Carol Ruzicka
Concertmaster, First Violin
Sponsor: Philip Lloyd II
Mary Beth Ions
Violin
Sponsor:George & Mary Leuca III, in memory of George Leuca Jr.
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: I love each one! Every time I think, "wow, I DO believe that was my favorite Pops concert" the next one comes along and I say the SAME thing again!
Favorite Thing To Do in Cleveland: I love to walk in our beautiful MetroParks, enjoy the huge variety of wonderful restaurants, and visit the Museum of Art. Of course I love playing my violin in diverse venues from MetroHealth Hospital to weddings on the Lake Erie shore! It's a special joy to play on-stage at Severance Hall with our beloved Pops.
I've traveled to almost every country in the EU. Malta is next and will complete the list!
Fun Fact
Leslie Braidech
Violin
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Favorite Pops Concert (I recall 3 in particular): Time for Three, Carpathia Jenkins, & the Music of Leroy Anderson
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Walking my dog in any MetroPark, or taking in a movie at the Cedar-Lee (with dinner at Anatolia Cafe afterwards)
I'm psychic (HA....I knew you would doubt this!)
Fun Fact
Sara Schaft
Violin
Sponsor: David & Julie Borsani in memory of Marissa Borsani
Hometown: Poland, Ohio (near Youngstown, Ohio)
Favorite Pops Concert: Most memorable (maybe not my favorite!!)Cleveland Pops Concert:
There was a Halloween/Harvest concert about five years ago in October at the 9th street pier and park. It rained so hard we had to huddle in our cars. Somehow, the show still happened and Carl appeared in his Superman costume. I still have to laugh when I think of that day.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Visit the Museum of Art
I like to be outdoors. I enjoy backyard gardening, watching the birds at our feeders and walking in the Poland Woods (a local area for hiking).
Fun Fact
Emily Cornelius
Violin
Hometown: Severna Park, MD
Favorite Pops Concert: Holiday Pops
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Visit the libraries
I am naturally introverted, but nothing brings me out of my "shell" like music and dogs.
Fun FactLiesl Hook-Langmack
Violin
Sponsor: Ryan & Teri Marrie
Lisa Goldman
Violin
Sponsor: Don & Sally Messinger
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite Pops Concert: The New Years Eve Concert.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Go to Edgewater Beach (when it's warm!).
I met my husband in eighth grade orchestra!
Fun Fact
Maria Beyens
Violin
Sponsor: Alice Lang in memory of Bruce W. Lang
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Favorite Pops Concert: Armed forces tribute concert
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Spending time on the Lake Erie Beaches
I run a Korean food pop-up kitchen “MariaParkBistro” and I used to be a street dancer and I sing in multiple bands!
Fun Fact
Donna Bartlett Jelen
Violin
Priscilla Eva
Principal II Violin
Hometown: Shaker Heights, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: A Comedy Tonight, followed by all the John Williams concerts
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Sunsets at Clifton Beach
I spent a year studying violin in Paris, France at age 21. I also learned to drink wine and espresso.
Fun Fact
Victor Beyens
Violin
Hometown: Clermont-Ferrand (France)
Favorite Pops Concert: Broadway concerts, I have always loved that genre and it is a thrill to perform it with world class singers in a one of a kind hall.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Relaxing by the lake
I am also a rock violinist, licensed realtor, father of two and a cat dad.
Fun Fact
Allison Siekmann
Violin
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Favorite Pops Concert: The memorial day concert!
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Visit our beautiful Metroparks.
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend this past summer in Vienna, Austria performing in an opera festival.
Fun Fact
Sam Petrey
Violin
Sponsor: Rosie Burke & Jeffrey Heksh
Hometown: Cleveland Heights, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: Any time we get to play with Morgan James, her voice is unreal!
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Go for a hike then visit one of our many fantastic breweries!
In addition to being a violinist in the Pops I'm also a host on Cleveland's own WCLV!
Fun FactWilliam Reed Simon
Violin
Sara Beam
Violin
Erin Reidhead
Violin
Andy Peng
Violin
Alexandra Vago
Principal Viola
Sponsor: Ann Marie Hawkins & David Hodgson
Hometown: Parma, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: All John Williams concerts
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Going to the Metroparks
I play exclusively on Luis & Clark Carbon Fiber Instruments.
Fun FactLara Roberts Dudack
Viola
Sponsor: David & Julie Borsani, in memory of Marissa Borsani
Dan Heim
Viola
Sponsor: Ann Marie Hawkins & David Hodgson
Hometown: Centennial, Colorado
Favorite Pops Concert: Tribute to John Williams
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Ride the Rails with my son Ben in Cuyahoga Valley National Park!
My youth orchestra in Denver -- the Denver Young Artists Orchestra -- was founded by Carl Topilow!
Fun FactMark Heinzen
Viola
Sponsor: Joyce Mistovich & Carl James
Laura Kuennen-Poper
Viola
Hometown: Since 1998 Oberlin, but originally from near Chicago
Favorite Pops Concert: 2014 Mambo Kings, 2023 Beatles
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Shop at the Westside Market
I performed on hundreds of soundtracks of major Hollywood films in the 80’s and 90’s working for composers John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, the Newman brothers, James Horner and many others.
