Jill Rowley, Associate Concert Master and violin

Jill Rowley, a native of Iowa, graduated from the University of Michigan with Bachelor and Master Degrees in Violin Performance. Upon graduation she performed as a chamber music recitalist in the Midwest with the Vuillaume Quartet. In 1980, Rowley went to Mexico to play in the Veracruz Symphony Orchestra, the State of Mexico Orchestra and the Mexico City Philharmonic. After leaving Mexico, Jill was concertmaster of the First International Tour of Show Boat presented by the New York Harlem Opera Ensemble, touring fourteen countries and playing 203 shows. Following the completion of the tour, Rowley joined the Boise Philharmonic in 1985 and performs as Associate Concertmaster for the orchestra and first violinist in the Boise Philharmonic String Quartet. She maintains a private teaching studio, coaching professionals desiring to hone skills and training young musicians who ensure our musical future. To balance her musical life, Jill enjoys hiking and taking pictures, crocheting, cooking and reading.

Paula Stern, violin

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Paula Stern attended the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Washington State University, receiving degrees in both Violin Performance and Music Therapy. Paula has performed with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles and has served as concertmaster for the Boise Philharmonic and the Washington-Idaho Symphony. She has appeared as soloist with the Boise Philharmonic, the Boise Baroque Orchestra, the Washington-Idaho Symphony, the Magic Valley Symphony and the Bear Valley Festival Orchestra. In her 26th year with the Boise Philharmonic, Paula currently serves as Principal Second Violinist and as a member of the Philharmonic String Quartet, as well as performing regularly with the Boise Baroque Orchestra. Paula has served on the faculty at the College of Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University and Boise State University. Well known as an outstanding teacher, Paula has maintained a private teaching studio in Boise since 1984.
 
 

Tom Tompkins, viola

Tom performed his first concert with the Boise Philharmonic in 1966.
 

Upon graduating with a degree in Viola Performance from the University of Southern California (1980), Tom moved to Mexico to perform as principal violist with the Veracruz Symphony, and as assistant principal with both the State of Mexico Orchestra (Toluca) and the Mexico City Philharmonic. Tom has performed with the Boise Philharmonic since 1966 and as principal violist since 1985.
 

There is another side to Tom’s musical experiences. He loves improvising, composing and playing folk, rock, country, Irish and jazz. His recordings include: Providence: Ever Sense the Dawn, a Gold Album with Justin Hayward/John Lodge: Blue Jays, and three CDs with Kevin Kirk & Onomatopoeia: Catch ‘n’ Release, Magic Song Food and Some Assembly Required.
 

During the day, Tom is also Director of Facilities for the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Academy, home of the Boise Philharmonic, Opera Idaho and Ballet Idaho.

Ned Johnson, cello

Ned holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Utah and a Masters in Cello Performance from the University of Nevada-Reno. He has performed as soloist with the Utah Symphony, the University of Utah Orchestra, the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Boise Philharmonic. He previously served as Treasure Valley Youth Symphony director/conductor (known today at the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra), performed in nightclub settings for major entertainers in Reno and was principal cellist in the Ashlawn Highland Opera Orchestra in Charlottesville, Virginia.