Principal Musicians
Anastasia Petrunina
Concertmaster
Born in Ukraine, Anastasia Petrunina has been heard around the globe performing in such prestigious halls as Carnegie Hall and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory as well as touring and giving masterclasses in Russia, France, United States, Brazil, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and China. Anastasia was a featured soloist with the Saint-Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Symphony, Novaya Rossiya Symphony Orchestra, and Yale Chamber Orchestra and has been the guest concertmaster for the Grand Opening of the Xian Opera House in China and the Saratov, Guiyang, Asheville, Savannah, and Hilton Head Symphony Orchestras. She participated in the recording of the music for the Opening Ceremony of the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014.
A passionate proponent of new music and living composers, Ms. Petrunina has commissioned several works which take a special place in her concert repertoire. Anastasia enjoys being a part of ViMaDeAn Duo, established in 2010 with her husband Denis Petrunin who is the principal timpanist of the Augusta Symphony. Anastasia and Denis have collaborated with composers and artists to record and release a CD where every piece is dedicated to the important matter of environmental issues.
Ms. Petrunina began her violin studies at the age of six after her family moved to Kamchatka, Russia. Anastasia received her Bachelor’s degree at the Moscow Conservatory College and Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music. She also holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Georgia where she studied under the guidance of a renowned violinist Levon Ambartsumian.
In addition to her passion for teaching, making desserts, and cross-stitching, Anastasia’s heart melts around cats, charming gardens, and classic literature.
*Anastasia’s chair is underwritten by the Knox Foundation.
Angela Morgan
Assistant Concertmaster
Dr. Angela Morgan is Professor of Music and the Chairman of the Music Department at Augusta University where she has served as professor of violin since 1995. She was also a member of the Augusta Symphony Board for six years and held the position of Chairman of the Education Committee. Active in the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Dr. Morgan is a visiting evaluator and was elected in 2007 to the Board of Directors for the National Association of Schools of Music as Chair of Region 7 and held that post until 2011.
From 1989-95, Dr. Morgan was on the faculty of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she taught violin and viola and directed the university orchestra. While living in Lake Charles, she was the concertmaster of the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra and also served as visiting concertmaster for the Rapides Symphony (Alexandria, LA) and Beaumont (TX) Symphony Orchestras. Dr. Morgan was also actively involved in state organizations, serving as the Louisiana State President of the American String Teacher’s Association (1994-95) and as Orchestra Division Chairman for the Louisiana Music Educator’s Association (1993-95).
Dr. Morgan holds the Master’s and Doctoral degrees in violin performance from Florida State University, where she studied with Eliot Chapo. Her undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Tennessee under the tutelage of Peter Horodysky.
*Angela’s chair is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. William Bennett, Jr.
Laura Tomlin
Assistant Concertmaster
Laura Tomlin has been the Director of Orchestras at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, Georgia since 2011. She is also the founder and director of the Carolina Academy of Music in Aiken, South Carolina, since 2004. She has been a member of the Augusta Symphony since 1987 and is currently assistant concertmaster. In addition, she has performed with the Atlanta Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Savannah Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Charleston Symphony, South Carolina
Philharmonic, and Greenville Symphony, among others, and recorded for various professional studios in Los Angeles and
Augusta. She has extensive experience as a chamber musician, including eleven years with the Augusta Symphony String Quartet, three years as artist-in-residence at Georgia Southern University, four years with the Southern Arts Piano Trio, and is currently a founding member of Trio Jardin piano trio. She has participated in music festivals in New York, California, Michigan, North Carolina, Maine, and Europe including the International Music Program and the Bowdoin Music Festival. She has performed in major halls, including Weill Recital Hall in New York City with the Arco Chamber Orchestra and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City where she was the featured soloist in April 2014 for the premiere of St. George and the Dragon, a new work for violin, piano, and choir by Dr. Timothy Powell and librettist Dr. Charles Anthony Silvestri. She was principal second violin under Leonard Bernstein for the opening of the Roger Stevens Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a member of the string quartet-in-residence for the University of Southern California Segovia Conference. She served as adjunct professor of violin at Augusta University 1994-2016, directed the AU Conservatory Orchestra Camp 1999-2015, and founded the Vivace Orchestra Camp at Davidson in 2016. She directed the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestras and the Aiken Youth Orchestras for many years before taking the position at Davidson. Her students have attended Indiana University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Belmont University, South Carolina Governor’s School, and many more, and have gone on to become successful teachers, performers, and composers.
