OBOE/ ENGLISH HORN



            

Valerie Holden

Principal oboe, emerita BIO

Valerie Holden

Principal oboe, emerita

When did you join the NSO?

01/01/1972

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

 

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Kathy Conway-Ward

Section BIO

Kathy Conway-Ward

Section

When did you join the NSO?

September 1997

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

Sister Kathrine Bellamy

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 Tchaikovsky

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Taylor Swift

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Toronto Blue Jays, shopping, travelling, cats, physical activity, beatin’ the paths of downtown St John’s

Annie Corrigan

Principal oboe BIO

Annie Corrigan

Principal oboe

When did you join the NSO?

2019

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

My parents!

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

Benjamin Britten’s “Four Sea Interludes.”

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Fleetwood Mac in 1978 on the album “Tusk”

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Finding new spots to pick chanterelles

Read Annie’s Full Bio



FLUTE/ PICCOLO



            

Grace Dunsmore

Principal flute, emerita BIO

Grace Dunsmore

Principal flute, emerita

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/1981

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

When I was young, my piano teacher knew that I was very interested in music, and made it possible for me to have extra opportunities to go to concerts, etc. My band teachers were also very encouraging, and attending music camps was a huge influence in my development as a musician.

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

No idea! I really admire musicians who stretch their boundaries by crossing genres – like Yo Yo Ma did with the Silk Road Ensemble, and making his Appalachian Journey album with musicians like Mark O’Conner and Edgar Meyer. Closer to home, I think flutist Rosalind McPhail does amazing work and is so creative!

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

I read a lot – its not creative but I appreciate the creativity of others. Since Covid has kept us all close to home, I’ve been cooking a lot more, enjoying the opportunity to explore the culinary arts a bit. I also try to keep all my flowers alive and looking good throughout the summer 🙂

Sarah Comerford

Section BIO

Sarah Comerford

Section

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2010

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

 

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

 

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Yoga, Hiking, and spending time exploring NL with my family

Donna Spurvey

Section BIO

Donna Spurvey

Section

When did you join the NSO?

01/01/1999

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

My parents

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Sara Bareilles

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

I love to paint and produce theatre productions with my 4 year old! ?



CLARINET/ BASS CLARINET



            

Glenn Rice

Principal BIO

Glenn Rice

Principal

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2012

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

My Music Teachers

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Branford Marsalis

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Renovating, Woodworking, Cooking

Brenda Gatherall

Section BIO

Brenda Gatherall

Section

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/1999

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

My Grade 5 Band Teacher – Bill Conkey

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Billy Joel

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Gardening, Cooking/Baking



BASSOON/ CONTRABASSOON



            

Grant John Etchegary

Principal BIO

Grant John Etchegary

Principal

When did you join the NSO?

07/08/1981

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

 

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

 

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Hiking

Nicole Hand

Section BIO

Nicole Hand

Section

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2008

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

School band teachers

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Sons of Kemet

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Writing, cross-stitch, rock climbing

Christopher Williams

(Contra) Principal BIO

Christopher Williams

(Contra) Principal

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/1996

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

Fanny Davenport

What’s your favourite piece of classical/orchestral music?

 

If you could pick one artist to collaborate with, who would it be?

Fraser Jackson

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?