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OUR CONDUCTORS

DR. DAVID OERTEL

Conductor, Musical Director

Dr. David Oertel is Music Director and Conductor of the Starlight Symphony Orchestra and the Austin Philharmonic, both located in central Texas. Oertel has conducted orchestras in Houston, TX, Greensboro, NC, Austin, TX, St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Czech Republic. He was an adjunct professor at High Point University (NC) and North Carolina A&T University and has taught classes at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Oertel has won or been a finalist for several years of The American Prize, including winning first place in 2018 for orchestral programming. He is also a co-author for the 6th edition of the standard reference book, Daniels’ Orchestral Music (2022), and co-author of Choral-Orchestral Repertoire: A Conductor’s Guide, Omnibus Edition (2019).

Dr. David Oertel, Conductor

MARTY MASSENGALE

Assistant Conductor

Marty joined the Austin Philharmonic in 2024 and was appointed Assistant Conductor in 2025, bringing with him an extensive musical background. He has directed ensembles in schools, churches, and community theatres, working with adults, youth, and children across choirs, orchestras, handbell choirs, and multiple musical productions. His academic foundation spans several disciplines. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music Education degree from Liberty University, with anticipated completion in 2026. He also holds a Master of Arts in English from Arizona State University and a Master of Church Music from Lee University. His undergraduate degrees are from East Tennessee State University, where he attended on a band scholarship. In addition to his studies and music directing, Marty is a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience developing and teaching online courses for community colleges and universities. He currently serves as an online adjunct instructor at ETSU and also works locally with the business and education team of a technology company. Marty is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Austin Philharmonic and looks forward to making music with friends at rehearsals and performances.

Marty Massengale, Assistant Conductor

Scott Morgan Biggs

Assistant Conductor

Scott Morgan Biggs is a native Austinite who has enjoyed music all his life. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, University of North Texas, and UT here in Austin. His significant teachers were Priscilla McLean, Kathryn Mishell, Arthur Berger, Douglas Buys, Robert Ceely, Eric Barnes, and Thomas Clark. He has been playing anti-professionally since the 1980s.

Scott Biggs, Assistant Conductor

BOARD MEMBERS

Marilyn Munger, Vice President

Marilyn Munger

Vice President

OFFICERS

Alex Pimentel, Webmaster

Alex Pimentel

Webmaster

Nellie Johnson, Social Media Coordinator

Nellie Johnson

Social Media Coordinator

Alex Nghiem, President

Alex Nghiem

President

Erin Heiser, Secretary

Erin Heiser

Secretary

Kate McDermott, Treasurer

Kate McDermott

Treasurer

Craig Luthy, At-Large

At-Large

OUR MUSICIANS

VIOLIN I

Erin Heiser+, Concertmaster
Anisah Majeed
David Gluzman
Kate McDermott+
Matthew Hemenway
Nicholas Marshall
Quynh-Lan Ngo

BASS

Miranda Barajas-Arellano,

Principal

Jeremy Williams 

BASSOON

Stephanie Lochet, Principal

Scott Biggs

EUPHONIUM

Seth Butler, Principal

VIOLIN II

Craig Luthy+, Principal
Arthur Shvartsman
Diana Sormani
Holly McClarin+
Liz Levy
Mary Langlois

FLUTE

Marilyn Munger+, Principal
Nellie Johnson+ (Piccolo)
Sammi Nelson

HORN

Leslie Poer, Principal
Caitlin Ekvall
Kalyn Cordova
Marc Frazier
Marty Massengale
Rachel Quintel

TUBA

David Stoddard, Principal

VIOLA

Luis De Santiago, Principal
Alex Pimentel+
Elizabeth Delao
Marjorie Halloran

OBOE

Andrew Ross, Principal
Agnes Savich
Elisa Pinno
Mitchell Spangler

(English Horn)

TRUMPET

Kitty Draper, Principal
Amelia Nelson
Ariston Awitan III

PERCUSSION

Jacob Saenz, Principal
Jim Trussell

CELLO

Alex T. Nghiem+, Principal
Alyssa Sollazzo
Andrew Cali
Caroline Bowers
David McGinnis
Hannah Ray
Heather Bates
Jennifer Hong
Lynn Wallisch
Tiffany Holder
Virginia Raleigh

CLARINET

Arthur DiBianca, Principal

Delan Barrett

TROMBONE

Chris Glenn, Principal
Brian Green
Giuseppe Maccagnan

(Bass Trombone)

Rob Muñoz

+Board Member

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©2026 Austin Philharmonic, Inc.

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