In 2001, she was awarded a research grant to attend the International Colourstrings Symposium in Helsinki, Finland.
She received a Bachelor of Music from North Carolina School of the Arts, a Master of Music from the University of
Southern California, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia. Her teachers have included Levon
Ambartsumian, Alice Schoenfeld, Elaine Richey, Andrew Galos, and Henri Tordosi Schwarzenberger.
*Laura’s chair is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. William Bennett, Jr.
Pawel Kozak
Principal 2nd Violin
Pawel Kozak is on faculty at the Augusta University, where he directs the AU Orchestra, and at Lander University, where he teaches violin, viola, and directs the string orchestra . He received his DMA from The University of Georgia, where he studied violin with Professor Levon Ambartsumian and viola with Dr . Mark Neumann . His dissertation, “Pedagogical Examination of Henryk Wieniawski’s L’École Moderne Opus 10,” presents specific challenges found in these caprices and demonstrates how each difficulty can be resolved through proper practice techniques . In addition to being the principal second violin, Pawel serves as the Personnel Manager and Librarian for the Augusta Symphony . Pawel frequently performs as a member of Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra and South Carolina Philharmonic . He can be heard as a section violinist in ARCO (UGA) Chamber Orchestra’s numerous recordings and as a soloist in Vivaldi’s concerto for four violins.
*Pawel’s chair is sponsored by Mrs. Agnes Mirshak.
Arthur Ross
Assistant Principal Viola
Arthur Ross is the Assistant Principal Violist for the Augusta Symphony . Arthur performs with the Hilton Head Orchestra, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Principal Violist . Arthur is a native Augustan and began his music studies on the violin with the Richmond County String Program when he was eleven . He changed to viola several years later after being accepted to Davidson Fine Arts School and began studying with longtime Principal Violist of the Augusta Symphony, Carl Purdy . After graduating from Davidson, he attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, earning a Bachelor of Music in Applied Viola Performance.
Milton Masciadri
Principal Double Bass
Milton Masciadri is Distinguished Univetsity Professor of Double Bass at the University of Georgia, where he has been a member of the music faculty since 1984, and has been the Principal Bass of the Augusta Symphony since 1985.
Masciadri is a frequent recitalist and soloist with major symphony orchestras in Europe, Asia, North America, Central America, and South America. He has presented master classes at such musical institutions as The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Paris Conservatoire, Guildhall School of Music in London, Moscow Conservatory, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires National Conservatory, and Milan Conservatorio, among many others. Masciadri’s recent performances include concerts in Italy, Spain, France, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia, and the United States as well as solo performances in concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, La Scala in Italy, the Rio de Janeiro Opera, and Buenos Aires Teatro Argentino.
In 2009 Dr. Masciadri received the title of Distinguished University Professor of the University of Georgia, the first faculty member in the fine arts to be so honored in 62 years, and he also holds the title of “Accademico” of the Accademia Filarmonica in Bologna, Italy – Europe’s oldest musical educational institution. He has been awarded the Brazilian Medal of Honor for Academic Achievements for his musical and educational services to the people of Brazil, is listed in the “International Who’s Who in Music,” was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 1998, and in 2011 received the Knighthood honor of the designation of Cavaglieri di San Marco in Venice. In 2015 Masciadri was Awarded the Leonardo da Vinci World Award for the Arts by the World Cultura Council, the first musician to receive the award since its inception, and in 2016 the University of Georgia Awarded him the SEC Academic Achievement Award.
Masciadri performes on a 320-year-old Testore double bass and has solo recordings on DMR, ACA, Fondazione, and Sinfonica Labels.
*Milton’s chair is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Joe L. Entrekin.
