ORCHESTRA
The White Bear Lake orchestra program was established in 2015. The program has been continuously growing as we add a grade level each year. There will be a full Grade 5-12 orchestra program by the 2022-23 school year. The ultimate goal of the WBL Orchestra program is to create a community of life long music makers. Come and enjoy an upcoming performance!
More information for our Students can be found on the school Orchestra website by clicking here:
Katie Manley
(North HS, Matoska International, Birch Lake Orchestra)
Mrs. Manley graduated in 2013 from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with an Instrumental Music Education
degree. While there she performed in the University Orchestra where she was concertmaster as well as Chamber Orchestra, various quartets, Women's Concert Chorale, and the Blugold Marching Band. She has also performed with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, the East Metro Symphony Orchestra, Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, and St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra on violin and viola. Mrs. Manley currently performs with the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. Outside of school Mrs. Manley enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing, and board games! She lives in White Bear Lake with her husband Kyle, dog Daisy and cat Luna.
Todd Weinhold
(Sunrise Orchestra)
A bit of an adventurer, Mr. Weinhold has spent the past 17 years running orchestra programs all over the planet. In addition to singing karaoke with Tibetan monks in the Himalayas, he also has been invited to guest direct middle school honor orchestras in Singapore, Philippines, and China; he also only eats food which begin with the letter "C" (all of that is true except for the last bit). He moved back to Minnesota from his previous home in Bangkok, Thailand where he joined the music team at Sunrise Middle School. Mr. Weinhold sees orchestra as an opportunity to make the day a better day, and while he takes great satisfaction in helping young musicians to play better than they ever thought they could, what he sees as the best part of his job is just seeing an orchestra room full of smiles! Also, Mr. Weinhold's socks rarely match. And if they do, it's definitely by accident.
Janet Elliot
(Oneka, Otter Lake, Vadnais Heights Orchestra)
Ms. Elliott began her musical journey in 6th grade when she first picked up her primary instrument, the upright bass. She continued to play through grade school, and ended up at McNally Smith College of Music in 2011 to pursue a career in bass performance. While there, she played different styles of music from rock and hip-hop, to jazz and musical theater. In 2015, she transferred to Augsburg University to pursue a degree in Instrumental Music Education, where she was able to polish her skills as a bassist in the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra, and eventually graduate with her degree in 2018. Currently, Ms. Elliott plays in the Northern Symphony Orchestra out of Anoka, Minnesota, as well as for theater events and weddings around the Twin Cities. Ms. Elliott lives in Saint Paul with her three dogs, Walter, Roger, and Dixie, and her senior cat, Rudy. Outside of school. Ms. Elliott loves to take long trips to the dog park with her three lovely dogs, play music with her friends, and watch way too much Netflix.
Rebecca Plachy
(Central Orchestra)
Ms. Plachy graduated in 2015 from Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. While she was there, she performed in the Concordia Orchestra, Symphonia Orchestra, and Echo Band. Her main instrument is the violin, but she also played the viola and the bass in the Symphonia Orchestra, along with the tuba in Echo Band. She has also performed in other community orchestras, including the Monticello Summer Strings and the Buffalo Community orchestra. Ms. Plachy previously taught 6-8th grade orchestra in Brooklyn Park, MN. She is from Monticello, MN, but currently lives in River Falls, WI. Outside of school and music, Ms. Plachy enjoys hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and drag racing!
Emily Rau
(Lakeaires, Willow, Lincoln Orchestra)
​
Meet the Staff