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.
Musicians
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,
Cecilia Alexander – Viola
Cecilia joined EMSO in 2024 and loves being part of the orchestra. She grew up in the Twin Cities area and now live in Minneapolis with three rambunctious cats. She works as a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence in the metro area. Outside of the orchestra, Cecilia love crocheting, reading, swimming, and watching
Neha Nagaraj – Viola
Neha Nagaraj joined EMSO in 2024. Neha has played the viola for over 12 years and started her journey in Maple Grove, MN. Music has always helped her feel connected to others, both with the audience or her fellow musicians. She’s played with her high school’s top-auditioned string orchestra and had been part of the University of
Becky Drath – Violin
Becky joined EMSO in 2024. She has played violin for 54 years. Becky is an Insurance Advisor and lives in River Falls, WI. Prior to that she lived in Eau Claire for 32 years and grew up in Holmen, WI. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, making cards, scrapbooking and gardening. She and her
Madison Wieczorek – Cello
Dan Collins – Bass
Vivian Quam – Oboe
Vivian joined the EMSO in the fall of 2024. She plays oboe and English horn. Vivian is a homemaker and she and her husband take care of their two-year-old granddaughter two days each week. She also plays in the Gnu Woodwind Quintet which regularly performs at senior communities. She lived in Sweden, New Jersey and
Eugenia Meltzer – Violin
Eugenia Meltzer grew up in Champaign, Il. As a child, her summers were spent at Illinois Summer Youth Music and later Meadowmount. She studied violin with Paul Rolland and Endre Granat, getting her Bachelor’s at the University of Illinois. She then got her Masters in Music at the University of Wisconsin where she studied with