EMSO is proud to collaborate with numerous fellow performing artists and performing arts groups from within and around the East Metro. Together we have delivered a great variety of musical experiences, including a piano concerto highlighting the students of a local teacher; a collaboration with an acapella show chorus; an investigation of Indonesian music and dance; and an afternoon of big band swing music
2026-2027 Artistic Partners
Thomas Tait
Thomas Tait grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He always had a keen interest in music, and as a boy played piano, violin and soprano bugle in a Drum and Bugle Corp called the Queensmen, and later trumpet in college. Thomas came to the Twin Cities in 1982 to study law, and after graduation he practiced law and wrote legal analyses for Thomson-Reuters. When he retired in 2014, he learned to play both the diatonic and chromatic harmonica and is an active member in the Twin Cities Harmonica Society. Besides his musical interests, Thomas enjoys travel, biking, tennis, and good friendships.
Thomas Tait will join EMSO performing narration for Lincoln Portrait at Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 concert and The Night Before Christmas at The Night Before Christmas and Other Holiday Favorites concerts.
EMSO’s Past Artistic Partners:
- Adam Han-Gorski, violin
- Amos Lucidi
- Applause Community Theatre
- Bend in the River Big Band
- Carmelita Guse, soprano
- Center for Irish Music
- Cheryl Paschke, nyckelharpa
- Denis Evstuhin, piano
- Diane Jarvi, singer, poet, kantele player
- District 833 Orchestras
- East Ridge High School Chamber Singers
- Elena Piastro Piano Studio
- Eric Bates, violin
- Eric Ray, accordion
- Ethnic Dance Theatre
- Finn Hall Band
- Gary Stucka, cello
- George Zhelyazkov, kaval
- Hyounsoo Sohn Lathrop, mezzo soprano
- James Pike, tenor
- James R. Price, violin/fiddle
- Jim Barnes, narrator
- Jim Parker, tambura
- Joan Molloy, violin
- Joe Alfano, guitar and octave mandolin
- Johnson High School Orchestra
- K & S Conservatory of Music
- Kelly DeMorett, oboe
- King of Kings Lutheran Church Choir, JuBELLation Handbell Choir, and Brass Ensemble
- Kisarit Finnish-American Dancers
- Lisa Butcher, soprano
- Mark Billy, baritone
- Merrill Arts Center
- Michal Sobieski, violin
- Natalie Nowytski, vocals, bass, drum
- New Life Church and New Life Academy Choirs
- Nikola Nikolav, gaida
- Nikolai Kolarov, cello
- Nikolay Gueorguiev, gadulka
- School of the St. Paul Ballet
- St. Mary’s Balalaika Orchestra
- Sumunar Indonesian Music and Dance
- Tamas Strasser, viola
- The Bavarian Musikmeisters
- Trinity Lutheran Church Choir
- Twin Cities Nyckelharalag
- Twin Cities Show Chorus
- Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers
- Valerie Kahler, narrator
- Woodbury Community Theater
- Woodbury Dance Center
Thank you to all of the artistic partners that have shared the stage with us over the years!