Luca Lombardi
Associate Principal Double Bass
Luca Lombardi began his musical studies at the age of five in Cremona, Italy. He began lessons on the violin through the Suzuki program. At the age of fourteen, he refocused his attention on playing bass. Equally comfortable in jazz, classical, and pop settings, he played for various orchestras, albums, TV shows, musicals, and important events. Dr. Lombardi has regularly performed with several ensembles and orchestras, including Modular Ensemble, Ensemble ‘900, Teatro alla Scala, Universita’ degli studi di Milano Orchestra, Orchestra Filarmonica Italiana, Pomeriggi Musicali, Teatro alla Scala Accademy, G. Verdi Orchestra, Augusta Symphony, and Chattanooga Symphony.
In 2005, Dr. Lombardi received the Marco Manai award as best bass player. In 2014, Dr. Lombardi received the UGA Director’s Excellence Award in recognition of exemplary scholarship, musicianship, service, and leadership.
In May 2016, Dr. Lombardi earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in double bass performance at The University of Georgia. During this program, he served as assistant to Dr. Milton Masciadri for the UGA Study Abroad in Italy and played with the UGA Wind Ensemble directed by Dr. Cynthia J. Turner. Dr. Lombardi holds degrees in double bass performance from the Conservatory Giuseppe Verdi of Milan, Italy.
From 2005 to 2011, Dr. Lombardi taught at the Giuseppe Verdi School of Music in Castelleone, Italy, where he held the position of Director from 2007 to 2011. He now teaches the Double Bass Studio at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega, GA
Wendy Cohen
Principal Flute
Wendy Cohen is in her twentieth season as principal flute with the Augusta Symphony . She is also principal flutist of the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra in Columbia, SC and second flutist with the Greenville Symphony in Greenville, SC and has played with the Virginia Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and Richmond Symphony . She has played in the flute and harp duo Duo Venandi along with Vonda Darr since 2011 . They have been invited to perform all over the southeast and have recorded a CD together that was released in early 2017 . Wendy was the first place winner of the 1999 National Flute Association’s Young Artist Competition . Wendy’s teaching positions have included the University of South Carolina; Festival del Invierno in Vale Veneto, Brazil; University of Georgia’s Summer Study Abroad Program in Italy; Georgia Southern University; Lander University; and Columbia College . She is a founding member and past president of the South Carolina Flute Society and is a board advisory member with the Hampton Roads Flute Faire in Norfolk, VA . Wendy received her masters degree in flute performance from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, studying wit Brad Garner and her undergraduate education from the University of South Carolina where she studied flute with Constance Lane . She enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, running, gardening and spending time with her husband, Jeremy, who is also a member of the SC Philharmonic and plays clarinet in the Band of the US Heritage of America Air Force Band. In the past two summers, Wendy has traveled to Norway, Greece, Germany, France, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, and the Netherlands. Wendy and Jeremy have two Italian greyhounds named Mia and Elly.
Taylor Massey
Principal Clarinet
Taylor Massey has served as principal clarinet with the Augusta Symphony since 2006 . He is in demand as a performer, including regular performances with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and Savannah Philharmonic . He has also served as principal clarinet with Lake Placid Sinfonietta, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and Choral Society of the Hamptons . In addition to orchestral performances, he has been a featured soloist with the Augusta Symphony on multiple occasions, Savannah River Winds, Carolina Youth Symphony, and Augusta University Wind Ensemble . He has been invited to perform as a solo artist on many recital and chamber music series . Internationally, he has performed chamber music at festivals in Morges, Switzerland and Lucca, Italy.
Dr . Massey is currently on faculty at Western Carolina University and has previously taught at Stony Brook University, University of Georgia, Augusta University, University of South Carolina Aiken, Claflin University, and Georgia Southern University . His principal instructors have been Alan Kay, Steven Cohen, Russell Dagon, and Ronald de Kant . He has received bass clarinet instruction from Ronald Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and J . Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra . Dr . Massey earned a bachelor’s degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, master’s degree from Northwestern University, and doctorate from Stony Brook University.
*Taylor’s chair is sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Louie H. Griffin, Jr.
Reed Hanna
Principal Bassoon
Principal bassoonist Reed Hanna is quickly becoming a noteworthy new voice in the double reed community as a performer, composer, and educator. In addition to playing principal bassoon with the Augusta Symphony, he also plays regularly with many other orchestras in the southeastern United States.
