Gregory Walker, concertmaster Since his marathon performance of Bruch’s Kol Nidre, an original arrangement of Ora No Omboko and his own Bad Rap for Violin and Chamber Orchestra with the Colorado Symphony on a borrowed Stradivarius in 1996, Gregory Walker has been featured with American orchestras such as the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Breckenridge Festival Orchestra, Ft. Collins Symphony, Yaquina Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and abroad at Great Britain’s Lake District Music Festival, Cuba’s Encuentro Musical de los Americas, and the Spoleto Festival in Italy. A professor of music at the University of Colorado at Denver, Dr. Walker is equally at home on acoustic and electric instruments having recorded Kaleidoscope: The Music of African American Women with pianist Helen Walker-Hill and appeared with pop star Lyle Lovett. Albums available on CRI, Orion, Leonarda, and Albany labels feature the "silky violin tone and beautifully calibrated phrasing" described by the Newark Star-Ledger. His 2006 Electric Vivaldi Newport Classic enhanced compact disc, an interpretation/remix of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons violin concerti with the Boulder Philharmonic, provided license for the incorporation of synthesizer programming, experimental and popular styles. Walker’s contributions to the American contemporary musical scene are acknowledged in a cover story in the April 2007 International Musician magazine. During the 2009-2010 season, he has been engaged to record with the Sinfonia Varsova in Warsaw, Poland and present the world premiere of the George Walker Violin Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Upcoming projects include the production of an internationally-distributed documentary focusing on his journey from the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra to perform with Dalit caste musicians in Kerala, India.
Yenlik Bodaubay Weiss Yenlik Bodaubay Weiss was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan and began to study violin at age of seven. She graduated from the Baiseitova music college and Almaty State Conservatory with honors and performed with orchestras throughout Kazakhstan, Germany, and the US. She completed a Masters Degree in Violin Performance at Cleveland and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was a graduate assistant in the studio of Professor Oswald Lehnert. She has performed with Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Mahler Festival, and Colorado Music Festival, and has been a member of the Boulder Philharmonic since 2000. Additionally, she has been a featured soloist for the Steamboat Springs Chamber Orchestra, Aurora Symphony, and on Colorado Public Radio. In 2007 she moved with her husband and daughter to La Canada, CA, and recently became a member of Redlands Symphony and San Bernardino Symphony Orchestras.
Michelle Davis Michelle Davis, violin, is originally from upstate New York. She attended the University of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree while working with Paul Kantor. Ms. Davis chose to stay at the University of Michigan for graduate work where she completed two Master’s Degrees, one in Violin Performance and another in Chamber Music. Ms. Davis moved to Denver during the summer of 2004 with her husband and won a position with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Davis has played in the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, as well as with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Ilya Goldberg Ilya Goldberg, a native of Perm, Russia, is an active performer of all genres. He has performed with several orchestras throughout Russia and the United States, such as Izhevsk Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra "Allegro", Perm Symphony Orchestra, Red (Orchestra), Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cleveland Bach Consort. He has given chamber music concerts as guest violinist of the Vinca Quartet, and is currently a member of both the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and the Colorado Music Festival. He began studying violin at the age of seven with Tatyana Shevzova, and later pursued his violin studies with Donald Weilerstein, Paul Kantor and Judith Ingolfsson, Lina Bahn and Edward Dusinberre, receiving his Bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Master’s of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
VIOLIN 2
Sarah Delevoryas Sarah Delevoryas (Violin II) is a violinist with 25 years experience as a teacher and orchestral performer. Mrs. Delevoryas lives in Broomfield where she maintains a private Suzuki studio. She has been a member of the Boulder Philharmonic since 1997; she has been a member of the Boulder Chamber Orchestra since 2007. Mrs. Delevoryas is the String Orchestra Teacher at The Academy of Charter Schools in Westminster. Before moving to Colorado from California, Mrs. Delevoryas held orchestra positions with the Fremont Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, and Monterey Symphony. She was Concertmaster of the Livermore Symphony. At the University of CA, Santa Cruz, she studied violin with Roy Malan and received a B.A. in Music. Her early professional opportunities were with the Reno Chamber Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic and Fargo-Moorhead Symphony.
