Susan Barry joined EMSO in 2024 after having attended a couple EMSO concerts. Susan is recently retired, formerly employed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue as a supervising attorney. She grew up in Northfield, Minnesota, and now resides in St. Paul with her husband. She enjoys playing her cello, making music with EMSO, spending time
Musicians
Amanda Rodgers – Cello
Amanda joined the cello section of EMSO in fall of 2024. She was looking for an ensemble that would challenge her but had a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. Although EMSO is far away from her hometown and current residence in New Brighton, she doesn’t mind making the trek. She lives with her family (parents and younger
Jenny Larsen – Cello
Jenny joined EMSO in 2023. She grew up in St. Louis Park, MN. She was a member of the Minnesota Youth Symphony for many years and has a Bachelor’s of Music in vocal performance/minor in cello and two Master’s degrees in leadership and theology. Currently, Jenny is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in
Dayle Quigley – Violin
Beth Stewart – Violin
Beth learned to love good classical music from her dad, who often played pieces for her and her siblings from his cassette tape collection. She fell in love with the violin when she saw another elementary school student play one and she started in the fourth grade. She played all through middle and high school and
Ana Frometa – Violin
Scott Halberg – Bass
Lisa Brown – Percussion
Lisa has played in the EMSO percussion section since Fall 2023. This has been her first opportunity to play orchestral percussion, and she has enjoyed learning tambourine, glockenspiel, cymbals, timpani, and other instruments. Her main instrument is clarinet with a BA in Music from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where she grew up.
Bruce Hartleben – Percussion
Denny McGinn – French Horn
Denny has played with EMSO on a number of occasions in the past and is spending the 2024-2025 season as a permanet sub with the orchestra. Denny retired as a software engineer and then turned horn playing into a full-time occupation. He now plays with several community groups including Camerata Brass, the UWRF Symphony Band,