Directors
Dr. Ryan Murphy
Principal Guest Conductor
Ryan Murphy was appointed associate music director of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square on March 27, 2009. In this capacity, he is responsible to assist Mack Wilberg, music director, with The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in rehearsals, concerts, tours, and the weekly broadcast of Music & the Spoken Word. He also serves as the conductor of the Temple Square Chorale, the preparatory ensemble for new singers in Choir service.
Dr. Murphy has extensive choral conducting and professional musical theater experience. Prior to his appointment, he conducted six choirs in the Boston area, including two choirs at the prestigious New England Conservatory Preparatory School. He served for four years as the choral director at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, an internationally recognized secondary school affiliated with the New England Conservatory. He was the music director of the Tuacahn Center for the Arts in the St. George, Utah, area from 2005 to 2007 following five seasons as music director at the Sundance Institute in Provo, Utah. While in Boston, he maintained an active performing schedule, including collaborations at the Tanglewood Summer Festival.
Dr. Murphy graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in piano and organ performance and pedagogy. He holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Brigham Young University and a doctorate in choral conducting from Boston University, where he studied with Dr. Ann Howard Jones.
Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, have four children.
Elizabeth W. Marsh
Camp Director
Associate Conductor
Elizabeth Marsh began her musical studies at the age of two. She earned her master’s degree in cello performance from the University of Michigan where she studied with Richard Aaron and Amir Eldan. She also participated in conducting seminars and received private instruction from Kenneth Kiesler. She attended her second year of the Conductors Retreat at Medomak this summer, studying conducting with Ken Kiesler and Rotem Weinberg. She is currently the music director of Northern Utah Youth Preparatory Strings.
Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in cello performance from the University of Southern California, where she studied with Eleonore Schoenfeld and Peter Stumpf.
Ms. Marsh has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a cellist, concertizing with professional and volunteer orchestras, and as a soloist, chamber and freelance musician. She has won concerto competitions on the national level and soloed with symphonies locally and throughout the western states.
Elizabeth has taught hundreds of cellists of all ages over the past two decades, many of whom have attended music schools on scholarship and won jobs in professional orchestras. She also authored and published Scale Trail Challenge and Up to the Bridge for young cellists.
One of her favorite musical experiences is performing in the Orchestra at Temple Square. Elizabeth has played in the section and principal cello for a number of years, and is grateful for this special opportunity to combine her spiritual conviction with her love of music.
Elizabeth and her husband, Gregory, have nine young children.
Mr. Benjamin Gaughran
Guest Choral Director
Hailing from the United Kingdom, Benjamin began his musical studies as a pianist, spending several years as an accompanist for a variety of choirs and musical theatre companies as well as giving solo performances. During this time, he studied voice with British opera singer Margaret Preece and former BBC Singers member, Graham Titus. His performance as a singer has comprised both classical and musical theatre contexts.
Benjamin earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Royal Holloway, University of London where he began his career as a choral conductor. Mentored by Rupert Gough, he was one of the first student conductors of the Royal Holloway Founder’s Choir and also conducted The Royal Holloway Early Music Ensemble and Singers. In addition to these and other university conducting positions, Benjamin has conducted a variety of community choirs, public school choirs, musical theater companies and other ensembles across the United Kingdom. He has been fortunate enough to study with some of England’s finest choral conductors including Amy Bebbington, Manvinder Rattan and Sarah Tenant-Flowers. Currently working toward graduate degrees at the University of Michigan, Benjamin has the distinct pleasure of studying choral conducting with Dr. Eugene Rogers. This fall he will continue into his doctorate program on full scholarship and continue teaching classes and conducting choirs at the University.
Mr. Gaughran has been the music director for many national productions and conventions. Alongside these posts, he was the area music advisor for the Coventry and Canterbury areas of the Church where he trained music leaders and other music staff in the different congregations. He was recently appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Schools of Music in Choral Conducting- an award held by a select number of people in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Benjamin’s approach in his work as a choral conductor has always been to help all people feel included regardless of their musical experience or background. He sets high standards and strives for excellence in all the ensembles he leads. Through his methods he inspires those he works with to realize and achieve their potential.
Benjamin and his wife, Kerry, have five children.
