Unbound Symphony, 401 S 152nd St, Burien, WA (2026)

06/17/2026

📣 Musician Spotlight 🎉🥁
DR. GABRIELA GARZA CANALES is our Principal Percussionist for the Unbound Symphony Inaugural Performance! Hear Gabriela performing a variety of percussion instruments on Friday July 10, 7:30PM at Highline Performing Arts Center.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

ABOUT GABRIELA:

Dr. Gabriela Garza Canales (she/her/ella) is a percussionist, conductor, and arts administrator based in Seattle, Washington, and is honored to be part of Unbound Symphony's inaugural performance!

Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Gabriela has spent her life exploring a wide range of musical styles as a performer, including symphonic, band, pop, rock, funk, Latin, experimental, and contemporary music. That variety of experiences continues to shape the versatility and curiosity she brings to her work today.

Gabriela began her percussion studies at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) under the instruction of Dr. Noel Rafael Savón Favier before moving to the University of New Mexico, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance under Professor Scott Ney. She currently performs with several ensembles in the Seattle area, including the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Northwest, and Thalia Symphony Orchestra.

She later earned a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the The University of New Mexico - UNM under the mentorship of Dr. Jorge Pérez-Gómez. She subsequently moved to Seattle, where she recently completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Washington under the guidance of Dr. David A. Rahbee. Her doctoral research examined accessibility in community orchestras and its role in fostering more inclusive, welcoming, and empowering musical experiences for musicians.

As a conductor and guest conductor, Gabriela has worked with a variety of ensembles, including the Poulsbo Community Orchestra, Whidbey Island Orchestra, Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, Sammamish Symphony Orchestra, Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra, the UANL Symphony Orchestra, and more.

Alongside her performing career, Gabriela is an arts administrator and is currently in her fifth year with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she serves as Director of the Seattle Conservatory of Music. She is an alumni of the League of American Orchestras Essentials of Orchestra Management program (2024) and recently earned a Nonprofit Management Certificate through the University of San Diego (2026).

Outside of music, Gabriela enjoys paddle boarding, biking, and exploring the outdoors, and can usually be found with a fiction novel close by.

Learn more about the musicians of Unbound Symphony: https://www.unboundsymphony.org/summer-festival-musician-roster-2026

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

06/16/2026

📣 Musician Spotlight 🎉🎻
LIZZY PEDERSEN is our Principal 2nd Violinist for the Unbound Symphony Inaugural Performance! Hear Lizzy perform works by Jessie Montgomery, Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Tessa Brinckman, Margaret Bonds, and Gabriela Ortiz on Friday July 10, 7:30PM at Highline Performing Arts Center.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

ABOUT LIZZY: Lizzy Pedersen has been playing violin since the age of 3. Lizzy studied with Mihoko Hirata, Irv Eisenberg, Emma McGrath, Lina Bahn, and Edward Dusinberre. Lizzy holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Colorado Boulder with highest honors, and is a registered Suzuki teacher for Books 1 through 6. Lizzy has attended the Indiana University Retreat for Violin and Viola Teachers, Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute, and completed training in Rolland String Pedagogy through Level 3. Lizzy has been teaching violin since 2009, and running Pedersen Violin since 2018. She now teaches violin and viola, and coaches in the Northshore school district.

Lizzy has served as concertmaster with Lake Union Civic Orchestra, Eastside Symphony, Octava Chamber Orchestra, and Jefferson Symphony. She has freelanced with groups such as Northwest Sinfonietta, North Corner Chamber Orchestra - NOCCO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, Northwest Chorale, Rainier Chorale, Seattle Chamber Orchestra, Bellevue Opera, PLU Choral Union, Kulshan Chorus, Sound Ensemble, Great Bend Center for Music, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Emerald Ballet Theatre, and the Cheyenne Symphony. Lizzy also provides solo violin music for events such as weddings, funerals, and luncheons. She plays church services, where she plays chamber music, solo pieces, and choir accompaniment.

Lizzy's interests are not limited to classical violin, and expand into the Balkan and International folk music genres. She played with Kafana Republik from 2010 to 2012. Now she plays with Învârtim (since 2022), Orkestar RTW (since 2022), and Zakuska (since 2024).

Lizzy is a Frisch & Denig Custom Chinrest Fitting Specialist. She is now based out of Everett, Washington.

