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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

DR. MARTY MASSENGALE

Assistant Conductor

Dr. Marty Massengale 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 recently completed a Doctor of Music Education degree from Liberty University in May 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
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Kate McDermott

President

Erin Heiser, Secretary

Erin Heiser

Secretary

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David McGinnis

Treasurer

Craig Luthy, At-Large

At-Large

Board Members & Officers

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Kate McDermott

President

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Marilyn Munger

Vice President

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Erin Heiser

Secretary

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David McGinnis

Treasurer

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Holly McClarin

Librarian

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Craig Luthy

At-Large

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Nellie Johnson

Social Media Coordinator

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Alex Pimentel

Webmaster

Our Musicians

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Flute

Marilyn Munger+, Principal

Nellie Johnson+​

Piccolo

Nellie Johnson

Oboe

Andrew Ross, Principal

English Horn

Andy Ross

Clarinet

Arthur DiBianca, Principal

Bass Clarinet

Melanie Wedige

Bassoon

Stephanie Lochet, Principal

Scott Morgan Biggs, Assistant Conductor

French Horn

Adrian Diazgonsen

Marty Massengale, Assistant Conductor

Rachel Quintel

Caitlin Ekvall

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Trumpet

Kitty Draper, Principal, Resident Composer

Ariston Awitan III

Trombone

Chris Glenn, Principal

Mike Shirley

Bass Trombone

Guiseppe Maccagnan

Tuba

David Stoddard, Principal

Percussion

Jordan Bueno, Principal

Patrick Hayes

Harp

Hannah Rother, Principal

Violin I

Erin Heiser+, Concertmaster

David Gluzman

Matthew Hemenway

Borami Lee

Anisah Majeed

Kate McDermott+

Amber Polk

Krithika Ravishankar

Mario Salas

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Violin II

Craig Luthy+, Principal

Luciana Bertucci

Mary Joncas

Kelly Larson

Holly McClarin

Danna McVey

Bell Mullen

Ben Mullen

Quynh-Lan Ngo

Cody Price

Maddie Ripley

Stefanie Schultz

Arthur Shvartsman

Diana Sormani

Don Wong

Viola

Luis De Santiago, Principal

Paula Blaha

Elizabeth Delao

Marjorie Halloran

Gauri Kanakkancheril Binup

Alex Pimentel+

Denbigh Shelton

Tera Swaby

Cello

Alex Nghiem+, Principal

Andrew Cali

Jennifer Hong

David McGinnis+

Virginia Raleigh

Hannah Ray

Lynn Wallisch

Lary Warner

Caroline Bowers

Double Bass

Brandon Geraci

Jeremy Williams

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©2026 Austin Philharmonic, Inc.

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