An Insider's Look at the Minnesota Orchestra
"I think the more you hear of all kinds of different music, it will have an impact on how you play - even in a more traditional setting. Just different ways of feeling music, the more experiences you get from other influences the better."
The Minnesota Orchestra announced last fall that they will tour South Korea and Vietnam starting June 21, 2020, for nearly two weeks, continuing a legacy of musical diplomacy, and mounting one of the signature events of Osmo Vänskä's final three years as the Orchestra's music director. With other local and inclusive programs like Music and Mindfulness, the new "Hall Pass", sensory-friendly concerts and more, the Minnesota Orchestra is well on its way to a high note this 2020! Listen using the play button below or stream Episode 17 for free on Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.
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Featuring:
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/8x10-Heather.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=96896887ea41dacee3e123fb757f7575 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/8x10-Heather.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=10af2d1caba997946d4169a088088b76 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/8x10-Heather.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e9916fc21ece18d8e342fa1f43738bef 653w)
Co-Host, Heather Brown
Reporter and Anchor, WCCO-TV
Heather Brown loves to put her curiosity to work to answer your Good Questions on WCCO 4 News at 10, and helps you kick your weekdays off on WCCO Mid-Morning.
Heather is a born-and-raised Philadelphia gal. She graduated with honors from Colgate University, so cold winters are nothing new! After college, Heather worked at CNBC in Los Angeles producing business news stories. She spent almost two years on the west coast before heading to Boston. In 2003, she earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
![](https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/MNOrchestra.2015-004022.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=82d617028f021d20b320f4e60e43ed99 320w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/MNOrchestra.2015-004022.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=82da02bb6558e20f5d9b000529a27a37 540w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/MNOrchestra.2015-004022.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=621959e2ae1993d534d047c8bc4570df 768w, https://minneapolis-2021.imgix.net/images/MNOrchestra.2015-004022.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=6e55c7eaf9e3f7ff6e173d4c2d1306bc 1000w)
Guest, Gareth Zehngut
Violist, Minnesota Orchestra
Violist Gareth Zehngut joined the Minnesota Orchestra in summer 2014, coming from the San Diego Symphony. In the Twin Cities, Zehngut has performed on the Minnesota Orchestra chamber music series and is also a member of The Musical Offering and Minnesota Bach Ensemble.
A Pennsylvania native, Zehngut earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Heidi Castleman, Hsin-Yun Huang, Misha Amory and Steven Tenenbom.
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Guest, Beth Kellar-Long
Vice President of Orchestra Administration, Minnesota Orchestra
Beth Kellar-Long joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 1991 and held a succession of positions in the Operations department before being named General Manager in 2014 and Vice President of Orchestra Administration in 2017.
During her tenure, she has managed seven European tours; played a key role in organizing the ensemble’s historic 2015 tour to Cuba, as well as plans for its 2018 South Africa Tour; and produced the 2017 “Send Me Hope” concert, which featured Gospel Choirs performing alongside the Orchestra in a first of its kind performance. A graduate of Macalester College, she previously worked for the Dale Warland Singers.
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