Get to know our principal musicians better by clicking on their names!

Personnel Manager: David Thurkins

This is your chance to learn about the extraordinary local talent that you can hear at each of our concerts. Our area holds some of the most talented and experienced musicians. We are all very proud to have such a wonderful group of musicians!

Augusto Diemecke started his violin studies at age 11 with his father Emilio Diemecke. Mr. Diemecke continued his violin training with Joanna Maikovska, Enrique Espin Yepes, Jorge Risi, Manuel Suarez, Fredell Lack, and Kenneth Goldsmith. Augusto has participated in master classes with Itzhak Perlman, Henryk Szeryng, and Sergui Luca. Mr. Diemecke is a very active performer. He has played with orchestras such as the Mexico City Philharmonic, OFUNAM, Guanajuato Symphony, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet Orchestra, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra do Norte do Portugal, and as concertmaster with Orquesta Philharmonique du Tuornon in France. He is currently the concertmaster with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL). As a soloist he has performed with the Guanajuato Symphony, Morelia Symphony, Orquesta Ollin Yolistly, Orquesta de Camara de Bellas Artes, Corning Youth Orchestra, North Houston Symphony, Orquesta do Norte do Portugal, and Colgate Symphony. He has performed chamber music recitals in France, Portugal, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.

Top

Denise Lowe-Nosewicz has been principal second violinist with the OSFL for years. Previous teachers include Kenneth Sarch (Tanglewood Institute for Young Artists),Christian Badea(Faculty, Julliard School of Music), Charles Treger (Hartt College of Music) and Daniel Kobialka (SFSU, San Francisco). Orchestral positions include The Oakland Symphony, Marin Symphony, San Francisco Opera Company and Tri-Cities Opera. As an active Suzuki educator, Ms. Lowe-Nosewicz has maintained studios in Ithaca and Horseheads. She has implemented and performed at educational outreach programs for local school districts. Teaching positions include The Camerata School, CSMA, and University of Connecticut Community Music School. A founding member of the Finger Lakes String Quartet, Ms. Lowe-Nosewicz is an active chamber music performer. FLS Quartet has performed numerous recitals and benefits in the area. She has been a featured soloist in the Ithaca Bach Festival as well as quartet recitals through the "Musician's Choice" chamber series. Ms. Lowe-Nosewicz is currently employed as a mental health worker in the Newfield School District.

Max Buckholtz began playing the violin at the age of three under the direction Mary Cay Neal, the founder of the Buffalo Suzuki Strings. He embarked upon his first world tour with The Buffalo Suzuki Strings at the age of ten. Through the philosophy of world peace through music; tours brought him to Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, England, Scotland, The Former Soviet Union and Hungary. He has served as Concertmaster and Asst. Concertmaster for the Utica Symphony and Catskill Symphony Orchestras, Principal Violist for the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and currently works in The Theatre Arts Department at Cornell University as a composer, performer, and dance accompanist for the Dance Program. Last summer he worked in Rome, Italy for a month with the Cornell Dance Department and collaborated with student choreographers performing dance installations at various locations throughout Rome. Max also has studied and plays a wide variety of styles including Celtic, Jazz, Classical, Middle Eastern, South Indian and Bluegrass. Max holds a Masters Degree in violin performance from the Ithaca College School of Music. While pursuing his Masters Degree he received a grant and traveled to Romania to analyze and collect Moldavian Folk Music.

Cellist Andrew Barnhart is a native of the Detroit, Michigan area where he began playing the cello in the public school system at the age of 10. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree, Performer’s Certificate, and Orchestral Studies Diploma from the Eastman School of Music.

While at the University of Michigan Andrew served as principal cello for the performance and recording of William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience under conductor Leonard Slatkin. The recording was awarded four Grammy awards including classical album of the year.

As a chamber musician he has performed with the Michigan Chamber Players, the Eastman Chamber Music Society, and the Eastman Virtuosi. Andrew has had the opportunity to perform with such musicians as: Yehonatan Berick (violin), Yizhak Schotten (viola), Carmen Pelton (soprano), Lynn Aspnes and Kathleen Bride (Harp), JB VanDemark (Bass), the Kilbourn Saxophone Quartet, John Marcellus (Trombone), and Kenneth Grant (Clarinet).

