Jim Zellers
Jim plays the flute, and has been the JCSO Principal Flutist since the orchestra was founded in 2006/2007.
He carries with him the advice from his first flute teacher, Mark Thomas. "Luck is when preparedness meets opportunity, so treat every session with the flute as if you are about to go on stage to play a concerto."
Right now he is preparing for summer chamber music concerts in Highlands, NC that will feature Franz Schubert's Introduction and Variations on "Trockne Blumen" for flute and piano, as well as Hector Villa-Lobos's Assobio a Jato "The Jet Whistle" for flute and cello. He is also a pianist/organist, filling in at St. Benedict's Episcopal in Smyrna.
Jim encourages young musicians to "work hard with humility and patience, and you will reach your goals. To be able to perform and move audiences with your music is a privilege and the best job in the world!"
What does a professional musician listen to?
"I have a very eclectic playlist that has Motown (The Supremes "Where Did Our Love Go," "Let Me Go The Right Way") to Judy Collin's "My Father's Eyes" and "Golden Apples of the Sun." What I am currently listening to has much to do with current pieces I am performing, such as Wagner's Die Walkure (2nd installment of the Ring Cycle) and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5."
On Father's Day this month, he will hit the grill and BBQ with family.
Caleb Herron
Caleb is a percussionist and has played with the JCSO for 15 seasons. His favorite music in his practice folder right now is a vibraphone solo that was written for him by Christopher Adler called Cypher. He will perform it at the Fairbanks Summer Music Academy this month.
Advice he received from a music teacher inspires him to keep striving for greatness in his playing: "You're only as good as your next performance."
To all the younger musicians out there, Caleb says, "Keep going. Keep striving. The more you put into music, the more you'll get out of it."
This year on Father's Day, he will be traveling, but hopes to share a laugh with his dad over the phone. Lately, Caleb has been listening to music from his childhood - hits from the 80s and 90s like Tears for Fears, Starship, and The Pretenders.
To be able to perform and move audiences with your music is a privilege and the best job in the world!