Alumni Directory
Welcome to the Alumni Directory
Scroll down to see a few alumni updates. If you'd like to be added, please e-mail your update to information@portlandyouthphil.org We look forward to hearing from you.
1930s
Barbara Bell (piccolo/flute) Portland Junior Symphony 1932-1936
"It was a wonderful, enriching experience for which I am forever grateful," says Barbara about her years with the Junior Symphony. Since then she has participated in various chamber groups, played for church and with the Derthick Music Club. TOP
Laird C. Brodie (French horn) Portland Junior Symphony 1937-1943
Laird went on to play in many orchestras and chamber music groups. He no longer plays, but enjoys listening to music. His children: Ann Brodie-Knope, Carol B. Davis and Walter E. Brodie all played in the PJS or Prep Orchestras, as did his brother Alan R. Brodie and his sister Eleanor. TOP
Vlasta N. Barber (viola) Portland Junior Symphony, 1939-1943
After PJS, Vlasta played one year in the Reed College Orchestra. Vlasta went on to work for the IRS for 30 years, and remained active in her community and the arts, including: membership on the Board of Arts Commission of Tigard, Tualatin and Sherwood from, the Tigard Historical Sites Commission, and more. TOP
Rod Bland (trombone) and Robert Nace (tuba) both 1939-1941
They lost touch for awhile following their years in PYP. But 54 years later Robert and Rod became close again when Rod's first wife was suffering from a terminal illness. When Rod remarried in 2001 Robert was the best man in Rod's wedding. TOP
1940s
Zana Dorres (violin) Portland Junior Symphony 1940-1942
Zana currently plays in the University of Portland Community Orchestra. Other music related activities since leaving the PJS include choral singing and directing. TOP
Douglas Van Fleet (French horn) Prep Orchestra 1945-1946 and Portland Junior Symphony 1946-1950
Douglas' musical pursuits since leaving the orchestra include playing with the Oregon Symphony, the Chamber Symphony and the Portland Summer Band. His daughter Laura Van Fleet was a member of the PYP from 1982-1986. TOP
Charles G. Hadduck (tuba) Portland Junior Symphony 1947-1948
Charles, a volunteer pastor, has continued playing music through his church orchestra. TOP
1950s
Judy Clarence (violin) Prep Orchestra 1952-1953 and Portland Junior Symphony 1953-1962
Judy's list of musical involvement includes: the Seattle Philharmonic, Contra Costa Symphony, Berkely Community Chorus and Orchestra, and the Cal State Hayward Orchestra as well as several choral groups. She is currently the music librarian at California State University Hayward. Her husband was also a member of the PYP at one time and her mother was the executive secretary of the PJS in the early sixties. TOP
Jerry Larsen (bassoon) Prep Orchestra 1954-1955 and Portland Junior Symphony 1954-1957
Jerry pursued voice and choral work in college. Jerry and his wife, Jan, who was also in the PYP, have moved 14 times over the years - so many times he calls himself a Navy and Corporate Gypsy. TOP
Mark Foster (clarinet/bass clarinet) Conservatory Orchestra 1954-1955 and Portland Junior Symphony 1955-1959, 1962
Mark now lives in Colorado and works as a statistical research analyst, but did go on to play in the OSU/Corvallis Symphony before leaving Oregon. TOP
Victoria (Poulette) Jicha (piccolo/flute) Conservatory Orchestra 1956-1958 and Portland Junior Symphony 1958-1963
After the PJS, Victoria went on to receive a Bachelor's of Music from Indiana University. Currently she is the Director of Music at an Episcopal Church in Illinois. Her sister Valerie Poulette, a concert mistress, played violin in the 70's. TOP
Nancy (Malos) Johnson (violin) 1959-1964
I moved to New Zealand in 1979 intending to stay one year. I became involved in music in the high schools and in pioneering orchestral and string music to children. I was appointed Conductor of the North Shore Youth Orchestra on Auckland's North Shore. In 1989 I conducted Jacob's "Open Sesame" at the Christmas Concert, which later we premiered here in New Zealand with him conducting. And I could go on — but won't! TOP
1960s
Zel Brook (violin) Prep Orchestra 1963-1964 and Portland Junior Symphony 1964-1965
Zel, known as Connie Anderson in her PYP days, has since pursued a career as an artist, including sculpture work and photography. Her sisters, Penny and Pamela, were also in the PYP. Penny plays in the Pittsburgh Symphony and Pamela was trained in Germany and Italy to make violins, violas, and cellos. "I regularly listen to classical music stations even though I lost the ability to play," says Zel. "Each time a piece is played that we played in the PYP, my heart sings." TOP
Anne Cramer (violin) Prep Orchestra 1962-1964 and Portland Junior Symphony 1964-1971
