ProMusica At Home

Principal bassist John Pellegrino is one of the most well-traveled orchestra musicians we know. For the past 30 years, he has performed in major ensembles in Columbus and holds an active teaching studio as well. As a substitute with many of the country’s top orchestras, his typical performing schedule takes him from to Wyoming to Wisconsin to Nashville and Milwaukee – with multiple return trips back to home base here in Columbus. In between his cross-country travels, you will find him programming for his summer chamber music festival in Rhode Island, where he serves as Artistic Director. When he finds the precious weeks during the performing “off” season, he hops back in his Toyota Venza, usually with bass in tow, to visit his 90-year old father in Ft. Myers, Florida.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, life has been a little less-traveled for John. “It has been a shock to my system to be without what had been a very rigorous routine!” said John. “It’s as if all the rehearsals, studying, practicing, and playing have taken a leave of absence from my life,” he added. At this moment, John remains hopeful for the future, and looks forward to re-uniting with ProMusica colleagues onstage with broad smiles and eventually warm hugs (when those are allowed again).

[Pictured: John on the porch of his home in Grandview Heights.]

Anyone in this community will agree that Mary Yerina and Bob Redfield are the kindest, most generous, supportive, and energetic couple in Columbus. Pre-coronavirus, on any given weekend they could be seen enjoying performances at ProMusica, JAG, CATCO, and BalletMet (amongst others!), followed by cheering on their team at a Buckeyes football game or women’s basketball game. To top it all off, their volunteerism takes them to serve at the Dublin Food Pantry, Columbus Humane, and Crichton Club. So, for ProMusica to have both Mary and Bob currently serving as board members at the same time? Call us blessed and grateful!

As huge arts supporters, we know how deeply they must miss live performances. “It has been an adjustment having so many concerts, performances and events canceled,” they said. “We are finding music and arts online to enjoy – however, we anxiously await the day when we can safely return to the Southern Theatre with ProMusica!” Until then, Mary and Bob remain as active as ever, experimenting with new recipes from their Culinary Capers cookbooks, reading, doing yoga, cycling, gardening, and completing jigsaw puzzles! (At the time of this writing, they have finished eight!)

[Pictured: Mary and Bob on their front porch of their home in Dublin, Ohio.]

Nothing can stop cellist Cora Kuyvenhoven – not even the coronavirus! Pre-pandemic, Cora embraced a busy freelance musical life in Columbus, whether it’s performing with ProMusica, playing with her cello quartet UCelli, or teaching cello students in her home studio and at Denison University. These days, it’s been challenging to adjust to so many cancelations, but Cora has found creative ways to continue engaging with her students. Most recently, she had a recital in her own backyard, featuring one-third of her studio students! So, how did it work out? “They could each bring 2-3 guests, and we had five tables spread apart by six feet each,” she said. “It was fun and our garden looked fantastic! I even helped five cellists start new gardens at their homes!”

We can be sure that Cora will continue to infuse energy into her students’ lives and onto our stages. She added, “What I look forward to the most when ProMusica can be back performing again is playing TOGETHER and responding to each other!”

[Pictured: Cora at two of her favorite spots in downtown Columbus.]

Executive Assistant & Board Liaison Margaret Wells and her husband Bill welcomed their daughter Abigail into the world in early January 2020. Just as Margaret was preparing for her return to work from maternity leave, the coronavirus pandemic escalated and our state swiftly shutdown. All of a sudden, her transition looked completely different from how she imagined it! The extra time at home with Abby has been a silver lining for Margaret and Bill, as they are still both working from home at the moment – but Margaret admitted that “more than one of my Zoom meetings has certainly featured a crying baby!”

In addition to her role at ProMusica, Margaret is also a soprano who sings in many of Columbus’ church choirs and is a member of LancasterChorale. When asked how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her singing life, she said, “The absence of live music over the past few months has been a bit of a ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’ feeling – but music is too important and I know we will find a way for it to continue.”

