Musicians (mini concerts)
Susan Sigge Flute and Program Director
Susan began her musical career on the organ at the age of five, and picked up the flute five years later. She has performed as a soloist and with many orchestras throughout California, including Monterey, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Vallejo, Fremont, Redding and Napa Symphonies, as well as Festival Opera and San Francisco Masterworks Chorale. She is an active freelance musician, performing for weddings, parties and other social events. Susan received her Master of Arts Degree in Music from San Jose State University, where she studied with French flutist Isabelle Chapuis. Her teachers include James B. Walker, Angela Koregelos, Lloyd Gowen and Susan Waller, and she has taken Master classes with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Michel Dubost, Julius Baker, Ransom Wilson and Frances Blaisdell, among others.
Susan recently performed Rutland Boughton's "Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra" with the College Park High String Ensemble. She performed the West Coast "Premiere of Praescio V" for flute & computer by Bruce Pennycook and the U.S. Premiere of "Yong" for solo flute by Paul Douglas. She's founder and conductor emeritus of "Flock of Flutes", and teaches lessons in Martinez. Learn about Susan at http://www.susansigge.com
Kerry Borgen Violin
Co-Director of "Applause," a Martinez-based, all-strings performing group for kids, Kerry has been teaching violin since the age of 12. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, where she received a scholarship to perform with the honors string quartet and chamber ensemble. She has performed with many chamber and orchestral groups throughout the United States and abroad, with scholarships from the Congress of Strings, Interlochen Arts Academy and the National Orchestral Academy in London. Kerry has performed as a soloist with the Nova Vista Symphony, the Mission Chamber Orchestra, and the Danville Community Band. She has played with the San Jose Symphony, California Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, and as Concertmaster for the Nova Vista Symphony. Learn more about Kerry at http://applausekids.net/directors.html
Elizabeth Vandervennet Cello
Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan where she studied with Jeff Solow, Nina DeVeritch, and Jerome Jelinek. Upon graduation she received high honors in Music Theory as well as a Minor in Arts Administration. Her Master of Music in Cello Performance from Carnegie Mellon University was obtained under the guidance of Anne Martindale-Williams, the Principal Cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony.
Elizabeth has performed extensively with a variety of chamber music ensembles. During the years 1993-1999 she was a member of the Sartory and Lake String Quartets. The Lake Quartet performed over 60 concerts in Yellowstone National Park during each summer of 1997 and 1998 for visitors from all over the world. Elizabeth was a founding member of the Sequoia Trio, a Bay-area piano trio specializing in women's music (1996-1999). She was a founding member of the wonderfully original group Luna Nova Quartet, a member 2000-2008.
In addition to her post as Principal Cellist of Vallejo Symphony, Elizabeth is currently a member of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, and Marin Symphony. She was a former Principal Cellist of Stockton Symphony, Assistant Principal Cellist of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Napa Valley Symphony, as well as a member of Fresno Philharmonic. Learn more about Beth at http://www.cellobeth.com/