Since leaving the PYP, Anne, attended the Juilliard School and has been in the Portland Maine Symphony, Honolulu Symphony. She is currently employed with the Vancouver (B.C.) Symphony, and CBC Chamber Orchestra. Her sisters Seloy and Betsy and brother Tom were all in the PJS and Betsy Cramer, their mother, was on the board of directors from 1962-1976. TOP
Van Vinikow (violin) Prep Orchestra 1967-1969 and Portland Junior Symphony 1969-1972
Van went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Oregon and upon graduating he became a member of the Reno Philharmonic and Nevada Opera. Van also founded a string quartet called "The String Beings" that plays weddings and other events throughout Lake Tahoe and Reno. Van's sister Patty also played clarinet in the orchestra. TOP
1970s
Eric Guthman (percussion) PYP 1972-1975
Living in Simi Valley, CA since 1979. Married 17 years with one child. E-mail Aquaticus1@aol.com. • TOP
Danette Schuh (violin) PYP 1976-1982
Danette attended Indiana University and received a bachelor's in violin performance and has been playing in the Houston area ever since. She is currently the President of the Houston Area Suzuki Strings Association; the owner of Sunrise Chamber Ensembles, which provides chamber music for events; and she maintains a violin/viola studio. TOP
1980s
Tim Crisp (horn) Prep 1977-1980, PYP 1980-1983
I'm now practicing law, playing in the occasional orchestra and chamber group, and living with my two kids in Madison, Wisconsin. TOP
Peter Ellefson (trombone) PYP 1980-1984
Peter has recently been appointed to the faculty of Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington. He graduated with honors from Linfield College and received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. TOP
Adrienne Inglis (flute/piccolo) PYP 1980-1982
Adrienne Inglis received a Bachelor of Music in Flute at Lewis and Clark College and a Master of Music in Flute at the University of Texas at Austin and has studied with Scott Goff, Karl Kraber, and Bolivian zampoñero Fernando Jiménez. In 1992 she graduated with highest honors with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from UT Austin. She performs, recods, and tours with Latin American Folk Music group, Chaski (www.chaskimusic.com). She teaches flute at Southwestern University and has freelanced extensively as a performing and recording artist in Central Texas for many years. She recorded on the SpyKids 2, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Ride Around the World: A Cowboy Adventure, and The Children's War film soundtracks playing as many as twelve different flutes. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two sons. TOP
Meghan Peddicord (viola) PYP 1981-1984
I left PYP after high school to attend UC Berkeley. Once in northern California, I played viola in various chamber groups and community orchestras including the Kensington Symphony Orchestra in Berkeley, for which I also served as Vice President for two seasons. After setting music aside for seven years to raise my children, I am playing once again, this time for the Tennessee Valley Orchestra, a community orchestra in Marin County, California, where I currently live with my two children, Lily and Charles. Some of my fondest memories of PYP are from our trip to New York, where we performed at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center under the baton of Leonard Bernstein. Thank you, Portland Youth Philharmonic, for such wonderful musical and life-enriching experiences! mpeddicord@kellyfarren.com • TOP
John Lee (violin) Prep 1983-1984, PYP 1985-1989
After finishing undergrad in Boston, I've been living in the Bay Area since 1993 as a product designer and recently moved into SF with my wife. Ran into Lisa Chong (violin) and heard about Jennifer Choi (violin) from time to time. I haven't touched my violin since college but my sister Sooah (cello Prep 1986-1989; PYP 1989 - 1991) has still been playing while living in France and recently moved to Munich. Feel free to drop me a note you '89 European tour alums! jongminlee@hotmail.com. • TOP
Karen Ann Walthinsen (violin) Prep 1984, PYP 1985-1992
I am currently living in Cologne, Germany which I use as a convenient base for freelancing with period instrument orchestras and small ensembles. Cologne has turned out to be a good choice, not only because of the many early music groups in the city, but also because it is easy to travel from here to just about anywhere, which is important since I spend 6-8 months of the year on the road. Highlights of the past few years have been American, European and Scandinavian tours with Cecilia Bartoli and tours, residencies and recordings with my main orchestra Les Musiciens du Louvre. My own ensemble, Mille Feuilles, will make its debut in July 2007 in Zurich. I'm enjoying the freedom and variety in my work. I would love to hear from PYP alumni or my Prep theory students and Young Strings and am happy to receive visitors if you're coming this direction. karenw@omegacs.net • TOP
Heather Megyesi (bass) PYP 1987-1990
