Musicians:

Cathy Heithaus

In Oregon since 1977, Cathy is member of Musician’s Union Local 99 and has performed in Portland Opera Orchestra, Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestra, Eugene Symphony, and currently plays with the Corvallis OSU Symphony, Salem Chamber Orchestra and the Linfield Chamber Orchestra. She has been Principal 2nd violin in the Salem Chamber Orchestra since it’s founding in 1984 to the present. She also performs with the Willamette Master Chorus, St. Paul’s Church choir and on the Camerata Musica chamber music series.

On the Salem Chamber Orchestra (SCO) Board of Directors, Cathy serves as secretary and is on several committees. She perfoms in and helps organize soirees and benefit concerts to raise money for SCO, Audubon Society, and Western Oregon University. She also volunteers her time to bring chamber music to children in the Salem Keizer Schools, Chemeketa Community College, and the YMCA. She plays chamber music throughout the Willamette Valley with the Mahonia Trio, and the Deepwood Strings (a string ensemble). She is a member of the business group; Business Networking Institute, Salem Chapter.

Cathy has a husband of 35 years, Greg; three grown children, a son in law, two grand children, Johann and Magdalena, and a little dog, Sadie.

Julie Rundquist

Julie Rundquist graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.S. in Education (Vocal and Instrumental Music) where she studied with members of the Esterhazy String Quartet. Julie performed in the first violin section of the Boise Philharmonic for nine years before moving to Oregon. After nine years of teaching orchestra and general music in Missouri, Idaho, and Salem, Julie received her Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Western Oregon University. For the last fourteen years she has taught kindergarten, first grade, and currently teaches fourth grade for Salem Keizer Schools.

A highlight of Julie's career was performing music by Aaron Copland while being conducted by the composer. Her favorite part about being a musician is being part of a work of art where everyone plays a part in painting a beautiful texture through very close teamwork! You actually feel like you are a real, live part of the painting when performing because the colors of sound surround you. It is an amazing experience. It is truly a privilege to be able to make music with your dearest friends and perform in your community.

Abigail Stoughton

Abigail Stoughton has performed and taught professionally for over forty years. Her viola and chamber music teachers have included: Raphael Hillyer, Burton Fine, William Primrose, Lillian Fuchs, Emmanuel Bay, Joseph Silverstein, Eric Rosenblith, and Rudolph Kolisch. She taught chamber music at American University Preparatory Department and later taught viola and chamber music for six years as an adjunct professor at Bemidji State University, where she was also head of the Artist-in-Residence Program. Her professional playing engagements have included many recitals and orchestral solos: playing in the William and Mary String Quartet; a quartet residency program in Elmira, New York; the Metolius Quartet; and many other ensembles (including a performance of the Trout Quintet with William Preucil) throughout the Pacific Northwest.

For the last twenty-eight years, Abigail has lived in Corvallis, where she teaches viola and chamber music. She is principal violist with the OSU/Corvallis Symphony and the Oregon Mozart Players.

Rhonda Johnson

Rhonda Johnson, cellist, has played in Salem Chamber Orchestra since its founding, and had played in the Salem Symphony before that. She has also plays with Festival Chorale, Cello Connection, Linfield Chamber Orchestra, and Deepwood Strings. She currently works at the Department of Justice.

Some of the influential experiences from her youth that led her to become a musician were her parents. Both of her parents were musicians. Her father was the first band teacher at South Salem, a composer, choir director, and played in jazz bands; her mother was a piano teacher, organist and cellist. All their friends were musicians and playing an instrument a major part of the family lifestyle.

It seems like every concert has incredible moments, but the biggest experience for Rhonda was playing the Mozart Requiem at Mt. Angel Abby after 9/11/01.

For Rhonda, one of the best things about being a musician is the people you get to work with, in the quartet, in the orchestra and behind the scenes. It’s always been a privilege and a blessing to be able to work with them. Outside of her teachers and family, the musicians she's known for many years have been influential on her life; Diane McLin, Bruce and Valerie McIntosh, Cathy Heithaus, Georgienne Young to name only a few. Oh, and don't forget Beethoven – he’s been a major mentor to her as well!

Jenny Gleason

Jenny Gleason earned her Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance in 1996 from the University of Kentucky. Since moving to Salem she has performed with several regional organizations including the Salem Chamber Orchestra (SCO), Willamette Master Chorus, and various recitals on the Camerata Musica series. Jenny joined the Board of SCO in 2009. Currently serving as Vice President, she is also an active member of the governance, marketing and orchestra policy committees.

As a representative of SCO, Jenny participated in the Oregon Arts Commission’s, “A Capacity Building Initiative”, Leadership Exchange program in the 2010-11 season and is thrilled to continue with Phase II of the program in 2011-2012.

Jenny believes strongly in providing quality and accessible chamber music experiences for all in Salem. SCO’s “Summer Soiree” chamber music series has grown in reputation and outreach through its presentation of recitals in homes, businesses, and even a hayloft. She has been instrumental in organizing and expanding these intimate musical events and is always seeking unique and interesting ways to bring music to the people of Salem.

Always an advocate of sharing music with children and adults alike, she has volunteered her time to bring music to children in the Salem Keizer school district, the YMCA, and Chemeketa Community College. Jenny also volunteers time and fundraising support to organizations such as the Salem Chamber Orchestra, Audubon Society, Mid-Valley Women’s Crisis Center.

Resa Ryan Ersoff

Resa was born to a musical family and was attracted to music at a very early age. She began playing the viola at the age of 8. She studied at Drury College in Springfield, Missouri with Samuel Minasian, then at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York with Heidi Castleman. Also in Rochester, Resa met and married her husband of 34 years, Isaac Ersoff. She has participated in several summer programs, including the Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Quartet Program in Troy, New York, and the Bloch Music Festival in Newport, Oregon. Resa has played in several orchestras as either a section player or as principal violist. These orchestras include the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in Rochester, New York, the Florida Philharmonic in Miami, Florida, the Palm Beach Symphony in Palm Beach, Florida, the Salem Chamber Orchestra in Salem, Oregon, the Newport Symphony (formerly known as the Yaquina Chamber Orchestra) in Newport, Oregon, and the Central Oregon Symphony in Bend, Oregon. Chamber Music has long been Resa’s first love. She has been a member of the Miami String Quartet and the Deepwood Strings and has played countless chamber music performances with other groups. Resa currently lives in Lincoln City, Oregon where she loves to read, garden and walk on the beach with her husband and their beloved toy poodle, Doodly.