ABOUT
Located in Casper, WY, the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra brings live, symphonic music to Central Wyoming. We produce five concerts each year with renowned guest soloists and more than 70 well-trained local and regional musicians to create unique, high-quality performances. The WSO partners with other local organizations to create events that will enrich Central Wyoming’s cultural environment. Outreach projects through our Music on the Move program, an annual children’s concert, and a family-friendly summer concert in Washington Park are among the events we produce each year.
Wyoming Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Australian Christopher Dragon, was selected to lead the Orchestra in 2019. Dragon also serves as the Resident Conductor for the Colorado Symphony where he previously served as Associate Conductor since the 2015/16 Season. For three years prior, Dragon held the position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch.
Christopher works regularly in Australia and has guest conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with Josh Pyke and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was released on album by ABC Music and won an ARIA the following year. Christopher’s international guest conducting includes the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, with both resulting in immediate re-invitations. At the beginning of 2016 Mr. Dragon conducted Wynton Marsalis' Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Arts Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Christopher Dragon began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program in Australia under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Järvi at the Järvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.
2019-2020
WYOMING SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS
First Violins
Rebecca Mothersbaugh, Concertmaster
Sarah McCoy, Assistant Concertmaster
Ruth Bell
Roger Hedlund
Virginia Himes
Sandra Larimore
Ashley Schnell
Leslie Bahn-Steen
Mimi Smith
Amanda Dority
Second Violins
Kaylah Maue
Ami Jacobs
Leah Jensen
Marcia Petersen
Christine Gundayao
Sierra Jensen
Susan Stanton
Violas
Gary DePaolo, Principal
Jacki Bryan
Steven Rich
Audrey Ortberg
Chelsea Allen
Leslie Fox
Glesse Collet
Cellos
Christine Hutchings, Principal
Debbie Bovie
Jeffrey Johnson
Janette Leno-Thomas
Sue Salz
Amy Wright
Basses
Ernie Glock, Principal
Kathryn Beagle
Marty Camino
Flutes
Delores Thornton, Principal
Charlotte Gruner
Beth Wasson-Haynes
Oboes
Rebecca Mindock, Principal
Lindsey Bird Reynolds
Andrew Jacobson
Clarinets
Blake McGee, Principal
Copper Ferreira
Jacob Mietz
Bassoons
Richard Turner, Principal
Cindy Beaver
Susie McCollum
Horns
Katherine Smith, Principal
Zarah Mattox
Jennifer Swanson
Katie Watt
Trumpets
Scott Meredith, Principal
Donald Williams
Sarah Herbert
Trombones
Daniel Watt, Principal
Nathan Baker
Kiel Lauer
Tuba
Alan Harvey, Principal
Percussion
Ron Coulter, Principal
Dallas Ely
Ryan Collins
Carolyn Deuel
Timpani
Ross Coons, Principal
Piano
Kathy Williams, Principal
Harp
Jane Ann Hamman, Principal
Meet The Team
2019-2020
WYOMING SYMPHONY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee
Ryan McConnaughey, President
Ben Winckler, Vice President
Sally Belcher, Secretary
Susan Holmes, Treasurer
Board Members
Valerie Innella Maiers
Laura Angelo
Lynette Boatright
Holly Turner
Debra Park
Keith Dodson
Carol Solie
Terry Johnson
Nancy Andrew
Rob Doane
Charlotte Gruner, Orchestra Rep