10 years in doing educational research with severely handicapped children. Moved to the computer industry, have worked for Pennzoil (Jiffy Lube International) in Houston Texas. Am now back in Portland working for the City. hmegyesi@ci.portland.or.us • TOP
Marc Folsom (violin) Prep 1987-1988, PYP 1988-1990
After my short tour in PYP I went on to graduate from West Point in 95', then on to Korea, Colorado, Philadelphia, and most recently Pittsburgh. I'm currently in sunny Iraq. I guess I have never stayed in one place for very long - come to think of it, I lived in the 2nd violin section longer than any other zip code (except for college)! I think the last time I played a sustained note on the old full size was in 1998. But I still remember the old PYP school daze! I would love to hear from you "classmates" out there MarcFolsom@msn.com. I'd invite you to coffee, but you may run into trouble getting here. TOP
Krista Forsgren (flute) PYP 1988-1989
Krista is currently living in Atlanta with her husband Bobby and her new son Naim. TOP
Saundrah Humphrey (viola) PYP 1988-1991
Saundrah finished her BA in Music at Portland State University then moved on to Seattle. Although my dayjob is in digital imaging, I continue to play viola with Orchestra Seattle since 1994. I also play fiddle with a local country folk band called 'Thornton Creek'. TOP
Peter Johnson (flute) Prep 1987-1988, PYP 1988-1989
Hard to believe it's been fourteen years since I left the Orchestra after the 1989 European Tour -- time certainly flies. After living in Seattle, my wife and I moved to Philadelphia, PA for her residency in pediatrics. I'm practicing law in the field of estate litigation. The flute hasn't seen air for years, but I do manage to get access to a piano (my first instrument) every now and again. peterjjohnson@hotmail.com • TOP
Amy (Lopez) Wertheim (violin) Prep 1986-1988, PYP 1988-1992
Currently living in the Netherlands with my husband, Rob and new son, Tobias, I previously resided in Connecticut, and New York City, having moved to NYC right after both my high school graduation and my departure from PYP. I play violin occasionally for friends' weddings and other social occasions, but do not formally perform on a regular basis. For more information on what I've been up to these past ten+ years, please visit my web site: www.amywertheim.com, or E-mail me at amywertheim@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from old friends! TOP
Stacey (Nichols) Kim (oboe), Prep 1987, PYP 1988-1990
After graduating from Lewis & Clark College in 1994 with a degree in French and Anthropology, I joined the Peace Corps and moved to Gabon, Central Africa for three years. In Africa, I taught English, developed curriculum, and played the oboe on occasion. Back in the states, I got my Masters in Translation and Interpretation (French) at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, then moved to Boston. I've been in Boston since 1999, working primarily in the publishing industry as an editor. I got married in 2004, but very sadly lost my husband John to cancer in April 2007. Before his death, we had boy/girl twins who will be one on June 22, 2007. My life has certainly been eventful. I play oboe occasionally in community groups, although not since the twins were born. I'd love to hear from PYP alum friends: skim@targetlanguage.com • TOP
Gregg Ritchie (double bass) Prep Orchestra 1986-1988 and PYP 1988-1992
Gregg attended Indiana University and currently teaches elementary music. TOP
Marcy (Fetchen) Bacon (clarinet) Prep 1988-1989, PYP 1989-1994
I am still happily making my living with the clarinet. Living in Rochester, NY, commuting to SUNY Fredonia twice a week to teach, giving lessons and coaching clarinet choir at the Hochstein School in Rochester, and just finished my DMA at Eastman. Anticipating more good things to come! Contact me if you like at mdbacon@rochester.rr.com. • TOP
1990s
Christopher Young (violin) PYP 1990-1992, PYCO 1987-1990
He attended college in DC, graduating in 1997, and then moved to Seattle. After a four year stint in the technology industry (and yes, he was in attendance at the PYP concert two years ago in Benaroya Hall!) he embarked in law school in Ann Arbor, MI. TOP
Megumi Stohs (violin) Prep & PYP 1991-2000
I have just moved to Boston to start my M.M. at the New England Conservatory of Music after graduating from the San Francisco Conservatory. It's truly different, switching to the east coast, but all in all, it's great. I am still filled with the great memories of the music and the people in PYP, and if anyone out there wants to get in touch, give me an e-mail! megumistohs@yahoo.com • TOP
Elizabeth (Byrne) Hering (trumpet) Prep 1991-1992, PYP 1992-1994
Currently living in Ann Arbor, Michigan and have been the band and orchestra director at Livonia Churchill High School (www.livonia.k12.mi.us) since 2000.... I've been spending more time on the other end of the baton lately, but still try to play as much as possible. Would love to hear from other alumni, ehering@livonia.k12.mi.us. • TOP
