flute oboe clarinet bassoon horn
The Musicians
Peggy Greb, Flute
Peggy Holleran Greb has been principal flutist with the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra since its inception, now embarking on its 32nd season. Peggy has been a featured soloist with the orchestra many times. She has also been a guest performer with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic and Undercroft Opera orchestra.
Every summer Peggy spends a week at the renowned Chamber Music Conference and Composer's Forum of the East, preparing and performing chamber pieces for wind quintet and other combinations. Peggy has performed in the world premiere of no fewer than eight original compositions by guest composers at this forum.
Outside of pursuing her love of music, Peggy has worked as a technical editor for engineering magazines and books, and is an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Select Realty.
She has three children and is married to local composer and cellist, Paul Critser.
amelia van howe, oboe
Amelia Van Howe is an oboist and freelancer in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. She earned her Artist Diploma at Duquesne University where she studied with Scott Bell. She earned her Master of Music from Duquesne University and her Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University where she studied with Jan Eberle. Ms. Van Howe is in high demand as an orchestral performer. She has substituted with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania), the Jackson Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), the Edgewood Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania) and regularly performs with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra, the Duquesne University Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Savoyards. She has also performed with the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Band. In addition to her performance, Ms. Van Howe is a professional oboe reed maker for MKL Reeds and is the sole owner and reed maker for Sunshine Reeds. She was a finalist in the 2016 Naftzger Young Artists Auditions & Music Awards competition (Kansas) and the 2014 Coeur d'Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition (Idaho). She was a winner of the 2014 First United Methodist Church of Birmingham Young Artist Competition (Michigan) and took third place in the 2014 White Lake Chamber Music Festival Solo Performance Competition (Michigan). Ms. Van Howe shares her apartment with her fiance Robert and their two rabbits, Rosina and Figaro. In her spare time, she enjoys hot yoga, foreign cinema, and crossword puzzles.
alex k. jones, clarinet
Alex Jones has a B.A. in clarinet performance from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He is currently the Principal clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic. He has also played clarinet and Eb clarinet for the Edgewood Symphony and the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Prior to his time in Pittsburgh, he was Principal clarinet of the Northwestern Philharmonia and Summer Orchestras in Evanston Illinois, the Principal clarinetist for the Sinfonicron Light Opera Orchestra in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was the Principal clarinetist in the All Virginia Honors Orchestra in 1994, and a member of the Virginia All District XII honors bands from 1991-1993, and the Principal player in 1993. He has been an invited featured soloist for the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, Northwestern Philharmonia Orchestra, University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the William and Mary Symphony Orchestra. He also received the John Philip Sousa Award. As a chamber musician, he is currently the clarinetist of the Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh. In 2006 he founded the Morningside Trio (clarinet, cello, and piano). He has also performed with a variety of ensembles in Virginia and Illinois and recently toured with players from the Roanoke Symphony. Alex Jones has a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Northwestern University and is currently a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Director of Computer Engineering, and MCSI Sustainability Faculty Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh.
steve ehrin, bassoon
Steve is native to the Pittsburgh area. He attended Duquesne University, where he earned his degree in bassoon performance. As a freelance musician, he has performed with various regional orchestras and other music ensembles in the western Pennsylvania area including the American Wind Symphony, Butler Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Erie Philharmonic, Johnstown Symphony, McKeesport Symphony, OvreArts Sinfonia, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Westmoreland Symphony and Wheeling Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed with the Edgewood Symphony, Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra, Pittsburgh Philharmonic, the Undercroft Opera Company, North Suburban Symphonic Band and Big Band. His primary career is in musical instrument repair, specializing in servicing woodwind and brass instruments.
deborah mcdowell, horn
Originally from Olean, NY, Debbie has performed extensively in the Pittsburgh area and beyond. In addition to being a member of the Aeolian Winds, she is also a member of the Brass Roots and the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed with the Wheeling Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Opera Festival, Westmoreland Symphony, Firelands Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, Quantum Theatre and Microscopic Opera.
Debbie received degrees in horn from Carnegie Mellon University and Youngstown State University. Her principal teachers were Steve Kostyniak of the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Bill Slocum, formerly of the Cleveland Symphony. In addition to performing and teaching, Debbie enjoys spending time with her two precious Pomeranians, renovating her house, playing piano, and teaching some of the most animated and talented young students in Pittsburgh.