top of page
Balcones Community Orchestra
OUR PLAYERS
then and now...
Mary Brown - Violin
Concertmaster - Mary grew up in Auburn, Alabama, playing violin, clarinet, and piano during her musical childhood. She participated in All-State Orchestra and All-State Band a combined 12 times while in school. At Florida State University, contrary to conventional expectations, she majored in computer science for fun and music for the money, since music scholarships and gigs paid her way through school. While at FSU she studied violin with professors Karen Clarke and Julian Ross. Other musical endeavors include the Tallahasse Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Music Festival, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, and Music at Penn's Woods. After leaving FSU, she received an M.S. in computer science and engineering from The University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in computer engineering from The University of Texas. She now works for Apple, where she designs microprocessors for Apple mobile devices.
John Cox, Cello
Having grown up in Austin, John Cox studied Cello and Piano from early childhood. John’s music experience spans from music festivals across the country including "Musicorda" (MA), "Cloudcroft Music Festival" (NM) and "Sewanee Music Festival" (TN) to orchestras including the Honduras National Symphony and the Honduras Opera Orchestra.
In particular, Cox is passionate about chamber music. He has participated in “Chamberre in the Rockies” (CO) and the central Texas “Haydn in the Hills”. A favorite music companion of top chamber music enthusiasts for his musicality, versatility and outstanding reading abilities, John states that “I get immense enjoyment out of playing music with nifty project oriented people. I try to encourage others to join me in chamber music fun during my free time.”
John is employed by the iconic Austin “Immortal Performances” owned by Jim Cartwright in repairing vintage Victrola’s and other players and in many other capacities there.
In particular, Cox is passionate about chamber music. He has participated in “Chamberre in the Rockies” (CO) and the central Texas “Haydn in the Hills”. A favorite music companion of top chamber music enthusiasts for his musicality, versatility and outstanding reading abilities, John states that “I get immense enjoyment out of playing music with nifty project oriented people. I try to encourage others to join me in chamber music fun during my free time.”
John is employed by the iconic Austin “Immortal Performances” owned by Jim Cartwright in repairing vintage Victrola’s and other players and in many other capacities there.
Karen Foster Cason - Cello
I started playing cello at age 9 in an after-school Suzuki program. I loved playing cello so much that I dreamed of having a cello-shaped home with a cello-shaped pool and bathtub. My various musical accomplishments: All Region orchestra, All state symphony, Principal cellist with Ft. Worth Youth Orchestra, Cellist with Ft. Worth YO string quartet and piano quintet, Cleveland String Quartet and a full music scholarship to North Texas State University. I also attended UT on a music scholarship, studying with Paul Olefsky.
A wrist injury temporarily ended my career, but I began playing again for fun after a five year break with Austin Baroque players, chamber music groups, and numerous weddings and churches. I played my first concert with BCO four years ago subbing at the last minute, sight-reading, the only cellist at the all-Mozart concert. I have loved it ever since!! I especially enjoy playing with the BCO string quartet. Most recent musical adventure was subbing for the cellist in a local Indi group (developed food poisoning at the last minute), playing her amped cello… in a bar… and once again… sight-reading at a performance.
I graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in CIS from Texas State University. After working in the IT field as a systems analyst/programmer for some years, I currently help my husband run his screen-printing business. My three children are grown, and I now take great delight in my grandchildren.
A wrist injury temporarily ended my career, but I began playing again for fun after a five year break with Austin Baroque players, chamber music groups, and numerous weddings and churches. I played my first concert with BCO four years ago subbing at the last minute, sight-reading, the only cellist at the all-Mozart concert. I have loved it ever since!! I especially enjoy playing with the BCO string quartet. Most recent musical adventure was subbing for the cellist in a local Indi group (developed food poisoning at the last minute), playing her amped cello… in a bar… and once again… sight-reading at a performance.
I graduated summa cum laude with a BBA in CIS from Texas State University. After working in the IT field as a systems analyst/programmer for some years, I currently help my husband run his screen-printing business. My three children are grown, and I now take great delight in my grandchildren.
Byron Gifford - Flute
My name is Byron Gifford, and I have been a private music tutor on flute and clarinet in Austin since 2004. I currently perform with Balcones Community Orchestra and Austin Symphonic Band.
