Jody Morrissette, Principal Violin II

In her fifth season with the Columbia Symphony, Ms. Morrissette shares the growing excitement for the unique programming and musical encounters with the group.

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Ms. Morrissette holds degrees in music and music therapy and is board certified as a music therapist. Her professional life has taken her from concert halls to pediatric intensive care units; from cathedral church services to Alzheimer patients; from the recording studio to the living room smile as her two young daughters choose opera over Barney.

Previous memorable experiences include the honor of a duet performance with Isaac Stern, the eccentric world of studio recording in Hollywood, theater and opera orchestras, chamber groups, radio, schools, movie soundtracks, playing Irish tunes on the roof of the car in traffic jams, and of course family weddings. When asked why she is drawn to play with the orchestra, Ms. Morrissette replies, "you just can't compare the collective breath before the first beat, or the shared exhale as the last note resonates in a thousand ears at once."