Meet the Musicans

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Cherie has played in the Twin Falls, civic Symphony,(Idaho), and the Alton, Symphony (Illinois) Orchestras. She was concertmaster of the Shasta Symphony for almost 20 years, and the Redding Symphony Before it became the North State Symphony. She Was a founding member of Redding’s Performing Arts Society, Trio Français and SonaTrio, and Opus Three. Currently, she is the third seat in the first violin section of the North State Symphony. She earned her music minor from Cal State, LA, studying organ and violin. She has performed string quartets in Romania, Argentina, Italy, France, and England.

Juan Gutierrez serves as a member of the First Violin section of the North State Symphony Orchestra. He holds a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, where he studied under Xavier Turull. In addition, Mr. Gutierrez earned a Business degree from the University of Buenos Aires. Beyond his performing career, he is dedicated to teaching violin and enjoys culinary experimentation with his wife, Maria, and their son, Nicolas.

Alice grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and has played piano and violin since childhood. While studying medieval history and literature at Harvard University, she served as concertmaster of the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra. She has performed with ensembles and artists such as Magik*Magik Orchestra, Berkeley Opera (West Edge Opera), Blixa Bargeld, Father John Misty, and The Dodos—including live performances at SFMOMA, the Performa Biennial, Noise Pop Festival, and Outside Lands Music Festival. Alice has played in the North State Symphony since 2009.

Rebekah has played violin crossing genres from classical to playing/singing in folk, jazz, gypsy and worship bands. She has played on live tv, radio, film score and at cabaret and arts festivals. Rebekah has toured Australasia/South Pacific (Australian YO and AYO Camerata), Germany (Berlin Scandinavian YO) and the USA (Bethel Music). She has performed in the Beijing Concert Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie and the Grand Ole Opry. Rebekah played with the Adelaide Symphony and Adelaide Art Orchestras before moving to the USA in 2009. She has played with NSS since 2014.

Rebekah studied Violin Performance at Elder Conservatorium (Australia) and in Basel (Switzerland). She has recorded her own original instrumentals and songs since 2011. Her latest 2025 project release is “Notes to Nurture - Live at Pilgrim” captured with choreography and a live audience for YouTube. Favorite ?? moments: Singing on Uluru, playing to Ugandan prisoners, making music with children in a dump in the Philippines.

Joel Quivey has been with NSS since its beginning. Other current music activities include concertmaster of the Paradise SO and the local contemporary Latin band Los Caballitos. The list of his private teachers includes Jaroslav Kasal, Vera Barstow, Harris Goldman, and most recently, vocal lessons with Daun Weiss. He studied Violin at USC, but his BA is from the UCLA dept. of Ethnomusicology. Before moving to Chico from Los Angeles his most valuable professional experience was with Mariachi Los Camperos, amplified violin with the Don Ellis band, and numerous Spanish language recording sessions. Past experience in Chico include; concertmaster of the Chico S.O., violin instructor at CSU Chico, lead violin and a singer with Mariachi Mixteco de Chico, and a snare drummer with CCDB fife and drum corps. Like many other musicians he also had a full time "day job"; 30 years as a medical lab tech. with specialties in histology, immunology, and electron microscopy.

Stephanie Costanza has been a violinist with North State Symphony since its inception in 2001. She is also a violinist with Symphony of the Redwoods in Mendocino/Ft Bragg, and has performed with the Berkeley, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, and Stockton Symphonies, Artea Chamber Orchestra, and other groups. On the side, she is an aficionado of Traditional American music, participating in festivals and fiddling for contradances.
Stephanie has taught violin and coached chamber ensembles at Lick-Wilmerding High School, served as a faculty member of the Suzuki String Program at San Francisco State University, and done consulting/teaching at the Mission Dolores Academy string program, SF. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a California Teaching Credential, and a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities.

She is grateful to Charles and Marvey Mueller of Chico, longtime friends, generous sponsors of her chair, and enthusiastic supporters of North State Symphony.

Janetta DeMott has been playing the violin since she was 9 and knew immediately she would pursue it for her career! She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from CSU Stanislaus and obtained her Music Teaching Credential from Simpson University. In 1990 Janetta had the privilege of performing with the CSU Symphony at multiple colleges all over (what was then) the Soviet Union. During her time in California's Central Valley she enjoyed being a member of the Modesto Symphony for 9 years and the Townsend Opera Company for 13 years. She has been a violin/string orchestra instructor in multiple schools of the Redding School District since 2001. Janetta was a member of the Redding and Chico Symphonies back in 1997, before they became the North State Symphony in 2001, and has continued to be a happy member of the North State Symphony to this day!

