Alessandro Cirafici is the second oboist of the Portland Symphony Orchestra and artist faculty for oboe at the University of Southern Maine. An active Boston-based freelancer, Alessandro has both performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on the Deutsche Grammophon label, and was previously a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. He has also… Read More

Grace Shryock is a highly sought-after oboist and English horn player, currently a member of the Portland Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Springfield Symphony, and Albany Symphony. She served as acting English horn of the New York Philharmonic for four years, including as soloist in their performance of Aaron Copland’s Quiet City. Grace has also held Acting… Read More

Lisa Goddard is an avid orchestral and chamber musician on both historical and modern instruments. She plays regularly with the Portland Symphony in Maine, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and the Boston Ballet Orchestra, and can also be heard with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, Odyssey Opera, Handel and Haydn Society and… Read More

Grammy-award winning flutist and piccoloist, Rachel Braude, has been a prominent member of the Boston music scene for many years. She is on the faculties of Dartmouth College and the New England Conservatory of Music (Preparatory Division). Rachel is the former piccoloist of the St. Louis Symphony and currently holds positions with the Portland Symphony,… Read More

Where did you grow up? Albuquerque, New Mexico Where do you currently live? Walpole, Massachusetts What instrument(s) do you play? Percussion Educational background: Boston University – BM performance; New England Conservatory – MM performance; Bridgewater State College – Master Education Personal Information (family, pets, kids, etc.): Married 25 years, 2 girls, one cat, many bicycles How did you get started… Read More

Where did you grow up? Jacksonville, FL Educational background: BM New England Conservatory, Fellowship Tanglewood Music Center, Brevard Music Center, McDonald’s All-American High School Band Began with the PSO: In 1977 Any non-musical hobbies? Golf, sailing, ’68 Vespa scooter, gardening, antiques and the Red Sox! What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in? Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, New Hampshire… Read More

Where did you grow up? Born in New York City; Grew up in Bedford, MA Where do you currently live? Burlington, MA What instrument do you play? Principal timpani Educational background: Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Performance, New England Conservatory; Graduate Studies, New England Conservatory; New England Conservatory Tourjee Alumni Award Winner; New England Conservatory/Toho Gakuen School (Tokyo)… Read More

Where did you grow up? New Jersey What instruments do you play? Tuba, Cimbasso What is your educational background? BA New England Conservatory When did you start playing for the PSO? 1988(ish) What non-PSO musical activities do you participate in? Principal Tuba- Boston Ballet,  Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Philharmonic, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Beacon Brass Quintet Where did you grow… Read More

Where did you grow up? Navy: Hawaii, Virginia, Washington DC, Old Orchard Where do you currently live? Portland, Maine What instruments do you play? Trombone, tuba, trumpet and piano. Educational background: BS Music Education University of Maine Orono; BM in Performance Boston University. Family, Pets, Kids: Wife-pianist and teacher Elizabeth Manduca. Maria and Diana, daughters. How did you get started… Read More