Meet the Musicians
You can learn more about our Conductors here.
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Violin I
Augusto Diemecke, Concertmaster Debrah Devine, Assistant Concertmaster Jessica Tae Anthony Chester Chang Lisa Lantz Herbert Poetzl Lia Kettelkamp Caroline Cornell Violin II
Craig Evans, Principal Margaret Matthews Gary Chollet Don Webster Tracey Ingerick Grace Cox Reuben Foley Viola
Max Buckholtz, Principal Joanne Lowe John Paul Tobin Ashley English Tobin Cheryl Frank Sujin Kim Cello
Christine Lowe-Diemecke, Principal Shade Zajac Gilbert Antoine Eric Johnson Rintaro Wada |
Bass
Mario Pietra, Principal Nic Mathisen Leo Gonta Flute
Jeanne Sperber, Principal Laura Campbell Melissa Moore, piccolo Oboe
Susan Laib, Principal Anita Pawlak Lesley McClelland, English horn Clarinet
Emily Dobmeier, Principal Richard MacDowell Bassoon
Joseph Swift, Principal David Resig French Horn
Madison Warren, Principal Kyle Schober Rebecca Dodson-Webster Linda Bergstrom |
Trumpet
Younghwi Kim, Principal Lindsey Burroughs Larry Burroughs Trombone
Duane Smith, Principal Sarahjane Harrigan Craig Harrigan Tuba
Adam Peck, Principal Timpani
Emily Ickes, Principal Percussion
Simon Bjarning, Principal (on leave) Xueqing Wu, Acting Principal Chris McAllister Harp
Rosanna Moore, Principal |
Meet our Principals
Every instrument family (or section) of the orchestra has a principal musician who is generally responsible for leading the group and playing orchestral solos. This is your chance to learn about the extraordinary talent that you can hear at each of our concerts. We are very proud to have such a wonderful group of musicians.
Augusto Diemecke, Concertmaster
Augusto Diemecke started his violin studies at age 11 with his father Emilio Diemecke. Mr. Diemecke continued his violin training with Joanna Maikovska, Enrique Espin Yepes, Jorge Risi, Manuel Suarez, Fredell Lack, and Kenneth Goldsmith. Augusto has participated in master classes with Itzhak Perlman, Henryk Szeryng, and Sergui Luca. Mr. Diemecke is a very active performer. He has played with orchestras such as the Mexico City Philharmonic, OFUNAM, Guanajuato Symphony, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra do Norte do Portugal, and as concertmaster with Orquesta Philharmonique du Tuornon in France. He is currently the concertmaster with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL). As a soloist he has performed with the Guanajuato Symphony, Morelia Symphony, Orquesta Ollin Yolistly, Orquesta de Camara de Bellas Artes, Corning Youth Orchestra, North Houston Symphony, Orquesta do Norte do Portugal, and Colgate Symphony. He has performed chamber music recitals in France, Portugal, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.
Debrah Devine, Assistant Concertmaster
Violinist Debrah Devine is a sought-after violinist in Upstate New York. She attended SUNY Fredonia and CUNY Brooklyn College where she studied Violin Performance with Cornelius Dufallo and Liang Chai respectively. She is member of the Binghamton Philharmonic, Principal Second Violin of the Catskill Symphony, Principal Second Violin of the Femimore Chamber Orchestra, Assistant Concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and is a member of the Erehwon Ensemble. During July Debrah serves as Principal Second Violin at the MostArts Festival. She works in collaboration with several chamber music groups in Central New York and in the Southern Tier; she is a founding member of the Castalia String Quartet based in Oneonta, New York. Debrah performs on a 2006 Isabelle Wilbaux violin (the “Delta”).
Craig Evans, Principal Second Violin
Craig Evans holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Ithaca College, a master of music performance (violin) and a master of music education from the Florida State University, and a doctor of education in educational leadership and education law from the University of Central Florida. After several years teaching in central Florida, he became a school principal in Orlando, and then in Ithaca, NY. He also conducted one of the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras in Orlando, leading the group on tours to Carnegie Hall and Europe. Since 2004, he has served in senior-level positions in higher education and other nonprofits, leading philanthropy efforts for those institutions. He retired in 2023 from his most recent position, associate dean at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Dr. Evans continues to perform in New York State and in Orlando, Florida, where he relocated in the summer of 2025. He is a philanthropic consultant and executive leadership coach. He also serves as the OSFL’s orchestra personnel manager and music librarian.