Steven Aho (percussion) PYP 1993-1995
went on to receive a BA from the University of Michigan and an MM from the University of Miami. In addition to teaching percussion at University of Miami, he plays with various orchestras and bands in S. Florida, but is currently on tour full time with Engelbert Humperdinck. TOP
Thais (Cherones) Lomax, (flute & piccolo) PYCO 1992-1993 and PYP 1993-1996
Currently Thais is working as a claim case manager for Liberty Northwest Insurance, but still plays at church and occasional coffee shops. She married in 1999 and has a baby girl who was born in March. TOP
Kristen Fletcher (viola) PYP 1994-1997
Since leaving PYP I've been studying at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I took one year off to be a volunteer in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'll be graduating in August 2003, with a BA in Music. I'm also getting married on June 7th, 2003! Anyone who remembers me is invited to attend a reception we'll be having that night, from 6:30 to 8:30 at 848 SW 206th Ave, Aloha, Oregon. Email me at kf34@email.byu.edu for directions or just to say hi! I'd love to keep up on how everyone's doing! TOP
Richard Allan (cello) PYP 1995-1998
Richard graduated from Princeton and went on to teach in China but came back to pursue graduate school. He can now be found in Salem. TOP
Michael Santos (clarinet) Prep 1994, PYP 1995
I'm writing to tell you that I'm finishing up at the United States Army Element School of Music (U.S.A.E.S.O.M.) in Little Creek, Virginia. After September 3rd, I'll be stationed with the 296th Army Band, Camp Zama Japan. Before I left Portland State University (1996-2000), I went to study at the State University of New York at Purchase (2000-2002) with Ayako Oshima. I want to thank PYP for all their help in my musical education. TOP
Kristina (Brubaker) Birchler, (violin) PYP 1995-1996
Kristina received a Bachelor's degree in violin performance from Eastern Washington University. She is currently working on a Master's degree in violin performance with an emphasis in Suzuki pedagogy. She is married and has a 3 year old daughter. TOP
Gabriel Andeen (Kris Andeen), (percussion) PYCO 1994-1996, PYP 1996-1998
He went on to study English at Stanford University and received a B.A. in June of 2002. TOP
Joe Mengis (percussion) PYP 1996-1998
I still reside in Portland...my favorite city. Thank you PYP for an awesome experience. I have kept many close relationships with friends I met while playing in the orchestra. I am still playing music full time. As well as playing, I am A&R for a launch label and music marketing company called radiocontraband.com. I am also partners with Kyle Lockwood (PYP alumni) in a music production company called Setec. Say hi to me at joe@radiocontraband.com • TOP
Anne Wylie (cello) PYCO 1997-2000
Anne is currently attending the University of Washington, majoring in Biology and European Studies. TOP
Rebecca Appert (violin) Prep 1994-95 & 1996-97, PYP 1998-2000
I now work for the Shar Violin Shop in Ann Arbor, MI as the Suzuki/ASTA Outreach Coordinator and a Sales Representative working with teachers on both local and national levels. I also maintain a small violin studio, while freelancing throughout Michigan with all the local orchestras. RebeccaA@sharmusic.com • TOP
James Salamanca (percussion) PYP 1998-2002
Dear PYP, It seems to have been a century since I last played percussion and timpani with the group. I left to go serve my country in the World's finest US Marine Corps as a Demolitions Specialist, cross trained in the TOW (Tube Launched, Optically Tracked, Wire Command Link) guided missle weapon system. I left for boot camp Aug. 11th, graduated Nov. 21st. Was sent to the Marine Corps School of Infantry and learned my job. I am now stationed in Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, HI, getting ready to go on deployment for mission operations in Southeast Asia. Which our first stop I heard was Singapore to do humanitarian work. So a lot has happened since I left, but my experience and the music will always be with me in all my travels and all my trials. Keep at it, you do good things. Semper Fidelis from your alumni and Marine, Private First Class Salamanca, James Christian, US Marines TOP
Anna Laura Epp (oboe) PYP 1999-2000 and PYCO 1996-1997
Anna is currently a Music Performance Major on Oboe at Biola University in La Mirada, CA. TOP
Pascal Guldener (viola) PYP 1999-2000
Pascal can now be found in Munich, Germany, preparing to study audio engineering at the university for arts in Berlin. TOP
David Heikkinen (clarinet) PYP 1999-2001
David is currently enrolled at Lawrence University under the instruction of Fan Lei. He is performing with the Green Bay Symphony and Lawrence University Symphony this year and went on tour with the Lawrence University clarinet quartet in China during Summer 2002. TOP