I have previously performed with Georgetown Palace Theatre players and Austin Flute Club. In Dallas I have performed with Metropolitan Winds, Bravura Winds, Oak Lawn Band, Flutes Unlimited, and often performed with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
I have also performed with community bands and orchestras in St Louis, Indianapolis, Denver, and Aurora Colorado. I received my Music Theory degree from The Ohio State University, and after graduation pursued my career in retail and wholesale clothing for 27 years.
I live in Lake Hiils, and enjoy cooking, good friends, my partner John, our Wheaten terrier Jake, and occasionally riding my BMW motorcycle. I have played with BCO since 2006, really enjoy our rehearsal/concert format, the many interesting performers with our group, and our outstanding leader, Dr. Radmer. “Always strum up!”
I have previously performed with Georgetown Palace Theatre players and Austin Flute Club. In Dallas I have performed with Metropolitan Winds, Bravura Winds, Oak Lawn Band, Flutes Unlimited, and often performed with the Turtle Creek Chorale.
I have also performed with community bands and orchestras in St Louis, Indianapolis, Denver, and Aurora Colorado. I received my Music Theory degree from The Ohio State University, and after graduation pursued my career in retail and wholesale clothing for 27 years.
I live in Lake Hiils, and enjoy cooking, good friends, my partner John, our Wheaten terrier Jake, and occasionally riding my BMW motorcycle. I have played with BCO since 2006, really enjoy our rehearsal/concert format, the many interesting performers with our group, and our outstanding leader, Dr. Radmer. “Always strum up!”
Catherine van Zanten - Viola and Violin
Catherine plays violin with the Balcones Community Orchestra. She has performed with the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra, the New Orleans Summer Pops, the Lake Charles Symphony, the Acadiana Symphony, the Memphis Symphony, the Baton Rouge Symphony and the Jackson, MS Symphony as well as with the Austin Civic Orchestra and Austin Philharmonic.
She studied at the Juilliard Preparatory School, at the University of Illinois, and with Franco Gulli at the Academia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Catherine has a Bachelor of Music Degree from LSU and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette both in violin performance. She has taken Suzuki Teacher Training through Book 10 and teaches Suzuki and traditional violin in her home studio.
She studied at the Juilliard Preparatory School, at the University of Illinois, and with Franco Gulli at the Academia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. Catherine has a Bachelor of Music Degree from LSU and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette both in violin performance. She has taken Suzuki Teacher Training through Book 10 and teaches Suzuki and traditional violin in her home studio.
Michael Domjan - Viola
Michael Domjan has been a Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas since 1973. Before he got involved in psychology, he studied at Juilliard, where he learned to play the viola. After a hiatus of more than 35 years, he ventured back into music when a colleague encouraged him to join the Balcones Community Orchestra. He has gradually regained some of his musical skills and recently launched the Tertis/Pavlov Project, in which he explores connections between music and psychology in a series of short videos that are available at http://sites.utexas.edu/tertispavlovproject/
Andrea Gore, Violin
Kyndra Cullen - Flute
Kyndra graduated from University of the Pacific with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Management with a minor in Business Administration. She and her family moved to the Austin area in 1995, continuing a career in music publishing and as a paralegal. Currently, Kyndra is a Global Financial Analyst for Apple Media Services, and is a member of Balcones Community Orchestra, Austin Symphonic Band, and Waterloo Wind Band.
Greg Shields - Violin
Greg Shields has pursued parallel interests in astronomy and music since a young age. He played in school orchestras through high school in Wichita, Kansas, and during his undergraduate studies at Stanford University, where he was a physics major. During his graduate studies at Caltech (Ph.D. in Astronomy, 1973), he studied violin at USC and played in the UCLA student orchestra under Mehli Mehta. During his postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard College Observatory, he was concertmaster of the orchestra for the Harvard-Radcliffe Gilbert and Sullivan Society. There he met his wife Katharine Bowden, who was singing in a production of Gondoliers. Greg joined the UT faculty in 1974 and now holds the title of The Jane and Roland Blumberg Centennial Professor in Astronomy. He served as Chairman of the Department of Astronomy from 1990 to 1994. His research interests include studies of ionized nebulae in galaxies and the nature of quasars and their black holes.
The Shields family is heavily involved in music. Katharine for many years sang in productions by the Austin Gilbert and Sullivan Society and in the Austin Lyric Opera chorus. She currently sings with Chorus Austin and the University Methodist Church choir and is involved in the Wednesday Morning Music Club. Their son Michael is a graduate student in jazz trumpet at the University of North Texas. James graduated from Juilliard in 2006, and since then has been principal clarinet of the New Mexico Symphony. He is now principal clarinet with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto.