In addition to being principal cello in the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Andrew works as a private teacher and a freelance musician in the Rochester area and is a doctoral candidate at the Eastman School of Music where he serves as teaching assistant to Alan Harris. He is also the TA for a program that brings Eastman students to school 17 in downtown Rochester to provide private lessons.

Andrew’s major teachers include: Richard Piippo, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, and Alan Harris. He has had additional studies with Thomas Landschoot and Ronald Leonard and has played in master classes given by Janos Starker, Bernard Greenhouse, Stephen Geber, and Pieter Wispelwey.

Andrew was the winner of the Eastman School of Music 2008 Concerto Competition and third prize winner in the 2009 Andrews University Second International Music Competition. He has performed as a Soloist with the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and the Eastman Wind Ensemble.

Born in 1976, Josh Kerr began studying the double bass at age eight with private teacher Judith Hanna in LaGrange, IL. After four years performing with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, and two summers at the Northwestern High School Music Institute, Josh moved to Rochester, NY, to study with J.B.VanDemark at the Eastman School of Music. During his education, Josh managed to perform at Carnegie Hall with the New York String Seminar and tour Europe with the North Carolina School of the Arts. Josh currently is among the premier bassists in the region, having performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble, Catskill Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and Glimmerglass Opera. Josh can also be seen in the bass sections of the Syracuse and Albany Symphonies regularly. A member of the Binghamton Philharmonic, Josh currently enjoys living in Savannah, NY, from where he maintains his position as principal bass of both Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Susan Stolov grew up in Rochester, NY, and began her musical studies in the Preparatory Department of the Eastman School of Music. She entered Eastman for her Bachelor's degree as a student of Joseph Mariano. In later years, she has also studied with the famed French flutist/teacher, Marcel Moyse. She worked in New York City for over twenty years with the New York City Opera, the American Ballet Theatre, the American Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops Orchestra and many visiting ballet companies at the Met Opera House. Susan was a founding member of the Boehm Woodwind Quintet, performing primarily in the New York City area, playing short tours in the USA and recording on the Orion Label. She moved to Ithaca with her husband, Meyer, in 1987, and has been a member of the OSFL for ten years. Susan is also a member of the Finger Lakes Flutes.

Sue Laib, principal oboist of OSFL since its inception, previously held the same positions in the Corning Philharmonic and Elmira Symphony. In her 16th year at Mansfield University where she teaches oboe, bassoon and coaches chamber music, she is also principal oboe in the Williamsport (PA) Symphony Orchestra. Sue has been a member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, on the faculty of Tennessee Technological University, toured Belgium and Holland in 1988 with the Cumberland Quintet and performed in their successful 1986 debut in Carnegie Recital Hall in New York City. She was also a featured performer at the 1988 International Double Reed Society convention at the University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C. She holds degrees from The Eastman School of Music, University of Colorado, and Florida State University. Her teachers include Robert Sprenkle, Thomas Stacy, David Abosch, Ronald Roseman, Richard Killmer; master classes with Christopher Weait, John Mack, Joseph Robinson, and attendance at the 2005 Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp. Sue resides near Mansfield with her husband, trombonist Steve McEuen, and son Davey.

Cindy Sedlacek, principal clarinetist since 1987. Previously the principal clarinetist of the Orquestra Sinfonica Nacional in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she has also played with the Tri-Cities Opera, Catskills Symphony, Elmira Symphony, Utica Symphony and Regina Opera in Brooklyn. Originally from Ithaca, NY, she received her Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and a Master of Arts from Brooklyn College. She also has attended the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, the Aspen Music Festival, the Johannesen International School of the Arts and the Eastman School of Music. Her principal studies have been with Mark Nuccio (NY Philharmonic), Richard MacDowell (Univ. of Texas—Austin), Michael Webster (Rochester Philharmonic), Leon Russianoff (NYC) and Joaquin Valdepeñas (Toronto Symphony). During the academic year she teaches clarinet at Cornell University and during the summer she teaches at the Csehy Summer School of Music. Cindy’s husband, Karel, is a member of the violin section of the Orchestra. They live in Ithaca with their son Karel.

Amy Lange has been actively performing since childhood. Although her performing career started on bassoon while she was attending the Eastman School of Music, she has since branched out to other genres. You may have seen her on stage with Elmira Little Theater and other local theater groups, or even playing Irish music with local musician Pat Kane. Amy teaches elementary instrumental music in the Elmira City School District, has 3 adorable ferrets, and enjoys traveling to local jazz performances where there is enough room to swing dance. She is very happy to be returning to the OSFL for another great year and is looking forward to many more.

