Anniversary Greetings from our Alumni

Nassim and Daniel Balestrini
Violin and Euphonium respectively

Nassim (née Berdjis) and Daniel Balestrini, UCDSO members during the mid-1990s who first met in the UCDSO and got married in Davis in 1997, live with their son, Vahid, in Regensburg, Germany. Nassim holds a tenured lectureship in American Studies at the University of Regensburg; Daniel is currently working in the musicology department at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, where he is preparing a PhD thesis.

Barbara Barham Mes
Violin (concertmaster)

I have just returned to Texas after a visit to California and found in my mail the invitation to the 50th anniversary celebration. I am sorry I will not get to be present to see what the orchestra has now become. Thinking back I realize that I must have been a part of the orchestra the very first year it started.

My family had moved to Vacaville from Raleigh, North Carolina during the summer of 1958 when I was 16 years old. Since Vacaville had no orchestra and I was a violinist, my father drove me up to play with the U.C. Davis orchestra once a week for two years, until I was a freshman.

During the following four years the orchestra rehearsal was a high point of each week for me. I recall a girl at Struve Hall asking me as I came back from a rehearsal if I had been out on a date, I looked so happy! Perhaps that was the evening that as I biked to rehearsal I saw, at the last minute, a six foot deep unprotected ditch across the road. I braked and narrowly missed landing in it, bike, violin, and all.

I recall that when I became concertmistress, it was fun sharing the desk with my art history professor. There was a great feeling of cameraderie in the orchestra as a whole. At a distance of 50 years I remember really enjoying it when the orchestra was joined by a campus choral group to perform an oratorio (by Handel, I believe). I felt like each of us was a small but important part of something bigger than ourselves, and that each was a necessary contributor.

After graduating from U.C. Davis, I went to Berkeley in 1964-66 and then abroad with a Fulbright Scholarship. I've spent 20 of the intervening years outside the U.S. and have often found playing my violin a way to be a blessing to others. Thanks to those at U.C. Davis who had the foresight, energy, and perseverance to get that orchestra started all those years ago.

Congratulations to all involved!

Terry Buchmiller, MD
Violin (associate concertmaster)

Greetings from Boston! I was thrilled to receive the invite to the gala concert…what a great achievement and event! I wish that I lived closer so that an old alumnus could attend. Really nothing hugely new here … love the job at Children's Hospital, Boston and have many, many partners so that overnight call is infrequent. I’m one of two surgeons in the fetal surgery program, so work is never boring!

We have a great symphony that meets across the street (www.longwoodsymphony.org) so I’m able to play most of the year as well. The programming is unique and quite different than the standard repertoire, so it keeps us on our toes! Well, hope all is well with you, and just wanted to send a quick note to let you know what great memories I have of my time at UCD

Marianne Chatterton
Percussion

After graduating, I worked for Seminis Vegetable Seeds and performed with the San Francisco Renegades for several years. I just finished my first year in UCD’s full-time MBA program. I’m currently interning in Mondavi Center’s marketing department, and working with the Arts & Business Council of Sacramento. When I finish the program next June, I’ll be pursuing a career in performing arts management.

Andrea Cheuk
Clarinet

I am currently a law student at UCLA Law (I just finished my first year), and I actually participated in UCLA's chamber music program this year. (Though UC Davis' program is far superior!)

Alan Hearl
Trumpet

Larry Austin was the conductor and director back in the late 50's and early 60's. What good memories. We had a brass choir and to be part of that continues to be a special memory.

After UCD I graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary, MDiv and then later the Doctor of Ministry Degree. I've had the best job in the world sharing GOOD NEWS as a Pastor and Chaplain (Navy Captain) in the United States Navy and helping people discover and bring to life the music of hope and compassion, justice, mercy and real love in the words and deeds of their lives. My wife Karen and I have been married almost 46 years. Though our earth suits show us as getting older, we still have a little girl and boy down inside that is full of life and resists "growing old." We have two sons, happily married, and four grandchildren.