Fun FactStephen Sims
Viola
Kent Collier
Principal Cello
Sponsor: Dr. Margaret Konecky and Dr. Larry Osher
Hometown: East Cleveland
Favorite Pops Concert: Military salute concerts
Favorite Thing to do: Ski, bike, canoe, eat out with friends
I started playing because my parents watched the Lawrence Welk Show and their cellist always seemed to be smiling. At a six year old that was my main concern so I asked for a cello for my seventh birthday.
Fun Fact
Gayle Klaber
Cello
Sponsor: Ann Marie Hawkins & David Hodgson
Linda Atherton
Cello
Julie Myers King
Cello
Sponsor: Dr. Edward and Carolyn Gabelman
Hometown: W. Lafayette, IN
Favorite Pops Concert: I always love the New Year's Eve concerts!
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Visit the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes as well as the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve.
I wrote a letter to Jimmy Carter when I was in 4th grade and was subsequently invited to his inauguration! I went!
Fun Fact
Nataliya Pshenychna
Cello
Hometown: Kyiv, Ukraine
Favorite Pops Concert: Playing New Year's with Cleveland Pops is my favorite and it has been my new tradition of celebrating New Year's since away from home.
I once performed for King Charles during his visit in Kyiv, Ukraine - it was very exciting!
Fun FactDavid Ellis
Cello
Nicole Castleberry Clouser
Principal Bass
Sponsor: Tricia Tatalick Gardner & Beverly Kapel Tatalick
Hometown: Paradise Valley, AZ
Favorite Pops Concert: All of them. I love how the Pops provides a wide range of musical genres and they are always engaging. The most moving moment ever was after 9/11, at the end of the concert, every audience member stood and sang “God Bless America” as we played. That was probably my most memorable moment ever as a musician because of the connection between the audience and the musicians as well as current events and it’s relevancy in the concert hall.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Walk the metroparks! They are incredible.
I am an archer.
Fun Fact
Ann Gilbert
Bass
Hometown: Lakewood, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: When we played "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and I had to act as though I'd been hit by a baseball thrown by Carl. I screamed and fell off my stool.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Skiing at Boston Mills in the winter and walking by Lake Erie in the summer.
I am a DAR, Daughter of the American Revolution. My ancestor, Sampson Matthews, rode with Washington at the Battle of Yorktown
Fun Fact
Tim Powell
String and Electric Bass
Sponsor: Jeffrey Kitzberger & Mary Frances LaGanke Olympus Wealth Partners, Inc.
Hometown: Newton Falls, Ohio (Braceville Township to be specific)
Favorite Pops Concert: I like all the Pops concerts. It’s a privilege performing with such a great group.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Go to an Indians game.
I am an avid fisherman, particularly for smallmouth bass.
Fun Fact
Mary Kay Robinson
Principal Flute
Sponsor: Anita Scanlon
Hometown: Camillus, New York
Favorite Pops Concert: Tribute to the Armed Forces, my Dad was a WWII Veteran.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Enjoy all the cultural offerings, running around Shaker Lakes and biking in the MetroParks.
I have climbed all 48 high peaks of New Hampshire and am a lover of nature, animals, ethnic cuisine and culture.
Fun FactSean Gabriel
Flute
Sponsor: Randy Solomon & Nancy Glick, in memory of Abe Solomon
Martin Neubert
Principal Oboe
Hometown: Palm Beach, Florida
Favorite Pops Concert: The annual holiday concert at the Palace Theater. I love it because so many families attend as a tradition to kick off the holiday season.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Happy hour at one of our amazing restaurants.
I am a Realtor with Howard Hanna Chagrin Falls. My therapy dog Porter and I volunteer with "Tail Waggin' Tudors", assisting young children with reading and building self esteem.
Fun Fact
Jesse Martin
Oboe
Sponsor: Lynn Chesler, in memory of Barry R. Chesler
Hometown: Avon, Ohio
Favorite Pops Concert: New Years Eve at Severance Hall
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Biking in the Metroparks
I love to collect Woodwind Instruments.
Fun Fact
Louis Gangale
Principal Clarinet
Sponsor: Sponsor: Carl Topilow, in memory of Pearl Josephs
Hometown: Born and raised in Cleveland
Favorite Pops Concert: Any concert I can play Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue!
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Visit the Metroparks.
My lifelong hobby is antique cars. I have a 1958 Corvette which I restored and enjoy driving during the warm summer months!
Fun Fact
Benjamin Chen
Clarinet
Sponsor: Irwin & Eileen Dinn
Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina
Favorite Pops Concert: New Year's Eve! It's so much fun to ring in the new year playing in Severance Hall.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Spending time in the main library downtown, wandering around the Museum of Art, and watching sunsets over Lake Erie in different parts of town.
My favorite authors are Alan Hollinghurst and Toni Morrison.
Fun Fact
Roberto Iriarte
Principal Bassoon
Hometown: Hudson, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: John Williams Tribute
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Explore the vast variety of restaurants.
