In early August, the Sinfonietta held auditions for our horn section, attracting many talented players throughout our region.  As a result, current member (and interim principal horn) Erin Shumate was offered the Principal Horn position.  Danielle Lemieux accepted the 2nd horn position, as the newest member of the orchestra.

Erin Shumate grew up in a large musical family, singing in harmony with her siblings, performing in her church, and studying piano beginning at age 6.  She has performed with our ensemble for many seasons, most recently as the Acting Principal Horn.  She holds a Masters in Horn Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and previously performed with orchestras throughout the country including the Louisville Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, and Seattle Symphony.  She moved to the Northwest in 2008, is the proud mother of 3, and enjoys cooking and crocheting in her free time.  Of her time in the orchestra, she says, "I'm so glad to have found the Northwest Sinfonietta, where I feel at home in a family-like environment creating world class music!" 

Danielle Lemieux has been a long-time substitute with the Northwest Sinfonietta.  She obtained a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Puget Sound, and went on to receive a Masters in Horn Performance at the New England Conservatory of Music.  She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study horn in Oslo, Norway before returning to the Northwest.  She is also a member of the horn section with the Pacific Northwest Ballet orchestra and Auburn Symphony, as well as a Director of Music Ministry at Creator Lutheran Church in Bonney Lake and a private music teacher of horn and piano.  On winning the audition to join NWS, Danielle says, "I have always loved playing with the Sinfonietta, having performed as a substitute for the past 14-15 seasons.  I am thrilled to become a full member of this unique ensemble!"

All of us at the Sinfonietta congratulate these fine musicians, and look forward to hearing them together at our opening series of concerts, September 23-25 in Seattle, Tacoma, and Puyallup!