ROME SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, INC

Sinisa Ciric received his undergraduate degree from the Academy of Arts, University of Novi Sad (Yugoslavia). He holds a masters degree in violin performance from the University of Georgia. Sinisa is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in violin performance at the University of Georgia in Athens, with world renowned professor Levon Ambartsumian. Mr. Ciric has participated in numerous masterclasses including a most recent masterclass with William Preucil concertmaster of Cleveland Orchestra. Sinisa’s professional work experience involves Rome Symphony, Valdosta Symphony, Macon Symphony, Georgia Philharmonia, La Grange Symphony, Gainesville Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra (Yugoslavia), the Symphonic Orchestra of the Radio-Television of Serbia, the Orchestra of the National Theatre of Serbia, ensemble "Camerata Academica", ensemble “New Trinity Baroque”, and the Opera Orchestra of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad. Mr. Ciric is currently concertmaster of New Atlanta Philharmonic and concertmaster of Rome Symphony. He recorded several CD’s with New Trinity Baroque Orchestra and most recently as a soloist in all Vivaldi program with ARCO chamber orchestra. Mr. Ciric participated on many concerts as a soloist, member of chamber ensemble, member of an orchestra, etc. While performing with the Symphonic Orchestra of Serbian Radio Television, Mr. Ciric cooperated with many national and international conductors, such as Zubin Mehta, Christian Mandeal, Gyula Nemet, Milen Nacev, Mikis Teodorakis, Ion Ionku, and many others. Sinisa teaches privately violin and viola in Atlanta and Rome, Georgia.

Mirna Ogrizovic, was born in Croatia, but lived all her life in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, where she received her violin performance degree from the School of Music, Belgrade University of Arts. She also received Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Mrs. Ogrizovic-Ciric is currently pursuing doctoral degree in orchestral conducting (assistant conductor for Symphony Orchestra and University Philharmonia) at University of Georgia under tutelage of Mr. Mark Cedel. Before she moved to the United States (in 2001), she was the Associate Concertmistress of the Symphonic Orchestra of the Serbian Radio Television in Belgrade. Her professional work experience involve New Atlanta Philharmonic (principal second violins), Valdosta Symphony, Rome Symphony (principal second violins), Georgia Philharmonia, La Grange Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra (Yugoslavia), the Symphonic Orchestra of the Radio-Television of Serbia, the Orchestra of the National Theatre of Serbia. Mirna was Associate Artistic Director of the Ensemble of the Studio for Early Music, and a soloist of the Ensemble Renaissance in Belgrade (Yugoslavia). She has received numerous awards in national and international competitions, including the silver medal on the international violin competition in Strezza, Italy. She recorded several CDs and videos most recently with New Trinity Baroque Orchestra as one of the soloists in Charpantier “Messe de minuit” and Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas”. She teaches privately violin and viola in Atlanta and Rome, Georgia.

Samantha Lester received her undergraduate degree from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, where she grew up.  She currently serves as an adjunct instructor and a member of the preparatory department faculty at Shorter University where she enjoys teaching private Violin and Viola lessons to many members of the community, young and old. She regularly performs with several other regional symphonies including Carroll Symphony (GA), Huntsville Symphony (AL) and Albany Symphony (GA).  She also performs frequently with Blue Mountain Chamber Players and Chamber Players of the South, both based in Rome.  In past summers she has served on the faculty of Montgomery (AL) Stringfellows and the South Carolina Suzuki Institute.  She, with her husband Joe and son Zack, have fallen in love with this culturally rich city and have decided to relocate here as soon as they can so they can all enjoy everything that Rome has to offer.

Emily Hengeveld began playing the bass in the eighth grade.   She played her first musical at age 14.  She received several awards for jazz soloist while still in high school.  After high school she became involved in several local music groups. In the course of raising five children, her bass playing faced several years of inactivity. Emily and her husband relocated to Alabama in 1987. Within a few years, the opportunity to play as a member of the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra in Gadsden Al. became a reality. She has been a member since it’s inaugural season in 1990. From this her studying turned to more of a classical interest. Being a member of the Gadsden  Symphony Orchestra led to many opportunities for learning, playing and teaching in the Anniston, Gadsden, Al. area.  Emily began playing with the Rome Symphony Orchestra in 1995 and was graciously helped and instructed by bassist Bill Sunrich. Presently, Emily free lances for other groups, musicals, operas and churches in Alabama and Georgia as opportunities arise. As a member of ASTA (American Strings Teachers Association) she teaches bass at Darlington School and at the Cultural Arts center in Gadsden, Al. where she serves on staff assisting the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also teaches music appreciation, piano and guitar.

Evan Ledford, a native and current resident of Cedartown, is a 1979 graduate of Cedartown High School and a 1988 graduate of Jacksonville State University. He has played Bassoon in the Rome Symphony since 1977, and was a member of the Gadsden Symphony from 1992 – 2006.  He also plays in the Northwest Georgia Winds, Chamber P.O.T.S., Cedartown Theatrical Performers Orchestra, and continues to play free-lance in the tri-state area.  In addition to the bassoon, Evan is now playing the oboe and English Horn.  Evan is Clerk of the Polk Magistrate Court, and an adjunct instructor on double reeds at Shorter University.  He enjoys hobbies such as photography, vintage radio repair, and gardening.

Susan Davis, co-principal Flute, received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in flute performance at San Francisco State University. A native of California, Susan has performed with numerous chamber ensembles and orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area and Tucson, Arizona. A resident of Rome for the past 13 years, Susan is co-principal flutist of the Rome Symphony with her husband, John, and performs with the Chamber Players of the South, Dogwood Ensemble, and the Davis-Enroe flute and guitar duo.

John Davis, co-principal flute, is Professor of Music at Berry College in Rome Georgia and holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from San Francisco State University and a D.M.A. from the University of Arizona. Dr. Davis has been a member of the Rome Symphony Orchestra since 1997 and has also been a long-time member of several orchestras and chamber ensembles in the U.S. His arrangements and compositions for woodwind ensembles have been recorded and performed at venues worldwide.

REBECCA COLLINS is a busy professional oboist and teacher in the Atlanta area.  She holds performance degrees from Loyola University in New Orleans and the Mannes College of Music in New York City.  She began her studies at age 13 and has studied with John Corina at UGA, Helen Erb of the New Orleans Symphony, and Elaine Douvas of the Metropolitan Opera.   She is an active freelancer and plays with the Macon Symphony, the Dekalb Symphony, The Rome Symphony, and the Toccoa Symphony.   Rebecca is also a  popular oboe soloist and performs regularly at several churches in the Atlanta area.  Rebecca has a large studio of successful oboe students and runs a reed making business serving oboists all over the country.  She lives in Atlanta with her husband Greg who is a clarinetist, her daughter Janie who also plays oboe and mandolin, and her three pit bulls.

David McCurley was born in and has lived most of his life in Cherokee County, Georgia. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University, studying horn with the renowned horn pedagogue Dr. William Capps. David has also studied privately with other teachers in the Atlanta area including Brice Andrus, Principal Horn of the ASO and Thomas Witte, the long time second horn of the ASO. In addition to the Rome Symphony, he performs with other orchestras and chamber ensembles in the metro Atlanta area and regularly performs as a member of a church orchestra. David is the father of three Horn playing children, two of which have pursued music and Horn to the University level. He lives in Woodstock with his Horn tolerant wife, Valerie.