Mrs. Denise Willey
Artistic Director of VIVACE Orchestras
Denise Willey (founder and artistic director of VIVACE Youth Orchestra Program and Vivace Orchestra Camp,) was named Utah Music Teacher of the Year by the American String Teachers Association, and was awarded Utah’s Best of State (Children’s Orchestra and Camp) in 2018. An enthusiast of teaching Suzuki students to read music, she authored the I LOVE To Read Music! ™ literacy program and Easy Steps to Music Reading. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Utah. Mrs. Willey has directed hundreds of young musicians from across the country at the Vivace Orchestra Program, Mountains & Strings camps, the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute, and in school and after-school orchestra programs. She maintains a thriving private studio, is a registered Suzuki Teacher Trainer, and has served on the Suzuki Association of Utah board of directors for over thirty years. Mrs. Willey is the mother of six grown children—all of whom have received national recognition for their music—and the busy grandmother of sixteen, nearly all of whom play a stringed instrument. She teaches orchestra at Willow Creek Middle School.
Sydnee Hinrichsen
Camp Manager
A Las Vegas native, Sydnee Hinrichsen began playing the violin at 4. She has performed in venues around the world, and has been invited to be a soloist at the Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome and Carnegie Hall. After graduating from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, she began studying Music Education at Brigham Young University. Sydnee has taught over 100 private students, and recently was a guest clinician and performer at Nevada ASTA’s annual “Violin Day.” Sydnee is passionate about music theory and conceptual learning. She currently studies with Monte Belknap and plays a custom made 2019 Jordan Hess Violin.
Instrumental and Vocal Coaches
Kristine Baird
Oboe
Kristine Baird wanted to play the French Horn, but the tropical rainforest climate in Costa Rica had completely corroded her School’s only instrument. She was convinced by her elementary school band teacher, who happened to also be an oboist, to try the oboe, (whatever that was). It was pretty much love at first squawk!
Kristine received her BM and MM in Oboe performance at BYU studying with Geralyn Giovannetti. In addition, Kristine has studied oboe with Kevin Lathrop, Ronald Roseman, and Nancy Clauter. She also studied with Deryll Stubbs, and Martha Sargeant right here in UT.
She taught oboe as a graduate fellow at BYU, was on faculty at Horne School of Music, at Snow College, and currently maintains a private oboe studio.
She particularly loves teaching children and has taught pre-school, first grade literacy, and is a certified Kindermusik educator. She also taught junior high band at Meridian School in Provo.
She developed a love for teaching literacy on her mission to the Dominican Republic. She is currently involved in combining her music training and her passion for literacy developing curriculum and teaching literacy and music to toddlers and preschoolers at Orem Public Library as a professional storyteller.
Gigging as a studio musician, playing as a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square, and being a Board member and principal oboist for Utah Valley Symphony have been some of her favorite experiences as an oboist.
Her favorite teaching job, however, is as a mother of 8 musicians—all in various stages of life and music—and as a grandmother of 2 adorable little ones.
Kathy Colton
Horn
Kathy Colton wanted to play flute, but thanks to a not very talented brother she was led to her spirit instrument, the horn! She has studied with great hornists: Ralph Froelich, Jeffrey Kirschen, Gaylen Hatton, Greg Hustis, and Larry Lowe. She is a current member of the International Horn Society and a member of the Utah Horn Club Committee.
Kathy Colton has performed throughout the United States. She has performed with the Florida Orchestra, Utah Symphony, Ballet West Orchestra, and Utah Lyric Opera. She is a member of the Utah Metropolitan Ballet Orchestra and a freelance musician.
She is also a member of the Sounding Brass Quintet. The quintet is sponsored by ARTS, Inc.
The quintet’s main objective is to encourage young students to be involved in music and that music is a fun and rewarding experience. The quintet has performed hundreds of concerts throughout Utah promoting music in the schools.
In addition to performing, Kathy is a respected teacher and coach. She has been an adjunct horn professor at BYU for overtwenty years. Her responsibilities have included teaching private lessons and brass pedagogy, coaching chamber ensembles, and conducting masterclasses. In addition to being an adjunct horn professor at BYU, she is currently the adjunct horn instructor at Snow College. She was also the adjunct horn instructor at UVU for ten years. She has also maintained a prominent horn studio at home. Her students have been recognized for their outstanding achievements, such as: All-State Band and Orchestraparticipants, college scholarships, superior ratings at solo and ensemble festivals, Sterling Scholar finalists, and many have pursued successful musical careers. Most of all she enjoys cultivating a musical environment for each student to grow and enjoy music!
