Marlena Chow Morgan, Violin
Alan Einhorn and Vicki Cooper Chair
Marlena Chow Morgan received her Bachelor of Music in violin performance at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where she studied with Malcolm Lowe, the concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the Naples Philharmonic, she was a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach.
Her summers are spent in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she has been a member of the Grammy Award-winning Santa Fe Opera Orchestra since 2003.
As a soloist, Marlena has appeared with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado; the New World Symphony; and the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. She was a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to chamber music collaborations with colleagues in the Naples Philharmonic, the Miró Quartet and Lilya Zilberstein, she has also been a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota and the Headwaters Music Festival.
A certified Suzuki violin teacher, and she enjoys maintaining a private teaching studio in Naples.
Marlena has been a member of the Naples Philharmonic since 2001.
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The facts:
I was born in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and graduated from Stillwater Area High School. I was fortunate to have wonderfully supportive parents who nurtured my love and passion for learning and music (violin and piano) throughout my childhood. I have enjoyed making Naples my home since 2001.
What has been your most memorable moment with the orchestra?
After so many years in the orchestra, there are so many; it's hard to choose just one!
What inspired you to become a musician?
I remember the moment I realized I wanted to be an orchestral musician like it was yesterday! In 1995, I was at the Aspen Music Festival rehearsing Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 with James DePriest conducting, and it became clear to me that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
Aside from the numerous enjoyable musical aspects, the people in the orchestra really make this job so special.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to travel. Some of my most memorable trips include a solo trip to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in India; trekking in Nepal, where I summited a 15,000 ft. peak in the Langtang Valley; and hiking in Denali National Park in Alaska. My husband Ian (bass trombone in the Sarasota Orchestra) and I enjoy hiking, camping and exploring new places and cultures, and we hope to pass along this love of adventure and travel to our daughter.
Other:
I am a member of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and have enjoyed spending summers in New Mexico since 2003.
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