THE BJSO Board of directors
President: Ellen Knutson is a resident of Janesville, WI. She has been part of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra for more than fifty years. A graduate of Beloit College, Ms. Knutson was inducted into the United Arts Alliance Hall of Fame in 2007.
Vice-President: Larry Arft is the former City Manager of Beloit, having served from 2003 – 2015. He is the recipient of the Ken Hendricks Community Spirit Award presented by the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, and the Beloit Daily News Headliner Award. Larry is an active member of his community, and is a member of long-standing of the Beloit Rotary Club.
Treasurer: Yuri Rashkin is an Instructor in Communications at UW-Whitewater. A former City Council Member of Janesville, he currently serves on Rock County Board of Supervisors representing District 15, which includes Beloit College and downtown Beloit area. Yuri is affiliated with many community organizations and community development efforts in Rock County.
Secretary: Paula Colling is a Beloit resident and has worked for Blackhawk Bank, TRICOR Insurance, and most recently in Madison as a consultant and HSA Specialist.
Musicians’ Representative: Sally McFerren is the players’ representative on the board. She has been involved with the symphony for 50 years as a violinist, board member and volunteer; she also plays violin in several local chamber groups. Sally owns Attic Quilts in Downtown Beloit.
Members at Large:
Carol Fosshage is a Janesville resident and a former elementary school vocal music teacher. She was a music copyist and executive assistant for BJSO’s conductor Dr. Crawford Gates. Her community affiliations include the MacDowell Music Club, the AAUW, and the Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mark Preuschl is a member of the Beloit City Council. A lifetime hobby of volunteering to help improve and promote the Greater Beloit area now manifests itself through his photographs and online contributions. This community champion attends numerous community events, taking photographs, documenting and sharing Beloit’s modern renaissance.
Vice-President: Larry Arft is the former City Manager of Beloit, having served from 2003 – 2015. He is the recipient of the Ken Hendricks Community Spirit Award presented by the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, and the Beloit Daily News Headliner Award. Larry is an active member of his community, and is a member of long-standing of the Beloit Rotary Club.
Treasurer: Yuri Rashkin is an Instructor in Communications at UW-Whitewater. A former City Council Member of Janesville, he currently serves on Rock County Board of Supervisors representing District 15, which includes Beloit College and downtown Beloit area. Yuri is affiliated with many community organizations and community development efforts in Rock County.
Secretary: Paula Colling is a Beloit resident and has worked for Blackhawk Bank, TRICOR Insurance, and most recently in Madison as a consultant and HSA Specialist.
Musicians’ Representative: Sally McFerren is the players’ representative on the board. She has been involved with the symphony for 50 years as a violinist, board member and volunteer; she also plays violin in several local chamber groups. Sally owns Attic Quilts in Downtown Beloit.
Members at Large:
Carol Fosshage is a Janesville resident and a former elementary school vocal music teacher. She was a music copyist and executive assistant for BJSO’s conductor Dr. Crawford Gates. Her community affiliations include the MacDowell Music Club, the AAUW, and the Sigma Alpha Iota.
Mark Preuschl is a member of the Beloit City Council. A lifetime hobby of volunteering to help improve and promote the Greater Beloit area now manifests itself through his photographs and online contributions. This community champion attends numerous community events, taking photographs, documenting and sharing Beloit’s modern renaissance.
ADVISORY BOARD
Melissa Dunn is a Beloit native with family ties to the community dating back over 100 years. She is currently the Senior Global Director of Human Resources for Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global science company.
Derek Hahn is an Assistant Vice President with BMO Wealth Management, where he works as a Senior Financial Advisor. This Clinton native’s appreciation of the arts was nurtured by his orchestra directors, longtime BJSO musicians Kay Schultz and the late Ann Harsevoort.
Derek Hahn is an Assistant Vice President with BMO Wealth Management, where he works as a Senior Financial Advisor. This Clinton native’s appreciation of the arts was nurtured by his orchestra directors, longtime BJSO musicians Kay Schultz and the late Ann Harsevoort.