Player Profiles

Warren Starr: Tuba Warren earned a B.S. degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota in 1980, and a certificate in Gifted/Creative/Talented   Education from the

The Minneapolis Pops Orchestra is happy to be partnering with Twin Cities pianist Dan Chouinard this season to present George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.  The concert

Theresa Elliott: Violin Theresa Elliott, violinist, is also a member of the Lyra Baroque Orchestra, the upper Midwest’s  period instrument ensemble that has toured and recorded 

Michal Sobieski, Violin Michal Sobieski was a violinist with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra from 1979 to 2013.  During his tenure he also appeared as

Rick Gaynor, Trombone After a failed attempt at baseball, (I think it was the bat) I decided all I wanted to do was play music

Brenda Mickens, Violin Brenda Mickens currently is teaching privately and freelancing in the Twin Cities.  She was an SPCO musician for many years, grew up in San

Mark Bjork, Violin Principal Second Violinist Mark Bjork, Professor of Violin and Pedagogy at the University of Minnesota School of Music, is a graduate of

Nancy Bjork, Bass Nancy Bjork, Principal Double Bass, has been teaching pre-college bass students and free-lancing throughout the Twin Cities for well over 40 years,

Joanna Shelton, Violin Joanna Shelton is an Eastman educated freelancer whose playing and teaching have involved her with Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Olaf College,

Neal Bolter: Horn Neal Bolter has been playing the horn professionally for almost 40 years. Some of the musical adventures through the years include: Symphony