top of page

About Us

Murray Symphony has been a mainstay in the Salt Lake valley for nearly 50 years. With members coming from a wide variety of professions and ages, from teenagers to those in their 80s, they come together with a love for good music and find enjoyment in performing everything from the works of the masters to the iconic movie soundtracks of John Williams. Murray Symphony is more than just a group or an orchestra, it is a family that works together and plays together. 

Meet The Conductors

MurraySymphony_AnneTollerPhotography-2_websize.jpg

Michelle Willis

Musical Director,
Principal Conductor

Michelle graduated from Boise State University in Choral Music Education and has been conducting choirs and orchestras for over 20 years. Music is her lifeblood and she is never happier than when she is making music with others who find joy in the experience. She loves composing, teaching, day hikes and reading. She and her husband have four children.

MurraySymphony_AnneTollerPhotography-4_websize.jpg

Jim Thompson

Associate Conductor

Jim has been a part of the music scene in Salt Lake for 35+ years. Playing mainly bass, he can also play piano, guitar and viola! Jim loves the aesthetics of the great outdoors including, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, bird watching, and studying the geology of Southern Utah's red rock country.

MurraySymphony_AnneTollerPhotography-12_websize.jpg

Ernest J. Nielsen

Assistant Conductor

Ernest J. (Ernie) Nielsen has been the Musical Director of community orchestras and choirs across Utah and California.  He earned a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Brigham Young University and recently retired from a career in finance and international project management consulting.

Meet The Orchestra

Murray-Symphony-1st-Violins.jpg

1st Violin

Rachel Severinsen
Joan Blackburn

Kent Broadbent

Michelle Brown

Julene Maddocks

Tammy Nelson

Jayna Stark

Debby Wetzel
Becky Held
Lori Rupe
Abby Welling
Alicia Money

Murray-Symphony-2nd-Violins.jpg

2nd Violin

Julianne Anderson
Tomoko Kent

Kristie Giles

Cherie Hale

Trayce Webb
Jordan Hulet

Emily Hills

Bonnie Miller

Marianne Norris

Renee Parker

Jennifer Waters

Murray-Symphony-Violas.jpg

Viola

Amanda Brown

Amy Pond

Angelee Luther
Bonnie Leman
Jamie Buckner
Leena Mercer

Michelle Willis 

Murray-Symphony-Cellos.jpg

Cello

Sierra Anderson

Amanda Bachman

Judy Cox

Leanne McKenney

Evelyn Partner
Ellen Paul

Murray-Symphony-Basses.jpg

Bass

Karen W. Heath

Luca Ramos

Jim Thompson

Rebecca VanSleeuwen

Murray-Symphony-Flutes.jpg

Flute

Leon Francis
Becky Erickson

Claudia Horton

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Oboe

Leon Francis

Sylvia Hadlock

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Clarinet

Jairo Velasquez

Melanie Pehrson

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Bassoon

Rick Meier

Gene Sartain

comingSoon-300x300.gif

French Horn

Mike Packham

Kiz Hancock

Jennifer Dearinger

Melody Mercer

Barbara Larsen

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Trumpet

Seth Miner
James Baggaley
Nathan Lagerstrom

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Trombone

Aaron A. Anderson

Paul H. Anderson

Bob Partner

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Tuba

Chad Davis

comingSoon-300x300.gif

Percussion

Joe Alexander

Ewan Janke

Justin Everette

David Thalmann
Leslie Moon

bottom of page