Kathy has been an instructor at the BYU Musicians Summerfestival/Institute and clinician for Legacy Music Alliance. She is currently on faculty for the Vivace Summer Music Camp.
Kathy is married and has three children and one grandchild. She resides in Orem, Utah and enjoys photography, Disney, and serving others.
Michelle Hansen
Clarinet, Folk Dance, and Orffestra
Michelle Hansen received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Master’s degree in Clarinet Performance from BYU. She has taught private clarinet and piano lessons for many years and is pursuing certification in Kodaly and Orff music education methods. Michelle has worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines flying between Japan and Newark and also worked as a volunteer storyteller at the Orem Library for 17 years. Michelle taught music in the public schools for 2 years and has hopes to return there someday.
She currently plays with the Orchestra at Temple Square and teaches music classes at the Lindon Community Center and for children with special needs. She also loves to play tennis, cook for her 6 children and husband, and read anything recommended to her.
Dr. Kristina Horrocks
Viola
Dr. Kristina Horrocks joined the music faculty of Brigham Young University–Idaho in 2017, teaching applied viola and music theory. Dr. Horrocks was awarded her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Viola Performance and Certificate of Graduate Studies in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. She earned her Master of Music and Bachelor of Musical Arts from BYU and BYU–Idaho respectively. In addition to her university pursuits, Dr. Horrocks has been teaching young violists and violinists for 21 years as a trained and certified Suzuki teacher.
As a performer, Dr. Horrocks has been a member of several professional orchestras and chamber groups. She has performed with orchestras around the U.S., Europe, and China, and is currently a member of Serenata Strings, the BYU–Idaho faculty string ensemble, and the Idaho Falls Symphony.
Kristi Geddes Jenkins
Violin
Thomas Kinder
Tuba
Thomas Kinder is currently pursuing a Master in Tuba Performance at Brigham Young University. He has studied with some of the finest and most accomplished tubists in the nation. Previous teachers include John DeCesare of the Seattle Symphony, Floyd Cooley of the San Francisco Symphony, and Frank Crawford of the Presidents Own Marine Band. He currently studies with Dan Bryce, Professor of Tuba at BYU.
Thomas has participated in several professional auditions and has recently been a semifinalist at the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, Maryland. He was recently a winner of the BYU Concerto Competition and performed as a soloist with the BYU Philharmonic. As an undergraduate, he was chosen to be a soloist on tour with his school’s Wind Symphony.
With experience in symphony, jazz, and studio recording, he also maintains a small studio when time permits. Thomas thrives on anything tuba!
BekaLara Willey Larrucea
Violin
BekaLara Willey Larrucea will graduate this summer from Utah Valley University, where she has served as concert master and principal violist of the UVU Symphony. Her teacher is Donna Fairbanks. Beka is majoring in Violin Performance.
She won the Hal Campbell 2021 composer competition and soloed with the Orchestra of Southern Utah performing her original composition “Violin Fantasy” this past April. Rebekah has soloed with the Utah Symphony a five times, along with the Debut Orchestra in Beverly Hills, Utah Valley Symphony, UVU Symphony, Timpanogos Symphony, etc.
BekaLara started violin at 12 months with her mother, and also studied with Deborah Moench, Barbara Williams, and Katherine Eberly. She played her first full symphony at age 7, and solo violin in “Fiddler in the Roof” at 12. She won the Utah Prize in the first Stradivarius International Violin Competition, first prize in the Utah Baroque Competition, & 2nd place in the Grand Junction Symphony Competition. She was concertmaster of Utah’s All-State Orchestra, concert master of the Lyceum Philharmonic & Music Festival for ten years, from age 12, and performed in National High School Honors Orchestra and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Beka is also a gifted vocalist. She won 1st place in the Scera Shell Celebrity and NATS competitions, soloed on Puccini with the Utah Symphony, has sung the soprano solos in Messiah, and shared the spotlight on violin and voice with Dallyn Vail Bayles on the American Fork Symphony concert in 2020.
Teacher-trained in the Suzuki method, Rebekah maintains a studio of young violinists/violists, is associate director of Vivace Chamber Ensemble, and is the string coach for the Vivace Orchestra Camp and Mountains and Strings Retreat.
