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Asieh Mahyar Visiting Instructor of Music; Interim Director of Orchestral Studies Phone: 253-535-7617 Email: asieh.mahyar@plu.edu Office Location: Mary Baker Russell Music Center - 335 Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Website: https://www.plu.edu/symphony/ Biography Biography Passionate about performing music from different cultures, Asieh Mahyar serves as the interim Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific Lutheran University and Symphony Orchestra Conductor at West

Responsibilities Applied Saxophone Lessons, Coaches Chamber Ensembles Biography Praised by the Tacoma News Tribune for his “effortless lyricism” as well as his “smooth tone and fluid virtuosity,” saxophonist Erik Steighner has performed with ensembles including the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Federal Way Symphony, the Northwest Sinfonietta, the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, the San Antonio Symphony, and Symphony Tacoma. Steighner teaches at Pacific Lutheran University and Tacoma Community College

Jeffrey Bell-Hanson Professor Emeritus Professional Biography Additional Titles/Roles Term of Service: 2002-2023 Education D.M.A., University of Iowa, 1997 M.M., University of Notre Dame, 1980 B.M., University of Iowa, 1978 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Orchestra Music History Biography Jeffrey Bell-Hanson retired in May 2023, following 21 years as Music Director of the Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra. He remains a familiar presence in the Pacific Northwest as a conductor

Jeffrey Bell-Hanson Professor Emeritus Professional Biography Additional Titles/Roles Term of Service: 2002-2023 Education D.M.A., University of Iowa, 1997 M.M., University of Notre Dame, 1980 B.M., University of Iowa, 1978 Areas of Emphasis or Expertise Orchestra Music History Biography Jeffrey Bell-Hanson retired in May 2023, following 21 years as Music Director of the Pacific Lutheran University Symphony Orchestra. He remains a familiar presence in the Pacific Northwest as a conductor

Elizabeth Landis Lecturer - Harp Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: elizabeth.landis@plu.edu Biography Biography Elizabeth Landis is a much sought-after harpist in the greater Seattle and Tacoma area. As a concert harpist she serves as principal harpist of Symphony Tacoma and Northwest Sinfonietta, among others. She’s performed professionally with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Opera, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony

Shelly Myers Lecturer - Oboe she/her Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: myerssd@plu.edu Biography Biography Shelly Myers currently serves as Lecturer of oboe at Pacific Lutheran University and holds the second oboe position in the Olympia Symphony Orchestra. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Lethbridge, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, where she also pursued doctoral studies. Prior to moving to Seattle, she served

Melissa Plagemann Lecturer Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: plagemmr@plu.edu Office Hours: Mon - Fri: By Appointment Website: http://www.melissaplagemann.com/ Professional Biography Education M.M., Indiana University B.M., University of Victoria Responsibilities Applied Voice Lessons Biography Frequent soloist in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, with groups including Tacoma Opera, Seattle Symphony, Tacoma Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Auburn Symphony, Orchestra Seattle, Skagit Opera, Kitsap

Orchestra, PLU Wind Ensemble, PLU Symphony Orchestra, the University Chorale, Choir of the West, the Tacoma Community College Orchestra, the Seattle Bach Choir, Brass Unlimited, Brass Band Tacoma, and many others. He plays throughout the northwest as a member of the Seattle-based Mosaic Brass Quintet. He has appeared with the Vashon Opera Orchestra and at the Olympic Music Festival, and plays regularly with Symphony Tacoma, the Tacoma Opera Orchestra, and the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra. He also serves

Francine Peterson Lecturer - Bassoon Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: petersfg@plu.edu Office Hours: (On Campus) Mon - Fri: By Appointment Professional Biography Education M.M., University of Washington B.M., San Francisco State University Responsibilities Applied Bassoon Lessons, Director of the Bassoon Ensemble, Member of Camas Wind Quintet Biography Francine Peterson is an Affiliate Artist and Lecturer at Pacific Lutheran University.  She is a member of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and the

Mara Finkelstein Lecturer - Cello Phone: 253-535-7602 Email: finkelm@plu.edu Biography Biography Mara Finkelstein studied cello at the Gnessin College of Music and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow before coming to the U.S. in 1989. Ms. Finkelstein was Principal Cellist of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra and the only woman in the all men orchestra. She toured in Europe as a member of the New European Strings, and recently played with that group in a series of virtual recordings during the