Runaway Stage Productions Resident Orchestra

THE RUNAWAY STAGE PRODUCTIONS RESIDENT ORCHESTRA

Runaway Stage Productions is pleased to offer a live orchestra at all of its Broadway Stage shows. The number of players used from show to show vary depending on the needs of the score. Below are the bios of our Resident Orchestra members.

	JEANNA ARNOLD Clarinet, Saxophones and Flute/Piccolo Jeanna learned to play saxophone in 7th grade. She was a music major through high school and community college where she received occupational certificates in Commercial Music and Music Copying. After high school, Jeanna was part of the United States Collegiate Winds Band that toured Europe. In college, she was part of the Olympic Marching Band (a 1000 piece band!) that performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics in L.A. She moved to Sacramento in 1986 and music went on a 20 year hiatus. In 2006, Jeanna answered an ad from a gentleman looking for musicians to recreate his nine piece swing/dance band (from the 1940's!). This also required her to learn the clarinet. Since then, she has joined the Capitol Pops Concert Band and now feels honored to be a part of the wonderful RSP Orchestra.

	BOB BOBROW Clarinet and Saxophones Bob started playing clarinet in the seventh grade and continued through high school also playing bass clarinet and various saxophones. By his senior year his favorite instrument had become the tenor sax. In college and throughout the 1960’s, Bob played in several dance bands and small combos in the San Francisco Bay Area. During that same period while earning a Master’s degree in Business Administration, he also served for six years in the 159th Army Band of the California National Guard. By the mid-seventies Bob’s playing went into semi-retirement and he only played occasionally at home. Three decades later in 2003 he “discovered” community bands. Since 2004 he has played with the Sacramento Concert Band, The Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band, The Amador County Concert Band, The Nevada County Concert Band, and currently plays with the Capitol Pops Concert Band. Bob’s first show with RSP was White Christmas in 2011, and as a longtime fan of musical theater and of “pit” musicians he is delighted to be able to play some of his favorite music. He admits to being flattered when invited to join the RSP Resident Orchestra.

	CARYL BUTCHER Violin At age 3, after learning from her father, Caryl auditioned and was accepted to begin private lessons from Louia Vaughn Jones (concert violinist, professor of music at Howard University in Washington, D.C.). From age 4 – 6, Caryl studied with Lillian Cinberg and at age 5, performed at the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Children’s Concert as a member of the Settlement Music School Quartet. In 5th grade, Caryl began studying under Guido Mansuino (National Symphony), and became the youngest member admitted to the DC Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she played for 7 years. Caryl was also in her High School Honor’s Quartet and school orchestra. Caryl attended the Eastern Music Festival, spending one season in the main orchestra and another as Concertmaster of its junior orchestra. Then, Caryl took a 39-year hiatus from playing the violin, during which time she got her BA degree, raised a family, and spent 34 years with the Federal Government. In 2008, Caryl retired as a Federal Ethics Officer and relocated to Sacramento. Caryl joined the West Sacramento Community Orchestra in 2010, and the RSP resident orchestra in 2011.

	KATHRYN CANAN Flute and Piccolo Kathryn has enjoyed playing for musical theater since a gig in the Kit Kat Orchestra for Cabaret got her out of marching for high school football games in November in Montana. She has played for the Davis Comic Opera Company and Light Opera Theater of Sacramento. She has performed with Runaway Stage Productions since 2005 and a member of the Resident Orchestra since its creation in 2006.. Kathryn also enjoys playing and teaching recorder and early flutes; she toured England with the Recorder Orchestra of New York and has performed on Maui, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and at the Avignon Theater Festival with Early Music Maui. Lenten is Come, her CD of medieval English music with Briddes Roune, is available at www.magnatune.com. Kathryn recently completed an M.A. in Liberal Arts at CSUS, so she is now fully qualified to practice medieval medicine.

	CHRISTOPHER COOK Musical Director Chris is delighted to be living once again in California after a few years out East and is excited about the opportunity to work with Runaway Stage Productions. He holds a a Bachelor of Music Education from Sacramento State and a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from Shenandoah Conservatory, where he studied under Maestro Jan Wagner and. For years, Chris has been involved in musical theater and is frequently called on for original scores and collaborative works by local theatrical and dance companies. His previous pit orchestra experience includes work with Music Circus, The Broadway Series, Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Sacramento State Dept. of Theater and Dance, and many other regional companies. He has been the Music Director of the Winchester Little Theater (2005) and the Barnyard Theater (2005), and an Assistant Conductor of the Sacramento Youth Symphony (2003-2004) and a guest conductor for the Sacramento Valley Symphonic Band Association (2003). He is currently a resident music director for Runaway Stage Productions, directing part-time at Sacramento State, and the Artistic Director of the Green Valley Puppet Theater. In his spare time he teaches K-8 music and drama at St. Albans Country Day School, stilt walks, and learns to play the Kanjira.