Max Buckholtz, Principal Viola
Max Buckholtz began playing the violin at the age of three under the direction Mary Cay Neal (the founder of The Buffalo Suzuki Strings) with whom he toured beginning at the age of ten to Europe, the Former Soviet Union and Hungary under Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy of world peace through music. He began his studies on viola at the age of 11.
Max has participated in Master classes and collaborated with Leila Josefowicz, Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Yair Dalal, Gangadar Pradhan, and Oguz Kaan Birhekimoğlu. He has also served as a guest artist/lecturer at Cornell University and Ithaca College lecturing and performing Jewish Moldavian, Romanian Lauteri, Turkish and Indian Music, and has advised students participating in The National String Project at SUNY Potsdam: Crane School of Music. Other appointments include accompanying dance installations in Rome, Italy and collecting Jewish Moldavian Music from Botosani, Romania with a grant from Ithaca College. Max performed and composed music to go along with selected readings and spoken word from internationally renowned Fulbright Scholar Indian Author Kiran Nagakar in a program entitled There is Only One God and Her Name is Life.
Max currently serves as the Principal Violist for the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, as a lecturer at Wells College where he conducts chamber orchestra and Jazz Band and as a Dance Accompanist, performer, and composer at Cornell University. In addition to his academic life Max is involved in music education and publishes ethnic string scores through www.newdaymusicscores.com He also directs and performs in the ensemble Journey West which explores melody as it moves across borders - www.journeywestmusic.com
Max has participated in Master classes and collaborated with Leila Josefowicz, Hilary Hahn, David Kim, Yair Dalal, Gangadar Pradhan, and Oguz Kaan Birhekimoğlu. He has also served as a guest artist/lecturer at Cornell University and Ithaca College lecturing and performing Jewish Moldavian, Romanian Lauteri, Turkish and Indian Music, and has advised students participating in The National String Project at SUNY Potsdam: Crane School of Music. Other appointments include accompanying dance installations in Rome, Italy and collecting Jewish Moldavian Music from Botosani, Romania with a grant from Ithaca College. Max performed and composed music to go along with selected readings and spoken word from internationally renowned Fulbright Scholar Indian Author Kiran Nagakar in a program entitled There is Only One God and Her Name is Life.
Max currently serves as the Principal Violist for the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, as a lecturer at Wells College where he conducts chamber orchestra and Jazz Band and as a Dance Accompanist, performer, and composer at Cornell University. In addition to his academic life Max is involved in music education and publishes ethnic string scores through www.newdaymusicscores.com He also directs and performs in the ensemble Journey West which explores melody as it moves across borders - www.journeywestmusic.com
Christine Lowe-Diemecke, Principal Cello
Christine Lowe-Diemecke holds a degree in Music Performance from the University of Connecticut where she studied with MaryLou Rylands. After several years as a member of the Mexico City Philharmonic she moved to Houston, TX where she was an active teacher, chamber musician and free lancer as well as principal cellist in Theater Under the Stars.
She is a much sought after Suzuki method teacher and has taught workshops and master classes in the US, Canada and Mexico. Christine taught for 28 years at Ithaca Talent Education. She currently maintains a studio of over 25 private students and splits her time between New York and Mexico.
She is a much sought after Suzuki method teacher and has taught workshops and master classes in the US, Canada and Mexico. Christine taught for 28 years at Ithaca Talent Education. She currently maintains a studio of over 25 private students and splits her time between New York and Mexico.
Mario Pietra, Principal Double Bass
Mario Pietra is an upright and electric bassist, composer, and educator from Upstate New York. He performs and records actively with a variety of jazz groups, orchestras, and other musical projects. Mario is the bassist and co-leader of The Pietra Group, a jazz-fusion group performing compositions by his brother Joe Pietra and himself, including those on Remote Narration (2013) and People Chain (2021). Mario holds a master’s degree in music from Syracuse University. He is a section bassist in the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and the principal bassist of The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Mario is an assistant professor at SUNY Oswego where he teaches upright and electric bass, composition and music theory.