The Shields family is heavily involved in music. Katharine for many years sang in productions by the Austin Gilbert and Sullivan Society and in the Austin Lyric Opera chorus. She currently sings with Chorus Austin and the University Methodist Church choir and is involved in the Wednesday Morning Music Club. Their son Michael is a graduate student in jazz trumpet at the University of North Texas. James graduated from Juilliard in 2006, and since then has been principal clarinet of the New Mexico Symphony. He is now principal clarinet with the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto.
Melissa Ruof - Violin
Melissa moved to Austin years ago from the Washington, DC/Baltimore MD area where she worked as a free-lance violinist/violist and as a teacher of violin/viola/chamber music. Ten years before coming to Austin, while living in the Sandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, she started a community art center, Jubileeartsbaltimore.org. The pull to Austin was a daughter and her family, which includes two of her adorable grandchildren. “I love playing music. With so many fun opportunities to play in orchestras and chamber groups, I’m having a great time. UT has such a terrific music school with concerts galore to enjoy, not to mention all the other art happenings around town. I’m active in the prison ministry of the Friends Meeting of Austin, and am volunteering with a grassroots lobbying organization trying to convince our Congress to create a refundable tax on carbon. Retirement turns out to be an exciting time of life!”
Ron Boerger - Horn
Leslie Boerger - Horn
Leslie started her studies in Music Therapy at Texas Women's University, then transferred to the University of Texas, at Austin, and graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education. Leslie has enjoyed teaching privately for nearly 20 years. While playing in the Austin Symphonic Band, Leslie met her husband, Ron, and a tradition of performing side by side in ensembles began. Upon moving to the North Texas area in 2000, the Boergers were blessed to perform with The Metropolitan Winds, the Sherman Symphony, and to participate in the music ministry at First Christian Church, McKinney. 2008 brought the Boergers back to the Austin area and a return to the Austin Symphonic Band. Additionally Leslie plays with the Quintessential Winds Woodwind Quintet, participates in music ministry at University Christian Church, and is principal for the newly formed Symphony Viva in San Antonio. One of her biggest joys is making music with friends in the BCO.
Matt Beck - Viola
In memory of our kind and dedicated Viola player of many years.
Ann Smith - Bass
Ann was raised in Hartford, CT and played clarinet in her early years. She began studying string bass the summer before high school with a desire to play in orchestra. She eventually took lessons at the Hartt School of Music and was a member of the Hartt Youth Orchestra. In addition to playing in the high school orchestra under a wonderful man, Clayton Shufelt (who died in December at the age of 101), she participated in regional orchestras, all-state orchestras, a tri-city orchestra and the All-Eastern Orchestra in Boston. She also attended Laurel Music Camp where Moshe Paranov directed orchestra. Ann majored in math at the University of Connecticut and played in the university orchestra. After graduation she had a career in management information systems and continued to play bass in community orchestras which included the Manchester Symphony, Farmington Valley Symphony and Hartford Music Club. After moving to Austin 15 years ago with her husband Wayne and daughter Laurie, Ann played in the Austin Civic Orchestra and has enjoyed playing with BCO the last 6 seasons. She works for the Texas State Historical Association on the Handbook of Texas Online.
Tony Gilliam - Tympani
After an unfortunate accident my college freshman year, I changed my major from Music to Chemical Engineering. So instead of playing music, I ended up manufacturing mechanical and biological heart valves for 33 years. Fortunately a good friend talked me into performing again and by the grace of God here I am.
Mary Beth Widhalm - Cello
Mary Beth has played the cello nearly all her life, in orchestras and rock bands and recording studios around Austin. She spent 15 years touring all over the world with groups East Cameron Folkcore and Madisons, and has relished the opportunity to return to orchestral playing with the talented and passionate musicians of BCO.
Judy Trejo - Violin and Viola
I’ve been playing violin with the Balcones Community Orchestra for over eight years. In 2006, when my husband and I first moved to Austin, I played violin with the Austin Civic Orchestra, and violin and viola in the Balcones Community Orchestra. I’ve also played with the Austin Chamber Music Center as well as St. Edwards University Orchestras. I currently play violin and viola in various string quartets, including the Cat Mountain String Quartet with two violinists from the Balcones Orchestra. Five years ago I joined Tapestry Singers, Austin’s only all-woman chorus (because Mom sang).