	BRENDAN DAVIS Guitar Brendan had a mezzo-soprano opera singer who graduated from Julliard for a mom, and a world-class blue-grass guitar player for a dad. With a combination like that, some thing cool was bound to happen. In 1984, a New York Radio station, WPLJ, had album side lunch-breaks. One given Tuesday they played Moving Pictures, side 1, by Rush. Tom Sawyer, Red Barchetta, YYZ, and Limelight. By the time the last chords to Limelight were fading out, Brendan was on his way out the door to buy every Rush album in the store. He could only afford two, Permanent Waives, and Moving Pictures. That was the beginning of his guitar playing career. After graduating high-school, Brendan went to college, and played in many cover bands and original bands, kicking around on the New England music scene between Maine and Virginia. Studying at The Berklee College of music in the summer performance program and Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1991 while at school in Richmond VA. Brendan enlisted in the Marine Corps to play in the Marine Band, serving 7 years. Brendan has been playing clubs and pits in around Sacramento since shortly after his arrival in 1998. Brendan’s first show with Runaway Stage Productions was Footloose and he is very happy to have found someplace to call home.

	DALE DISNEY Acoustic and Electric Bass Dale first picked up the bass in the seventh grade. He continued in the music program throughout Jr. High, and then in High School under the direction of Gerry Lopes. During High School he also played with the Sacramento Youth Symphony under Michael Neumann. Dale continued to play for a couple of semesters with the American River College Orchestra, but then put away the bass for over a decade. After receiving a call to play for a concert to fill out the bass section, Dale has steadily played more and more gigs. Dale has been playing with the Valley Choral Society and Folsom Lake Symphony Orchestra for the past few years. Dale first played with RSP in 2009’s production of Evita, which was supposed to be just one or two shows as a substitute. After playing most of Evita and then Sweet Charity, Dale just doesn’t want to leave the theater!

	PAUL DOERNER Plectrum Bajo and Tenor Guitar Paul has played Banjo since 2002. His teachers are Peggy Lewis of Sacramento and Dave Marty of Novato. A soloist at various Banjo conventions from Sacramento to Providence, he was the feature story for Fretted Instruments Guild of America's ALL FRETS (Jan/Feb 2006). Paul plays with the Capital Kids Banjo Band, Sacramento Banjo Band, Oregon Trail Band, Assorted Nuts Band and the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society's 'TNT'. He is pleased to be a member of RSP's Resident Orchestra, and has performed in Chicago and Anything Goes, among others.

	GERTRUDE DUBANSKI Piano/Audition Pianist Gertrude Dubanski played the piano at Max's Opera Cafe for 11 years. She currently performs with Sacramento's Capitol Opera. She also was the pianist for River City Theater Company, a local children's theater group. She is delighted to be a Resident Member of the RSP Orchestra. Gertrude thanks her husband Bob and son Paul for their patience and support. Gertrude has been a member of the Resident Orchestra since first playing piano in The Full Monty in 2007. She also currently serves on Staff as Audition Pianist.

	DEANN GOLZ Piano/Vocal Director As a child, Deann started singing and playing clarinet because she wanted to be just like her older sister. It turned out that she loved it so much that most of her free time is now spent on musical endeavors. Her favorite instrument is the piano. Deann currently accompanies the Cantate Choir of the Sacramento Children's Chorus and plays for church services at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd once a month. She also sings in the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra and plays guitar in a rock band. Deann first performed with RSP's orchestra in 2005 for Seussical the Musical and has also played for Baby, The Full Monty, and Anything Goes, among many others. Deann is very excited to be part of RSP's Resident Orchestra. Deann is currently the Resident Vocal Director for the 2012 season.

