Valerie Holden

Principal oboe, emerita

When did you join the NSO?

01/01/1972

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

 

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

 

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

 

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

 

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Kathy Conway-Ward

Section

When did you join the NSO?

09/09/1997

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

Sister Kathrine Bellamy

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

Taylor Swift

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

Cardigan – Taylor Swift

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

Taylor Swift

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Cats, travel, regular exercise, clothes shopping

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.

If you could pick one living 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’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

Hm, not surprisingly, I don’t listen to a lot of commercial radio. I don’t follow any one group or artist, I like a lot of different genres. I do kind of enjoy Taylor Swift 🙂

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

No idea!

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

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2010

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

 

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

 

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

 

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

 

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

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

Glenn Rice

Principal

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2012

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

My Music Teachers

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

Branford Marsalis

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

Always On The Run – Lenny Kravitz

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Metallica, Van Halen, Tom Petty

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Renovating, Woodworking, Cooking

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

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

Billy Joel

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

This changes almost daily for me but this week, I’ve been listening to lots of The Tragically Hip.

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

Blue Rodeo

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Gardening, Cooking/Baking

Grant John Etchegary

Principal

When did you join the NSO?

07/08/1981

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

Mamacita

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Hiking

Nicole Hand

Section

When did you join the NSO?

09/01/2008

Who inspired you to learn how to play?

School band teachers

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

Sons of Kemet

What’s a good song that’s currently playing on the radio?

Janelle Monae – Make Me Feel

If you could open a show for any artist or tour, who would it be?

Sarah Slean

What other non-musical creative outlets do you have?

Writing, cross-stitch, rock climbing