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
Musicians
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
Hannah Drake – Harp
Hannah Drake joined EMSO in fall 2022. She plays a 2007 Venus Penti Concert Harp. Hannah is originally from Charleston, IL and started playing harp in her childhood. During her undergraduate studies in chemistry at Western Illinois University, she played and toured with the WIU orchestra, played for the WIU opera, and accompanied for recitals.
David Grover – Trumpet
David started performing with the brass section of EMSO in 2022. He plays trumpet. David is chip designer and lives in Eden Prairie. He is originally from Vermont.
Kevin Mallery – Trumpet
Kevin has been a member of EMSO since being recruited by his now wife (violinist Jeanette) in 2018. He grew up in Minnetonka and currently lives in Woodbury with his wife. Kevin is a trained mechanical engineer and practicing data scientist at TSI, Inc. in Shoreview. When not playing trumpet, Kevin enjoys reading sci-fi/fantasy novels