Celebrating Our 74th Season of Free Public Performances
Meet Our Musicians
45 core musicians make up the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. They are in all walks of life, play different instruments, and play in many different ensembles throughout Minnesota when they are not playing with the Pops.
Note: Some members have links to more information on their Player Profiles in our Blog.
FLUTE
Kay Sahlin
FLUTE
Erica Duggan
OBOE
Merilee Klemp
OBOE
Dana Maeda
CLARINET
Shelley Hanson
CLARINET
Karl Diekmann
BASSOON
Carole Smith
BASSOON
Matthew Bertrand
HORN
Caroline Lemen
HORN
Chuck Hodgson
horn
Allison Akins
HORN
Jenna McBride-Harris
Violin i
Huldah Niles
violin i
Emily Saathoff
VIOLIN I
Zach Saathoff
Violin i
Eric Olson
VIOLIN II
Karl Braaten
VIOLIN II
David Mickens
VIOLIN II
VIOLIN II
Lorie Hippen Enblom
CELLO
Adrianna O'Brien
BASS
David Block
BASS
John Michael Smith
BASS
Connie Martin
Staff &
Management
Eric Olson, Executive Director and Grant Writer
Emily Saathoff, Librarian
Mike Peiffer, Operations Manager
Conor O’Brien, Educational Outreach Coordinator
Board of Directors

Cynthia Stokes
President
Flutist, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (retired); Faculty, St. Olaf College (retired)

Vinothini Ambrose
Vice-President
Consultant, Marcus Buckingham Company

William Goldman
Treasurer
Accountant and Professional Cellist

Emily Wildberger
Secretary
Project Manager, Target

Tamara Block
Board Member
Attorney, Tamara D. Block, LLC

Sabrina Fay
Board Member
Financial Advisor with Confetti Wealth at Ameriprise Financial

Milanda Landis
BOARD MEMBER
Director of Development, Planned Parenthood North Central States

Lucia Magney
BOARD MEMBER
Former Executive Director, Minneapolis Pops Orchestra

Huldah Niles
Board Member
Violinist, Mill City String Quartet