Director, Delegate to the AFM Convention
I am a candidate for Local 47’s Board of Directors. As a 39 year member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s first violin section, I feel strongly that the success of our union is dependent upon collaboration between musicians of all genres. We must work together to create a proactive, productive, inclusive environment in which to endeavor to solve the many challenges that our current climate presents.
I am a second generation orchestral musician; my father was Principal Bass of the Chicago Symphony for almost 50 years. Growing up in Chicago with both parents working as professional musicians (my mother was a free lance cellist, primarily in pit orchestras), I had early exposure to the importance of the unity and protection that union membership offered. I became a member of Local 10-208 at age 15, and freelanced in Chicago playing in ballet orchestras during my high school and college years. I graduated cum laude from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a scholarship student of Dorothy DeLay.
Following graduation, I played in the first violin section of the Rochester Philharmonic for a season and a half before joining the LA Phil.
During my time at the Philharmonic, I have served on every committee within the orchestra, chairing several of them, as well as serving as the orchestra’s ICSOM delegate for a number of years. I have negotiated contracts, as well as serving on the Philharmonic’s Health Care Task Force which examines the impact of ever increasing health care costs. I have donated countless recitals and speaking engagements to support philanthropic arms of the Philharmonic, and have additionally participated in numerous outreach performances through Street Symphony, a non-profit organization that brings music to homeless and incarcerated populations in Los Angeles.
COVID-19 has paralyzed almost every segment of our performing livelihoods, with concert halls, recording studios, clubs, and all live venues largely silenced. We are all adapting to the new reality of streamed content and Zoom collaborations. As we eventually emerge from the pandemic, Local 47 will need to provide much needed resources to musicians of all stripes to support a return to a new and improved “normality”.
Unity and inclusion in our union, as well as our nation, have never been more crucial, especially with the additional crises of social unrest, political upheaval, and the spotlight on systemic racism. As artists, we have an essential healing power, but we must also offer guidance for those within our ranks who need it. I look forward to being a part of this resuscitation, working hand in hand with my colleagues in Local 47 for a better tomorrow.
I would be honored to have your support. Thank you.