Learn more about the musicians of Unbound Symphony: https://www.unboundsymphony.org/summer-festival-musician-roster-2026

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

06/15/2026

📣🎵Hear these works performed by Unbound Symphony at our Inaugural Performance:
- Starburst by Jessie Montgomery
- Concerto for Double Bass by Sarah Bassingthwaighte, with Soloist Rebecca Lawrence
- Spider Boots (World Premiere) by Sarah Bassingthwaighte and Tessa Brinckman
- Montgomery Variations: I,V,VI,VII by Margaret Bonds
- Kauyumari by Gabriela Ortiz

Inaugural Performance by Unbound Symphony
July 10, 7:30PM
Pre-concert talk 6:45PM
Highline Performing Arts Center

Conductors: Anna Edwards & Hsing-Hui Hsu
Double Bass Soloist: Rebecca Lawrence

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

06/12/2026

🎶📣Conductor Spotlight: Anna Edwards 📣🎶

Dr. Anna Edwards will conduct Unbound Symphony at our Inaugural Performance on July 10th along with conductor Hsing-Hui Hsu.

🎟️Get your tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

About Anna:
DR. ANNA EDWARDS’ musical career progression as a violinist, educator, and symphony conductor has inspired her mission to encourage and promote musical diversity at the highest level from professional, educational, and collaborative music organizations across the country. She is a passionate advocate of music from underrepresented composers on the concert stage. The 2025-26 season marks the thirteenth season for Edwards as Music Director of the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, eleventh season as Music Director of the Saratoga Orchestra, and eighth season as Music Director of the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute. Currently, Edwards balances her time between conducting in the Pacific Northwest, serving as a guest conductor/clinician across the country.

As a recognized leader for the promotion of musical diversity in symphonic orchestral music, Dave Beck, of Classical KING FM 98.1 wrote, “The Seattle Collaborative Orchestra under Dr. Anna Edwards’ excellent musicianship, inspired vision, and creative leadership, is doing everything a modern orchestra should be doing to insure the future of the art of symphonic music. The spirit of collaboration among these professional, gifted amateur and excellent student musicians fosters innovation, diversity, and new possibilities in the life of the 21st century symphony orchestra. SCO is showing the way forward like no other orchestra in our region.” Along with her passion for diversity on the concert stage, in 2022 Edwards launched Anna's Composer Database; a curated list of underrepresented composers that provides ideas for excellent, well-rounded, and interesting concert programs.

Edwards continues to follow her commitment to program innovative music, which balances traditional classical music with music by women, underrepresented composers, and Northwest artists. Commissioned premieres include works by Joe Jaxson, Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Leanna Primiani, Julian Garvue, Brendan McMullen, Andy Clausen, David Lien, Tim Huling, Angelique Poteat, and Victoria Bond. Anna additionally offers lectures concerning music, gender, and leadership to up-and-coming musicians and community leaders in public schools, community businesses, Colleges, and Universities.

Edwards’ dedication to quality musical performance started with her early career as a professional violinist, performing with prestigious ensembles such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta, Auburn Symphony Orchestra, and multiple Seattle area chamber ensembles. As she has turned her career towards conducting, Edwards has attended numerous festivals and workshops, with mentors such as Ludovic Morlot, Michael Jinbo, Diane Wittry, Neil Thomson, and Gustav Meier. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Washington, and holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Masters in Violin Performance.

In 2013, 2014, and 2018, Edwards received 2nd place and then two - 1st place honors (respectively) for conducting in The American Prize, a national competition for conductors and musical ensembles. Seattle Collaborative Orchestra received two - 2nd place and then 1st place honors for The American Prize orchestra performance division. In SCO’s performance of Jennifer Higdon’s Concerto for Orchestra, American Prize described Edwards’ conducting as “strong and committed” and “…always ‘in the moment,’ showing clarity of beat, intensity and focus.…the conductor’s face is alive to each musical gesture and the nuance.”

📸Photo by Erika Pierson Photography

🎟️Get your tickets to the Inaugural Performance! July 10 at 7:30 at Highliner Performing Arts Center
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

Read about the musicians of Unbound Symphony at
https://www.unboundsymphony.org/summer-festival-musician-roster-2026

06/12/2026

📣 Musician Spotlight 🎉
PORTIA NJOKU is our Principal Tuba player with Unbound Symphony at our Inaugural Performance!