Scott Lesser
Cello
Bryan Lew
Viola
Bryan is a member of the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra since April 2018. Prior to his appointment with the Kyushu Symphony, he was a member of the Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra since 2015.
A native of Lehi, Utah, Bryan began studying viola at the age of 5. He graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree under the tutelage of Claudine Bigelow. Bryan completed his Master of Music degree at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying viola with Atar Arad. Previous festival appearances include Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA, National Repertory Orchestra, the National Orchestral Institute, and Domaine Forget.
An active chamber musician, Bryan won Grand Prize at the 2012 Utah Chamber Music Competition, and he received the Kuttner Quartet Fellowship Award at Indiana University in 2014. As a soloist, Bryan has performed in master classes and recitals throughout Japan, North America, Europe, and China.
Sarah Mano
Music & Movement, Orffestra, Piano, and Yoga
Sarah Mano began studying piano at the age of 5 and violin at the age of 8, studying under Nan Purcell, Robert Smith, Irene Peery-Fox, and Barbara Williams. Named BYU School of Music’s Outstanding Performer, Sarah soloed with several symphonies, including appearances in Venice, Prague, and Utah. She currently performs with Inouye Sisters Six Hands and is working on a project to research, perform, and teach the unique genre of six-hand repertoire to students and teachers.
Ms. Mano has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance and is a nationally certified piano teacher through Music Teachers National Association. Sarah has taught private piano lessons for over 20 years. She finished her Orff levels training in 2010. She teaches early childhood music and movement classes, has presented at several national and local music education conferences, and is past president of Utah Orff Chapter. Beginning a steady yoga practice in 2011, Sarah is a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT).
Sarah Marshall
Cello
Sarah Arnesen has been playing music since age 5. She has a B.A in Cello Performance from Brigham Young University-Idaho and a M.M in Cello Performance from the University of Utah. She studied with Karin Hendricks, Robert Tueller, Elliott Cheney and Pegsoon Whang. Sarah is the Director of Music at Paradigm High School’s in South Jordan and runs a private Suzuki cello studio. Sarah has played with the Orchestra at Temple Square for 9 years and enjoys performing with the Canyon String Quartet. Sarah enjoys traveling and has toured the United States, Canada and Europe with various orchestras. When not making music Sarah loves to run, go to the theater, and spend time with her family.
Carol Nelson
Vocal Specialist, Soprano
Ms. Nelson was named Utah’s First Place Winner in the New York Metropolitan Opera competition and she has soloed with national and international symphonies, choirs, and theaters, including the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.
She has starred in dozens of musical theatre roles. Favorites include: Guinevere in Camelot, Eliza in My Fair Lady, Maria in Sound of Music, Lily in Secret Garden, Fiona in Brigadoon, Laurie in Oklahoma, Julie in Carousel and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance.
For 20 years, Carol studied voice. She trained with world-renowned soprano, JoAnn Ottley; former vocal coach for the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and former adjunct music professor at the University of Utah.
“It is rare to find a singer who has that extra spark which makes the difference between a craftsman and a true artist. Carol Nelson has that spark in abundance and more. She is passionate about her art, is an experienced performer, a thirsty student, and seems to deliver an element of magic in her performances. She also has dimensions in her voice quality and range, which are relatively rare. Those qualities coupled with her intelligence, temperament and exceptional talent, have made Carol a joy to work with, and I recommend her without hesitation.” – JoAnn Ottley
Eric Noyes
Vocal Specialist, Bass
Eric received his Bachelor of Music degree in choral education from Brigham Young University and his Master of Music Education degree from Central Washington University. He currently teaches choir, guitar, and musical theatre at South Hills Middle School in Riverton. In 2019, Eric was given the Jordan Education Foundation Outstanding Educator Award for his work at South Hills. He loves the awkwardness of middle school students, and finds great joy in providing experiences for teenagers to perform music excellently. Additionally, Eric is active as a director of community choirs, currently working as the Associate Conductor of Utah Voices, a large ensemble based in Bountiful. Previously, Eric served as the conductor of the BYU Russian Choir for three years, as well as an accompanist and member of several university choirs. He also was the associate conductor of Sterling Singers for two seasons. Eric’s musical versatility has provided him opportunities to perform in unique settings such as Hale Centre Theatre, Carnegie Hall and with the ACDA Men’s Honor Choir. Eric and his wife enjoy making music a priority and joy for their three children.
