Elaine Anderson is a Professor of Music at the University of Mount Union where she conducts the chamber orchestra, and teaches cello, chamber music, music theory, and arts appreciation and advocacy classes. She also serves the Alliance Symphony Orchestra in several capacities. Dr. Anderson holds a D.M.A. in cello performance from the University of Alabama, a M.M. in cello performance and music theory from the Manhattan School of Music, and a B.M. in string education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

She served as a member of the Brevard Music Center cello faculty in North Carolina from 1996-2005. She is currently the principal cellist of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic, a post she has held since 1997, and performs with the Silver and Strings Trio. Elaine has been a featured soloist with orchestras in Minnesota, Alabama, Ohio, North Carolina, and the National Symphony of Bolivia. She has enjoyed collaborations with Mount Union faculty and alumni including several performances with tenor Eduardo Valdes, a former Principal Artist of the Metropolitan Opera. Prior to joining the faculty at Mount Union, Dr. Anderson performed with several orchestras in the Southeast and held teaching positions in Georgia and Alabama.

Mary Bontrager is both a musician and a music educator. She began her study of music at the age of two with Suzuki violin lessons at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. While growing up, Mary played in many orchestras, including the Northwest Ohio Youth Orchestra and the Lima Youth Symphony. Mary holds a Bachelors in Music Education from Bluffton University and a Masters in Music Education from Wright State University.

Mary has extensive teaching experience both in the private studio and in the classroom. She began her teaching career at Lake Center Christian School in Hartville, Ohio. While on staff there she founded the school’s orchestra. She has been the choir director for both the Homes Community Choir and the CLM homeschool group. Mary currently teaches a studio of private students, directs the Tri County Youth Orchestra, and is on the faculty of the Tuscarawas Performing Arts Camp. Her private students routinely win principal seats in Akron Youth Symphony and Canton Youth Symphony and are chosen to perform with the All State Orchestra.

Through the years, Mary has performed in many orchestras including the Lima Symphony, Springfield Symphony, WSU Chamber Orchestra, and WSU Orchestra, of which she was concertmaster. Mary has played with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic for over twenty years and has held the position of concertmaster for over ten years. She is an active freelance musician in the local community and plays with many ensembles including the Canton Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony, Canton Players Guild, Azure Strings, Suite Elegance, Harmonia Sacra Orchestra, Heartstrings, Summit Choral Society, Malone University Opera Theatre Orchestra, Wooster Symphony, and the Canton Comic Opera.

Jeffrey S. Huston has been performing as the Principal Trumpet of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic since 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Music from the University of Akron. With over 30 years of experience as the Director of Bands with the Strasburg and Sandy Valley Local Schools, and five years as a Music Adjunct at Malone University, Mr. Huston's musical expression is truly heartfelt and enriched. Although retired from teaching, he continues to find inspiration for his music from his four grandchildren, infusing his performances with a playful joy.

Steven Stroup received his Bachelor in Music Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He completed thirty-four years of teaching retiring in 2010. Most recently he was the band director at Dover High School for twenty-four years. Under his leadership the Dover Band performed at major college bowl games, parades, and professional athletic events, in addition to having performed numerous times at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Before coming to Dover, he taught at Green High School, Strasburg High School, McKinley High School and Lakewood Junior High (Lakewood Colorado).

Mr. Stroup served as state President for the Ohio Music Education Association (2002-2004), boasting over 5000 active music teachers and collegiate members. He served as President of Da Capo consisting of all the past presidents of OMEA. In addition he held other positions to include OMEA’s President Elect (2000-2002), State Treasurer (1996-1998), and District 8 President (1994-1996), and served music education as a brass adjudicator and guest conductor for honor bands.

Mr. Stroup has been a member of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic for forty years. This is the third time stepping in front of the orchestra as a soloist. Previously, performing the Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 and Britten’s Serenade for Horn and Tenor. Currently a resident of New Philadelphia living with his wife, Sallie a retired educator/administrator and who served as Executive Director of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra; (and former Bass Trombonist). Their sons include Adam who lives in Nederland, Colorado with his wife Galan and their son Oaken; and Aaron living in New Philadelphia, Ohio with his wife Kim and their son, Phillip.