Also a composer, his compositions have become known among wind players for their interesting and imaginative musical ideas that challenge performers and captivate audiences. His first CD of original works, Carte Blanche, was released in 2019 and also features some other Augusta Symphony musicians. An avid soloist, he has performed at International Double Reed Society Conferences in Columbus, GA, Grenada, Spain, and Boulder, CO.
Dr. Hanna is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities at Coker University in Hartsville, SC, where he conducts the concert band and teaches music theory and music education courses. He has previously taught on the faculty at Georgia Southern University and at Newberry College.
Reed earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in 2015 from the University of South Carolina, where he studied with renowned bassoonist Michael Harley. He also holds a Performer’s Certificate from Penn State University and degrees from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
*Reed’s chair is sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Louie H. Griffin, Jr.
Michael Daly
Principal Horn
Michael Daly currently performs as principal French Horn with the Augusta Symphony and the Savannah Philharmonic . He is also a member of the Macon Symphony, the Columbus (GA) Symphony, Des Moines Metro Opera, and frequently performs with the Atlanta Opera, Ballet, Jacksonville Symphony and South Carolina Philharmonic . Past engagements have included the Sarasota Opera, the Savannah Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, Mannheim Steamroller, and the musical Les Miserables . Michael has degrees from Indiana University and Wichita State University.
Brian Winegardner
Principal Trumpet
Principal trumpeter Brian Winegardner has been a member of the Augusta Symphony since 2015 . He also currently serves as Second/Associate Principal Trumpet with the Knoxville Symphony and the South Carolina Philharmonic and as Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at Limestone College . He has been a trumpet section member of the Charlotte Symphony, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, and the Saginaw Bay Symphony and has performed with orchestras through the United States, including the Seattle Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, and New World Symphony . He has participated in performances with musicians such as Helmuth Rilling, Keith Lockhart, Giancarlo Guerrero, Arturo Sandoval, Tim Morrison, Ben Folds, Natalie Cole, Kenny G, and Andrea Bocelli. As a recipient of the University of Miami’s prestigious University Fellowship, Dr . Winegardner was awarded a DMA in Trumpet Performance from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida . His dissertation, “A Performer’s Guide to Concertos for Trumpet and Orchestra by Lowell Liebermann and John Williams,” has been downloaded over 6,000 times by readers across the globe . Prior to this, he earned a Master of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance, a Master of Music Degree in Chamber Music, a Bachelor of Music Degree in Trumpet Performance, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from the University of Michigan . His principal teachers have included Craig Morris, William Campbell, and Jean Moorhead Libs . He has had additional studies with James Wilt, Robert Sullivan, Mark Hughes, Mark Niehaus, Mark Schubert, and John Rommel.
Prentiss Hobbs
Principal Trombone
In addition to the Augusta Symphony, Prentiss is the principal trombone of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held for 17 years . Prentiss also performs as second trombone with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra and frequently plays with the Nashville Symphony, Louisville Symphony, and Grant Park Summer Symphony in Chicago . He is one of the top call session musicians in Nashville and has recorded with Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, the Nashville Symphony, and many others . Prentiss currently lives in Murfreesboro TN with his dogs Harry, Rosie, and Bently.
Eric Henson
Principal Bass Trombone
Bass Trombonist Eric Henson holds degrees from Western Carolina University, the University of Maryland, College Park, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of South Carolina . As an educator, Henson is in demand as a clinician and teacher from Delaware to Georgia . He joined the faculty of Limestone College in 2011 and has rapidly grown the low brass studio in both quantity and quality. Ensembles under his direction have given performances at the 2016 International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the 2017 South Carolina Music Educator’s Conference, and the 2017 Great American Brass Band Festival. His students have won positions in various military bands, summer festivals, and high school honor ensembles in Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Henson is an active performer across the Southeast, having performed with the Atlanta, Charlotte, and North Carolina Symphonies, and holding principal positions in the Augusta Symphony, Spartanburg Philharmonic, and Rock Hill Symphony . From 2008 to 2015, he held the position of bass trombonist with The King’s Brass and can be heard on many of their recent recordings on the Summit Records label . As a soloist, he was the grand prize winner in the 2017 International Women’s Brass Conference solo competition, and performed on the University Faculty Showcase Recital Series at the 2018 International Trombone Festival . Mr . Henson is a Performing Artist for the S .E . Shires Co ., for more information please visit at www.hensonsmusic.me.
