Brazos Valley Youth String Chamber Orchestra is now Unity in Strings!
Meet Our Musicians
Who We Are
Marianne Henry
Founder & CEO
For over thirty years, Marianne has passionately taught private lessons and passed her passion and love for the violin and music to others, including her son. Through these lessons, she knows the importance of family support and what the lack of support ultimately means. Marianne is hopeful to change the statistics of underrepresented peoples in the classical field by cultivating an encouraging learning environment for families in Bryan College Station. She has a vision of having the most diverse string chamber youth orchestra in the region to enhance and fortify strings in the BCS area.
Joseph Daigle
Conductor & Director of
the Family Orchestra
Joseph Daigle spent most of his childhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, although since then, he has lived in many different parts of the country. He graduated with his Bachelor of Music degree in Bassoon Performance from Southeastern Louisiana University and then received a Master of Music in Pedagogy and Performance with a double emphasis in Orchestral Conducting and Bassoon Performance from Oklahoma State University. He is passionate about both music and education, and in addition to his duties as an orchestra director at Rudder High School in Bryan ISD, he is an active singer-songwriter and performer. He teaches bassoon lessons at his home in College Station where he lives with his two children and wife. Joe is the co-founder, artistic director, and conductor of the Brazos Civic Orchestra, which is a non-profit group dedicated to creating a welcoming space for area musicians to play symphonic music. The group gives free concerts to the public and has grown from a handful of players to having over 60 members on stage and more than 500 patrons in the audience. Joe is happy to call the Brazos Valley home and he believes that kindness is the key to success and happiness. He is always looking for ways to promote goodness in others and is glad to help those in need whenever he can.
Prudence McDaniel
Adult Orchestra Director and
Senior Cello Instructor
Meet Prudence McDaniel, an accomplished cellist hailing from Des Moines, Iowa. With music performance degrees from Drake University, Manhattan School of Music, and Duquesne University, Prudence's teaching method integrates mind, body, spirit, and creativity, drawing from Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, science, and life wisdom. Her students thrive on and off the stage, gaining invaluable life insights through cello study. Prudence's musical journey spans orchestral, chamber, solo, Broadway, and recording realms. She's graced the stages of the Houston Symphony and New York Philharmonic, sharing spotlights with luminaries like Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Chet Atkins, and Moody Blues. Prudence's performances include Broadway's CATS and radio broadcasts in the US and Portugal. In 2002, she joined the acclaimed Marian Anderson String Quartet, celebrating 33 years of captivating concerts and educational outreach across the U.S.
_jpg.jpeg)
Amy Palma
Senior Viola Instructor
Amy Palma is a violinist, violist, music educator, and music entrepreneur whose passion for music began at the age of nine in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, where she started studying violin/viola at the State of Yucatán Fine Arts School (CEBA). At the age of fourteen, she continued developing her musical career by playing with different State and Regional professional orchestras and studying with private violin/viola teachers from Mexico, the United States, Bulgaria, and Spain. These diverse musical experiences allowed her to develop a broad perspective on violin/viola performance and music education. While pursuing her musical studies she also attended university and earned a B.A. in Law. After completing her university studies, she continued her professional career as a violinist/violist and joined the Symphony Orchestra of the State of Yucatán (OSY) as a founding member. Throughout her career, Amy has combined her passion for music, education, and entrepreneurship. She founded and developed Grupo Orpheus International Agency, which she has led and provided music services for various international events and performances in Mexico, Europe, and the U.S. Mrs. Palma has also obtained a degree in industrial organization, and a Master in Education with emphasis in innovation from recognized European universities. Currently, Amy is a music teacher at International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas), where she shares her passion for music with young students and helps develop their musical skills. In addition to her work as an educator, she continues to teach violin privately through her violin studio and serves as the Director of Orpheus Music Agency, where she coordinates and provides professional musical services for events and special occasions.
Sarah Wehring
Silver Strings Orchestra Director
Sarah Wehring began her musical journey on the viola at age 12, an experience that shaped her appreciation for the lasting impact of music education. She especially enjoys working with developing musicians, helping them build confidence, discover a love for their instrument, and set meaningful and achievable goals. Sarah earned her degree from Sweet Briar College, where she developed a strong foundation as both a musician and educator. With 12 years of teaching experience in College Station ISD, she has dedicated her career to helping musicians grow not only in their technical abilities, but also in their confidence and connection to music. As Director and Conductor of Unity in Strings’ Silver Strings Orchestra, Sarah brings her experience, encouragement, and love of teaching to an ensemble where musicians can continue developing their skills while experiencing the joy and community of making music together.
Andrew Nguyen
Senior Bass Insructor
Andrew Nguyen was born in Amarillo, Texas and began his cello studies with Charlotte Harbin from the Amarillo Symphony. In high school, he began his studies on double bass with Inez Wyrick. During this time, he participated in the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Texas All-State orchestras for 3 years, and won an audition to join the Amarillo Symphony bass section. In college at Yale, he was principal bass with the Yale Symphony. ​He currently resides in College Station, teaching double bass and cello. Andrew is a cellist with the Brazos Valley Symphony and a double bassist with Symphony of the Hills in Kerrville, as well as double bass faculty for the Hill Country Youth Orchestras and a member of the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective. His students have won auditions with the Texas All-State orchestras and many college orchestras throughout the state of Texas.
Natalie Burns
Violin Instructor
Natalie Burns began playing violin at the age of four, starting with the Suzuki method in Houston’s Spring Branch ISD. She went on to study at Memorial High School, HSPVA, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Loyola University, and the University of Houston. In 2007, she earned her Suzuki certification under Judy Offman and began teaching at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School the following year. Since then, Natalie has focused on teaching private lessons and sharing her love of music through weddings and special events. She has lived in Austin, McAllen, Fredericksburg, and now College Station, where she and her chef husband are raising two daughters who both love music as much as she does.
Cyd Cassone
Public Relations Adminstrative Assistant
I have been involved with music and the music biz since 1972. Everything from performing, composing, sound engineering, venue booking & management, artist booking and managing, tour booking and management and studio ownership and production. I have toured most of the US and globally. I can't imagine my life without music. It is as essential to me as the gravitational pull of the moon is to the ocean's tide. It's in my bones. Our species can't survive without it's powerful resonance.