Jeanne Sperber, Principal Flute
Jeanne Sperber has been known to Southern Tier audiences for over twenty years, as a soloist and orchestral flutist. She serves as principal flute of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes in Corning and the MostArts Festival Orchestra, performing each summer in Alfred, New York. She also teaches flute privately and at Binghamton University and SUNY Broome.
Before relocating to beautiful upstate New York, she was a freelance flutist in New York City, performing in legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Hall and Trinity Church. She has toured South America and Cuba twice as a concerto soloist. Radio and television coverage have included a BBC broadcast of one of her Trinity church recitals as well as various television commercials and public radio and television broadcasts.
Now happily settled in the Binghamton area of New York, she has been critically acclaimed for “...her brilliant, as usual, display of musicianship.” Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
Before relocating to beautiful upstate New York, she was a freelance flutist in New York City, performing in legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Hall and Trinity Church. She has toured South America and Cuba twice as a concerto soloist. Radio and television coverage have included a BBC broadcast of one of her Trinity church recitals as well as various television commercials and public radio and television broadcasts.
Now happily settled in the Binghamton area of New York, she has been critically acclaimed for “...her brilliant, as usual, display of musicianship.” Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
Susan Laib, Principal Oboe
Susan Laib, Associate Professor of Music at Commonwealth University-Mansfield, came to the Twin Tiers in 1989 to join the faculty of Mansfield University, where her primary duties are teaching oboe, bassoon, and coaching chamber music. An active performer, Sue also holds the position of principal oboe in the Williamsport (PA) Symphony Orchestra in addition to OSFL. As a free-lance oboist and double reed clinician, she has performed for numerous organizations throughout Pennsylvania and New York and presented master classes in New Jersey, as well as the Twin Tiers.
She performed at the 2007 convention of the International Double Reed Society at Ithaca College, and was an invited soloist at the 1988 IDRS convention at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C. Previously, Sue was a member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and on the faculty of Tennessee Technological University. As a member of Tennessee Tech’s Cumberland Quintet, Sue toured Belgium and Holland in the spring of 1988 and performed in the group's successful 1986 debut in the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City.
Sue holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, University of Colorado, and Florida State University. Her teachers include Robert Sprenkle, Thomas Stacy, David Abosch, Ronald Roseman, Richard Killmer, and she has attended master classes with Barrick Stees, Christopher Weait, John Mack, Joseph Robinson, and at the 2005 Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp. When not teaching or preparing for performances, Sue can be found hiking, biking, or digging in the dirt, the latter a sometimes vain effort to plant natives for the birds, buttterflies, and herself to enjoy.
She performed at the 2007 convention of the International Double Reed Society at Ithaca College, and was an invited soloist at the 1988 IDRS convention at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C. Previously, Sue was a member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and on the faculty of Tennessee Technological University. As a member of Tennessee Tech’s Cumberland Quintet, Sue toured Belgium and Holland in the spring of 1988 and performed in the group's successful 1986 debut in the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City.
Sue holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, University of Colorado, and Florida State University. Her teachers include Robert Sprenkle, Thomas Stacy, David Abosch, Ronald Roseman, Richard Killmer, and she has attended master classes with Barrick Stees, Christopher Weait, John Mack, Joseph Robinson, and at the 2005 Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp. When not teaching or preparing for performances, Sue can be found hiking, biking, or digging in the dirt, the latter a sometimes vain effort to plant natives for the birds, buttterflies, and herself to enjoy.
Emily Dobmeier, Principal Clarinet
Emily Dobmeier is a clarinetist, educator, and arts administrator based in Saranac Lake, New York. In addition to performing with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, she is the Executive Director of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, the Adirondacks’ resident professional orchestra, and is on the faculty of the Eastman Community Music School, where she teaches private clarinet instruction.
Emily has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and in Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s Summer Music Series. She has been a featured artist and presenter at Ithaca College, Wichita State University, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and performs throughout Western and Central New York as a freelance musician. She has held teaching positions at the Eastman School of Music, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the DePaul University Community Music Division in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools.
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from Ithaca College. Primary teachers have included Jon Manasse, Stephen Williamson, and Richard Faria.
