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, Anna Kate Mackle

Anna Kate Mackle has served as the principal harpist of The Florida Orchestra, the Dick and Helen Minck Chair, since 1999. She also served as principal harpist and faculty at the now defunct Eastern Music Festival for 25 years until the management and board voted to dissolve
the festival after the faculty voted overwhelmingly to unionize. Mackle will now serve as principal harpist and faculty at the Eastern Festival of Music, a new festival that was created by a group of dedicated former EMF donors to take the place of the one that was shut down.
Mackle and her husband, principal percussionist John Shaw, were featured on the cover of the International Musician (April, 2025) and Mackle wrote the cover story for Senza Sordino (December, 2024) about the EMF faculty’s struggle with management, and she was a speaker
at the 2024 ICSOM Conference and the 2025 ROPA Conference on the subject. Mackle has served on the Orchestra Committee of The Florida Orchestra many times, including during several contract negotiations, and she also served on the TFO board for several years. Mackle is Lecturer in Harp at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and prior to joining The Florida Orchestra she served as principal harpist of the The New World Symphony, the Colorado Music Festival, the Spoleto Festivals in Italy and the U.S., the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Sarasota Opera Orchestra.
Mackle is a six-time concerto soloist with The Florida Orchestra, and, along with her husband, is a founding member of the Mackle Shaw Duo, a chamber music duo that commissions and performs music for harp and percussion. The Mackle Shaw Duo has been awarded commissioning grants from the City of St. Petersburg, the New World Symphony, Creative Pinellas, The Palladium Theater St. Petersburg, and the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance to commission works from such composers as Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, Mattea Williams, Michael Ippolito, Daniel Black, Nathan Daughtrey, and The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker.
Mackle was born in New York City and grew up in Stamford, CT and Westfield, NJ. While in high school she attended the preparatory departments of the Mannes and Manhattan Schools of Music, and played piano, harp, violin, flute, piccolo, and trumpet. Mackle received a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from Baldwin-Wallace University, and a Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Alice Chalifoux during both degree programs. In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her cats, Brian and Steve.

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, 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, 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.

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”.

Executive Board Member-Emeritus, 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.