Sherry McHurd Hanson began playing violin in 4th grade and later switched to viola when the orchestra needed violas. Moving to playing the viola has provided her with many musical opportunities. She has played in Alexander Schneider’s New York Christmas String Seminar at Carnegie Hall, the Sacramento Symphony, the North State Symphony, the Eureka Symphony, and the Juneau Symphony. While attending the Peabody Conservatory of Music, she studied with Walter Trampler. She graduated from Humboldt State University (now CalPoly Humboldt) with a degree in Elementary Education. She has been a member of the TBAM Festival String Orchestra and played Hindemith's "Trauermusik" with them. She has also played with the Arcata Bay Quartet, and the Compass Quartet and has performed with the CalPoly Humboldt faculty concerts. She loves chamber music and has attended workshops at Humboldt CMW, CalCap, SoCal, and in Predeal, Romania.

Julia Bastuscheck is recently retired from a 30+ year career in music education. She taught orchestra and beginning strings in the Juneau, AK School District from 1988-2009. She played in the Juneau Symphony and performed in numerous opera and chamber groups. She was conductor of the Juneau Youth Symphony from 1989-2000.

Upon relocating to Bend, OR, Julia worked in the Bend LaPine School District as an orchestra teacher and substitute, conducted district festivals and opened a private music studio. She worked at the Cascade School of Music from 2010 to 2024, teaching private and group lessons. She was conductor of the Central Oregon Youth Orchestra from its inception in 2012 until 2020.

Now, Julia is focused on her own viola playing. She continues to serve as principal viola of the Juneau Symphony, and is a regular section violist with the North State Symphony in California. She also performs regularly as a substitute with local regional orchestras.

I lived the first 50 years of my life in the Chicago area. I took piano lessons from 2nd through 8th grade and studied violin starting in 4th grade. I played in the Civic Orchestra, run by the Chicago Symphony, in the 1960s and in many community orchestras around Chicago, then moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1996. I switched from violin to playing viola in 2000. Since then I have played in Rogue Valley Symphony, Jefferson Baroque, and other groups near me and have played every concert with NSS since 2004, as well as playing concerts with Shasta Symphony since 2022 and occasionally in Eureka Symphony. In addition to knowing how to play piano, I can also play Sundanese gamelan and the theremin and sang in the jazz choir at SOU for several years.

The North State Symphony is a special orchestra in many ways. I hope it continues offering excellent performances of classical orchestral music long into the future.

JJ Tiefenbach is an 18-year-old cellist attending Shasta High School who has been playing cello since they were 9 years old. JJ plays on an 1872 H.C. Silvestre cello. JJ has been a member of the Shasta Symphony Orchestra for 6 years and a member of the North State Symphony for 4 years. JJ has won concerto competitions including The Shasta Symphony Young Artist Competition of 2024, the Paradise Symphony Young Artist Competition of 2024, and the North State Symphony Young Artist Competition of 2025. JJ enjoys nature, painting, and listening to music.

Treble has been playing with NSS since 2013. She teaches and performs in Redding and Chico, and directs the choir at Redding First United Methodist Church. Educated at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN (Vocal Performance and Philosophy) and the University of Glasgow in Scotland (Literature, Theology, and the Arts), Treble is also the Personnel Coordinator for the North State Symphony. She enjoys singing and playing with friends in the North State's music community and snuggling with her 4 cats. Treble is also passionate about mental health awareness and spreading love amongst society in the division.

Carol Jacobson has been the Music Director of the Eureka Symphony for twenty years. Former teacher and conductor of the Arcata/McKinleyville High School Orchestra and Madrigal Choir for twenty years, she has inspired numerous young people to excel. The North Coast Journal referred to Ms. Jacobson as a "force of nature." Ms. Jacobson earned her B.A at Humboldt State with further chamber music studies with Endre Wolf at The Royal Danish Conservatory, master classes with Antonio Janigro at the Saltzburg Mozarteum and chamber studies at the Netherlands Royal Conservatory in The Hague. She was a member of the Oslo Opera Orchestra, the Netherlands National Ballet Orchestra in Amsterdam, the Netherlands Radio Symphony and the Netherlands Strijkers Ensemble.

