Laura joined EMSO in 2025 after settling back into her home state of MN. She grew up in Rochester where high school band was a huge part of her life. She played a little in college before taking a (long) break from music to focus on school, starting a career as a veterinarian, moving to
Musicians
Justine Pearson – Piccolo
Justine Pearson joined EMSO as a piccolo/flute sub in 2021 and as a member in 2024. Previously, she has played with St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra, Shoreview North Star Band, several local theater organizations, tour groups, and various sub/chamber gigs and seasonal orchestras, in addition to teaching private flute lessons. Outside of EMSO, Justine works
Elizabeth Strauss – Cello
Dean Lindstrom – Cello
Natalie Jahnsen – Violin
Willow Buckner-Gaudynski – Violin
Willow joined EMSO in 2025 after encouragement from her friend, and EMSO oboist, Haley Martin. She played violin for 10 years in school, starting in 1st grade, and even dabbled in upright bass for a year. After putting the violin away during college, she didn’t pick it back up for a decade—but now she’s dusting
Caleb Bevilacqua – Violin
Caleb joined EMSO in 2025. He began playing violin in 5th grade and later attended the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a performing arts high school. He also plays violin in a folk band with Seamus Donelan. Caleb’s primary instrument is a carbon fiber violin made by Mezzo-Forte in Germany. With Minnesota’s extreme weather and
Peter Eigenfeld – Trumpet
Peter currently serves on EMSO’s Board of Directors.
William Boatman – Cello
William is a retired university reference librarian. He has played the cello from early youth, beginning in the public schools of Des Moines, Iowa. Now living in St. Paul, William has been a member of East Metro Symphony Orchestra since Spring of 2025. Decades ago, William studied with (now the late) Robert Jamieson, at the