I I learned to play violin in public school 4th grade (because Dad played violin) in Northern California, and never stopped. At Ohio State University in 1968, I played in the Symphony Orchestra every year, and was pleased when visiting violinist/conductor Robert Gerle invited me to join his string chamber orchestra. I also enjoyed playing in a few string quartets.
In 1973 I got my degree in Music History and returned to California where I worked as a secretary, married and raised two daughters. In 1999 I returned to work as an Administrative Assistant and joined the Bay Area Peninsula Pops Orchestra. Starting a string quartet was difficult because violists were hard to find, so I learned viola and formed a quartet. In 2005 we moved to Southern California, where I enjoyed playing both violin and viola in the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra.
For the last nine years I’ve volunteered for many ministries at University United Methodist Church. One of our daughters is still on the West Coast, while our other daughter lives in Austin.
I I learned to play violin in public school 4th grade (because Dad played violin) in Northern California, and never stopped. At Ohio State University in 1968, I played in the Symphony Orchestra every year, and was pleased when visiting violinist/conductor Robert Gerle invited me to join his string chamber orchestra. I also enjoyed playing in a few string quartets.
In 1973 I got my degree in Music History and returned to California where I worked as a secretary, married and raised two daughters. In 1999 I returned to work as an Administrative Assistant and joined the Bay Area Peninsula Pops Orchestra. Starting a string quartet was difficult because violists were hard to find, so I learned viola and formed a quartet. In 2005 we moved to Southern California, where I enjoyed playing both violin and viola in the Los Angeles Doctors Symphony Orchestra.
For the last nine years I’ve volunteered for many ministries at University United Methodist Church. One of our daughters is still on the West Coast, while our other daughter lives in Austin.
Kristen Roberts - Violin
Kristen is new to the Austin area, having moved here for work after graduating from St. Mary’s Law School this last year. She currently works as an attorney for a private firm in Northwest Austin. She previously completed her Bachelors of Music in violin performance from the Moores School of Music, University of Houston.
Kristen spends her time playing music, exploring local bookstores and thrift shops, and enjoying the beautiful nature surrounding Austin.
Kristen spends her time playing music, exploring local bookstores and thrift shops, and enjoying the beautiful nature surrounding Austin.
John Walters - Cello
John received a degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin. He studied cello under Michael Matesky and Paul Olefsky. After receiving his degree he went on to become an orchestra director in the Austin school district. His orchestras consistently received outstanding awards both locally and throughout the United States and Canada including New York, Seattle, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal. His interest chamber music and early music started while in college and has continued to this day. He was one of the founding members of the early music group the Clearlight Waits. He specializes in string instruments including cello, treble and bass viola da gamba, rebec, vielle, violin, mandolin, oud, and guitar. Now retired from teaching orchestra he teaches private cello lessons and enjoys playing with the Balconies Orchestra, the Texas Early Music Project, La Folia, the Austin Troubadours, Istanpitta, and the Austin Baroque Orchestra. His wife Eugenie Edmonds plays viola in the Austin Symphony and his daughter Sarah plays violin and is concert master of the Trinity University Orchestra.
Jen Moon, viola
Jen grew up in Sioux City, IA. She began playing viola at age 9, and was fortunate to grow up in a musical family. Both her parents were professional singers. Her dad was a music professor and choral conductor, so she had wonderful opportunities to perform many of the major choral works as an orchestra member by the time she left home for college. Her first paying job was playing in the Sioux City Symphony at age 14. She was selected for the Iowa All-State Orchestra all four years in high school and participated in regional solo and chamber music competitions. Although she majored in Biology at Grinnell College, she was an enthusiastic member of the Grinnell Symphony Orchestra and, during those wild and crazy years, took on the viola da gamba in the Collegium Musicum. While in London for a semester abroad, she enjoyed learning what the heck a quaver was as a member of the Kensington Symphony Orchestra. Jen attended Indiana University at Bloomington for her PhD work in molecular biology, during which she enjoyed playing in the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. After earning her PhD, Jen took a break from playing for about 20 years while completing her postdoctoral work in molecular biology, and starting a teaching position at the University of Texas at Austin, and starting a family. The stars aligned once again in 2021, when she serendipitously met a member of the BCO at work, and joined the BCO later that year. Jen lives in Austin with her husband, 3 kids, 2 cats, and 1 dog. She is immensely grateful to be a part of this organization and to be playing again with such a fine group of people.
Lucia Woodruff - Violin
Brought up in New York City and Princeton, N.J. Began violin in public school at age 8.