	ALAN JOHANSEN Trumpet, Flugelhorn Alan was first introduced to pit orchestra while studying music and trumpet at Chaffey College in a production of “The Mikado”. The challenges and satisfaction of playing musical theatre has had him hooked since then. Before becoming a resident member of the RSPRO in 2010, he played with the Rocklin Community Theatre Company for ten years. His two daughters performed on stage during many shows while he played in the pit, making it a very special experience for him. In addition to musical theatre, Alan have played in the Sierra College Concert Band for several years and with the Capitol Pops. He is also currently a member of the Sacramento Symphonic Winds. Alan has a special interest in vintage trumpets and cornets and has collected many classics. Alan is pleased to be involved in a theatre group with such a high talent level of performers and staff and looks forward to playing in some great shows.

	JAMES LOHMAN Musical Director/Reeds/Brass/Keyboards/Music Arranger James has worked in public schools for the last 12 years, and is currently a Band and Orchestra Director in the Yuba City Unified School District. Before moving to the Yuba-Sutter area James earned a Bachelor of Music Degree at California State University, Sacramento. While living in Sacramento he was the Senior Director of the Sacramento Youth Band, taught music in Sacramento City and San Juan Unified Schools, and played a few years in the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. He is also currently the musical director of the Yuba-Sutter Youth Symphony, a clarinet player in the Yuba–Sutter Symphony, plays saxophone and trombone in the Yuba City Nazarene Band and a pit musician/musical director for various other companies around Sacramento and Yuba City. James has been with RSP since November 2006 when he was musical director for his favorite show Annie. James has also participated as musical director for the expanding Youth Masterclass musicals and for the RSP Preiview shows as musical director and arranger.

	PATTY LONG Oboe, Flute, and Piccolo Patty started taking piano lessons at age 5, and as a concession to continue piano lessons she was allowed to take flute and then oboe in school. Thankfully, she got to stop taking piano lessons at 18. She has performed with the RSP Orchestra for My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, Baby, Guys and Dolls, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Patty feels privileged to be playing in the RSP Orchestra. She also plays oboe with the Sacramento Symphonic Winds and enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with performing before a live audience.

	CRIS OLIVIA MORALES Cello Cris Olivia Morales started playing the cello in grade school. She played in the Orange County Youth Symphony and several honor orchestras before studying music at UC Berkeley but majoring in Philosophy. In her undergrad days she studied with Joseph Detullio and Margaret Rowell . However she abandoned her cello during her graduate studies at Cornell University in East Asian Studies only to return later to the cello approximately 5 years ago. She holds a teaching credential in history and music and has conducted bands and small ensembles with a variety of middle schools in the Sacramento Region. She has trained in the Suzuki method and teaches cello privately to both children and adults at her studio in Land Park. She is very interested in exploring improvisation, jazz and world music. She also plays cello in a Chinese ensemble with traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu. She also plays in a chamber ensemble called Suite Celebrations a piano, cello, flute trio offering traditional classical and popular music for various events such as weddings. Lastly, she tries to learn about jazz sensibilities with her modest trumpet playing in the ARC jazz ensemble. Please feel free to email her for any musical comments or questions or if interested in cello lessons or to hire her chamber music ensembles. Cris became a member of the Resident Orchestra in 2011.

	CAT SPECE Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Orchestra Contractor and Manager Cat Spece graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2001 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She loves playing musicals for the variety and challenges of musical styles and composers. Her first production for Runaway Stage Productions was La Cage Aux Folles in 2003. Having played in several RSP orchestras since 2003, Cat was impressed and inspired by the rising quality of shows and casts. With a vision and desire to create a consistent musical base, Cat led the effort in organizing the Runaway Stage Productions’ Resident Orchestra. A musical entity since the 2006 season, the Resident Orchestra has impressed and pleased audiences and casts. Part of the goal was to validate each performer’s experience on stage with as complete an orchestra (from the composer’s intention) as possible. Cat continues to build the Resident Orchestra in her capacity as Orchestra Contractor and Manager.

	RUDY STUBBS Trombone and Tuba Rudy is a product of public school music education - that is to say, "Here's a scale, and here's how to play it on xxx instrument". He credits his Mom with developing his deep love for musical theater and for her support, especially in the early years, when coaxing a 10 year old rapscallion to come inside for daily practice must have been vexing at best. She never failed to be there for what must have been some pretty painful-to-listen-to concerts in the formative years. As a developing musician Rudy was fortunate to have studied under the baton of William Eramouspie who gave him free reign to explore and develop alternate instrumentations and taught him the love of conducting, and later under the genius of Ray Lindsey, who's creative energy and pursuit of excellence and attention to detail has left his mark on thousands of Northern California musicians. Now retired, He describes himself as an "recreational" musician (by choice), and performs regularly in the River City Concert Band as well as The Capitol Pops and as an alternate summer musician in the Amador County Concert Band.

