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).

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.

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.

BOARD MEMBERS

Marilyn Munger
Vice President
OFFICERS

Alex Pimentel
Webmaster

Nellie Johnson
Social Media Coordinator

Alex Nghiem
President

Erin Heiser
Secretary
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


