Sarah Avery - Principal Viola

Sarah Avery studied viola with Georges Janzer at Indiana University, Simon Rowland-Jones in London, England, and Michael Kimber at the University of Kansas. She has enjoyed a wide range of musical experiences. She has played professionally in South America, North America and Europe. She has taught violin and viola to students ranging in age from 4 to 82 years old. Sarah co-founded the professional String Orchestra of the Rockies in 1984 with her husband Russell Guyver, serving as Executive Director and co-principal viola for three years. Ms. Avery is currently the Artistic Director of the String Quartet Program of Northern Colorado, a member of the Illuminati Quartet, and principal viola of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gray Barrier - Principal Timpani

Gray Barrier, Professor of Music, received a BME degree from East Carolina University and a MM Degree from Northwestern University, studying with Harold Jones and Terry Applebaum, respectively. During his time at Northwestern University, he served as timpanist of the Chicago Civic Orchestra. After leaving the Chicago area, Gray toured with the national company of Godspell. He taught percussion at Louisiana Tech University from 1975-1983. Currently, Mr. Barrier is a Professor of Music at the University of Northern Colorado. He is the timpanist of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with the Fort Collins and Cheyenne Symphony Orchestras. He tours and records with the Summit Brass and the St. Louis Brass Quintet. He is a member of the percussion section of the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. In 2000 Mr. Barrier was named UNC Distinguished Scholar and was recently named PVA College Scholar for the 2004-2005 year.

Phyllis Eaton, Principal Piano

Phyllis Eaton grew up in Greeley and began piano lessons at age four. She studied at CSCE, Mills College, and University of Colorado with degrees in piano pedagogy and performance. She has played with the GPO since 1976, and has been active on the GPO Board, serving as its president four times since 1964. She was one of the founders of the GPO Guild, and worked on the committee to get the UCCC built for Greeley. Phyllis taught private lessons and was on the UNC Piano Faculty. She is a past chairman of the UNC Performing and Visual Arts Community Advisory Board. She is married to Larry Eaton, has three grown children, and four grandchildren.

Lynelle Harding - Concert Master

Lynelle Cooney Harding currently teaches orchestra in Weld County District 6 at Northridge High School, Franklin Middle School, Chappelow Arts and Literacy Magnet School. She is also an Affiliate Faculty with Colorado Christian University where she teaches Applied Violin. Mrs. Harding performs regularly with the Denver-based Mercury Ensemble / Mercury Ensemble String Quartet and spends her summers playing with the Central City Opera Orchestra. Previous professional positions include violinist with the Colorado Springs Symphony, the San Jose Symphony, the San Jose String Quartet, the Dakota String Quartet, the Chamber Orchestra of the West. She has also been on faculty with Augustana College in South Dakota and the University of Northern Colorado. Lynelle has an extensive educational background having taught orchestra for eight years in the public schools as well as teaching private violin lessons. She holds BM and BME degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and a MME from the University of South Dakota. Lynelle has been a member of the Greeley Philharmonic for 17 years, having served as Concert Master for 11 of those years.

Heidi Mausbach - Principal Cello

Heidi Mausbach earned a B.M. Performance degree from the University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music. Heidi has performed in master classes for Janos Starker, Aldo Parisot, and Yo-Yo Ma. Her professional orchestral experience includes The Naples Philharmonic and The Florida orchestra. Heidi calls Fort Collins home and enjoys baking and family time.

Tom Van Schoick - Principal Percussion

James Vaughn - Principal Bass

James Vaughn, a member of the music faculty at the University of Northern Colorado and currently principal double bassist with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, James Vaughn has held principal positions with the Denver Chamber Orchestra, the Breckenridge Music Festival and is active as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the western United States. He collaborates frequently with UNC faculty in chamber music performances and has been a member of the faculty jazz combo. He also maintains a busy performance schedule with a diversity of performing arts organizations such as Colorado Ballet and national touring Broadway productions at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Other performing credits include five seasons as a member of the Colorado Springs Symphony and ongoing engagements with the Colorado Symphony and Colorado Music Festival.