Robert Peterson
Trumpet
Studying with Art Unsworth and David Blackinton, Bob Peterson completed his undergraduate trumpet performance degree at Brigham Young. Bob delighted performing with Ralph Laycock and David Blackinton the BYU Philharmonic, Wind Symphony, various chamber groups,operas and oratorios. He has enjoyed performing with the Utah Valley Symphony, Nachtmusik (Mozart orchestra), and many, many, many Messiahs and other classical treasures with Lois Stout, Martha Sargent, Elizabeth Palmer, Alison Unsworth, Shawna Gottfredson, Ralph Woodward, Doug Bush, Russell Wilson, Greg Benson, to name a few.
Bob did his master’s degree at the University of Michigan.He studied with Armando Ghitalla, Ray Maize, and Robert Oats. While at Michigan, Bob was chosen to be the trumpet coach for the high school trumpeters bound for the eight-week Interlochen national summer music camps.
Bob’s music career included a decade in the 5th Army Band, San Antonio, Texas, and The United States Continental Army Band in Hampton, Virginia. Besides soloing with several bands and chamber ensembles, Bob was the chief staff arranger for the band and performed in several vocal groups as well. A tremendous opportunitywas Bob’s several solo performances with organist Jack Darling at Bruton Parrish Church in Colonial Williamsburg,Virginia.
Post military band days, Bob taught music at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Bob has played in four brass quintets in along the Wasatch front, Sounding Brass, Top Brass, Art City Brass, and the Olympus Brass. Bob was a founding member of the British style Brass band “Utah Premiere Brass.” Not long afterwards Bob was invited to be a member of a new trumpet group called “Gabriel.” With 8 trumpets, a pianist, pipe organ, and percussionist, Gabriel has performed from St. George to Logan, Utah. Gabriel has been featured in performances of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square as well. Bob was invited to join the Tabernacle Choir family to play trumpet in the trumpet section in 2015.
Bob really enjoys teaching, arranging, producing, and performing music. He loves coaching and lifting musicians, helping to hone their skills, and to become comfortable in the performance arena.
Kaitlin Rackham
Violin
A violin instructor located in Saratoga Springs, Kaitlin Rackham graduated with a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Brigham Young University in 2015, studying under Professor Alexander Woods. She currently is a member of the Orchestra at Temple Square, performs with the Lux Choral Society and Vox Humana, and teaches private violin lessons from her home.
In addition to coaching at the Vivace Orchestra Camp since 2019, Kaitlin has worked as a Chamber Music Coach for BYU’s SummerFest music program and as a sectional coach for several LYCEUM Orchestras and Summer LMFY. Through private lessons, Kaitlin is building a community of violinists in the Saratoga Springs that will propagate for years to come.
Jennifer Rudd
Flute/Piccolo
Jennifer Rudd began playing the piano at the young age of 4. She was taught by her father who was an accomplished pianist himself. That was the beginning of a love for music that would last the rest of her life. At age 9 she began playing the flute and excelled in both instruments.
Jennifer was awarded a music scholarship to Weber State University for her flute playing. She participated in the Weber State Bands and Orchestra. She majored in Math Education but continued to study the flute. She won the concerto competition at Weber State two separate years, performing on flute andpiccolo. While she was doing her student teaching, she was invited to return and solo on the flute with the Wind Ensemble in a concert at Weber State. She studied with Sally Humphreys, a well-known flutist in Salt Lake City.
After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Jennifer auditioned for the Orchestra at Temple Square and became the principal piccolo player in 2001. She has played with the orchestra for over 20 years now and loves the experience. She has toured all over the United States with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, as well as had the opportunity to perform with many amazing guest artists and under the baton of many esteemed conductors including the famous John Williams. While in the Orchestra at Temple Square, Jennifer has played in countless concerts, and is often featured as a soloist. She has also played with the Utah Symphony, the Ballet West Orchestra, and several other professional ensembles throughout Utah.
Jennifer lives in Farmington with her husband and 4 young children that she adores. She taught high school math for 10 years and now tutors math students while she raises her kids. She has taught her children piano and loves experiencing music with them. As a family they also love sports, playing board games, and being together.
