Associate Concertmaster

John and Jeanne Blackburn – Associate Concertmaster Chair

Joni Hanze-Bjella is Associate Concertmaster of the Orlando Philharmonic.  A native of Iowa, she graduated from Drake University with degrees in Violin Performance, Piano Performance, and Piano Pedagogy.

She has also played with the Cincinnati Symphony, Florida Symphony, Brevard Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, and Lexington Philharmonic and has held title positions with the South West Florida Symphony Orchestra, Tampa Bay Ballet Orchestra, and Drake Symphony Orchestra.

As a pianist, Ms. Bjella has done extensive accompanying for studios at Stetson University and the University of South Florida. She has also taught piano and violin privately and taught keyboard at both Stetson and Drake Universities.

Ms. Bjella resides in DeLand, Florida with her husband David and daughters Anna and Lauren.