people

Music Director

Scott
Vanden Berg

With 25 years in music education, Scott has been the Music Director of the Calvin Community Symphony since 2019. Scott is a dynamic, highly skilled director recognized for excellence in musical leadership. In 2014, Scott was awarded the John P. Varineau Outstanding Music Educator Award by the Grand Rapids Symphony.

A native of Iowa, Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Dordt College and a Master of Music degree in conducting from California State University, Long Beach. 

In addition to his work with the Calvin Community Symphony, Scott is the Director of instrumental music at Holland Christian High School, and Director of the Holland Bach Society, the Holland American Legion Band, and the 14th Street Christian Reformed Church choir and orchestra. Scott enjoys serving as a guest conductor and clinician for schools and music festivals around the country.

Scott lives in Holland, MI, with his wife, Susan, and their three children, Ella, Abram, and Charlotte. 

musicians

  • Eric Stone, Timpani/Percussion, Data Technician
    John Kasica, Percussion, Retired Percussionist
    Mark Smith, Percussion, Calvin Student
    Steve Triezenberg, Percussion, Retired Professor

  • Paula Kasica, Piccolo/Flute, Flute Teacher & Grandparent
    Laura Sutherland, Flute, Nursing Faculty, Nurse Practitioner
    Meredith Krebs, Flute, Customer Loyalty & Relations
    David H. Van Dyke, Flute, Retired Physician

    Stephanie Walters, Clarinet, Music Educator
    Nicholas J. Valenziano, Clarinet, Retired Music Educator
    Rose Wiersma, Bass, Clarinet, Zeeland Community Band Director and Retired Music Educator

    Patricia Gordon, Oboe/English horn, Adjunct music professor, GVSU
    Alanna Rynders, Oboe, Retired Teacher

    Peggy Bentley Patrick, Bassoon, Retired Music Educator
    Tim DeYoung, Bassoon/Contra Bassoon, Elementary Music Teacher

  • Becky Buyze, French Horn, Musician
    Cheryl Hoogewind    , French Horn, Calvin University Music Administrative Assistant
    Elizabeth Tuininga, French Horn, Stay-at-Home Mom/Musician/Coach
    Susan Wygmans, French Horn, Optician

    Glenn Jarrell, Trumpet, Accountant
    Jonathan Karnes, Trumpet, Molecular Biologist

    Craig Bierenga, Trombone, Lawn Care Professional
    Bob De Weerd, Trombone, High School English Teacher
    Ben Huisman, Trombone, Stay-at-Home Dad

    Tim Cary, Tuba, Software Support

  • Mary Beth Klooster Hillyard, Violin, Retired Orchestra Teacher/grandma
    Sarah Bratt, Violin, Nurse Practitioner
    Sarah Helder, Violin, IT Operations Developer at Tekton
    Steve Starnes, Violin, Financial Advisor
    Ryan Pott, Violin, Violin & Piano Teacher
    Linda Blakemore, Violin, Orchestra Teacher

    Julie Bowden, Violin, Stay at Home Grandma
    Laurie Boomers, Violin, Music Teacher
    Lis Hatfield, Violin, Graduate Student and Stay-at-Home Parent
    Leslie Hulst, Violin, Mom, Volunteer, Musician
    Lynn Khadija, Violin, Retired Teacher
    Susan A Stoddard, Violin, Finance
    Lisa Van Dyke, Violin, Registered Dietitian

    Claire Schaar, Viola, Medical Student
    MaryEllen Bloem, Viola, Hospice Nurse
    Pete Colburn , Viola, Automotive parts manufacturing
    Natasha Dykstra, Viola, Teacher
    Dot Hekman, Viola, Retired math teacher
    Audrey Pyper, Viola, Service/Restaurant Industry
    Deb Rienstra, Viola, Calvin University Professor of English
    Abigail VandenBosch, Viola, Admin. Assistant

    Luke Tilma, Cello, Medical Resident
    Pablo Mahave-Vegila,     Cello, Professional Musician
    Carolyn Muyskens    , Cello, Reporter, Holland Sentinel
    James Newton, Cello, Physician

    Roy Adams, Bass, Software Engineer
    Traci Montgomery    , Bass, Consumer Insights Manager, BISSELL
    Ron Rienstra, Bass, Seminary Professor
    Jmar Tabay Bongado, Bass, Music Student

    Jennifer Jacobs, Harp, Stay at Home Mom

Personnel Manager and librarian

ROB
KRATZ-HAHN

Rob Kratz-Hahn serves as the Personnel Manager and Librarian for the Calvin Community Symphony. In addition to his roles with the CCS, he works at Corewell Health as the Pharmacy Technician Education Coordinator. Prior to moving to Grand Rapids in 2021, Rob worked at the Flint Institute of Music for 12 years as a percussion instructor and program/concert coordinator.

Also a musician, Rob has been the Principal Timpanist with the Midland Symphony Orchestra since 2009, and performs regularly with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.

Rob holds degrees in Percussion Performance from Western Michigan University and Cleveland State University, and a post-graduate certificate in world music from Oakland University.

Rob lives in Belmont with his wife, son, 2 dogs and cat.

Board Members

  • Julie Bowden

    President

  • Bob Deweerd

    Vice President

  • Susan Stoddard

    Treasurer

  • Cheryl Hoogewind

    Calvin Music Department Liaison

  • Mary Beth Klooster Hillyard

    Concertmaster

  • Lis Hatfield

    Marketing and Public Relations Manager

  • Jon Karnes

    Board Member

  • Sarah Helder

    Board Member

support the music

The Calvin Community Symphony thrives on the support of our audiences, members, and community at large. Your financial gifts enable us to play the music we love for audiences to enjoy.