President, Tihda Vongkoth
As a mid-career millennial, Tihda Vongkoth (she/they) has found belonging in various communities, including the Lao diaspora, with able-bodied people, and in certain Queer spaces. She’s proud to be a partner, a loving dog/plant/fish/turtle parent, a step-grandparent, a sister, daughter, friend, and neighbor. Tihda speaks standard American English, though they grew up hearing a rich blend of Lao English and African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Tihda grew up in Largo, Florida, and attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. They received a B.M. in Percussion Performance from Southern Methodist University and a M.M. in Percussion Performance from Temple University.
Tihda is passionate about building musical partnerships rooted in mutual consent and accountability—small but meaningful steps toward dismantling systems of oppression, which naturally led to an interest in unionism. In 2019, she founded Modern Marimba, a performing arts group and series. Its impact has been profound, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when it connected mallet keyboard musicians and audiences worldwide. Now, they’re continuing to grow the mission in Sarasota and throughout Southwest Florida.
As a performer, Tihda has showcased her talents as a marimba soloist with The Florida Orchestra, the United States Air Force Band, and the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra. They’ve also performed as a percussionist with the Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Unidos de Vila Isabel and at renowned festivals such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, and Brevard Music Festival. Additionally, Tihda has been an extra percussionist with The Florida Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Sarasota, Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, and more.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Tihda resides in Sarasota.
Vice-President, Warren Powell
Warren Powell has been a member of The Florida Orchestra viola section since 1984.
He has served as The Florida Orchestra’s Union Steward and International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) Delegate for many years and has been a member of, as well as chaired, numerous Collective Bargaining Agreements negotiating teams for the musicians of TFO.
He is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy and has received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music and an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Originally from Kirkland, Washington, Warren resides in St. Petersburg.
Secretary-Treasurer, Richard Sparrow
Richard Sparrow has served as the Secretary-Treasurer of Local 427-721 since 2005. He originally joined the AFM in Atlanta in 1980, earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Columbus State University, and earned a Master’s degree in Performance from the University of South Florida. Richard joined the Horn section of The Florida Orchestra in 1984 and became involved in Local 721 (Tampa) as a Board member in 1986. He eventually took over as President and was instrumental in facilitating the merger of the Tampa and St Petersburg Locals’ into AFM Local 427-721 in 1990. Since becoming Secretary-Treasurer in 2005, the Local has become more stable financially, and currently provides Collective Bargaining negotiation support and an onsite steward to The Florida Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra and Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
“Through teaching the next generation of musicians at local colleges and my extensive union activity, I feel that I am giving back to our community in the best way that I am able.”
Executive Board Member-At-Large, Carmen Bannon
Carmen is a flutist with the Sarasota Orchestra. She plays extra/substitute with The Florida Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic.
She was previously Principal Piccolo with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria and has also played with the Dresden Philharmonic on tour, Charlottesville Opera, Crested Butte Music Festival, Alaska Festival of Music and extra with the Colorado Music festival and Oklahoma Symphony.
She had one year teaching appointments with the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Florida. Her late father, Harry T. Newell was very active in the area and Local as a musician and contractor. She is married to timpanist John Bannon and has two children – Liz and Kelsey.
Executive Board Member-At-Large, Alison Heydt
Alison Heydt has been a union member since she was 16, having grown up in the pro-labor environment of Bethlehem, PA, the home of Bethlehem Steel. She has been a violist with The Florida Orchestra since 1992, having attended Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music, followed by two years in the New World Symphony in Miami. During her time with TFO, she has served on a variety of committees for that orchestra, including the Orchestra Committee, which is responsible for contract negotiations. She also teaches violin and viola privately and plays the occasional gig around the Tampa Bay area. Alison has been honored to serve the Local as a member of the executive board of Local 427-721 since 2006.
Executive Board Member-At-Large, Mark Neuenschwander
Mark Neuenschwander is known as one of Florida’s finest bassists and busiest musicians. In addition to playing for over 130 Broadway national tours, Billy Eckstine, Cab Calloway, Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, The Florida Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, Tampa Bay Opera, Philharmonia Virtuosi, Eddie Arnold, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Andrea Bocelli, Herb Alpert, Yanni, Chick Corea, The Moody Blues and the 5th Dimension are a few of the artists and groups who have benefited from his versatility.
Mark is the musician contractor for many venues in Florida including the David A. Straz Center, Dr. Phillips Center, Kravis Center, Asolo Rep, and for numerous artists and producers. Also respected as an educator/clinician, Mark is currently on the faculties of the University of South Florida and Southeastern University, and previously Eckerd College, St. Petersburg College, New College, Hillsborough Community College and the Pinellas County Center for the Arts.
Executive Board Member-At-Large, Jeanie Phelan
Jeanie is a violist and is originally from Daytona Beach, FL. She joined the AFM in 1992 and has been an AFM member in Locals in Orlando, Dallas, Shreveport LA, and finally here – Local 427-721 for almost 20 years. She is a graduate of Stetson University and Northwestern University. Jeanie currently is Section Per-Service Viola of Sarasota Orchestra and formerly the Assistant Principal Viola of the Southwest Florida Symphony. She subs regularly in Naples Philharmonic, Florida Orchestra, and Orlando Philharmonic. Jeanie also works part-time in the Local office as an assistant to Richard Sparrow.
Executive Board Member-At-Large, Harold Van Schaik
Harold Van Schaik was appointed bass trombonist with The Florida Orchestra in 1993. Previously he had been with the Honolulu Symphony for three seasons. He has also performed as a substitute or extra musician with the Chicago Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Kansas City Symphony and numerous other orchestras across the U.S. Harold received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was also awarded the prestigious Performers Certificate.
Outside the symphony world, Harold is an active soloist, clinician, chamber musician and jazz performer. He was awarded first prize at the International Trombone Association solo competition in 1987. He has presented recitals and master classes at Universities and Brass Workshops throughout the country. Harold has also been a featured performer at both the American and International Trombone Festivals in addition to performing as a soloist with the U.S. Military Academy Band, U.S. Army Orchestra, the New Mexico Wind Band, the Honolulu Symphony, The Florida Orchestra and several university performing ensembles. He also performs as a member of the Nay Palm Bones trombone quartet with recordings on the Summit label.
In the jazz and commercial fields, Van Schaik has played with the big bands of Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown and Jimmy Dorsey in addition to touring with Natalie Cole, Steve & Eydie, Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra, Jr. He has also recorded numerous soundtracks for movies and television shows, TV and radio jingles as well as background tracks for pop artists. In addition, Harold has performed as a pit musician for several major musicals including “Phantom”, “Les Mis”, “Miss Saigon”, and “Cats”.