Dana Beattie, Violin, Viola
Dana has been playing the violin for 22 years, beginning her musical studies
at age seven with the piano, and discovering the violin at age nine. She
attended the University of Florida on a music scholarship and began playing
viola as a secondary instrument while at the University, becoming the
Principal Viola of the University Orchestra her junior year. Dana graduated in
1997 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Violin
Performance.
Upon graduation, Dana moved to the Melbourne area and established a
private studio. She has sent several students off to college with musical
scholarships and regularly performs around town at weddings, church
functions, and special occasions. Ms. Beattie has recently become a touring
professional playing backup for many acts such as Bebe Neuwirth and
Bernadette Peters.
Dana has been playing the violin for 22 years, beginning her musical studies
at age seven with the piano, and discovering the violin at age nine. She
attended the University of Florida on a music scholarship and began playing
viola as a secondary instrument while at the University, becoming the
Principal Viola of the University Orchestra her junior year. Dana graduated in
1997 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Certificate in Violin
Performance.
Upon graduation, Dana moved to the Melbourne area and established a
private studio. She has sent several students off to college with musical
scholarships and regularly performs around town at weddings, church
functions, and special occasions. Ms. Beattie has recently become a touring
professional playing backup for many acts such as Bebe Neuwirth and
Bernadette Peters.
Susan Bearden, Viola
Susan Bearden has been Principal Violist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra
(BSO) since 1999. She joined the BSO in 1997 as Assistant Principal Viola
after 2 years with the Jacksonville Symphony. In addition to performing with
the BSO she has a busy freelance career and several private students. She
also works in the BSO administrative office as Database Administrator and
Educational Programs Liaison.
Ms. Bearden holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts (English) degrees
from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from
the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her teachers have included Heidi
Castleman, Eliot Chapo, Jeffrey Irvine, Martha Katz, and Lynne Ramsey. She
has recorded for Opus One records as a member of the Sierra Quartet and is
a former Aspen Music Festival Fellow.
Susan Bearden has been Principal Violist of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra
(BSO) since 1999. She joined the BSO in 1997 as Assistant Principal Viola
after 2 years with the Jacksonville Symphony. In addition to performing with
the BSO she has a busy freelance career and several private students. She
also works in the BSO administrative office as Database Administrator and
Educational Programs Liaison.
Ms. Bearden holds Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts (English) degrees
from Oberlin College and Conservatory and a Master of Music degree from
the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her teachers have included Heidi
Castleman, Eliot Chapo, Jeffrey Irvine, Martha Katz, and Lynne Ramsey. She
has recorded for Opus One records as a member of the Sierra Quartet and is
a former Aspen Music Festival Fellow.
Jennifer Bent, Violin
Jennifer is a third generation professional violinist. She began studying violin
at the age of two with her grandfather, Otto Frey and her mother, Sonnhild
Kitts. She has been a core member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since
1997, performing with such great soloist as Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell.
She also performs regularly around the State and has backed up artists such
as Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Bernadette Peters, Olivia Newton John,
and Johnny Mathis. Also a private music teacher she is Founder and Director
of the Seaside Suzuki Players, a group of over 50 violin and viola students.
She grew up in Gainesville, Florida and in 1983 she was awarded the Florida
State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA) Senior Concerto Award an honor
that included performing with the Florida Symphony Orchestra. She was also
the receipient of The Dorothy Reaves String Scholarship as well as a full
scholarship to The University of Florida School of Music.
Jennifer is a third generation professional violinist. She began studying violin
at the age of two with her grandfather, Otto Frey and her mother, Sonnhild
Kitts. She has been a core member of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra since
1997, performing with such great soloist as Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell.
She also performs regularly around the State and has backed up artists such
as Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Bernadette Peters, Olivia Newton John,
and Johnny Mathis. Also a private music teacher she is Founder and Director
of the Seaside Suzuki Players, a group of over 50 violin and viola students.
She grew up in Gainesville, Florida and in 1983 she was awarded the Florida
State Music Teachers Association (FSMTA) Senior Concerto Award an honor
that included performing with the Florida Symphony Orchestra. She was also
the receipient of The Dorothy Reaves String Scholarship as well as a full
scholarship to The University of Florida School of Music.
Bobbe Jo Butler, Cello
Bobbe Jo (BJ) has been playing the cello for 18 years, beginning her musical
studies at age eight with the piano, and continuing with the cello at age 11.
She had the privilege of attending the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music where she studied with Lee Fiser, a student of the prominent cellist
Lynn Harrell. BJ graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music in Music
Education and a Minor in Cello Performance.
Upon graduation, BJ moved to Melbourne where she became an orchestra
educator with the Brevard County Public Schools, and established a private
cello and bass studio. She is currently the Orchestra Director at Eau Gallie
High School and has sent several students off to college with musical
scholarships. BJ regularly performs around town at weddings, church
functions, and special occasions and has recently become a touring
professional playing backup for many acts such as Bebe Neuwirth and
Michael W. Smith.
Bobbe Jo (BJ) has been playing the cello for 18 years, beginning her musical
studies at age eight with the piano, and continuing with the cello at age 11.
She had the privilege of attending the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music where she studied with Lee Fiser, a student of the prominent cellist
Lynn Harrell. BJ graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music in Music
Education and a Minor in Cello Performance.
Upon graduation, BJ moved to Melbourne where she became an orchestra
educator with the Brevard County Public Schools, and established a private
cello and bass studio. She is currently the Orchestra Director at Eau Gallie
High School and has sent several students off to college with musical
scholarships. BJ regularly performs around town at weddings, church
functions, and special occasions and has recently become a touring
professional playing backup for many acts such as Bebe Neuwirth and
Michael W. Smith.
Musical Expressions
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Musical Expressions