Emily has appeared as a soloist with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and in Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp’s Summer Music Series. She has been a featured artist and presenter at Ithaca College, Wichita State University, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and performs throughout Western and Central New York as a freelance musician. She has held teaching positions at the Eastman School of Music, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the DePaul University Community Music Division in partnership with the Chicago Public Schools.
She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from Ithaca College. Primary teachers have included Jon Manasse, Stephen Williamson, and Richard Faria.
Joseph Swift, Principal Bassoon
Joseph Swift serves on the faculty at Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts. As a performer, Joseph has played with orchestras across the United States and Canada, in addition to chamber performances throughout the East Coast, Midwest and London, England. He has performed with the New Jersey Symphony, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony, York Symphony Orchestra, and Napa Festival Orchestra among others.
His debut solo album Room to Breathe was released in March 2023 receiving high acclaim across distinguished musical journals
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University’s Dalton School of Music, Master’s Degrees in Bassoon Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in SUNY Stony Brook University’s Music Department.
His debut solo album Room to Breathe was released in March 2023 receiving high acclaim across distinguished musical journals
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Michigan University’s Dalton School of Music, Master’s Degrees in Bassoon Performance and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in SUNY Stony Brook University’s Music Department.
Madison Warren, Principal Horn
In addition to playing principal horn with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, Madison Warren often performs with several groups in the surrounding area, including the Rochester Philharmonic, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the Syracuse Orchestra, and the Binghamton Philharmonic. In the summer, you may also find her in the pit playing for local opera companies such as the Finger Lakes Opera and Geneva Opera.
A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Madison completed her Bachelor of Music in Horn performance under the guidance of Roland Pandolfi in 2018. Soon after, she went to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where she completed her Master of Music in Performance and Literature as a recipient of the Performer’s Certificate under the instruction of W. Peter Kurau. When not making music, Madison enjoys being outside and growing, cooking, and eating plants.
A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Madison completed her Bachelor of Music in Horn performance under the guidance of Roland Pandolfi in 2018. Soon after, she went to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, where she completed her Master of Music in Performance and Literature as a recipient of the Performer’s Certificate under the instruction of W. Peter Kurau. When not making music, Madison enjoys being outside and growing, cooking, and eating plants.
Younghwi Kim, Principal Trumpet
Younghwi Kim, hailing from South Korea, is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Trumpet Performance and Literature under the guidance of Professor Andrew McCandless at the Eastman School of Music, where he is the trumpet studio teaching assistant. His musical journey began at Seoul Arts High School, and he subsequently earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Hungary as a recipient of the Hungarian government scholarship.
From 2020 to 2022, he continued his musical journey by participating in the Korea Military Academy Army Band. He taught at the Music Department of Dulwich College Seoul and served as a guest trumpet player with the Wonju Philharmonic Orchestra in the first half of 2023.
From 2020 to 2022, he continued his musical journey by participating in the Korea Military Academy Army Band. He taught at the Music Department of Dulwich College Seoul and served as a guest trumpet player with the Wonju Philharmonic Orchestra in the first half of 2023.
Duane Smith, Principal Trombone
Duane Smith is currently principal trombone with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and principal trombone with the Northern Tier Symphony. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Duane has also performed with the Akron Symphony and the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic and recently retired from thirty-three years as an instrumental music educator.
Duane has also performed with the Akron Symphony and the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic and recently retired from thirty-three years as an instrumental music educator.
Adam Peck, Principal Tuba
Adam Peck has been a substitute tuba player in the OSFL for several seasons and now is honored to be appointed the OSFL's new tuba principal. He has been principal with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, B.C. Pops and Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra for 38 years.
Adam studied Music Education and Performance at Ithaca College and regularly performs with orchestras and brass groups in the two-state region including the Williamsport Symphony and Billtown Brass. An unabashed Bruckner lover, he lives in Muncy, PA with his wife Tena and six fur babies.
Adam studied Music Education and Performance at Ithaca College and regularly performs with orchestras and brass groups in the two-state region including the Williamsport Symphony and Billtown Brass. An unabashed Bruckner lover, he lives in Muncy, PA with his wife Tena and six fur babies.
