HORN
 
 
Emily Dunsmore
 Principal BIO
 
 
 
Emily Dunsmore
 Principal
When did you join the NSO?
09/01/2014
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
My Mother
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Gail Williams
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Not sure of one song, but I listen to CBC while driving and love what they program during the day.
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
I would love to be part of an orchestral tour of and artist like Taylor Swift or someone similar…where I could feel like a total rock star. Or be part of the chamber ensemble for a Frank Zappa tribute.
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
I love to knit, hike and run on trails, and bake. I’ve been baking more and more with my son, who loves to help in the kitchen as much as he can.
 
David Natsheh
 Section BIO
 
 
 
David Natsheh
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
10/01/1986
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Edsel Bonnell
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Radek Baborak
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Imagine Dragons – Bad Liar
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Not applicable 🙂
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
I am a one trick pony.
 
Mara Pellerin
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Mara Pellerin
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/01/2006
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Watching my older sister perform at Festival 500 years ago and hearing the orchestra accompany the choirs at the finale performance
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Bjork
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Justice by Jennifer Castle
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Opening for Bjork in Japan sounds like a pretty fun trip!
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Writing, cooking and coaxing the dog into various Halloween costumes…in August 🙂
 
Elizabeth Philpott
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Elizabeth Philpott
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/05/1977
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Always dreamed of playing horn (played trumpet in elementary and junior high) but Sr. Celine Veitch at Holy Heart gave me the opportunity. Kjellrun Hestekin at MUN Music School was my beautiful mentor.
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Jann Arden
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
No preference
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Jann Arden, Rijaton
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Quilting, fitness
 
Michelle Stevenson
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Michelle Stevenson
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/01/2008
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Jim Prowse. The band director at Beaconsfield High School
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Sarah Willis
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Rain on Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Elton John
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Reading, walking, knitting
 
Doug Vaughan
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Doug Vaughan
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/01/1977
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Leo Sandoval
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Paul McCartney
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Perfect by Ed Sherren
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Billy Joel
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Golf with Brenda and time with my children and grandchildren.
TRUMPET
 
 
Katie Sullivan
 Principal BIO
 
 
 
Katie Sullivan
 Principal
When did you join the NSO?
04/01/1991
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Libby Philpott, Michelle Dinn, Donald Buell
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Karen Donnelly, Principal Trumpet of NAC
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Before You Go, Lewis Capaldi
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Ed Sheeran
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Hiking, walking, tennis
 
Jill Dawe
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Jill Dawe
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/06/2010
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Katie Sullivan
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Phil Smith
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
No clue
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Bon Iver
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Yoga, interior design dreaming
 
Emily Finch
 Section BIO
 
 
 
Emily Finch
 Section
When did you join the NSO?
09/01/2019
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
Alison Balsom and Miles Davis
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Joanna Newsom
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Break My Heart by Dua Lipa
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Björk
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Crocheting, knitting, and cooking.
TROMBONE
 
 
Darren McDonald
 Principal BIO
 
 
 
Darren McDonald
 Principal
When did you join the NSO?
09/05/1994
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
David Smith
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Jack Conte
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Sweet Dreams + White Stripes Mashup | Pomplamoose ft. Sarah Dugas
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Billy Joel
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Mountain Biking, Whitewater Kayaking
 
Andrew Cooper
 Principal Bass Trombone BIO
 
 
 
Andrew Cooper
 Principal Bass Trombone
When did you join the NSO?
09/09/1993
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
My Dad
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Beyonce
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
no idea
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Alan Jackson
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Hockey, golf, hunting, fishing, camping, and motorsports.
TUBA
 
 
Catherine Tansley
 Principal BIO
 
 
 
Catherine Tansley
 Principal
When did you join the NSO?
08/01/2018
Who inspired you to learn how to play?
As a young person I listened to a variety of musicians and developed a keen sense of what type of musician I wanted to be.
If you could pick one living artist to collaborate with, who would it be?
Lizzo
What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?
Not sure
If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?
Not sure
What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?
Spending time with house plants, and making art.
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