About Us
Beth Weston 's musical journey began at age 7 with private instruction on the violin and piano. By age 14, she began playing in the TSO, and later on studied with Catherine Sivits and with Paul Statsky at Interlochen Arts Academy. Desiring to become a professional musician, she obtained a performance degree from Western Michigan University. While there, she was a full-time member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster of WMU Orchestra, and also excelled in music composition and conducting. After college, Ms. Weston returned to her native Traverse City, rejoined the TSO and established a private studio. Currently Principal Violinist with the TSO, Assistant Concertmaster of Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Concertmaster of the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra, she also performs regularly as a ensemble member of the Bayshore Strings for whom she also arranges music. She and her husband Steve have two children, Stephanie and Ben and live in Traverse City.
Carolyn McConaha is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a double major in instrumental and vocal music education. A native of Traverse City, MI, Ms. McConaha has enjoyed an interesting and extensive music career throughout Northwest Michigan and the Twin Cities of Minnesota performing with the Western Michigan University Orchestra, West Shore Symphony Orchestra, St. Paul Symphony Orchestra, Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra, teaching public school music and elementary strings in Muskegon, MI and St. Paul public schools, directing numerous church choirs and community chorales, coordinating music for community theater, directing vaudeville shows and various civic celebrations and managing and contracting orchestra union personnel. Of all her experiences, she describes her most rewarding work was the opportunity to develop and implement a grant funded summer arts program for displaced homeless teens and elementary children.
While currently managing a busy music schedule, she also enjoys a 30 year career in health care. She is Operations Coordinator with the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan with certification in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota and Nursing Home Administration Certification with the State of Michigan.
Lynne Tobin grew up in Plymouth, Michigan, and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy, the University of Michigan and Northern Illinois University, earning two degrees in cello performance. An independent school educator for over 30 years, Lynne currently teaches general music and strings at the Pathfinder School and plays cello with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in addition to conducting the unique, multi-generational community orchestras, Civic Prelude and Civic Chamber Strings.
Lynne came to Traverse City from Ann Arbor, Michigan where she taught strings and photography at the Emerson School and was director of The Michigan Children of SCORE (String, Choral, Orff and Recorder Ensemble) and the Junior and Sterling String Orchestras through the School for the Performing Arts. Prior to Lynneâs work in Ann Arbor, she taught at the Savannah Country Day School in Georgia for 15 years and was principal cellist of the Savannah Symphony. To thank her for many years of work with children in the community, the Mayor proclaimed April 18, 1994 as Lynne Tobin Day in the city of Savannah.
