Meet the Board & Staff
Michael Antonio Djabarov is a Mexican-American conductor and double bass player based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He studied at the Peabody Institute at the Johns Hopkins University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Double Dass Performance and master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting under the tutelage of Ira Gold and Marin Alsop. Michael has worked for […]
Catherine Himmerich, concertmaster, joined the Minnesota Philharmonic in 2012 and was the featured soloist on Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane in 2016 and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto in 2019. She has performed with artists ranging from the Eagles and Hanson to Andrea Bocelli and Sigur Rós. She has also been concertmaster for various opera companies and choral/orchestral […]
Olivia Sletteland is a versatile freelance percussionist, arts administrator, and music educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the adjunct percussion instructor at Winona State University, the operations manager for the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra, and the marketing director for the St. John’s Boys’ Choir. Recent and upcoming performances include La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Valley […]
Teresa Ryan Manzella, horn, has played with MPO since 2013. She has served on and presided over multiple nonprofit boards such as Minnesota Mensa, Woodbury Youth Orchestra, and Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented. Roles have included president, vice-president, and at-large positions. She is a founding member of the National Association for Gifted Children […]
Jensen Stanton (he/him) has been a member of the MPO first violin section since March 2022. In 2021, Jensen was selected as a soloist for the University of St. Thomas Festival Orchestra, performing the second movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto. Additionally, Jensen has served as Principal Viola of the Minnesota Saints Orchestra and section […]
Kenneth Kusiak (he/him) has been with the Minnesota Philharmonic since 2016, where he plays keyboards and percussion, as well as serving on the Programming Committee. Ken graduated from St. Norbert College with an emphasis in education and saxophone, with particular interest in musicology During his career, he has been active as a conductor and music […]
Hannah plays French horn in the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra and also plays with the Minnesota Freedom Band. She is an attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, focusing on trademark and copyright law, including trademark clearance, prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement. Hannah earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School and her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and […]
Brian Hadley has taught band and orchestra in the Minneapolis Public School district since 1997 and currently teaches band and orchestra at Andersen United Middle School. To further his musical training, he performs in various local community bands and orchestras including the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra where he has been principal bassoon since 2000 and serves […]
Tim Dwight is a longtime musician and organizational leader with adeep commitment to the performing arts. He holds a B.A. in MusicEducation from St. Olaf College, where he studied horn with HerbWinslow, former Associate Principal Horn of the Minnesota Orchestra.He performed with both the St. Olaf Orchestra and St. Olaf Band, wherehe also served as […]
Tiffany Lukk has been a violinist with the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra since 2021. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a double major in Journalism and Asian Languages and Literatures with a focus in Japanese. Throughout her undergraduate career, she played in multiple campus and summer orchestras. After graduating, Tiffany taught English […]
Bertie Specht (she/her) has been a member of the MPO cello section since 2023. In addition to her work with MPO, she has played electric bass for Minneapolis Musical Theater and Lyric Arts. By day, she is an Engineer-in-Training specializing in transportation drainage design for Hennepin County, where she also serves on the leadership team […]
Joe Dolson
WebmasterViolin, Associate Concertmaster
Joe is the former concertmaster of the MPO, and has been playing with the orchestra since the fall of 2000. In addition to the MPO, Joe plays in a duo with stand partner Catherine Himmerich and plays baroque violin in the baroque ensemble, “Sospiri.” Professionally, Joe helps organizations make their websites usable by people with […]
The Board of Directors for the Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra works diligently year-round to develop and execute on a strategy for growth, and fulfillment of the organizational mission. The board meets monthly as a full group. Key committees will have additional meetings as needed to address specific needs of the organization or special events.
Join the board! The MPO is actively recruiting new Board members! If you are interested in becoming a board member, please review the job responsibilities here and if you think you’d be a good fit, apply here. If you have any questions about the MPO or its Board of Directors, please contact Interim Board President Teresa Manzella at president@mnphil.org.