Catherine Schulzke
Cello
Mollie Shutt
Bassoon
Mollie has been a bassoonist with the Orchestra at Temple Square for over 20 years. She has played both bassoon and contrabassoon with numerous organizations around Utah including the Utah Symphony, Utah Opera, Ballet West, and the American Festival Chorus. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University. While at BYU, she was a winner of the BYU School of Music’s concerto competition and was a featured soloist on an international tour.
In addition to music, Mollie loves portrait photography, hiking, mountain biking, Taekwondo, and her role as Dungeon Master. Mollie and her husband Jeff have 2 children and 3 cats.
Alexis Smerdon
Trombone
Alexis Smerdon is in her 10th year of running her own private trombone studio. Her studio is located in Utah County. Her students go on to do well in All-state and solo and ensemble festival. She is the Principal Trombonist in the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra. She is also an adjunct music instructor at Utah Valley University where she teaches fundamentals of music theory and classical music appreciation.
Kathryn DeLaMare Troy
Cello
Kathryn DeLaMare Troy is a cellist whose focus is to communicate the meaning and beauty of music to diverse audiences. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at LSU, studying under Dennis Parker. Troy also works as a freelance musician in greater Baton Rouge and New Orleans, playing for weddings and local orchestras including the Acadiana Symphony. She has become a sought-after musician in genres ranging from basso continuo player in early music settings to performing world premieres for rising composers.
Troy received her Master of Music from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying under Nicholas Tzavaras, cellist of the Shanghai Quartet. She was an active musician in the Boston area, performing with organizations such as the Boston Celebrity Series, the New England Film Orchestra, and Boston Opera Collaborative.
As the 2020 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement from the Longy School, Troy has demonstrated her commitment to increasing classical music’s accessibility through organizing community concerts, performing therapeutic music, and even creating humorous online videos. She was named the Loring Conant Music Practitioner Scholar, which funded her training to become a Certified Music Practitioner and play one-on-one therapeutic music at the bedsides of patients in hospitals. In addition to playing the cello, Troy also enjoys music composition, painting, and llama training.
Miriam Wagstaff
Viola, Violin, Fiddle
Miriam Wagstaff began studying violin at the age of six, adding viola at age eleven. Highlights include performing as All-Star Evening soloist with the Utah Symphony 2016, serving as concertmaster of the Utah All-State Orchestra 2018, and participating as first violinist in the BYU Honors Quartet 2019-2020 season. Miriam has soloed with several orchestras across the state including the Utah Valley Symphony, Orchestra of Southern Utah, Southwest Symphony, and Timpanogus Symphony Orchestra. She has participated in masterclasses with William Hagen, Stephanie Chase, Paul Coletti, Patricia McCarty, James Dunham, and Natalie MacMaster. Previous teachers include Prof. Monte Belknap, Dr. David Dalton, Denise Willey, and Megan Cottam. Miriam is an award winning fiddler with a particular interest in Irish/Celtic and other ethnic fiddling styles. She just finished a folk & fiddle album titled Memory’s Refrain. Miriam was awarded the Utah State Open Championship in 2015, and has fiddled at various venues, including the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival and live radio show “Life Under the Horseshoe.” In addition to her love of music, Miriam enjoys reading, visiting with friends and family, and spending time in the great outdoors. Miriam is currently apprenticing to become a midwife.
Nathan West
Violin
Nathan West started playing violin as a Suzuki student at age 6. He performed regularly throughout his teenage years in his hometown of Pocatello Idaho at nursing homes, retirement centers, community and church events.
After serving a mission for his church, he attended Brigham Young University-Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Music Arts, String Emphasis degree. This trend continued as he attended graduate school at the University of Utah, earning a Master of Music in Violin performance. He supplemented his studies at the U with pursuit of a new interest, orchestral conducting.
Nathan’s motivation has always been performing. He has always enjoyed entertaining people of any age and culture with music and showmanship. He has performed solo recitals and in orchestras around the mid-West and several times in Europe. In 2020 he performed in Carnegie Hall with the Park City Singers.
Currently he teaches music and orchestra at Promontory Charter School (grades 5-8) in Perry, conducts the Northern Utah Youth Chamber Orchestra, and teaches private lessons.
Alexander Willey
Double Bass
Brandon Williams
Timpani & Percussion
More faculty information coming soon!
We are hiring the best of the best— many of your favorites from past years and some new faces!
VIVACE Family Music Camp 