[Pictured: Margaret with her husband Bill and their daughter Abigail at home in their backyard in Dublin, Ohio.]

An avid cyclist, violist Brett Allen can be spotted commuting to and from concerts and gigs on his bike – zipping through the streets of Columbus with his instrument strapped on his back. But those commutes have been much less frequent these days as we await the reopening of our theatres and performing venues. We asked Brett what he looks forward to the most when live orchestra concerts are allowed again. “To catch up with my ProMusica buddies,” he said enthusiastically. “I’ve missed the camaraderie amongst my colleagues when we are on the stage.”

Aside from continuing to stay in shape as a violist and a cyclist, Brett is keeping busy during the pandemic. Brett and his wife are foster parents, and about a month before the Governor’s Stay-at-Home order was issued, they took in four girls, all sisters, ages 8, 9, 10, and 11. “Little did we know we would be spending every hour of every day with them over the next several months,” he added. “And continuing. It has been a remake of the movie Little Women.”

Brett – we think that is amazing and our community is a better place because of your generous heart!

[Pictured: Brett on his bicycle in his Linden neighborhood.]

In a time where live, in-person performances have all but come to a complete halt, our musicians, including violinist Eric Kline, treasure any opportunity to share their music, while maintaining a safe social distance. Most recently, board member Mary Yerina contacted us as she wanted to surprise her husband (and our other board member) Bob Redfield for their third wedding anniversary. Bob was really missing hearing live music, and she asked if it would be possible for a ProMusica musician to “safely swing by” and give a short private performance. Eric’s musical gift to Mary and Bob added to their special day. “I recognize these past months have been quite trying for many people I want to do my part to keep the music playing,” he shared.

Eric’s wife is the Director for the Center for Clinical and Translational Science at The Ohio State University Medical Center, and understandably the pandemic has kept her incredibly busy at work! So, when we asked Eric how he’s been spending time these days, he said “I am definitely keeping my two sons Henry (12) and Oliver (7) busy and entertained!”

[Pictured: Eric visiting a Dublin, Ohio neighborhood for a recent private home concert.]

Staying-in-place has meant more time for our principal harpist Jeanne Norton in her home studio, with her adorable grand-dog Gracie who has been visiting and keeping her company. Not only has the coronavirus impacted her performing schedule, but as Lecturer and Instructor in Harp at both The Ohio State University School of Music and Wittenberg University, she’s also had to embrace utilizing technology to continue teaching her students.

Jeanne’s outlook remains hopeful for the music industry. “Though many restrictions are still in place, music is alive,” she said. Like many others Jeanne looks forward to the time when ProMusica musicians are once again together, bringing the orchestra’s music back into the lives of our Columbus community.

[Pictured: Jeanne in her home studio in Upper Arlington.]

In her role at American Electric Power (AEP) as Director of Corporate & Field Human Resources, our board member Julie Rutter knows how to successfully advocate for practices and policies to ultimately have a positive impact on employees. One could say that she does an equally successful job of advocating for and supporting ProMusica – as a longtime board member, she has served in several leadership positions including Board President. And now, the ProMusica family has become an extension of her own family. Her husband Bob has volunteered on the ProMusica Sustaining Board, and their three girls, Emily, Olivia, and Callie can be seen in attendance at the Southern Theatre, Franklin Park Conservatory for our Summer Music Series, or even at Wolf’s Ridge for our Sessions. Now that’s truly a family affair!

Our board members are always helping the organization to look ahead, so we asked Julie how she thinks live music will evolve in response to the pandemic. “Weirdly, I am excited by this question,” she said, “because I know that ProMusica has already positioned itself at the forefront of transformative technology, performance, and audience connection activities, and so we are well positioned to face this challenge. That things will change is inevitable, but the opportunity to chart a new course is exciting, and I look forward to being a part of it.”

[Pictured: Julie Rutter with her husband Bob, daughters Emily, Olivia, Callie, and the family dog Daisy, outside their home in Grandview Heights.]