Nicole Henares
Violin

Married to a blues guitarist from Finland... Just began my 6th year teaching English at Lowell High School in San Francisco (some of my former students are in the UCDSO). Editor of the Monterey Poetry Review (I put out my first issue last June which can be viewed online at http://www.montereypoetryreview.org ) Am also working on my MFA in Creative Writing at San Jose State University. My grandmother is still alive and will be celebrating her 95th birthday this December.

Tom Kaiser
Organ

After completing my studies in the UCD Music Dept (1984), I started full-time employment at UC Davis, I served as Assistant Director at the California National Primate Research Center 1984-1992. In 1992, I accepted the position of Executive Assistant Dean for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and I continue to serve in that role. On the music front, I served as organist for Holy Rosary Church in Woodland (1981-93), conductor of the Woodland Chamber Orchestra (1984-87), director of music for St. James Church in Davis (1993-2003), and bass section leader for the Sacramento Master Singers (1996-present).

Kristin Simpson Kellett
Trumpet

I have been busy teaching science at Dixon High School - will be on my 4th year starting this coming August. I teach Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and a Companion Animal Care course. I miss playing trumpet with you and the UCDSO!

Chris Knowdell
Trombone (Class of 1990)

I'm married with a son, and I'm an attorney practicing in San Francisco. I will definitely attend the concert.

Constance Koo
Harp

Wow! 50 years, congratulations to the UCDSO! I'm sorry to say that I may not be able to join in on the concert/gala and festivities, being that I'll still be in school in Cleveland ... but who knows. So a little update on what's going on over here: I have one more year before I receive my masters in harp at the Cleveland institute of music (studying w/ Yolanda Kondonassis), and I'm currently playing in the national orchestral institute summer festival in College Park, Maryland. I think as with most students, my post-CIM future is still uncertain, but we'll see what opportunities come around in the next couple of years... and hopefully I'll be prepared for them.

Agnes Lee
Teacher of Harp

This concert sounds wonderful. The Chausson has a small harp part in it and if you would like, I would be happy to be able to participate in your farewell concert. Over the years, I have really enjoyed my work at the university and with the orchestra. I have the great respect for your work and wish you all the best for whatever the future holds.

Nancy Levinsohn
Percussion

What a wonderful surprise! You don't know how often I think of the days playing tympani and percussion in your orchestra and how much pleasure it gave me. I will forward your email to my sister, Joanie, who also played in the same years, in case you don't have her information. To some, it was a novelty ... sisters in the percussion section ... but as she was a year behind me ... we had played together as well while at San Rafael High, symphonic band, orchestra, marching band ... and then to play together again under your baton, was just frosting on an already great cake!

Paul Levy
Violin

I have been continuing my undergraduate education at UCB in English. I have also been playing violin in the Orchestra here, as well as in a chamber group on campus. Currently, I am set to graduate "on schedule" in the spring of '09, upon the (hopeful) completion of my Senior thesis in English. After graduation, I plan on attending the Peace Corps for two years and then returning to academia to receive a graduate degree.

Lindsay Logan
Viola, 1976-79

Currently singing with Sacramento Choral Society; enjoyed coming back 20-some years later to sing the Berlioz Requiem with Kern after playing in the viola section the previous time.

Heidi Lorenzen Jones
Cello (principal)

I started playing my cello again after 21 years (kids, job, life) – I played this last season with Diablo Valley Philharmonic (Owen Lee) and am having a lot of fun getting back into the music and reclaiming MY life.

Maroniae Oleson McDowell
Trumpet

Maroniae Oleson was married to Michael McDowell in summer 2008. I nowlive in the Santa Cruz Mountains on an orchard nestled in the redwoodforest. I will be teaching Earth and Biological Science at Del Mar High School in San Jose, California for the 2008-09 school year. I completed my Master of Arts in Education in March 2007 (UC Davis).

