The Kona Choral Society Orchestra is made up of principal players of the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, whose mission is to bring quality orchestral music to the Big Island. The collaboration of these two musical organizations blends our island’s gifted singers and musicians in performances of choral masterpieces for the enjoyment of residents and visitors of Hawai‘i Island.

Ursula Vietze – Violin I/Concertmaster 

Ursula is concertmaster of the Kona Choral Society Orchestra since it’s conception and concertmaster of the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra. As manager and founder of MAGIC STRINGS, Ursula provides quality string music for weddings and special events.

She studied at the Conservatory of Music in Frankfurt, Germany, and played with many different orchestras in Germany and the US. She’s been a member of the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestra and the Johann Strauss Orchestra in Germany, and has played with the Honolulu Symphony, Maui Symphony and Maui Pops.

Since 1989, Ursula has lived in Hawaii and teaches violin and piano at her Music Studio in Kona.

Joel Gimpel – Violin II

Joel has been active in Kona’s musical life since retiring from a law career in Chicago and moving to Kona in May 1996.

He is principal second violin and violist with the Kamuela Philharmonic and the KCS Orchestra, plays violin and viola with the MAGIC STRINGS, and is a member of Kona’s Traveling Jewish Wedding Band. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from the U. of Illinois, and a J.D. from IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law.

On the mainland, Joel was a music teacher, conductor and concertmaster of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra; principal cellist with the DuPage Symphony, 1st violinist with the St. Louis Symphony, principal second violin with the Highland Park Strings, as well as jobbing violinist and bass guitarist with several dance and show bands.

Joel has also served as music director for local theatre productions of The Fantastics, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Sound of Music, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Urinetown, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie Get Your Gun, Anything Goes, King & I, Oklahoma!, Wizard of Oz, Evita, Fiddler On The Roof, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Susan McGovern – Viola

Principal Viola with the KCS Orchestra, Susan was born and raised in Hawai’i, and resides in Volcano. She holds a B. Ed. from the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Music Education. She has taught in Hawai‘i and Germany and is a founding member of the Volcano Chamber Players, playing both violin and viola. She also performs with the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, UHH Orchestra, Kamehameha Schools, Magic Strings, Chamber Orchestra of Kona, and other groups. Susan also leads Road Scholar and other educational groups throughout the Hawaiian Islands, sharing our unique natural history and culture with life-long learners.

Sue Garrod has lived in Kona since 2003. Music is a form of time-travel for Sue, enabling her to experience music that has been loved throughout history for decades or centuries, as if the composers are still here today! She enjoys classical, jazz, large orchestral, and small ensemble performances. She is now retired, she teaches piano, and at certain times of the year she is traveling around the world and visiting family. But there is no place like home, and Sue delights in coming home to Kona and our beloved rainbows!

Sue is a Purdue Boilermaker, with electrical engineering B.S. and M.S. degrees, and a Ph.D. in strategic management. Sue was a tenured faculty member of electrical engineering technology at Purdue, then later worked for Cadence Design Systems and Hawaii Electric Light Company. During her years in Indiana, Sue was a member of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, the Lafayette Citizen’s Band, and the Big Swing Band, as well as the Purdue University Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Orchestra. In Hawaii, she has performed with a variety of musical groups, including The Olliephonic Horns big band, Casablanca Jazz Quartet, Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, Kona Choral Society Orchestra, Kona Aloha Singers, Waimea Community Chorus Orchestra, Kahilu Theatre musical productions, Kona’s Jewish Traveling Wedding Band, and other groups.

Sue and the Kona Brass Quintet are grateful for the opportunity to share in the musical performances with the Kona Choral Society. It is a joyful holiday tradition!

Sharon Cannon – Percussionist

Sharon Cannon grew up in Philadelphia and came from a family of dancers and musicians. Sharon has a Music Performance Degree in Percussion from Temple University. She studied with principal percussionists from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet and the Philly Pops. In 1989 Sharon moved to Hawaii due to health issues, where she has since made her home for the last 35+ years.

Sharon is principal Percussionist with the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, Kona Choral Society, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, the West Hawaii County Band. Sharon also played with the Aloha Performing Arts Company for over 25 years. Sharon shares her talent teaching students of all ages. Sharon served as an Officer on the Kamuela Philharmonic board. She has lead the thriving KPOS Education program since 2016.

Sharon enjoys water sports, great entertainment, being in nature, solving puzzles and watching our beautiful Kona sunsets with her loving partner. Sharon’s mission in life is to preserve the integrity and experience of live music. She is happiest when sharing Music.

She is eternally grateful for how Music magically has the power and tendency to bring people together.