CELLO
Charles Lee, principal Dr. Charles C. Lee, cellist/ composer/ conductor, received his bachelor’s degree in composition/piano from the Eastman School of Music where he won the Bernard Rogers composition award. After receiving a master’s degree in cello performance at Temple University under Jeffrey Solow, he moved to Boulder to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree under Judith Glyde at the University of Colorado, which he received in 2004. Dr. Lee has been principal cellist of the Boulder Philharmonic orchestra since 1998, and principal cellist of Colorado Ballet Orchestra since 2002. In addition to performing actively in the region as a chamber musician, he also appears frequently with the Central City Opera House and the Colorado Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Lee is currently serving as instructor of cello, conductor of the string ensemble and director of chamber music at the Regis University in Denver.
Eleanor Wells Eleanor Wells, cellist, graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts high school division in 1995 and went on to study at the University of Colorado, Boulder, as a full scholarship student with Judith Glyde. While at the University of Colorado, she received the Denes Koromzay Quartet Award and placed in the finals of the honors competition two years in a row. She also spent several summers at the Eastern Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. Her teachers have included John Erhlich, Yehuda Hanani, Robert Marsh, and Charles Wendt. Ms. Wells received her M.M. from the University of California at Santa Barbara where she studied with Geoffrey Rutkowski. Currently, she is pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree at CU Boulder. She is also a member of Boulder Philharmonic, Central City Opera and the Colorado Ballet.
Anne Brennand Cellist Anne Brennand is a member of the Boulder Philharmonic and the Greeley Symphony. She has also played in the St. Mary's Baroque Orchestra, Colorado Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson dance, Denver Chamber Orchestra, Fort Collins Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony, Springfield Orchestra, Northeastern Philharmonic, Pennsylvania Ballet, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the National Orchestral Association. She has participated in the Domaine School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians, the Blossom Festival Orchestra in Ohio, and the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Ashland, Oregon. Ms. Brennand holds a Master of Music in cello performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she received the Denes Koromzay Chamber Music Award, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. She is a member of the Serenata String Quartet in Boulder, and teaches students of all ages. Georgia Blum George Blum has been a cellist with the Boulder Philharmonic since 1985. Georgia has her roots in the Midwest, born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois to an outstanding musical family. Father, Carl and mother, Grace were both violinists; brother Richard, long-time member of the Pro Arte String Quartet and brother Philip, a cellist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 54 years. In the early 1980's, Georgia learned to play the cello. With her mother on violin she joined the Longmont Symphony as a cellist for several years before becoming a member of the Boulder Philharmonic. However, her lifelong passions are varied. Georgia worked 15 years as a master tutor for the CU athletic department, spent her early years in teaching, followed by extensive traveling in sales with three major airlines, coupled with a brief stint as a CPA but always returning to what she seemed to love; working with people and a love for music.
BASS
Bob Orecchio A Colorado native, Bob Orecchio began playing the bass at the age of 10. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Double Bass performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1996, where he studied with Paul Erhard. After college, he also studied privately with the late Ken Harper of the Colorado Symphony. As a student, Bob received a scholarship from the Boulder Philharmonic and played with the orchestra as a student member. He officially joined the orchestra in 1997. In addition to his passion for classical music, Bob is a wine enthusiast and amateur horticulturist. He enjoys sharing his hobbies with his family and friends.
HARP
Kathleen Wychulis, principal Kathleen Wychulis, principal harp of the Lincoln Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic, is a native of Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated cum laude from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Alice Chalifoux and Yolanda Kondonassis, and received her Master of Music degree from Rice University as a student of Paula Page. A Fulbright grant recipient in 2001, Ms. Wychulis traveled to Australia where she studied with Alice Giles at the Australian National University in Canberra. She has performed nationwide as an orchestral soloist and harpist, chamber musician, and recitalist. Active as a supporter of arts non-profits, Kathleen has served on the board of the Omaha Chamber Music Society and the Great Plains Harp Chapter. She has given numerous masterclasses and teaches at the University of Nebraska-Omaha as well as maintaining a private studio in Omaha.