Majored in History at Swarthmore College. M.S. in Education , Bank Street College of Education, NYC. Taught pre-school and first grade in NYC and Austin
Taught children violin and viola privately for 20 years in Austin
Played Violin in the Austin Symphony Orchestra even longer than 3 decades.
On the North American Outreach Council of "ACMP, the Chamber Music Network."
My mother was practicing the piano when she went into labor with me.
Growing up we heard all kinds of music, classical, Broadway shows, jazz in bars,more.
Music teachers shaped my life.
Playing string quartets is my number one passion. Austin, anywhere. Play in a string quartet back east called the Steel Oats Band ( the " S.O.B.'s ").
Learning to play quarter notes for Arab music was a thrill. I need more lives!
I never ever expected to be paid to play , never thought I would become a card carrying
member of the AF of M! I lucked into the Austin Symphony purely by
chance looking for chamber music at UT in the '70's! ....Unbelievable. Life with my husband Paul is never dull. We have 2 grown daughters and 6 grandchildren. I now enjoy poetry thanks to him, and he enjoys playing quartets, thanks to me.
Majored in History at Swarthmore College. M.S. in Education , Bank Street College of Education, NYC. Taught pre-school and first grade in NYC and Austin
Taught children violin and viola privately for 20 years in Austin
Played Violin in the Austin Symphony Orchestra even longer than 3 decades.
On the North American Outreach Council of "ACMP, the Chamber Music Network."
My mother was practicing the piano when she went into labor with me.
Growing up we heard all kinds of music, classical, Broadway shows, jazz in bars,more.
Music teachers shaped my life.
Playing string quartets is my number one passion. Austin, anywhere. Play in a string quartet back east called the Steel Oats Band ( the " S.O.B.'s ").
Learning to play quarter notes for Arab music was a thrill. I need more lives!
I never ever expected to be paid to play , never thought I would become a card carrying
member of the AF of M! I lucked into the Austin Symphony purely by
chance looking for chamber music at UT in the '70's! ....Unbelievable. Life with my husband Paul is never dull. We have 2 grown daughters and 6 grandchildren. I now enjoy poetry thanks to him, and he enjoys playing quartets, thanks to me.
Laurie Peckins - Violin
After a 40 year career of teaching and performing violin and fiddle in the Boston area, Laurie has decided to spend the long winter months of the year in Austin. She moved to the Boston area in 1974 to study education, fiddle, and violin at Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music. After graduating from Franconia College in 1976, she started teaching fiddle, guitar, and mandolin in several local music stores and adult education centers in the Boston area. In 1988 Laurie returned to Boston Conservatory to complete her education requirements to teach music and strings in the public schools.
Laurie has been performing in several professional and community orchestras and local theatres for the last 25 years. She also admits to fiddling once and a while at farmers markets and local eateries. She is very pleased to have the opportunity to join The Balcones Orchestra under the musical direction of Dr. Robert Radmer.
Laurie has been performing in several professional and community orchestras and local theatres for the last 25 years. She also admits to fiddling once and a while at farmers markets and local eateries. She is very pleased to have the opportunity to join The Balcones Orchestra under the musical direction of Dr. Robert Radmer.
Susan Versluys
Violin
Steve DuPrez - Cello
Born in California, served in the U.S. Army in Germany as a Russian linguist, assigned to West Berlin and then Augsburg.
Obtained a commission in the U.S. Army while attending college, and served as a Military Intelligence officer, with an assignment to Panama.
I used to play ice hockey until Father Time caught up with me.
Started playing cello when I was 16, and resumed playing a couple of years ago after a 24-year hiatus.
Have a married daughter who lives up in St. Paul, MN and who will make me a grandpa next March.
Have been with my partner Phillip for just over 20 years.
Obtained a commission in the U.S. Army while attending college, and served as a Military Intelligence officer, with an assignment to Panama.
I used to play ice hockey until Father Time caught up with me.
Started playing cello when I was 16, and resumed playing a couple of years ago after a 24-year hiatus.
Have a married daughter who lives up in St. Paul, MN and who will make me a grandpa next March.
Have been with my partner Phillip for just over 20 years.
Candace Kimbrough - Clarinet
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor in Austin. I have a music education degree from the University of Georgia, a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Community Counseling. I have two show horses and a 8-year-old son, Knox.
I am excited to be playing with the group.
I am excited to be playing with the group.
bottom of page