Janelle Metz
Flute and Piccolo, 1986-1990

Wow, what a surprise to get this email...but I have heard so many great things about this new concert hall... I would love to finally see a concert in it! I have been living in San Francisco now for about 8 years and am currently a career counselor at SF State. I am in the midst of a career change, however, and hope to be working in elearning development for Cisco within the next month. It amazing how UC Davis has changed over the years... I still think fondly of my time there. Haven't seen Darin in a million years. Can't wait to catch up with people.

Angelo Moreno
Violin

Angelo is a graduate of UC Davis where he received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Orchestral Conducting under the direction of Dr. D. Kern Holoman. In the Fall of 2002 he also received his Teaching Credential in Music Education from Sacramento State University. During his time at UC Davis, Mr Moreno served as Principal Second Violin and was a loyal orchestra member for six years. He also participated for six years as Concert Master and soloist of the UCD Baroque Ensemble under the direction of Phebe Craig and Michael Sand. Mr. Moreno is a former member of the Napa Valley Philharmonic in which he served as Concert Master and soloist. Mr. Moreno is the Director of the DJUSD Secondary Orchestral program where he teaches at Emerson and Holmes Jr. Highs and Davis Senior High School. In addition to his work in the public schools, Mr. Moreno is the Director of the Sacramento Youth Symphony, Academic Symphony Orchestra, which he began conducting in the Fall of 2002. In 2005 Mr. Moreno was awarded the “Teacher of the Year Award” presented by the CSUS College of Education in recognition of outstanding service to public education. In 2006, he was honored by State Assembly Woman Lois Wolk and given a resolution from the California Legislature recognizing his work in music education. In addition to conducting, Mr. Moreno is a professional violinist with an active private teaching studio. To contrast his classical endeavors, Mr. Moreno enjoys improvisation on the electric violin. When not musically preoccupied, Mr. Moreno values spending free time with his wife Scherezada and two daughters Giavanna and Dchenin, whom he lives with in Woodland, CA.

Don Meyer
Camp Follower

I'm now Associate Professor and Chair of the Music Department at Lake Forest College. Very busy with that, with my wife (Liz) and two kids Zach (14) and Zoe (11), and with composing (now veering into film scoring).

Aileen Nichols
Viola

Shortly after graduating from UCD in 2006, I moved back home to the East Bay Area. I have been helping my family out, working a few different jobs (from bakery, to retail, to teaching), along the way discovering that I love to teach. I just finished my fourth summer teaching geometry in a program called "College for Kids" at Diablo Valley College (with 42 students, 6th-10th grade!). During this past school year I also worked as a special education assistant at Northgate High School, in Walnut Creek. This fall, I will continue working in special education for the Mt. Diablo School District. I am excited about a career in teaching and look forward to entering the teaching credential program at Cal State East Bay in summer 2009. Musically, I have continued to play viola with the Diablo Valley College Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as participating in church choir and UCD Alumni choir events.

Chad Noble
Violin

I work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (since 1997), and just recently received my Ph.D. in Structural Mechanics from UCD (March 2007). It feels great to finally be done with that! Not much else is new. I keep myself busy with volunteering as a Public Safety SCUBA Diver for Alameda County, rock climbing, cycling, running, and pretty much anything else that keeps me active.

Arjay Raffety
Trumpet

I'm still a gainfully employed Aerospace Engineer working in the Silicon Valley. I couldn't stop riding a bicycle after leaving Davis many years ago and have amassed nearly 80,000 miles cycling (mostly commuting) since I moved to the bay area. As a hobby, I have become an abalone shell aficionado. If Kern gets a chance to read this (I realize there will be lots of email to wade through), I was very saddened with John Wellington's recent passing. He and I had several similarities - UCDSO, Aggie Band, California Repercussions, Electrical Engineers at UCD, Berlioz Requiem, etc. John and I shared some good times. While in Hawaii with the Repercussions last year, John and I were drinking Mai Tai's at a Tiki Bar and reflecting on some of our good experiences at Davis to include the UCDSO gigs. Cheers!

