Laura Champine	Alan W. Taylor	John Widgren	Emma Sutton
Bryan Senti	Terry Klemensen	Michael Hopewell	Sam Baum

I joined Local 802 to up my professionalism and improve my networking. I sing and play trombone. My most recent gig was playing trombone and singing backup with an Afrobeat band. My near-term musical goal is to get more singing gigs.
Laura Champine

I recently moved to New York from London where I was a member of the U.K. musicians’ union. As sub principal bass with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia for 15 years, I recognize the importance of belonging to a union that works to develop and protect the interests of its members. My musical goal is to benefit from the stimulus of New York’s rich musical life and enjoy working as a composer and bass player with great people. One of my most recent gigs was with pianist and music director Matt Castle; we recorded a new song by composer/lyricist Charles Bloom.
Alan W. Taylor

I had been a member of Local 802 for many years and recently re-joined to play pedal steel in a union musical. I am a proud lifelong union supporter from a union family. I believe in the goals of labor unions in general and the AFM specifically. I have traveled around the world as a musician. I love my job. My goals are to continue to pursue my life’s work and my joy, which includes live performance, recording, teaching and pedal steel guitar tech and repair. I also play dobro and other guitars.
John Widgren

I joined Local 802 so that I could continue to sub with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra after moving to NYC. I came here to mentor with David Chan, the co-concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera, as I pursue my M.M. at Juilliard. My ultimate goal is to become a concertmaster, but my immediate wish is to connect with artists throughout the city. One of my most recent gigs was playing with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra after I won a position on the substitute list. My principal instrument is violin.
Emma Sutton

I joined the union after getting my first union gig, which was playing violin on an AmEx commercial for the wonderful guys over at Human. My musical goal in New York City is to develop my company (Found Objects Music Productions) and to tackle exciting and challenging projects. I recently helped Rufus Wainwright create string arrangements for his upcoming album with Mark Ronson and I also conducted the recording session. I’ve worked with Rufus for years, most notably on his opera “Prima Donna.” My principal instrument is violin.
Bryan Senti

Before I moved to New York I had worked as a musician in Anchorage, Alaska for over 20 years. I had the pleasure of performing on bass with the touring groups of “Chorus Line,” “Camelot” and “Porgy & Bess” when they came to town. My goal when I found out I was moving to New York City was to be able to sub on Broadway or Off Broadway. However, that did not happen and I let my union membership lapse. Then I met bassist Steve Count while I was performing as the principal bassist for the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra. We had conversations about subbing on Broadway and other theater work so I have brought my membership current in hopes of realizing my musical dream. I perform on both acoustic bass and electric. My longest gig since moving here in 2005 has been as the bassist for the show band on the Caribbean Princess and for Crystal Cruises.
Terry Klemensen

I joined Local 802 after I was contracted to play in the pit orchestra for North Shore Music Theater – an awesome union gig. I served as assistant music director and also played second keyboards. It was my first union gig and I’m super proud of it! My musical goal in NYC, for right now, is to sub in pit orchestras and build a network of music directors and fellow musicians who can get to know my work and my playing. My principal instrument is piano/keyboards.
Michael Hopewell

I joined Local 802 to be more a part of the music community. I play jazz piano and also klezmer music. I want to continue to play, study and improve as a musician in New York. I play the first Saturday of every month at the Greenwich Village Bistro.
Sam Baum