PERCUSSION
Hiroko Okada Hellyer, principal Hiroko Okada Hellyer received her Bachelor of Arts at the Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan and came to the U.S. in 1998 to study with Tim Adams at Carnegie Mellon University. Before coming to the U.S., Mrs. Hellyer was a gold medal winner of the All Japan Ensemble Contest, Percussion Division (1995) and Kansai Ensemble Contest, Percussion Division (1997). Mrs. Hellyer arrived in Denver in 2003 to earn her Masters degree under the tutelage of John Kinzie at the University of Denver. She graduated in 2006 with the distinction of the most outstanding graduate student in performance at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. She has performed with the Brevard Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Grand Teton Music Festival, and Colorado Music Festival. Mrs. Hellyer is also the principal percussionist of the Fort Collins Symphony and resident percussionist with Summit Brass. She also performs as a substitue percussionist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Paul Mullikin, assistant principal Paul Mullikin graduated from Denver School of the Arts in 2001 and received a Bachelor's Degree in Percussion from Denver University in 2005. He has worked with the Colorado, Fort Collins, and Greeley Symphonies, and is currently the assistant principal percussionist with the Boulder Philharmonic. As a drumset player, he performs regularly with many of Denver's finest jazz groups. Paul also enjoys teaching private lessons at the Denver Music Institute and at his home studio.
Michael Tetreault Michael Tetreault holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY and a Master of Music Degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London, UK. Michael is currently Principal Timpanist of the Central City Opera, Fort Collins Symphony and Percussionist with the Boulder Philharmonic. Michael has performed domestically and abroad with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Ballet, Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, Orchestre de Paris, London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra (Dublin), Ulster Orchestra (Belfast), and the Halle Orchestra (Manchester). As a chamber musician Michael has collaborated with Quattro Mani, Alarm Will Sound, Ann Murray and was a founding member of the London Steve Reich Ensemble. He has performed at festivals in England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Germany, and France and has recorded extensively for Albany Records, Warner Bros. Records, Bridge Records, Sony Classical, RTE Radio/TV and the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). FLUTE
Pamela Vliek Martchev, principal Boulder Philharmonic principal flutist Pamela Vliek Martchev has performed extensively in Europe as 2nd flute of Philharmonie der Nationen under conductor Justus Frantz. Since March 2008 she has played 2nd flute and piccolo with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in over 25 programs, working under such conductors as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Edo de Waart, Charles Dutoit, Marin Alsop, Bramwell Tovey, Leonard Slatkin, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, and Gutavo Dudamel. Pamela can be seen in the movie “The Soloist,” and can be heard on multiple movie scores. She is currently the flute teacher at Riverside Community College and San Diego State University, and is married to bassoonist Valentin Martchev.
OBOE
Sarah Bierhaus, principal Dr. Sarah Mellander Bierhaus, oboe/English horn, was born and raised in upstate New York. In addition to being Instructor of Oboe and English horn at the University of Northern Colorado, she is a member of the Antero Winds, formerly known as the Arundo Winds, a Boulder, Colorado-based woodwind quintet with whom she won first prize in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and a silver medal in the wind division of the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Ms. Bierhaus is the principal oboist of the Boulder Philharmonic and Fort Collins Symphony Orchestras and plays second oboe and English horn in the Central City Opera orchestra. Her extensive orchestral experience has also included performances with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Binghamton Philharmonic, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, numerous college ensembles, and the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. As a soloist, she has performed with the Finger Lakes Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Carleton College orchestra, and the CU Boulder Symphony Orchestra.
Tenly Williams In addition to performing on oboe and English horn with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Tenly Williams is principal oboist of the Steamboat Springs Orchestra and founding member of the Mountain Music Duo. A Colorado native, Tenly is happy to be living in Denver after completing her Master of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin in 2005 and her Bachelor of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music in 2001. Tenly teaches students of all ages and abilities at the Denver School of the Arts, Parlando School for the Arts in Boulder, and the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. A commercial reed maker for Midwest Musical Imports since 2004, Tenly presents reed making workshops in addition to master classes, entrepreneurship seminars, and recitals.
