About WVS
OUR HISTORY
The Willamette Valley Symphony (WVS), formerly known as the Willamette Valley Community Orchestra, was founded by Dr. Sean Paul Mills in December of 2007. The origins of the orchestra sprang from a call for local musicians interested in an outlet for their musical talent. Not surprisingly, a full symphony orchestra answered the call, sharing their diverse talents with the local community at WVS’ inaugural concert in March of 2008.
The orchestra is a community-based, volunteer organization comprised of 50-60 musicians primarily from the beautiful Willamette Valley and as far as the Oregon coast. Members of the orchestra share a common passion for making music. WVS members come from various walks of life; there are nurses, teachers, artists, business executives, among many other life callings.
WVS is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals in the local Willamette Valley. The organization fulfills its mission by providing a place for musicians to thrive and play quality music and to share these rich musical programs with the surrounding community. WVS also endeavors to collaborate with other artists and cultural organizations in the Willamette Valley further enhancing its programs and broadening community outreach.
WVS presents five symphony orchestra concerts per season which are performed in both Corvallis and Albany. Informative talks are provided by the Artistic Director and others for each of our programs to help enhance the musical experience for our audience. WVS hopes to provide a quality symphonic experience that will instill life-long enjoyment and participation in the arts for all who participate.
The orchestra believes strongly in making the concerts affordable and available to the broadest possible audience. To make this happen, the orchestra is supported by ticket sales and donations from individuals, companies, and grants from local, Oregon, and federal agencies that recognize the importance of music to the community.
Thank you for your interest in our symphony. We look forward to seeing you at our future performances.
Willamette Valley Symphony Musicians
Listed are regular WVS members as of 1/3/2026
Violin 1
Sandra Butler (concertmaster)
Kevin Craven (assistant principal)
Paul Baisted
Amber Bennion
Carl Bolon
Signe Danler
Michelle Lewis
Lydia O’Brien
Lisa Zweben
Violin 2
Liane Ingalls (principal)
Melissa Barrum
Claire Fiegener
Telicia Hixson
Marjory Lange
Emily Palmer
Valerie Six
Linda Marie Zaerr
Viola
Kimberly Scudder (co-principal)
Joyce Eberhart (co-principal)
Dan Arbogast
Michelle Eckroth
Carson Leflang
Cello
Debra Anker (principal)
Indigo Anderson
Alexandra Barber-Taylor
Susan Burke
Teddi Crotti
Katharine Dooley
Kris McLaughlin
Keith Scofield
Bass
Colby Huneke
Harp
Cherie Gullerud
Flute
Marvel Vigil (principal)
Julie Rogers
Melanie Sorenson
Oboe
Jackie LaRue (principal)
Robert Koll
Clarinet
Connie Corine Gardner (principal)
Cheryl Martinez
Bassoon
Garren LaRoux
Kerry Mammone
French Horn
Cindy Lefton (principal)
Diana Engel
Daniel Harlan
Robert Schapper
David Sorenson
Trumpet
Trevor Wilson (principal)
Danny Mitchel
Ken Saul
Trombone
Jim Martinez (principal)
Tom Bruch
Cheryl Leckie
Tuba
Jesse Canady
Timpani
Matt Graham
Percussion
Colton Kohler
Piano
Joy Ueng
Lance Inouye – Artistic Director
Lance Inouye is Artistic Director and Conductor of The Portland Concert Opera and Music Director/Conductor of the Lewis & Clark Orchestra in Portland, Oregon. In the 2020-2021 season, Inouye joined the Portland Opera as coach and conductor on their Journeys to Justice production, conducting Carlos Simon’s Night Trip and Damien Geter’s The Talk, featuring Resident Artists and the Portland Opera Chorus. Inouye has served on the Music Staff of Florida Grand Opera in Miami, as Assistant Conductor and Coach for Eugene Onegin, Un ballo in maschera, and FGO’s premiere of Jorge Martin’s opera Before Night Falls. He previously served on…
Nissa Newton – Executive Director
Nissa is excited to join WVS’ family of musicians. She has a musical background and was an oboe player in the US Army Band at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. She also plays piano and flute, enjoys singing, and composes ballads. She has taught piano, recorder, and Kindermusik for preschool and elementary age children. In high school, Nissa played Eugene Youth Symphony. Her most recent composition “Birdie Lullaby” …
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MUSICIANS
COMMUNITY
MUSICIANS
The Willamette Valley Symphony provides opportunities for musicians in our community to share in the joy of making music together. Musicians interested in joining the orchestra should contact: Artistic Director
If there are openings available for your instrument, a short informal audition will be required.
Anyone interested in joining us needs to meet the following three (3) criteria in addition to scheduling an audition with the Artistic Director:
- ability to play a 2 octave scale (woodwinds/brass) or 3 octave scale (strings),
- have studied your instrument privately and/or performed in a chamber orchestra or full symphony orchestra, and
- ability to perform a short solo composition with rhythmic accuracy, technical fluency, and musicality.
COMMUNITY
The Willamette Valley Symphony welcomes volunteers from the community. All volunteers receive tickets to performances in exchange for their generous donation of time. Current volunteer openings include:
- Assisting with the box office and/or ushering in the lobby
- Placing posters and distribution of materials in the community
We welcome volunteers with a variety of special skills. Please contact us if you have a specific skill or interest that you feel would benefit the organization.
To volunteer, please contact: Executive Director
Board of Directors:
Cindy Lefton, President
Tom Bruch, Treasurer
Marvel Vigil Secretary
Sandy Byers
Robert Schapper
Cheryl Leckie
Jim Martinez
Stage Manager, Tom Bruch
Personnel Manager, Jim Martinez
Interim Librarian, Jim Martinez