Tyler Ogilvie, Principal Horn, graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor's degree in music education. In 2005-2008, he taught elementary and middle school level bands in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, he served as the West Hartford Symphony's principal horn player. In past years, Tyler has performed with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, and recently toured Russia with the contemporary chamber ensemble, Kulmusik. With the Pinnacle Brass Quintet he presented educational music workshops at public schools in Maine, later performing with them at a chamber music festival held overseas in Germany. Tyler lives in Ithaca and is pursuing graduate studies in horn performance.

Jeff Stempien. Who's Who in American Colleges 1973 and recently in the 2005 addition of Who's Who in America. Currently band director in the Penn Yan School system, a position he has held since 1978, adult choral and band director ay the Penn Yan United Methodist Church since 1991, adjunct teacher at Hobart and William Colleges since 1989, band director at Keuka College since 2002, principal trumpet player with the orchestra since 1982, trumpet player with the Southern Tier All-Star Jazz Band since 1986, mechanic at Marbles Automotive since 2002, conductor of the Penn Yan Area Community Band since 1991, member of the International Trumpet Guild, New York School Music Association, Music Educators National Conference, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha. Stempien is also active in guest conducting, adjudicating and many free lance trumpet playing events. He lives in Keuka Park with his wife Elly and has two daughters, Heather and Aimée.

Trombonist, Norm Wilcox has been performing throughout the Southern Tier for more than 40 years. A native of Elmira, he graduated from Horseheads High School, studying under James Wilson, and then from the Eastman School of Music, studying under Emory Remington and Donald Knaub. While choosing a career in the tool and die business, Norm has taken advantage of every opportunity to perform in many local musical organizations, including 31 years with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and it's predecessors. He also plays with the Binghamton Symphony, the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Cornell University's Ensemble X, as well as two groups of his own, The Brass Menagerie, a brass quintet and The Elmira Trombone Choir. He has taught trombone privately, transcribed brass music and composed Christian music. He lives in Horseheads and is married to Kathy, herself an accomplished musician and veteran of many local theatrical productions.

Dave Unland completed Doctoral studies and a Masters Degree at University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and a Bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville as a member of the Dean’s College, Mensa and Mensa Elite. He has performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Philharmonic, St. Louis Muny Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Moiseyev Dance Troupe, La Scala Ballet, Ringling Brothers Circus, Six Flags, Disney on Parade, Midwest Sport Show, Syracuse Symphony, Albany Symphony, Utica Symphony, Binghamton Symphony, BC Pops Orchestra, Tri-Cities Opera, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, St. Louis Brass Quintet, Ithaca Brass and numerous freelance engagements. He has also recorded with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Brass, a solo recording of Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto with the Utica Symphony and the Cornell Wind Ensemble and will be releasing a CD with the Ithaca Brass in 2006. His is a clinician and recitalist for Custom Music, a contributor to “Woodwind, Brass and Percussion” and author of “Tuba Performance Pedagogy,” a textbook for college studies. Mr. Unland has been professor of tuba and euphonium at Ithaca College since 1978.

Gina Kline is an elementary band director and music teacher at George F. Johnson Elementary School in the Union-Endicott school district, where she has taught for six years. She received her Bachelor’s in Music Education and Performance (Percussion) from Ithaca College, where she studied with world-famous marimbist, Gordon Stout. During her undergraduate career, she also traveled to New Jersey to attend a month-long marimba camp where she had the opportunity to study and work with the legendary Leigh Howard Stevens. She has recently completed her Masters of Arts in Social Sciences at Binghamton University. In 2004, Gina received the honor of being named “Educator of the Week” for WBNG-TV in Binghamton. When she is not teaching, Gina is an active percussionist in the area. In addition to being the principal percussionist with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes of which she’s been a member for ten years, she also performs with the Southern Tier Concert Band, the Basically Bach Ensemble, and is a founding member of the Caribbean Steel Band, Panigma. She has performed as a vocalist with the Blue Velvet Orchestra and annually toured Aruba with the Ithaca Ageless Jazz Band playing the vibraphone. She has also performed as a marimba soloist with the Binghamton Philharmonic. In March of 2007, Gina conducted the TCMEA All-County Elementary Band, which is comprised of the top elementary band students in Tioga County. Gina currently resides in Endicott with her husband, Tom.