She is currently studying conducting with Scott Seaton and plays in a piano trio, The Temporary Resonance Ensemble with Terrie Baune and John Chernoff.

Carlos Valdez is a Peruvian double bassist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Carlos plays with the Bridge Music Collective which is an innovative chamber music group with an unusual instrumentation. In addition, Carlos serves as Assistant Principal Bass of the Rogue Valley Symphony. Carlos performs regularly with the Berkeley Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, etc. He holds an AD from the SF Academy Orchestra; a PSC and a MM from the SFCM where he studied with Scott Pingel; and a BM from the University of Southern Mississippi where he studied with Dr. Marcos Machado. Carlos is a fellow at the Orchestra of Americas under the guidance of Dominic Seldis, Principal Bass of the Royal Concertgebouw in the Netherlands.

Leif Dering joined the North State Symphony in the 2023-24 season at the young age of 20 and was appointed assistant principal bass the following season. He is also a member of Symphony of the Redwoods and is on the substitute list of several California orchestras. He has also performed at the Eastern Music Festival under the direction of Gerard Schwarz and was a member of the world-renowned San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, conducted by Daniel Stewart.

Leif is earning his Bachelor of Music at Sonoma State University under the tutelage of Mark Wallace.

Michael Schwagerus, double bass, joined the North State Symphony in 2001 and continues serving there as principal bassist. During this time, he has also performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony, Sacramento Choral Society, Sacramento Chamber Music Society, and was also principal bassist for the Townsend Opera.

As a full-time music teacher at St. James School in Davis, Michael enjoys conducting Concert Band and Choir while teaching K–8 music to the school’s 300 students.

Michael maintains a private lesson studio of 45 students and teaches a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, and woodwinds. His bass students have been accepted to the Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Brubeck Institute Jazz Colony.

Dr. Cathie Apple is the Flute Instructor at Sacramento State, principal flutist of the North State Symphony, and a founding member of Citywater's new music ensemble and Sinfonia Spirituosa baroque ensemble. In addition to a busy performing and teaching schedule, Cathie is a fitness instructor, an avid weight-lifter and swimmer, and enjoys long backpacking trips to recharge her batteries. She is always reading at least two books and would not survive without coffee.

Susie Lundberg has been the Principal Oboist of the North State Symphony for 25 years. She studied oboe with Neil Tatman and has been coached by John De Lancie, Wayne Rapier, Nancy Ambrose King, and Laura Arganbright. She has performed in many CSU musical productions and with other regional orchestras. Susie enjoys teaching local students.

James Pytko is an avid performer and educator in the SF Bay Area. He is the Principal Clarinet of the North State Symphony, the Second/Bass Clarinet of Opera San Jose, the Second Clarinet of the Monterey Symphony, and the Clarinetist with Avenue Winds, a woodwind quintet. James has also performed with San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, Chrysalis Orchestra, Trinity Alps Music Festival, Modesto Symphony, Symphony San Jose, West Bay Opera, Townsend Opera, Fresno Grand Opera, Symphony Napa Valley, Sphinx Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Ensemble Miknawooj, Santa Cruz Symphony, Espressivo Ensemble, Vallejo Symphony and many other Bay Area Ensembles. In addition to his busy performance schedule, he also proudly works for the American Federation of Musicians Local 6 as their Financial Assistant. James has taught clarinet at CSU Stanislaus and UC Santa Cruz and has also given masterclasses around the country. y. He received his Bachelor of Music and Artist Diploma from
the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. His primary teachers were
Richie Hawley, Carmine Campione, Scott Andrews, and Naomi Drucker.

Michelle Keem is the principal bassoon of the North State Symphony and Santa Cruz Symphony, in addition to performing regularly with many orchestras around the Bay Area. She has played with orchestras and chamber ensembles across North America and Europe, including the Oregon Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Antwerp Philharmonic, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Trio Auloi, whose performances included a recital in Boston’s Jordan Hall. Michelle is also on the faculty at Sacramento State School of Music.

A native of New York state, Michelle has Bachelor's and Master of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, where she studied with Rick Ranti and Richard Svoboda, and did additional graduate studies with Marc Goldberg and Patricia Rogers at Bard College Conservatory.

In addition to working as a performer and educator, Michelle is an avid knitter and a longtime volunteer at a local farm animal sanctuary.

