Musicians
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra has a core of full time professional musicians complemented by contracted professional and community players as needed for concert performances.
Maestra Rosemary Thomson - Chair generously sponsored by FH&P Lawyers
Tim Watson, stage and personnel manager
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Susan Schaffer
Asst. Concertmaster
Harmony Acura & Harmony Honda Chair
Susan Aylard
Gertrude & Ludwig Klein Memorial Fund Chair
Susan Aylard, violin I section chair since 1999, is well known in the Shuswap and Okanagan Valley as a professional violinist who focuses her energy performing with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and freelancing with the Kamloops and Prince George Symphony Orchestras.
Susan began Suzuki violin studies at the age of three and was a consistent winner of local music festivals, culminating in first place in Senior Strings at the BC Festival of the Arts, Susan specialized in violin while pursuing a degree in church music at the Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg.
She continued her studies at the University of Manitoba, acting as concertmaster of the University Orchestra for three years while completing a BA in violin performance. Her "Sabeon Trio" twice competed in the Canadian National Music competitions as Manitoba's representative for Chamber Groups.
After completing her studies, Susan spent two years as assistant concertmaster of the Prince George Symphony and as Music Director and Suzuki specialist at the Prince George Music School before making her move to the interior of BC. There she taught at the community music school, and played as second violin and then Concertmaster in the Kamloops Symphony, until joining the Okanagan Symphony as a core member in 1999, and continuing to teach privately.
Fiddling with a band has always been one of her goals. After years of searching for the right mix, she formed The Cats and the Fiddle. Two of her favourite fiddle stars are Natalie McMaster and Leahy. Mad Pudding was also an inspiration because they showed how classically trained musicians can create awesome folk bands. Further inspiration is the eclectic combination of cellist YoYo Ma, fiddler Mark O'Conner and bassist Edger Mayer. What a great mix! Susan's playing is a mix of all these great artists combined with over 30 years of classical training. Because she doesn't want to sound too old we should clarify that she began her studies at the age of 2-1/2.
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Imant Raminsh
Principal
Nixon Wenger Legal Services Chair
Imant Raminsh, OSO Principal Violin II since 1977, is a Latvian-born Canadian composer of mostly orchestral and choral works that have been performed throughout the world. He completed his ARCT diploma in violin at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and a BMus program at the University of Toronto and then spent two years at the Salzburg Mozarteum, where he studied composition, conducting, fugue, and violin. In addition, he has privately studied biology and geology.
Liz Lupton
OSO section chair 2 /violin II since 2009. First played OSO section chair violin I in 1990.
Yvonne Kushnier
OSO Principal Viola 1982-2010.
OSO Violin II section chair 2010.
Amid accolades, Yvonne stepped down (retired) in May 2010 to a welcoming chair in the Violin II section.
Sandra Wilmot
A former OSO mentor student, Sandra has been playing violin professionally for the past seven years with various orchestras and ensembles throughout BC, Saskatoon, and Toronto. She has had the privilege of working with many of Canada's most distinguished musicians through trainings, workshops, and collaborations. Sandra began teaching violin in 2003 and currently maintains a large studio of private students. She also holds positions with both the Kamloops and Okanagan Symphony Orchestras, is on faculty at the Kelowna Community Music School, and is a Board member of the Okanagan Choral Society. Sandra enjoys sharing her passion for music with the children at Kelowna Waldorf School and being involved in various other arts organizations throughout the Okanagan Valley including: , Kelowna Kiwanis Music Festival, Chamber Music Kelowna, Kelowna Community Concert Society, and the Youth Symphony of the Okanagan.
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Ashley Kroecher
Acting principal
Wendy and Bill McCracken Chair
Sylvie Lange
Wendy and Bill McCracken Chair
Plays OSO section chair viola since 2006.
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George Kiraly
Principal
Dr. Randall and Lynn Fairey Chair
John Wells
Martin Kratky
Martin Krátký first performed with the OSO in April 2010.
Martin keeps on his feet, sitting principal cello in the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra, freelancing with the Okanagan Symphony, and playing in chamber groups all through the valley. He is on faculty at the KSO Music School, the Kelowna Community Music School, and the Penticton Academy of Music, teaching students in each city weekly.
Formerly principal cellist of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Martin graduated from the University of Toronto and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he specialized in period performance. His teachers have included Shauna Rolston, Catharina Meints, Christina Mahler, and the late Ann Vallentyne. Student mentorship from the St. Lawrence, Miró, and Colorado String Quartets, as well as two residencies at the Banff Centre, offered lasting inspiration. Masterclasses with Raphael Wallfisch, Ronald Leonard, and Aldo Parisot directed his later artistic and pedagogical steps.
In his free time, Martin enjoys paddling and angling from his Tappen-built cedar strip kayak, helping out at a friends’ farm in Chase, and enjoying the occasional pint of Crannóg Ales. He performs on a cello made in 2009 by Wolfgang Schrottner of Kamloops.
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Margaret Burton
Principal
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Walt Burton
Principal
Ray and Anne Morris Chair
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Rita Wells
Principal
Dr. Kong Khoo & Noelle Nadeau Chair
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Audrey Tannant
Principal
Dr. Murray and Yvonne Flock Chair
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Wade Dorsey
Principal
OSO principal trombone. First played with OSO in 1994.
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