People
Music Faculty
Nathan Rødahl
Nathan is the director of the historic and award-winning Port Angeles High School Orchestra, as well as the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra. Nathan also serves as principal conductor of the Ensign Symphony, which performs in Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA, where he previously served as concertmaster. Nathan in his 2nd term on the NAfME National Orchestra Council.As a clinician and lecturer, Nathan is one of the foremost authorities on contemporary practice habits and promoting the adoption of underrepresented composers and methods. Nathan is a published composer and arranger, and has been recognized for his achievements in both conducting and flexible arrangements of standard repertoire.
Nathan holds degrees in education and conducting from Pacific Lutheran University, and has studied graduate level conducting at the University of Oregon in addition to countless masterclass opportunities around the country.
Jesse Ahmann
Jesse Ahmann is a professional cellist and composer and has over 15 million views on his YouTube channel - Montana Cellist.Jesse has performed as principal cellist for numerous symphonies across the Northwest, and also performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Jesse was a featured artist on National Public Radio's (NPR's) "All Things Considered." His musical credits include performances throughout Europe, Asia, Central, and South America.
Being surrounded by music his entire life, he always dreamt of being a composer. He has since learned multiple instruments and frequently uses them in compositions, realizing that dream, working as a film composer, meditative music writer, and as a successful YouTube musician.
Jory Noble
Marjory (Jory) Noble began her violin studies at the Peabody Conservatory, received her Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University and pursued graduate studies with the Fine Arts Quartet in Milwaukee.Jory has performed professionally with the Virginia Opera, Michigan Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra of New York, Winnipeg Symphony and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She was assistant concertmaster of the Skylight Opera, the Music Under the Stars Orchestra, the Fox Valley Symphony, and has been both assistant concertmaster and concertmaster of both the Milwaukee Ballet and the Green Bay Symphony. During her time in Chicago, Jory performed with the Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Sinfonietta, Elgin Symphony, Symphony II, Symphony of the Shores, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Ars Viva, L'Opera Piccola (concertmaster), Lake Forest Symphony (assistant concertmaster), Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Chicago Symphony.
Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, Jory has been pursuing her love of chamber music as first violinist of the Port Angeles Symphony String Quartet, COHO quartet, and the Aronoff Chamber Players. She currently serves as Concertmaster of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra.
Mike McLeron
Mike has a Bachelor's of Music degree in Performance Studies from the University of Oregon School of Music.Growing up in Spokane, Washington where he began musical studies at an early age. By the end of high school, he had received several awards and participated in numerous ensembles including the Spokane Junior Symphony, Junior Jazz Society, All-State Honor Band, All-Northwest Honor Band, and the McDonald's All-American High School Band.
After graduating from U of O, Mike went on to teach music as a professional career in Oregon Public Schools for 31 years. He has experience teaching music at all levels from elementary school through high school.
Chuck Easton
Chuck first started on violin then switched to bass in high school, playing classical music in the orchestra and also trombone in the band.He slowly became aware of jazz, which has now become his major focus, although he still plays bass in various classical ensembles and orchestras. Chuck had a stint in Korea with the U.S army, where he played both electric bass and electric guitar.
Chuck graduated from Boston's Berklee College of Music in 1980. He has been on faculty for Centrum's Jazz Festival and the NW Big Band, where he was the conductor for a number of years. He plays in duos, trios, quartets, quintets and has a sextet which plays both jazz and R&B dance music.