playing in a community orchestra mean to you personally?

I find performing with a group very rewarding. Compared to solo playing, it calls for dedication to synchronizing with others and working together in real time, which is a great feeling when it all comes together.

Who has been the biggest musical influence in your life?

My private viola teacher when I was younger in Corvallis, Abigail Stoughton, was amazing. I always enjoyed my lessons and learned fundamental skills and approaches to practicing that I continue to use to this day.

What’s the most rewarding part of leading your section?

Though the violas are often hovering around a lower number of players, I think we are still able to deliver a good sound from our section, and it’s always rewarding to everything coming together by concert time.

What advice do you give newer or less experienced section members?

I try to go over the music early in the pre-season/season and point out anything that might be an issue in an email or at rehearsals. At sectional we make sure we're good with rhythm and intonation at key spots at a slower tempo, such that everyone can have a good version in mind.