Brianna Larsen – French Horn

Brianna joined EMSO in the spring of 2018. She grew up in Tea, South Dakota and currently resides in Inver Grove Heights. She comes from a long line of musicians, which includes her mother, who has been a church organist since the age of 13, and her grandmother, who played in a band in the

Dave Englund – Violin

Dave Englund joined EMSO in the spring of 2018. His violin was made in Germany in 1758. Age doesn’t make a violin good, but Dave appreciates how the centuries of playing contribute to the beautiful, mellow voice if the violin. Dave worked as a Minneapolis. Public Schools music teacher for 31 years, until retiring in 2015.  Most

Barbara Englund – Cello

Barbara Englund joined EMSO in March of 2018. She plays a cello made by Michael Scoggins. Barbara grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, where she started cello at age 7 and trombone at age 9. Her family moved to Edina, MN and she participated in Band and Orchestra in that excellent school system. She has a Bachelor

Kyle Johnson – Viola

Kyle Johnson joined EMSO in 2018, during the orchestra’s 10th anniversary, which also coincided with Kyle’s 10-year anniversary of playing the viola. He joined EMSO because he was going to a college that didn’t have an orchestra and he wanted to keep playing. He will be graduating from college in December 2020 with a AA

Stephen Thompson – Cello

Steve joined the EMSO in 2017 as a cellist.  Steve started playing cello about 15 years ago when his 8-year-old daughter started taking violin lessons with the idea that he could keep pace with her as she progressed.  They are both still playing in orchestras (but she is far better than her dad!). Steve is

Jim Wainwright – Cello

Jim Wainwright is the principal cellist for EMSO. He joined EMSO in 2009. He has also performed with, Roseville String Ensemble, St. Croix Valley Symphony and West Shore Symphony.    Jim’s cello was made by Mao Lin in 2000. He grew up in Muskegon, MI and currently resides in Hudson, WI with wife Lorna and

Mary Jane Latu – Violin

Mary Jane Latu joined EMSO during the fall of 2018. She currently works in Governance & Compliance at a tech company. She grew up in Brooklyn Park, MN, and is now living in the uptown area of Minneapolis. Spending time with family and friends brings her joy.  A message from Mary: If you’re reading this

Joyce Laidlaw – Clarinet

Joyce Laidlaw joined the 3M Symphony Orchestra in 1973 and continues to perform with EMSO. She is the principal clarinetist for the orchestra.  Her instrument is a Buffet R-13 clarinet. Joyce is a retired hospital laboratory scientist. She grew up in Fergus Falls, MN and now lives in St Paul. Her favorite hobbies are genealogy,