Marc Rothschild
Violin

Hi, I played in the UCD symphony in 1976-77 and again in 1979-80 (the latter under D. Kern Holoman). I don't expect he would remember me: after all, I was just in the trenches as a second violin. After graduating I moved to Chicago area and played in the Oak Park Symphony and in a local jazz band (as a violinist). I now live in New Jersey. I no longer play regularly but my son, 18 years old, plays violin and hopefully will play in his school's orchestra (College of New Jersey). He will probably use my violin as he recently broke his (I must be crazy!).

Playing under Dr. Holoman was very exciting. You never knew what is going to happen. I remember one day he got real pissed at the cellos for some reason. In a fit of anger he snapped his baton in two! Then, after pausing for a moment, he calmly reached down and grabbed another baton that he had hidden and proceeded as nothing happened. It was so funny - so Holoman. I also suspected that he locked the doors of the auditorium (not a very great place to play in those days), and would not let anyone leave until AFTER the encore.

I wish I could be there. I travel a lot and if I'm lucky I can be there - but if not, I wish Dr. Holoman the very best.

Siobhan Ryan
Violin

I have three children, all blond with blue eyes (I do live in Norway, after all!) and the eldest, Sofie (who is 11 years old), plays clarinet in a chamber group here in the city of Trondheim. I work as a technical author at Powel ASA, it pays well but part of me will always wonder why I didn't follow my singing ambitions. My husband manages a company that consults in the area of computational field dynamics.

I returned to music again last fall, after a long dry spell. I am now singing first soprano in the local opera troupe "Musikkteatret" (we are setting up La Bohème this fall in the city's main concert hall) and in the Nidaros cathedral choir.

The 1989 trip to French Polynesia with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra was such a major event in my life, that I dare say that trip is part of who I am. When Kern made the impossible happen, flying us to all these places so we could play in Tahiti, Sydney Opera House, and Melbourne Tennis Centre, he couldn't have been thinking with his brain alone. He was thinking with his heart. Had he only thought with his brain, he would never have embarked on such a feat of logistics. Imagine carrying around with you, not only your baggage, passport and airline tickets, but a full orchestra and choir--to Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti. That was exactly what Kern did.

French Polynesia was a lesson in revolutionary music, a musical fantasy, and laughs on the beach with Rosemary and Rafi. Perhaps mostly though, I will always remember the trust we all were given by Kern, putting us center stage in perhaps the most famous concert hall (Sydney's opera house) in the world, and letting us prove something to ourselves under his faithful baton. And I will mark the date 23 November 2008 on my calendar!

Adam Sartain
Tuba

I'm now working for the State of California in the State Treasurer's Office. I work for the Tax Credit Allocation Committee, inspecting low-income housing to ensure it meets IRS (as well as State)guidelines and regulations, which means I travel all over the State. On the musical side (yes, I actually utilize my music degree), I am co-director of the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band, which performs at several parades and events in the Citrus Heights area. (www.chcmb.net) I am also the chairman of the newly formed CHCMB Council. I am looking forward to November! Can't wait to see the ol' Jackson Hall again.

Bruce Schlobohm
Clarinet

Hey, I got the whole family up to Picnic Day this year - first time it's worked out, with no conflicts with soccer, baseball, basketball games, and all that. Lots of Fun. My soon to be Junior now seems to be interested in attending his father's alma mater. ... I tried to get over to the Mondavi Center, but was too late and the doors were already locked, so I still haven't seen the place.
I often think back on my years at UCDavis, and all the wonderful musical opportunities I had there. It was a great time!
Since 1982, I've been working for various computer companies in the Silicon Valley, and have now been with Intel Corporation since Jan 1999 (so 9+ years as of this writing). I'm working on operating system kernels, first Unix, and lately with Linux, however, I'm a huge fan of Apple's Mac OSX - a Windows-free household here. I've played in the Foothill College Band, the De Anza College Orchestra (for many years), and more recently with the Ohlone College Orchestra for the past 10 seasons, as principal clarinet. It's a community orchestra, and pales in comparison to the UCDSO, but I love playing, and I can still have time with the family and hold down the "day job." I've been married to Antoinette (Toni) for the past 19 years, and we have two sons, Luke and Jacob. I'm also volunteering with groups such as the Boy Scouts, and the local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Oh, and I recently performed with my high school's Centennial Orchestra as part of their 100th anniversary event (for the school, not the orchestra).