Kenyon Wilson
Principal Tuba
Tubist Kenyon Wilson has been a member of the Augusta Symphony for over two decades and has the odd honor of having performed on a CD that completed 171 orbits of the earth aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
An avid composer, Kenyon was a finalist for the 2017 American Prize in Music . He is the winner of the 2014 Heartland Symphony Orchestra Composition Contest and the 2013 Hillcrest Wind Ensemble Composition Contest. At the 2019 International Trombone Festival, Augusta Symphony’s own Eric Henson premiered his Cruise Elroy for contrabass trombone and piano.
A former Fulbright Scholar to Azerbaijan, Dr. Wilson is currently Professor of Music and Interim Head of Performing Arts at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Kenyon lives in Chattanooga with his wife Marcy, director of the Cadek Conservatory, and their son, Jed.
Matthew Jones
Principal Percussion
Matthew Jones earned a Bachelor’s of Music Degree at USC-Columbia in 1984 . In addition to being principal percussion for the Augusta Symphony, he also performs with the Charleston Symphony, Florence Symphony and the SC Philharmonic . He plays with jazz and theater groups in South Carolina and Georgia . Matthew has participated in the Augusta Symphony’s outreach programs since 2001, reaching over 5,000 CSRA students.
*Matthew’s chair is sponsored by Lorinda Fournier.
Denis Petrunin
Principal Timpani
Denis Petrunin has appeared at Carnegie, Avery Fisher, and other prestigious concert halls in the United States, Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, England, France, Holland, Greece, and Spain.
Dennis has been the principal timpanist with the Augusta Symphony since 2017. He also frequently performs with the Atlanta Symphony, Savannah Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, and other orchestras in Georgia and South Carolina area. Mr. Petrunin held the position of Co-Principal Timpanist of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia. He was also the Principal Timpanist/Percussionist of the Moscow Chamber Opera Theatre and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theatre.
Originally from Moscow, Russia, Denis has been playing music since the age of five. He received his Bachelor degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, completed his Artist Diploma and Master of Music degrees at the Yale University School of Music, and is currently pursuing his DMA degree at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
A large part of Denis’s music career is dedicated to the ViMaDeAn Duo founded in 2010 with his wife, violinist Anastasia Petrunina who is the concertmaster of the Augusta Symphony. Their performances have been welcomed by various audiences in the United States, Europe, and Russia. ViMaDeAn successfully collaborates with composers around the world by inspiring them to create new music for violin and percussion.
*Denis’ chair is sponsored by Nick Uros & Pamela Dorminey-Uros
Vonda Darr
Principal Harp
Vonda Darr has been the principal harpist for the Augusta Symphony since 1993 and is also the principal classical harpist for the North Carolina Symphony. She performs as substitute principal and second harp for the Nashville Symphony. She is a session harpist and is a part of the Nashville Recording Orchestra. As part of the NC Symphony, Vonda participated in the inaugural SHIFT Festival for American Orchestras, performing in both the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian Institution. She has also performed on the national tours of Broadway’s The King and I, My Fair Lady, and Weird Al Yankovic’s Strings Attached tour.
Vonda is an active chamber and solo recitalist. She performs as Duo Venandi with flutist Wendy Cohen and as the Vega Harp Duo with harpist Carolyn Munford. The Vega Harp Duo performed the world premiere of Miguel del Aguila’s Submerged for Two Harps in 2021. They commissioned the work Echoes from the South by Martin David Jones, with a world premiere performance at the American Harp Society national conference in 2022. Vonda performed with LACE (Living Art Collective Ensemble) at the National Gallery of Art in DC, has performed on the North Carolina Symphony Manning Chamber Series, and has been a frequent guest artist with Chamber Music Charleston. Vonda has also presented concerts for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.
Vonda is the inventor of Pocket Harp Pedals, which is available in both a physical device form and an app. It is an interactive harp pedal chart, which is a universally used marking for pedal harpists. The product was launched in 2022.