Emily Ickes, Principal Timpani
Emily Ickes grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007 with a B.M. in percussion performance. She went on to study with Gordon Stout at Ithaca College, receiving her M.M. in 2009. Emily was an instructor at the Ithaca College School of Music from 2013-2021, and taught several classes including music theory, aural skills, and percussion methods, and twice stepped in as a semester-long substitute professor of applied percussion.
Emily began playing with the OSFL in 2008 in the percussion section and became the orchestra’s principal timpanist in 2012. In addition to performing with the OSFL, she is an active performer throughout southwestern Michigan, appearing with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony, and St. Joseph Municipal Band. Emily also plays electric vibraphone in the Ithaca-based group The OXtet, a jazz-fusion group heavily influenced by the music of Frank Zappa, and she performs on solo marimba for recitals, masterclasses, weddings and special events.
In 2023, she founded Emily Ickes Music LLC, where she has created an online intensive mentorship program specializing in advanced marimba technique. You can follow her on social media @emilyickesmusic.
Emily began playing with the OSFL in 2008 in the percussion section and became the orchestra’s principal timpanist in 2012. In addition to performing with the OSFL, she is an active performer throughout southwestern Michigan, appearing with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony, and St. Joseph Municipal Band. Emily also plays electric vibraphone in the Ithaca-based group The OXtet, a jazz-fusion group heavily influenced by the music of Frank Zappa, and she performs on solo marimba for recitals, masterclasses, weddings and special events.
In 2023, she founded Emily Ickes Music LLC, where she has created an online intensive mentorship program specializing in advanced marimba technique. You can follow her on social media @emilyickesmusic.
Simon Bjarning, Principal Percussion
Simon Bjarning is originally from Denmark and has a Master’s degree in Classical Percussion from the Royal Danish Academy of Music. He has performed professionally with the Danish Radio Sinfonietta, Copenhagen Philharmonic, the Lancaster Symphony, Ensemble X, Endless Mountain Music Festival and MostArts Music Festival.
Simon has performed several musical theater productions ranging from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Chicago, The Producers and Wicked. Simon is an active member of the Sabian Education Network and D’Addario Education Collective and plays Sabian Cymbals exclusively.
Simon has performed several musical theater productions ranging from shows such as Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Chicago, The Producers and Wicked. Simon is an active member of the Sabian Education Network and D’Addario Education Collective and plays Sabian Cymbals exclusively.
Rosanna Moore, Principal Harp
Rosanna Moore holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts, with a minor in theatre and an Arts Leadership Certificate, from the Eastman School of Music. She studied in the studio of renowned harpist Kathleen Bride, and was gratefully supported by the Eileen Malone Scholarship. Originally hailing from the UK, Rosanna graduated with honours from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in 2011, where she studied with the renowned Welsh harpist Eira Lynn Jones.
Known for her quirky and engaging performances, Rosanna is fast gaining recognition as both a harpist and actor. Comfortable performing as a soloist, chamber musician or orchestral player, she actively performs around the US and Europe. She has won accolades for her performances with the World Harp Festival, Marcel Tournier and Tierra47 competitions. Her writings have recently been published by both Harp Column and Contemporary Music Review. She premiered ‘Extraordinary Motion: Concerto for Electric Harp and Orchestra’ by Grammy winner, DJ Sparr in April 2024 and will be premiering Sean William Calhoun's Concerto in October 2024.
As an educator, Rosanna is the Professor of Harp at Dublin Conservatoire, Ireland and Opus Ithaca.
Known for her quirky and engaging performances, Rosanna is fast gaining recognition as both a harpist and actor. Comfortable performing as a soloist, chamber musician or orchestral player, she actively performs around the US and Europe. She has won accolades for her performances with the World Harp Festival, Marcel Tournier and Tierra47 competitions. Her writings have recently been published by both Harp Column and Contemporary Music Review. She premiered ‘Extraordinary Motion: Concerto for Electric Harp and Orchestra’ by Grammy winner, DJ Sparr in April 2024 and will be premiering Sean William Calhoun's Concerto in October 2024.
As an educator, Rosanna is the Professor of Harp at Dublin Conservatoire, Ireland and Opus Ithaca.