Paul plays Alto, Tenor, and Bass Trombone. He has been with the symphony since 2001 and also performs with the Apollo Orchestra, regional shows and musicals, jazz bands, and smaller ensembles. Paul retired from public education after 34 years. Beyond retirement, he accepted a short-term teaching assignment with the Chico State Music Department which gave him great joy every day he was there. He also plays Euphonium and enjoys singing jazz. He lives happily in the country with his wife 37 years.

Dr. Lloyd Roby has performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Band, Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, Cincinnati Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Sacramento Symphony. Dr. Roby has performed for entertainers such as Ray Charles, Barry Manilow, Bob Hope, Jimmy Dorsey, Charo, Stan Kenton, Glenn Campbell, Steve Martin, and others. He is Emeritus faculty at CSU, Chico and has taught at public schools in Florida, Illinois, and California. He is also a veteran of the U. S. Army.

Troy Symington is from Auburn, CA and attended college at California State University, Chico where he received his Bachelors in Music Education. He is currently the director of bands at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, CA where he teaches concert band, wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band, and guitar. He is currently pursuing his Masters Degree in Music Education from the American Band College of Central Washington University.

Troy has been performing with NSS since 2019 and regularly plays drum set and percussion with various ensembles in the Chico area.

Michael Costa joined the North State Symphony in 2013. He is an Adjunct Professor of Music at Simpson University and has served as Pa art-Time Lecturer at CSU Chico and music instructor for Shasta College. He has been a music educator for over 30 years and taught music in California Public Schools for eighteen years. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of the Pacific and a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Michael currently works for the Anderson Union High School District and performs regularly throughout the North State. His most recent musical endeavors have focused on Jazz Vibraphone. He is a member of several local Jazz groups and leads his own. Michael has also performed with several chamber ensembles, community bands, and orchestras in Northern California.

After a shoulder injury limited her 20+ years of violin playing, Laura Specht discovered that hitting things is more fun! Now she plays percussion regularly with the North State Symphony, the Shasta Symphony, and the Shasta Symphonic Band. Opera and pit orchestras are her favorite musical outlets, but she also enjoys using Oxford commas and writing fiction under the pen name Laura Est.

Andrew Curteman is an accomplished orchestral percussionist and educator based in Northern California. He has performed with numerous ensembles across the Sacramento area, showcasing his versatility in both traditional and contemporary percussion. Andrew studied at San Jose State University under the guidance of Galen Lemmon, refining his technical skill and artistic expression. In addition to his performance career, he is dedicated to teaching, currently instructing elementary and high school band students. Known for his creativity, Andrew also enjoys crafting custom percussion instruments, blending his passion for music with his love for innovation. His unique approach to percussion and education continues to inspire both students and fellow musicians alike.

Brian Simpson is a triple threat in the Northern California music scene. On drums, he was a regular member of Dan Hicks’ various groups (Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Bayside Jazz, 2005-2016) having performed on 2 of Dan’s CD’s, one of which was Grammy Award nominated. Brian is the principal timpanist for The North State Symphony (since 2004) and is also a highly respected music educator. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance (1986), he moved to England where he played in numerous groups and orchestras in the London area. Before returning to California in late 1989, Brian completed a Master of Arts Degree in Music Performance Studies at The City University, London, during which he attended the prestigious Guildhall School of Music.

Brian Simpson is a triple threat in the Northern California music scene. On drums, he was a regular member of Dan Hicks’ various groups (Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks, Bayside Jazz, 2005-2016) having performed on 2 of Dan’s CD’s, one of which was Grammy Award nominated. Brian is the principal timpanist for The North State Symphony (since 2004) and is also a highly respected music educator. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance (1986), he moved to England where he played in numerous groups and orchestras in the London area. Before returning to California in late 1989, Brian completed a Master of Arts Degree in Music Performance Studies at The City University, London, during which he attended the prestigious Guildhall School of Music.

Alda Turgieva very well-known name in the classical music industry not just in California but in Europe too. She has served as stuff piano accompanist for numerous organizations, opera companies, music theatres, chorales, philharmonics, university schools, and churches including Mariinsky Opera Theatre in Sankt-Petersburg (Russia), Sacramento State University, Sacramento Opera, Modesto Opera, Yuba Sutter Master Chorale and many others. Currently, she is a stuff pianist at North State Symphony and Shasta College.