Michael Shahani
Assistant Conductor

MICHAEL SHAHANI has received a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Nebraska in voice and piano, a Master of Arts Degree in conducting from the University of California at Davis, and a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in orchestral conducting from the Hartt School of the University of Hartford. He has conducted more than 300 performances of more than 50 different operas and musicals. He has also conducted several professional orchestras in dozens of concerts. He is a faculty member (part-time) of City College of San Francisco (CCSF), and has conducted almost all of the City Summer Opera productions and CCSF musical theater productions since 1989 including Kurt Weill's The Silverlake (U.S. premier), The Threepenny Opera (original version San Francisco premier), and Happy End (San Francisco premier), Ernst Bacon's A Tree on the Plains (world premier), Britten’s Paul Bunyan (San Francisco premier), Sondheim’s Assassins (San Francisco premier), Robert X. Rodriguez’s Frida (West Coast premier), K. A. Hartmann’s Simplicius! (U.S. premier), and Gordon Getty’s Plump Jack (world premier complete staged version). He founded both the Hesperian Ensemble Orchestra and the Moraga Chamber Orchestra in the San Francisco area. He has served as Musical Director for VOICES/SF Opera Ensemble, Theater Concord, San Francisco Recreation Symphony, Lyric Theatre of San Jose, and Contra Costa Musical Theater for which he won the 1988 Shellie Award for Outstanding Musical Director for Sweeney Todd. He has been a guest conductor with the Varna Philharmonic, Pleven Philharmonic, and Rousse Philharmonic orchestras in Bulgaria, the China Film Philharmonic in Beijing, the Orquestra Sinfonica de Londrina in Brazil, and the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra. In 1997 and in 1999, he was accepted to compete in the Mario Gusella International Conducting Competition in Pescara, Italy, and was accepted to compete in the Bartok International Opera Conducting Competition in Cluj, Romania in 2007.

David Simpson
French horn

Estimated time to PhD: April 2010.

Yuka Shimizu
French horn

I'm probably the newest UCDSO veteran so I don't have much new to tell but I am going to University of Illinois at Chicago for graduate school in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics in fall. I'm hoping to fly back for the gala concert. If there is going to be an alumni mass choir (or something to play in) I will bring my horn as well. Have fun with Missa solemnis and Brahms 4!

Tom Sturges
Cello

Just got my book published, called Parking Lot Rules & 75 Other Ideas For Raising Amazing Children. Celebrating 20+ years in the music business as Head of Creative for Universal Music Publishing.

Graham Terry
Violin

I have been a private violin and guitar teacher at a music school in Napa for the past year (the Napa School of Music). I recently moved from San Francisco to Oakland to make the commute a little easier, and to pursue a band called Tornado Rider. I play electric bass in this band, and we are fronted by one of the wildest cellists around, Rushad Eggleston. In short, I'm still teaching privately, I am gigging in the west coast and east coast and I couldn't be happier about it.

John Thompson
Violin

Graduated in 1992, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Played (or still playing) with a variety of groups: concert bands including the San Jose Wind Symphony, the Ohlone Wind Orchestra, and the New Fulton Band, marching bands such as Reverend Al's Screamin' Hypin' Revival Band and the California Repercussions, the Gordon Stewart Peninsula Trombone Choir (yes, I picked up trombone), and community musical theater (Saratoga Drama Group). Married Deborah Lee (first female manager of the Cal Aggie Band-uh) in 2000, living in Sunnyvale CA. Working as a Java Developer for Sun Microsystems in Santa Clara. Lots of world-wide travel.

