Abby joined EMSO in 2023. A long-time resident of Moorhead, MN, she grew up in Moorhead, started playing violin in 5th grade, and went to college at Minnesota State University Moorhead where she studied chemistry. Abby moved to St Paul to work as a Regulatory Associate at Ecolab. Her hobbies outside of EMSO include drawing
Musicians
Michael Grasley – Violin
Michael began playing the violin in the 3rd grade and continued to play in orchestras during college and into adulthood. He began playing with the 3M Club Symphony Orchestra during their final season in 2008-2009 and then continued with EMSO when it was founded during the 2009-2010 season. He played with the orchestra until the conclusion
Britt Peterson – Violin
Britt Peterson joined EMSO in the fall of 2023. Britt grew up in Black River Falls, Wisconsin and now resides in St Paul with her husband and two young children. She works as a project manager helping authors self-publish their books. Her hobbies include camping, hiking, sewing, and playing violin and bass in a Kate
Suki Sun – Violin
Before moving to Eagan, MN with her boyfriend in the winter of 2021, Suki spent 10 years living in Manhattan. During the isolated period of the COVID-19 pandemic, she picked up her violin again after a 25-year hiatus. She played the violin every day from 6-16 years old in China, but never had the chance
Rachel Knipfer – Cello
Joshua Diaz – Bass
Joshua’s love for music was cultured by his parents during his early childhood. He started piano and guitar lessons before gravitating to electric bass and double bass in high school. During high school, He performed double bass in symphonic band and Jazz ensembles under the direction of Vincent Aiello. He qualified for a music scholarship
Shan Jiang – Cello
Shan joined EMSO in 2019 as a cellist after she moved to Twin Cities from Boston. She learned about EMSO from a friend and decided to be a player right after her first concert with EMSO – as an audience member. Shan appreciates the great opportunity to play with a diverse group of talented musicians
Robin Waller – Percussion
Robin Waller joined EMSO in 2021, after a 13 year hiatus from playing percussion music. She was thrilled that EMSO graciously let her jump right back in to performing. She is a Microsoft Dynamics consultant and lives in St. Louis Park, MN. Her hobbies include tennis, pickleball, golf, xc skiing, volleyball, traveling, and trivia Robin
Janice Wenker – Violin
Janet Boots Larson – Percussion
Janet Boots Larson joined EMSO’s percussion section in 2022. Boots taught music in public and parochial schools. She has a master’s in theology and is now retired clergy. She previously played clarinet in the Minnesota State Band and currently plays clarinet in the Leichtennein Nein Polka Band. Her husband, Ron, plays viola for EMSO. She