Since receiving his masters degree in violin performance from Wichita State University in 1976, René has made his living in music, as a performing violinist, teacher, and conductor. Before moving to Denver in 1994, he was a violinist with several professional orchestras, including Oklahoma, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Birmingham. His first job after college was at Lamar University, in Beaumont, Texas, where he taught violin and viola, and conducted the university’s orchestra. While living in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 90’s, where he played in the Alabama Symphony, René had the opportunity to be the music director of the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra, a community orchestra in many ways similar to the Parker Symphony Orchestra. It was this group that made him come to understand the important role that community orchestras play in providing opportunities for musical expression to many who would otherwise not have that chance.
He made his mark in the Denver area playing as the principal 2nd violinist with Opera Colorado and the Central City Opera Orchestra, as concertmaster for the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, and as conductor of the Arapahoe Community College. He is now semi-retired, but continues to conduct the PSO and play with Inside The Orchestra – a group that performs classical music concerts in elementary schools and Tiny Tots concerts for young children and parents.
When he is not busy with his musical endeavors, René spends time in his woodworking shop at home. He has been an avid woodworker since he was in high school.
John has been playing Tuba since his Junior year in High School (1993). He graduated Community College with an associate’s degree in business administration in 1996. He married his wife in 2000 and has 2 daughters, ages 17 and 8. He went back to school in 2021 and graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Project Management in 2023. He has played with the Parker Symphony Orchestra since 2012 and has served as President of the Board since 2014. Along with being active in PSO he also directs a Dixieland Band and subs in Castle Rock Orchestra. In addition to playing in the Parker Symphony Orchestra, John works in the Title Insurance Industry and has his own small business as an audio engineer with a focus on houses of worship.
Katie is a native to Colorado and began playing violin at the age of 3. She graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree from the University of Denver. Katie and her husband moved to Los Angeles, California where she earned a Master of Teaching Degree with Credential from Pepperdine University in 2017.
While in California, they also adopted their first daughter, Micah, and gave birth to their second daughter, Elaena. They returned to Colorado in 2020 to be close to their families, while the love of the ocean remains in their hearts. Their third daughter is expected to join the club in fall 2025.
After graduating with her teaching credential, Katie taught kindergarten in California and Colorado for 5 years before becoming a full time mom to her kids. Katie joined the Parker Symphony Orchestra with her mom (cellist Nancy Marble) during the 2023/24 season as a way to dust off her violin and also have a moms night out. She is extremely grateful to the orchestra for their warm welcome, their camaraderie, and the opportunity to rekindle her love of playing!
Sam serves as the treasurer for the Parker Symphony, bringing 12 years of experience in accounting to the organization. In this role he is responsible for overseeing the orchestra’s financial operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, and ensuring the efficient use of the resources to support the orchestra’s mission.
He holds a Master in Accounting from the University of Colorado and is a licensed CPA through the state of Colorado.
Beyond his professional expertise, Sam is passionate about music and has been involved with the Parker Symphony for the last 4 years as a viola player. He began playing the viola when he was in middle school.
He is dedicated to supporting the growth and sustainability of the Parker Symphony!
A Colorado native from Pueblo, Linda’s musical journey began in 3rd grade when she first picked up the violin. She has studied with Veronika Afanassieva of the Veronika String Quartet, and Ozzie Lehnert at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) and has a BA degree in Anthropology from CU. She has performed in many symphonic orchestras and theater productions throughout Colorado over the years and joined the Parker Symphony Orchestra in 2019.
Linda was also a long-time member of The Silver Mountain Bluegrass Fiddlers, and earned recognition in several fiddle competitions during her younger years.
Linda is an avid fan of the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets. She enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, reading and listening to a wide variety of musical genres. She is also an accomplished tatter (lace), having won the title of Colorado State Tatting Champion twice.
Bruce has been playing violin with the Parker Symphony Orchestra since it was the South Suburban Community Orchestra from early 2003. With great passion for the orchestra, Bruce has been a board member off-and-on over a number of years, playing the role of member-at-large up to president. He has been a software developer nearly his entire life with a B.S. degree in Mathematical Physics from California State University, Northridge. Married since 1994, Bruce has a wonderful wife and daughter, both of whom work and teach with Douglas County schools.
Katherine McMurray has played the cello for a mere 25 years. Upon retiring from being a nationally certified Legal Assistant (one of only 100 in the nation at that time) she served on the Fine Arts Board and the Historic Preservation Board for the City of Littleton and on the Arapahoe County Cultural Council.. She joined the Parker Symphony Orchestra in 2010 and has served on the PSO Board in various capacities. She is currently a Member-At-Large.