Arleigh Savage
Bassoon
Hometown: East Lansing, MI
Favorite Pops Concert: In our 22-23 season vocalist & Judy Garland scholar, Joan Ellison, joined us for a concert of Garland's music. I learned so much about Judy Garland's life and the music was sublime!
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Enjoying Cleveland's lakefront in the summer.
I love to sail and worked at the Michigan State University Sailing Center the summers during my undergraduate years.
Fun Fact
Ken Wadenpfuhl
Principal Horn
Sponsor: Irwin & Eileen Dinn
Hometown: Kirbyville, Texas. A very small place in southeast Texas, a former sawmill town. My dad taught me Horn and was my high school band director. My mother taught me piano and accompanied me on all the hard stuff for solo competitions.
Favorite Pops Concert: Always, John Williams
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Being a freelance musician… but then, I also like Five Guys burgers.
I have written and recorded a few instrumental CD’s, quiet and meditative style.
Fun FactVan Parker
Horn
Heather Johnson
Horn
Sponsor: Millette & Company
Favorite Pops Concert: I would say my favorite Pops is our annual Christmas concert in the Palace Theatre. I love everything about that show, except for the dicey high F# solo I have to play in The Night Before Christmas…
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: The principal horn and I often walk to the museum before the concert and eat a late lunch in the atrium space. It’s pretty cool.
I am the founder and president of Beaver Island Conservancy which is working to restore and protect a special place in Lake Michigan. My sisters and I all attended Interlochen Center for the Arts when we were little, and my family fell in love with the area. My nature conservancy is a loosely-logical extension of that love.
Fun FactDavid Brocket
Horn
Sponsor: Robert & Kathleen Mayer
Gary Davis
Principal Trumpet
Sponsor: Sandy & Jeff Brausch, in memory of Kevin J. Hauck
Hometown: Twinsburg, Ohio
Favorite Pops Concert: John Williams concerts and the Salute to our Veterans concerts.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Eating out with family and friends in Little Italy.
My teachers have included James Thompson, Michael Sachs, Eugene Blee, Phil Collins and Robert Dolwick.
Fun Fact
Larry Herman
Trumpet
Sponsor:Michael & Penelope Shemo
Hometown: Parma, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: My favorite Pops concerts are those that feature the music of John Williams. For brass players, they are the most challenging and the most fun to play.
Jack Schantz
Trumpet
Sponsor: Emily Topilow, in memory of Shirley Morgenstern
Hometown: Orville, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: All are fun and challenging in different ways
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Play at Severance Hall with the Pops
Hobbies include: gardening, billiards, driving vintage Porsche, military history
Fun Fact
Paul Ferguson
Principal Trombone
Sponsor: David & Hope Koncal
Hometown: Massilon, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: Joint concerts with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Sunset on the Solstice steps in Lakewood
I've completed the New Hampshire portion of the Appalachian trail.
Fun Fact
Scott Garlock
Trombone
Sponsor: Judy & David Kaufman
Hometown: Born in Howell, MI, raised in Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: There have been many! But, “To reach the unreachable stars”. It was really an ambitious program, and it had so many additional moving parts. Everyone rose to the occasion.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: I love Cleveland. Walking around the neighborhoods, and especially checking out some of the many incredible restaurants and haunts.
Would rather see a bad movie than a good one. Love to exercise.
Fun Fact
Paul Hungerford
Trombone
Sponsor: Susan Kirkland, in honor of Al Kirkland
Hometown: Born in Lakehurst NJ, but grew up in Euclid.
I’m an Eagle Scout. For my Eagle projects I made manipulative games to help the patients practice moving their hands and arms.
Fun Fact
Gary Adams
Principal Tuba
Andrew Pongracz
Principal Timpani
Hometown: Elyria, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: The Armed Forces Concert in May. My father and many of my uncles served in World War II and I am always grateful for a chance to honor their service to their country.
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: I like to explore the many different kinds of restaurants in Cleveland, as well as shopping at the West Side Market. I also enjoy spending time in the Metroparks with my wife and sons.
My oldest son and I are in a short film made for the Cleveland Clinic about empathy. The video went viral and has been viewed over 5 million times. I also have a percussion duo named duo Anime that has a Facebook account.
Fun Fact
Evan Mitchell
Principal Percussion
Hometown: Painesville, Ohio
Favorite Pops Concert: The Broadway concerts
Favorite thing to do in Cleveland: Visit the West Side Market.
My great, great grandfather worked as a Union Carpenter on the Terminal Tower from 1926-1929.
Fun Fact
Jim Rupp
Principal Drum Set
Sponsor: Thompson Hine, LLP
Hometown: Canton, OH
Favorite Pops Concert: Sinatra because of the great combination of a big band with the orchestra and the John Williams shows because of the all the great snare parts
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Play in the Pops and the CJO!
I am a WWII history buff!
Fun Fact
Rock Wehrmann
Principal Piano
Sponsor: Philip Lloyd II
Favorite Pops Concert: The Marvin Hamlisch concert, because I really enjoy his writing (and because I was featured a lot).
Favorite Thing to do in Cleveland: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and dinner at 1# Pho.
I repair and collect vintage Mercedes-Benz automobiles.
Fun Fact
