THE BJSO Board of directors
President: Joe Kania
Vice President: Michael Megurdichian is a 1983 graduate from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music degree in education. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Megurdichian has performed as a clarinetist with many groups throughout Northern Illinois. He is a founding member of the Rockford Wind Ensemble serving as the organization’s first Treasurer. Mr. Megurdichian considers it an honored to serve on the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
Secretary: Mellisa Allen
Treasurer: J. Sam Keller
Musicians' Representative: Danielle Hudson
Mary Porter was born and raised in Mineral Points Wi. After High School graduation, she went to Luther College with the intent to pursuing a major in music. She transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music. Later she received a masters in Early Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Mary arrived in Beloit in 1963 to teach Kindergarten and enjoyed a 40 year career teaching for the School District of Beloit. She also met and married Daryl Porter and together, they raised two daughters, Amy and Beth. Daryl died in 2015 and eventually Mary met Sam Keller and they share a love of music plus many other activities including concerts, theater, art, dancing , biking, playing cards (especially bridge) cooking, entertaining, church, bible study, and other musical performances.
Vice President: Michael Megurdichian is a 1983 graduate from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music degree in education. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Megurdichian has performed as a clarinetist with many groups throughout Northern Illinois. He is a founding member of the Rockford Wind Ensemble serving as the organization’s first Treasurer. Mr. Megurdichian considers it an honored to serve on the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra board of directors.
Secretary: Mellisa Allen
Treasurer: J. Sam Keller
Musicians' Representative: Danielle Hudson
Mary Porter was born and raised in Mineral Points Wi. After High School graduation, she went to Luther College with the intent to pursuing a major in music. She transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Platteville and received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music. Later she received a masters in Early Education from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. Mary arrived in Beloit in 1963 to teach Kindergarten and enjoyed a 40 year career teaching for the School District of Beloit. She also met and married Daryl Porter and together, they raised two daughters, Amy and Beth. Daryl died in 2015 and eventually Mary met Sam Keller and they share a love of music plus many other activities including concerts, theater, art, dancing , biking, playing cards (especially bridge) cooking, entertaining, church, bible study, and other musical performances.
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. Carol hold a Lifetime Membership on the Board.