Hear Portia perform works by Jessie Montgomery, Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Tessa Brinckman, Margaret Bonds, and Gabriela Ortiz on Friday July 10, 7:30PM at Highline Performing Arts Center.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

ABOUT PORTIA:
Portia Njoku, a composer, tubist, and music educator, holds a BA degree in Music Composition and Theory from UC Davis and a double MMus degree in Music Composition and Tuba Performance from CSU Sacramento.

Ms. Njoku is a Music Lecturer in Tuba at UC Davis and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at both American River and Folsom Lake Colleges. Currently, Ms. Njoku serves the Chromatic Brass Collective as the Director of Finance and Treasurer. She also works to increase interest and awareness of the tuba to music fans of all ages throughout the Sacramento region.

Learn more about Portia & the Unbound Symphony Musicians at
https://www.unboundsymphony.org/summer-festival-musician-roster-2026

That Tuba Lady

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

06/10/2026

📣Musician Spotlight🎉
Dr. Florie Rothenberg will perform as Principal Clarinetist with Unbound Symphony at our Inaugural Performance! Hear Florie perform works by Jessie Montgomery, Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Tessa Brinckman, Margaret Bonds, and Gabriela Ortiz on Friday July 10, 7:30PM at Highline Performing Arts Center.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

ABOUT FLORIE:
Dr. Florie Rothenberg (she/they) is a dynamic and versatile clarinetist whose artistry resonates across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. A member of Symphony Tacoma, Tacoma Opera, and the North Corner Chamber Orchestra (NOCCO), where they were featured as a soloist in 2023, Florie brings a compelling musical voice to every stage they inhabit. Their work extends into a wide range of collaborations, with frequent appearances alongside Pacific Northwest Ballet, Auburn Symphony Orchestra, and numerous Seattle-area ensembles, reflecting both their adaptability and artistic curiosity.

Beyond the concert hall, Florie’s creative reach includes film scoring and recording projects with Northwest Chamber Orchestra, Rainier Chamber Winds, and Gunnar Madsen of The Bobs. Florie’s debut album, Voices of Trees: Modern Works by Women Composers for Clarinet and Piano, created in collaboration with pianist and composer Rachel Matthews, stands as a thoughtful and evocative contribution to the repertoire, amplifying the voices of women composers through richly expressive performance.

Equally dedicated to education, Florie serves on the faculty of the University of Puget Sound Community Music, and has taught at Central Washington University, Music Works Northwest, Music Center of the Northwest, Vivace Chamber Music Festival, and the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival and Institute. They hold degrees from the University of Arizona, the University of Michigan, and the University of the Pacific, and have studied with esteemed clarinetists Jerry Kirkbride, David Shifrin, and William Dominik.

Learn more about Florie & the Unbound Symphony Musicians at
https://www.unboundsymphony.org/summer-festival-musician-roster-2026

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

06/09/2026

📣✨Soloist Spotlight✨🎉 REBECCA LAWRENCE will perform as Double Bass Soloist at the Unbound Symphony Inaugural Performance! Hear her play the Concerto for Double Bass & Orchestra by Sarah Bassingthwaighte conducted by Anna Edwards on July 10! 7:30PM at Highline Performing Arts Center.

🎟️GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/unboundsymphony/2159859

Rebecca Lawrence grew up in Seattle, and following studies in Los Angeles, Paris, and Frankfurt, moved to Berlin in 2025. Her work with the double bass draws on more than four centuries of musical practice, bringing together historical awareness, contemporary experimentation, and a deep curiosity for sound.

Influenced by interests ranging from social movements and feminism to anthropology, ritual, and natural systems, she collaborates closely with leading composers in today’s European music scene. At the same time, a search for simple musical truth and harmony led her to study early music, which evolved into endless experimentation with the sonic possibilities of early instruments in contemporary contexts.

Rebecca is a member of the Berlin-based Ensemble Kollektiv, and plays often as a guest with a wide range of ensembles and orchestras, including Ensemble Modern, the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, the Basel Sinfonietta, the Folkwang Kammerorchestra, Klangforum Wien, Deutsche Kammerorchester Bremen, and others.

This year, she’s recording her first solo album with producer Weston Olencki, supported by a grant from the Deutscher Orchesterstiftung, exploring the possibilities of contemporary improvised pieces and arrangements on historical instruments.

Photo by Jörg Baumann

The Bass Church

Unbound Symphony

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