Bozeman Symphony Announces Four New Board Members

Friday Feb. 21st, 2020

Bozeman Symphony announces the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors, as well as a new Orchestra Representative. The organization is proud to welcome Angella Ahn, Jecyn Bremer, Ben Phinney, and Charles Rinker to its Board of Directors and Megan McFadden as the Orchestra Representative.

“All four of these board members are leaders in different areas of the Bozeman community. In addition to their individual talents they have a body of commitment to the symphony and the cultural community at large,” said Stephen Schachman, Board of Directors Chair. “The symphony considers itself fortunate to add their expertise and incredible commitment to the Board of Directors.”

The Bozeman Symphony embraces change as they welcome a more diverse Board of Directors with a total of 12 members. “The board has been making a conservative effort to be more involved with and more inclusive of the community that we serve and provide live symphonic music,” said Schachman. For more information about the Bozeman Symphony call 406-585-9774 or visit bozemansymphony.org. A complete list of the Symphony’s Board of Directors is available online at bozemansymphony.org/board-of-directors.

Angella Ahn, Violinist, Professor - Juilliard-trained Angella Ahn has had an extensive career as a violinist, performing in every state in the U.S., in over 30 countries, and in venues as varied as the White House, Gewandhaus and Lincoln Center. She has played as both a solo artist and as a member of the Ahn Trio. In addition to live performances, Angella has an impressive discography with her trio, making nine enthusiastically received albums. Because of their eclectic interests and innovative exploration in music, the trio has generated wide-ranging collaborations with modern dance companies, film directors, rock bands, and composers. Recently, Angella has been featured in “Angella Ahn and Friends,” a program presented by Montana PBS’ Emmy Award-winning 11th and Grant, with Eric Funk; and in The Hive, a film produced by Tippet Rise Art Center. The depth of her experience and knowledge has made her perfectly suited to help the next generation of young musicians as an Associate Professor of Violin and Viola at Montana State University. Beyond her teaching, she serves on the Montana Arts Council and is the artistic director of the Big Sky Classical Music Festival. As a musician and teacher, she is excited to join the Board of Directors of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, where she feels she can help elevate and grow the arts in our community.

Jecyn Bremer, Attorney at Law - Jecyn is a partner in the law firm Gallik, Bremer & Molloy.  She has been practicing law since 2007, first as a Deputy County Attorney in Gallatin County and in private practice since 2013. Jecyn has experience across a range of land use matters, including subdivision and zoning, commercial and residential real estate transactions, and environmental law.  When not in the office, she can be found exploring Montana’s trails or her passion for music, which extends across many genres.

Prior to practicing law, Jecyn was involved in development and marketing with the High Museum of Art in Atlanta; in historic preservation advocacy and education with nonprofit organizations, boards, and commissions; and historic preservation and environmental consulting in the private sector.  She earned her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law, with a Certificate in Environmental Law; and she holds master’s degrees in both Environmental Studies and Historic Preservation. Her undergraduate degree is in Communications.  Jecyn currently serves on the organizing committee for the Big Sky Classical Music Festival (aka Bravo! Big Sky Music Festival), and she looks forward to bringing her experience with nonprofits, community outreach, and cultural advocacy to the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra.

Ben Phinney, Executive and Personal Coach - Since moving to Bozeman from Boston about five years ago, Ben has been an avid supporter of the classical music scene here.  He is currently President of the Board of Baroque Music Montana and, together with his wife, Barbara, has volunteered for the BSO in several capacities.  Ben was educated at Harvard and the University of Chicago.  After twenty years working in Chicago, Asia, and Boston for large banks, Ben transitioned to fundraising for Brown University and several independent schools in New England.  He has also worked as a life and professional coach.  Like many in Bozeman, he is an enthusiastic skier, hiker, biker, and fisherman.  The Phinney’s have a daughter and son-in-law and two grandchildren here in Bozeman in addition to family in Denver and Washington DC.  Ben is very excited about the future prospects for the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra as it embarks on a new chapter with a new music director.  He believes that “Bozeman is an exciting and growing cultural town with a great future!”

Charles Rinker, Surgeon, Retired - Charles arrived in Bozeman in 1976 to join Dr. Richard Sabo in the practice of general surgery. Friends quickly introduced us to the symphony, which at that time was led by Creech Reynolds. For many years I sang in the choir, first under Lowell Hickman and then Marco Ferro. I served on the Board in the early 1980s. My wife Kathy and I have been subscribers and supporters as long as we have lived in Bozeman. Currently, I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the Music Director search committee. The quality of the candidates has been amazing, and it bodes well for the future of the orchestra. The opportunity to re-join the Board at this time is both exciting and daunting, since it appears that big plans are afoot not only to continue the maturation of the orchestra but also to spread the word to all in Southwest Montana of the rare gem we have in our community.

Megan McFadden, Orchestra Representative- Megan is a violinist in the Bozeman Symphony and is excited to join the Orchestra Committee and represent the Orchestra on the Symphony Board. This is her third year playing violin (again) in the Bozeman Symphony. Megan grew up in Bozeman, played in the Symphony in High School, and studied Violin Performance and English Literature at the University of Montana. She also earned a Masters degree in Historical Musicology from Northwestern University. For the past ten years, Megan has been working in the digital technology industry as a testing manager in Chicago, and now an account manager here in Bozeman. Megan moved home to Bozeman with her husband, JJ, 3 1/2 years ago and is grateful to be raising her children Hanna (8) and Jacob (4) here in the Gallatin Valley.