SECTIONAL COACHES

Igor Gruppman will direct violin sectionals during his week in residence. As the concertmaster of both, the London Symphony and Rotterdam Philharmonic he has an intimate knowledge of the inner-workings of orchestral music and the principals of leadership and fine section playing. For more information on Igor see his Guest Artist page.

 

 

 

 

Vesna Stevanovich Gruppman has a demanding schedule as a soloist and chamber musician. Most recently she has appeared with the Dallas Symphony, the Edmonton Symphony, Concerto Rotterdam Chamber Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, and London's Beethoven Philharmonic Orchestra. Vesna also enjoys a successful teaching career. She is head of the Gruppman International Violin Institute and a Professor of Violin at the Rotterdam Conservatoire. In 2002, the American String Teachers Association honored her as the “College Teacher of the Year” for her work at Brigham Young University.

 

 

M. Judd Sheranian has been a member of the Utah Symphony for many seasons and has performed both as a violin soloist and vocal soloist with the Utah Symphony, the Jerusalem Symphony, the Honolulu Symphony, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Dr. Sheranian received his education at the Juilliard School, where he studied violin with Dorothy Delay, the University of Texas at Austin (MM, 1976), and the University of Arizona (DMA, 1998). Under a Fulbright-Hays grant, he studied voice, opera, and Lieder in Berlin. He is an active studio recording artist with violin and voice and has taught voice and violin on the faculties of the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Utah State University, and Brigham Young University. He also owns and operates a violin school teaching Suzuki and traditional methods. In addition to a full teaching and performing schedule, he is Director of Committees for the Stradivarius International Violin Competition. In his spare time Dr. Sheranian works with his Arabian horses in Grantsville, Utah, on his family's ranch. He and his wife, Sharon, are the parents of six children, and grandparents of two.

 

Carl Johansen Violist Carl Johannsen joined the Utah Symphony in 2005. He was formerly a member of the Orquesta Simfonica de Barcelona y Nacional de Cataluña, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Rochester Philharmonic. In 1988 he won the John and Arthur Beare prize at the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition, held on the Isle of Man. Carl is a talented teacher and a member of the Lyceum Music Festival faculty since its founding.

 

 

John Eckstein Cellist John Eckstein joined the Utah Symphony in June, 1990. Previously Associate Principal Cello of the New Orleans Symphony and Principal Cello of the Omaha Symphony, he enjoys a varied musical life of orchestral, chamber, and solo playing, in addition to his teaching duties at the University of Utah. After graduating from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Mr. Eckstein received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. He completed his Master of Music under the tutelage of famed cellist Raya Garbousova. In 2004, he served as Principal Cellist with the Auckland Philharmonia in New Zealand. In addition to his orchestral duties there, he was featured soloist on several occasions.

 

Thomas Zera Double Bassist Thomas Zera has been a member of the Utah Symphony since 1999. Previously a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic, he was also a member of the New World Symphony. Mr. Zera also substitutes regularly in the Bass Section of the Minnesota Orchestra both in concerts and recordings. Mr. Zera holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hartt School of music where he studied with Gary Karr and holds a Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Eugene Levinson, Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic.

 

 

Ron Beitel Prior to moving to Utah, Ron Beitel performed as Associate Principal Horn of the San Antonio Symphony and Principal Horn of the Memphis Symphony. His solo and chamber music appearances include performances with The San Antonio Symphony, The Cactus Pear Music Festival (San Antonio), The Olmos Ensemble (San Antonio), NOVA, and Intermezzo. Recently, he appeared as guest principal horn with The San Diego Symphony. Mr. Beitel is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music.

 

 

Woodwind Section Coach TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Trumpet Section Coach TO BE ANNOUNCED.