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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.