Sarah Thrasher
Bassoon

I still work in the Environmental Science department at UCD. I will start nursing school (to become a Family NP) in either January 09 or August 09 (depending on the program).

Debbie Thurmond
Viola

BS 1987, MS 1992. Played violin and viola 1983-1992 with Kern’s orchestra. Still playing even on a professor’s tight schedule, teaching my 8 yr old daughter Sophia how to play violin and piano. Married for 16 yrs to Kurt Kulhavy. Moved from Davis in 1992 to Iowa City IA to pursue PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Iowa, stayed for a postdoc and took tenure-track position in IU School of Medicine in 2001. Now tenured, thank goodness. My daughter’s best friend in the first grade turned out to be Joshua Bell’s niece Natalie! We were treated to dinner and a concert with ‘Uncle Josh’ last year.

Neil S. Tilley
Bass

Congratulations on a successful life of service. I applaud the orchestra for its jubilee 50th celebration and wish all the best for the night's performance.

Damian Ting
Violin

Teaching band and orchestra at Black Diamond Middle School, orchestra at Deer Valley High School in Antioch, CA and String Ensembles at Los Medanos College, Pittsburg, CA. Member of the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra and North State Symphony, Chico/Redding. Instrumental Music Director at Church of the Good Shepherd, Pittsburg, CA.

Johann and Sherry Trujillo
French horn (1988-96)

Johann: I just realized that it's been quite a while. Sherry and I are doing well. As you can see by our snail mail address, we are living in Santa Barbara (Goleta is right next to SB). We moved here seven years ago after baking in Mesa, AZ for five years. We have two kids now. Nicole, who's 8, is getting to be a good singer and piano player. Nathan is 6 and wants to play the cello, but I don't think he's realized that he's really more of a trombone player.

We are both still playing the horn as often as possible. Sherry was 2nd horn in the Mesa Symphony for about 4 years and I joined her for a couple of years at 4th horn. Now we are playing in the Santa Barbara Community College orchestra. It's fun and sounds OK, but we miss playing in an orchestra as good as yours. We also both get the occasion to play with other local orchestras and quintets throughout the year.

We haven't kept in touch with any of the people for the years we were there, but every now and then we've checked up on how things were going up there. I'm particularly envious of the Mondavi Center. We're looking forward to the 50th anniversary concert and hope we can make it up there for it.

Sherry: Johann about summed it up. Outside of music it's a lot of kid driving around for all of their activities. We support our babysitter for music and our kids with daytime jobs. Johann is an electrical engineer for Dupont Displays and makes flat panel display screens. I am a small animal veterinarian at a 3 doctor practice at a fantastic hospital. I am an associate and work part time. I am lucky enough not to have to have the full responsibility of being an owner and am able to have time for playing my horn and getting the kids involved in fun stuff in our little city of paradise.

Playing music is an essential part of our lives still and it was during our time with your orchestra that we learned we could do that throughout our lives if we made it our priority. We really do hope we can make it and will let you know soon.

Cindy Yorita
Violin

I am currently on "Summer Vacation" as I worked at a local elementary school, and will return as a paraeducator for Kindergarten in the fall.

Justina Wang
Viola

Since graduating from Davis in 2005 I've been keeping up with music by teaching kids. Currently I teach 7 kids, ranging from 5 to 15 year old, piano, violin, and viola during my free time. I also enjoy being a freelance musician playing in quartets and musicals in the Bay Area. I work for a Health Care Association in San Francisco in the Electronic Health Record Department to help doctors' office transition over to the Electronic World.

Brad Wetmore
Percussion

James D. Wood
Timpani

1971-1974 under director Duyong Chung. Also played with American River College band, Riverside City Concert Band.