Our Musicians
Strings
Jessie Bangs
Violin
Katharine Brumbaugh
Bass
Valerie Cantrell
Cello
Kathy Ellis
Violin
Jeff Grauzer
Bass
Lola Jennings
Violin
Katherine Feo Kelly
Bass
Bambi Lowman
Violin - Concert Master
Craig Luthy
Violin
Playing violin for 20+ years (10 years with APO). Born and raised in New Jersey, Craig is married and has 2 daughters. He works for TEKsystems, an IT consulting company.
Brodie McDougald
Violin
Danna McVey
Violin
Since moving to Austin in 1993, I have enjoyed working as a teacher, a librarian, and most recently a tech-support coach/trainer/team manager for Apple Computer. I rediscovered the joy of playing with an orchestra when I joined the Philharmonic in January 2009; so grateful for such a welcoming and wonderful group of people! When not playing second violin for the Philharmonic and the St. Edward's University Orchestra, singing with the Texas Choral Consort's Open Symposiums, or singing and playing the banjo, dulcimer, fiddle, and tambourine with a great group of friends, I love being home with my husband, our three cats, and our dog.
Evan Nave
Violin
Alex Nghiem
Cello
Neal Nuwash
Bass
Virginia Raleigh
Cello
Retired computer programmer; late bloomer on the cello; member of the Silver Strings; part time artist; world traveler; renaissance woman.
Allen Reyes
Violin
Sara Ross
Violin
I am a retired systems analyst and currently, webmaster for my church. I began playing violin in 7th grade and played through high school. I put away my violin when I entered college and didn't play regularly again until 1977 when, encouraged by son Andy Ross (oboe), began playing with the Austin Community Orchestra. The rest of my family comprises husband David, very loyal member of our audience, Andy's wife Leslie Poer (horn) and Son Michael an Electrical Engineer living in Florida.
Edward Sledge
Violin, Viola, Cello
I play cello, violin and viola (one at a time). I went to UT Austin and majored in music theory/composition. I founded the Austin Civic Orchestra in October, 1977 and have played in various community orchestras and chamber groups since 1969. I am an incurable Beethoven fanatic - especially the late string quartets and piano sonatas and especially the "Grosse Fuge", Op. 133 and the "Hammerclavier" Piano Sonata, Op. 106. I recommed these to anyone who might think that music is "pretty".
Lynn Wallisch
Cello
Lynn has lived in NY, NJ, MA, MI, WI, Brazil and France, but feels most at home in Austin. She played flute, recorder, oboe and piano in HS and college, but always dreamed of playing a string instrument. One day as an adult she encountered a flyer for cello lessons tacked to a telephone pole and knew the time had come! When not happily playing her cello in orchestra or chamber music groups, Lynn works as a research scientist at the UT School of Social Work.
Woodwinds
Heather Cooke
Oboe
Arthur DiBianca
Clarinet
Arthur DiBianca has played the clarinet since the mid-1980s, and has played with the Austin Philharmonic since 2007. He is slightly better known for his work with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin.
Spencer Ledlow
Clarinet
Played clarinet 7th - 12th grades and resumed about 5 years ago. Also played cello for last 25 years. Interests also include tennis, stock market, sound reproduction.
Stephanie Lochet
Bassoon
Stephanie has been playing bassoon since 6th grade. She continued to play through college at the University of Texas at Tyler, where she graduated with a degree in English in 2004. She played in the Tyler Community Band and joined the Austin Philharmonic in the Fall of 2007.
Marlyn Munger
Flute
Walter Pasciak
Bassoon
Andy Ross
Oboe
Andy has played oboe since 6th grade and has played in most of the community groups in Austin, including the Austin Civic Orchestra, The Austin Wind Ensemble, and the Brushy Creek Band. He is a founding member of the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Missy Trowbridge
Flute
Brass
Oscar Botello
Horn
Jim Hadden
Trombone
My involvement started in the 1990's when my erst-wife was
teaching a class at the LBJ School at UT on the APO's rehearsal
night. I was the principal bassoon until the second trombonist
left the group. Since my son had recently left his trombone
behind when he went to college, I became the joint principal bassoonist/second trombonist, later also principal trombonist; when I lost the use of most of my left hand in 1995, I gave up the bassoon.
Sara Hartman
Horn
Giuseppe Maccagnan
Trombone
Rebecca Newman
Horn
Leslie Poer
Horn
Esther Porter
Horn
I played French Horn in High School and College. Took a 20 year break, for marriage and family, been active in community music groups since 1981, married for 47 years and I retired in 1996 after being a Budget Analyst with the Texas State Health Dept.
David Stoddard
Tuba
David Stoddard played cornet and trumpet in high school and college, then switched to tuba. A fine traditional jazz player, he plays tuba and valve trombone with a variety of jazz ensembles in the Austin area. He is also at home in brass ensembles, concert bands and German bands. Dave has been with the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra since 2003.
David Swann
Trumpet
Percussion
Brad Jones
Percussion
Brad, originally from North Carolina, has been living in Austin for 8 ½ years. He began playing percussion in 6th grade and continued to participate in classroom bands and orchestras through college. Brad has been a member of APO for the last 5 years.
Alan Smith
Percussion