Christopher has his Bachelor of Arts degree in Viola performance for the University of Tennessee. He also has his MBA from Drake in Executive Development. He has been teaching privately for many years and has been the principle viola of the University of Tennessee Symphony Orchestra and chamber orchestra. He has also worked with the Irvine Symphony Youth Orchestra. He has also played professionally with many orchestras: Knoxville, Chattanooga, Kingsport, and Ashville, to name a few.
CELLO
KHRISTI BLOCTON:
Khristi holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Education from Drake University. She has studied cello for 12 years with Julie Sturm, John Ehrlich, and currently Amy Phelps-Amrani. Khristi is the principal cellist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra.
DON SIEBERNS:
Don has a Master of Music with a string education emphasis. He has been a string instructor for 30 years. Don has played in the Des Moines Symphony for 15 years. He is also the founder and director of the Southside Elementary Orchestra in Des Moines.
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DOUBLE BASS
DAVID ALTEMEIER:
Dave is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Bass emphasis and Jazz Studies Minor from the University of Northern Iowa where he was in Jazz I all four years, and principal bass in the orchestra. He has taught for several years central and northern Iowa and performed with the Des Moines Big Band, Orquestra Alto Miaz, and the Jack Oatts Quartet.
JEFF JENSEN:
Jeff, a Des Moines native, began private study on the double bass at the age of ten. After receiving his Bachelor of Music Degree in performance from Drake University, he moved to San Francisco to study at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While living there, he played with many Bay Area orchestras, including the San Francisco Opera, and taught privately. He also served as associate publisher of Strings Magazine for ten years. Since returning to Des Moines, Jeff has played with the Des Moines Symphony and Mozaiques Chamber Ensemble. He also plays bass in a local rock band, The Wellingtons.
FIDDLE
DAVID BELLEGANTE:
David has received 14 Blue ribbons and 8 Grand Championships at the Iowa State Fair. He plays in several country and Blue Grass bands and is the President of the Fiddler's Club of Iowa.
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