Gary Martin: Founder of Puget Sound Alphorns — Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Alphorn, Langnauerli
Gary getting ready for ALPHORN 555 |
Gary began playing alphorn shortly before his retirement. He is Emeritus Associate Teaching Professor of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, University of Washington, Seattle. He and his wife Cathy celebrated his retirement in 2021 with a 4-week trip to Switzerland. During a visit to Walter Bachmann's Alphorn Workshop in Eggiwil (Emmental), Gary ordered an alphorn. After the trip, Gary began learning about the history of the alphorn, which led to his translation into English of two books on the topic (see here). In 2023 Gary and Cathy celebrated their 50th anniversary in Switzerland, when Gary picked up his Bachmann alphorn. In late 2023 he began to spread the joy of alphorn-playing throughout Puget Sound. In 2024 Gary participated in ALPHORN 555 where the new Guinness World Record for the Largest Alphorn Ensemble was set. Gary plays trumpet with the Mukilteo Community Orchestra and trumpet & flugelhorn with the Edmonds Senior Swingers Orchestra.
UW Link / CV Link |
Tim Leese — Trumpet, Horn, Tuba, Guitar, Alphorn, Vocalist
Tim playing at a holiday alphorn concert in Leavenworth, WA |
Tim started playing trumpet in the sixth grade in Coupeville, WA and joined the Junior/Senior school band. He began playing the French horn his freshman year, played in the Washington State Honor Band his junior year, and the following summer in the All American Youth Honor Band on trumpet. He taught himself to play guitar and formed a rock band, in which he was also a vocalist. In college he played French horn and tuba. Tim began music composition and in 1980 produced a jazz/fusion album of his compositions named "After Hours." The album received national airplay and was under contract with First American Records.
Jazz and rock groups, middle school orchestras and local community bands have performed his compositions. He is currently conductor of the Edmonds Senior Swingers Orchestra and a member of the Edmonds Sound Singers. Tim began playing alphorn in 2023 and is one of the founding members of Puget Sound Alphorns. |
Amie playing alphorn at the Edmonds waterfront |
After completing her Konzertreifediplom (concert diploma) at the Music Conservatory Winterthur-Zurich, Switzerland (1998–2001), Amie was professionally engaged in the Theater Pforzheim, Germany (2001–2007). Since returning to the U.S. in 2007, Amie has played with Northwest Sinfonietta, Bellevue Philharmonic, Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra (where she is now Principal Horn), and Fifth Avenue Theater, where in December 2024 Amie performed with the pit orchestra for all 38 shows of Mary Poppins. Amie has subbed in the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, Federal Way Philharmonic, Village Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Auburn Symphony Orchestra, and Saratoga Orchestra. Amie also serves as coach and adjudicator for the Cascade Youth Symphony. In 2024 Amie acquired her own alphorn and is one of the founding members of Puget Sound Alphorns as well as Admin for the "Alphorn enthusiasts of Puget Sound" Facebook group. |
Ryan Stewart — Horn, Alphorn
Ryan playing alphorn at the Edmonds waterfront |
After completing his Konzertreifediplom (concert diploma) at the Music Conservatory Winterthur-Zurich, Switzerland (1998–2001), Ryan was a freelance musician in the area of Stuttgart, Germany. Upon returning to the U.S. in 2007, Ryan became a member of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra. He has played with Northwest Sinfonietta, Bellevue Philharmonic, Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra and Fifth Avenue Theater. Ryan has also subbed with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Opera. In 2024 Ryan acquired his own alphorn and is one of the founding members of Puget Sound Alphorns. |
Gordon Ullmann — Trumpet, Baroque Natural Trumpet, Alphorn
Gordon at an event with the Saratoga Orchestra on Whidbey Island |
Gordon has performed with a variety of orchestras, musical theaters, polka bands, and chamber groups during the last 35 years in the Puget Sound area. Currently, Gordon is a member of Saratoga Orchestra Whidbey Island, polka bands (the “Oompah-sters” and The Bavarian Village band), the Seattle Bach Festival Orchestra, Epiphany Parish Seattle and Blessed Sacrament Parish Seattle. He has recorded a CD as a founding member of the Seattle Trumpet Consort. Gordon is also project manager for a landscape construction company in Seattle. He lives on the fourth longest and largest island in the contiguous United States (Whidbey Island). Gordon acquired his own alphorn in 2023 and is one of the founding members of Puget Sound Alphorns. |
Harlan Feinstein — Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Alphorn
Harlan with his new
Thomann Matterhörnli alphorn |
Harlan Feinstein is a versatile brass musician with decades of experience performing on trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba. Based in Seattle, he has played with ensembles spanning jazz, classical, and rock genres. His diverse career recently includes performing with the Seattle Kraken "Red Alert" pep band, several big bands, and the horn section of Blue Velvet Groove. He has also played with brass groups, orchestras, and jazz ensembles across the country. A seasoned musical theater musician, Harlan has performed in hundreds of pit orchestras ranging from theater classics and modern hits to eclectic rarities. His recording credits include some film scores and studio albums, and he remains an active force in the Pacific Northwest music scene. |
Rob Nofsinger — Alphorn
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Rob began playing the alphorn after attending the 2023 Leavenworth Alphorn Workshop & Festival. Other than the obligatory year of piano when he was young, the alphorn is his first musical instrument. He enjoys playing recreationally, especially on beautiful hikes in the mountains.
Left:
Rob with his new 6-piece
Thomann Bergsteiger Alphorn
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More to come...
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