	DONICA STILES Clarinet, Saxes, Flute/Piccolo Chemist by day, musician by night. Playing clarinet (and various saxophones and flute) has been a hobby of Donica's for years. She has been a part of the RSP orchestras since 2003, playing in “My Fair Lady”, “The Music Man” and “Victor Victoria”, among many others. She looks forward to making music a bigger part of her life by being a member of the RSP orchestra. Donica is an original member of the Resident Orchestra since its creation in 2006.

	GARY SUITS Musical Director, French Horn Gary started playing trumpet growing up in Augusta, Kansas. The sound of the horn caught his attention in 1977 with the release of "Star Wars," and two years later when he got to high school, Gary switched to horn. "I never looked back," he says. Gary earned the degree Master of Music from Northwestern University, having studied with Barry Benjamin of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and Norman Schweikert of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Gary is also a United States Marine, having served the Corps with the Parris Island Marine Band. He has performed with the Wichita Symphony, the St. Joseph, Missouri Symphony, Opera In The Ozarks, the Beaufort Chamber Orchestra and the Hilton Head Orchesta. In addition to Runaway Stage Productions, Gary performs with the The Folsom-Lake Symphony Orchestra, The Sierra Nevada Winds, The Sacramento Symphonic Winds, and the River City Theater Company Orchestra. Gary joined the RSP Resident Orchestra in the spring of 2009. "I was always one of those horn players that you didn't have to beg to play in the pit. I jumped at every chance I got, so this is a wonderful opportunity." When he's not playing, Gary is a licensed clinical social worker in children's mental health.

	LAURA TURPEN Bassoon, Clarinet, Bari Sax Laura originally hails from Peoria, IL. She graduated from Purdue University where she spent 7 semesters in various bands and orchestras. In California, she has performed with the Solano Winds, the Timbuktunes, the Placer Sierra Symphony, the Davis Comic Opera Company, the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento, and the California Repercussions. She is delighted to be the resident bassoonist for RSP since her first show with RSP - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 2006.

	TROY TURPEN Trumpet and French Horn Troy started playing trumpet in his senior year at Bella Vista High School. Upon entering UC Davis in the fall of 1980, he was introduced to the Mellophone in the Cal Aggie Marching Band and has been on horn ever since. Although he's played in the Athenaeum in Bucharest, Romania in 1985, Troy continues to entertain audiences young and old around the globe with The California Repercussions, searching for the perfect venue. Troy has been a musician for 28 years, but during the day he is a mild mannered Account Manager for an environmental laboratory.

	JESSE VALERIO Piano/Keyboards Jesse joined the Runaway Stage Productions Resident Orchestra (RSPRO) in 2007. He has been involved in the RSP productions as a pianist, vocal coach, and music director. Jesse graduated from CSUS where he majored in voice and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. He then earned a Masters in Church Music degree from the Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his B.A. and M.A., Jesse also earned a law degree. Jesse has toured throughout the U.S., Canada, and many other countries as a featured vocal soloist with touring choral and orchestral groups. He has been a soloist and chorister with many local choral performing groups, including the Sacramento Opera Chorus. He is an adjunct professor with the Los Rios Community College District and has lent his music talents to the theater arts and music departments of Sacramento City College. Currently Jesse plays piano for the Sunday morning worship service at Fruitridge Christian Church in South Sacramento. As a returning permanent member of our RSP Resident Orchestra, Jesse says, "I am excited about this and each new season at RSP, and I look forward to working with the many fine directors, actors, technicians, and musicians in this professional caliber musical theater organization."

	KIMBERLY WEBER Flute and Piccolo Kim began studying flute at the age of seven and has continued her musical obsession by studying saxophone, piano and voice. She has been playing in community musical theater pit orchestras since the age of 15, with no intention ofever stopping. Her first show with Runaway Stage was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Since then, she has played for RSP's productions of Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar and Jekyll and Hyde. She considers it a great privilege to be a part of the Runaway Stage family. When she is not in the pit, she directs a children's choir, vocal directs children's musical theater, writes fiction and tends to her five acres, three children (all of whom have performed on the RSP stage), two dogs and one very supportive husband.