Max Soto Max began his musical education with the Orquesta Sinfonica Juvenil de Costa Rica which allowed him to study with Principal Oboist Jorge Rodriguez and helped to cultivate a passion for Classical Music and the Oboe. Max arrived in the USA in 1996 at the Loyola University of New Orleans and received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. Max began his professional career performing a season with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as Assistant Principal Oboist. Max moved to Denver in 2002 in order to pursue his Masters Degree in Music Performance, He attended the Lamont School of Music at Denver University and graduated in 2004. Max went on a whirlwind tour of the United States and Canada performing The Pirates of Penzance with the London based Carl Rosa Opera Company in 2007. He has performed with the Colorado Ballet, Fort Collins Symphony, Steamboat Springs Orchestra, Emerald City Opera, and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and appears at various music festivals with small ensembles all over the state of Colorado. In addition to playing with the Boulder Philharmonic, Max also appears as Assistant Principal Oboist of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Oboist for the Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra.
CLARINET
Stephanie Zelnick, principal Stephanie Zelnick, Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Kansas, has performed as a soloist and orchestral clarinetist throughout the United States, South America, and Europe to great critical acclaim, The San Francisco Classical Voice called her playing “simply sublime,” while the Boulder Daily Camera praised her “exquisite clarinet solos.” Dr. Zelnick is the principal clarinet of the Central City Opera, and the Boulder Philharmonic and has served as principal clarinet of the Mississippi Symphony, Czech Chamber Philharmonic, Greeley Philharmonic, and the Johann Strauss Opera in Vienna. She has also performed with numerous orchestras throughout the United States and Europe, including the Kansas City Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Colorado Symphony, and the Colorado Music Festival. Kim Peoria Since 2000 Kim Peoria has played bassoon in the Boulder Philharmonic and since 1992 he has spent his summers playing in the orchestra of Central City Opera, where he is also the Orchestra Manager. He is frequently asked to play as a substitute or extra player with the Colorado Symphony in Denver. Before moving to Colorado he was principal bassoon for 16 seasons with the Virginia Symphony and Virginia Opera in Norfolk. He has a degree in Bassoon Performance from Carnegie-Mellon University, where he studied with Arthur Kubey. He has also studied with Mark Popkin and John Miller. Twice Mr. Peoria was honored as “Artist of the Year” by the Virginia Chapter of Young Audiences, Inc. for his work with school children in Virginia.
TRUMPET
Kenneth Aikin Ken has been a freelance trumpet player in the Boulder area since moving to Colorado in 1986. He has played 2nd trumpet with the Boulder Philharmonic since 1987. He has also performed with the Boulder Brass, the Colorado Ballet, the Colorado Music Festival and the Greeley Philharmonic. He also enjoys playing chamber music and jazz.
TROMBONE
Bron Wright, principal Bron Wright has served as Principal Trombonist with the Boulder Philharmonic since 2008. He has toured and performed on numerous occasions with the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, Robert Spano, James Conlin, and Sir Neville Marriner; the Boston Pops Orchestra under John Williams, Keith Lockhart and Harry Ellis Dickson; and the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson-Thomas giving performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 in Rome, Italy and Berio’s Sinfonia in Carnegie Hall. As a soloist, Bron has toured to over 35 countries including China, South Africa, Egypt, Poland, Germany, Russia, Denmark, and Thailand. Bron currently teaches trombone and euphonium at the University of Colorado at Denver. He also holds the Principal Trombone positions of both the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Fort Collins Symphony, and as 2nd Trombone of the Crested Butte Music Festival.
Pete Vriesenga Pete Vriesenga is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, with emphasis on bass trombone/tuba performance. He also performs with the Boulder Brass, and frequently performs as an extra for the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Springs Philharmonic. Past performance credits include the Orquesta Sinfonica de Xalapa (Mexico), and also legendary performers that include Tony Bennet, Nelson Riddle, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Mel Torme. In addition to his performance credits, Pete has served as President of the Denver Musicians Association (American Federation of Musicians) since 1995.