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: Sally McFerren 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 owned Attic Quilts in Downtown Beloit and is now retired.
Musicians’ Representative: Joe Kania is the players’ representative on the board. Joe has played with the BJSO since 2004 and is currently the Principal Clarinetist. He plays in numerous regional orchestras and music groups. He is a resident of Avalon, WI and is currently employed by Dannon North America.
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.
Adam Taylor is a lifelong resident of Rock County who after the being a pipe fitter/tradesman at General Motors was forced to reinvent his life after the plant closing. Moving to Beloit in 2012, he became the co-director of Frontline Youth Initiative and served over 100 young people weekly for 5 years. Adam founded and organized the Stateline Peace Rally in 2016 and has unique connections with the local music scene in Rock County. Adam is currently the Branch Lead for Evoqua Water Technologies in Madison. Adam is looking forward to helping to facilitate a stronger bond between the Orchestra and the general public. Adam is passionate about community and issues that bring us together and has looked actively for other ways to get involved.
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: Sally McFerren 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 owned Attic Quilts in Downtown Beloit and is now retired.
Musicians’ Representative: Joe Kania is the players’ representative on the board. Joe has played with the BJSO since 2004 and is currently the Principal Clarinetist. He plays in numerous regional orchestras and music groups. He is a resident of Avalon, WI and is currently employed by Dannon North America.
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.
Adam Taylor is a lifelong resident of Rock County who after the being a pipe fitter/tradesman at General Motors was forced to reinvent his life after the plant closing. Moving to Beloit in 2012, he became the co-director of Frontline Youth Initiative and served over 100 young people weekly for 5 years. Adam founded and organized the Stateline Peace Rally in 2016 and has unique connections with the local music scene in Rock County. Adam is currently the Branch Lead for Evoqua Water Technologies in Madison. Adam is looking forward to helping to facilitate a stronger bond between the Orchestra and the general public. Adam is passionate about community and issues that bring us together and has looked actively for other ways to get involved.
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.