Concert 4

Senta Medri Weimann was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She sang her first solo, “O Holy Night,” Christmas Eve in Church at the age of nine. She began private voice training at the age of 14 and studied with teachers at the Toronto Royal Conservatory and University of Toronto. She has always enjoyed singing in a diversity of styles and therefore was lead singer for a Toronto based Christian contemporary band “Quo Vadis.” She appeared as guest soloist with the University of Toronto Hart House choir and Orchestra and was a salaried Soprano Lead/Soloist for the St. Paul Anglican Cathedral in Downtown Toronto. Shortly after marriage to Viljar Weimann, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, so that he could pursue his Masters Degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music. was offered a full scholarship for private study with George Vassos, Dean of the vocal department and sang with the CIM Chamber Singers. In 1991, Senta moved to Huntsville with her husband and 6 week old son Miika. In 1995 Their daughter Oliivia was born. In the interim years, along with raising their children, Senta has sung with HYO, the Shoals Symphony and has served in several churches alongside her husband, locally in North Alabama and in Estonia during extended summer travels. She is the owner of “The Columns in Decatur” and continues to enjoy singing in a diversity of styles such as the Orchestra Sul Ponticello Jazz Night fundraisers and other Orchestra concerts.

Tyler Henderson, Baritone, is thrilled to be making his Decatur Orchestra debut.  A native of Huntsville, AL, his most recent rolls include “Claude Frollo” in LMP’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, and “Sir Galahad” in Theater Huntsville’s Spamalot.   Tyler holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance and a Minor in Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. During his studies there, Tyler was an associate instructor, teaching and managing the Opera Workshop, and was a concert soloist with the Hendricks Symphony. He was a NATS southeast region finalist and placed second nationally. Tyler currently teaches private voice and guitar lessons in Huntsville, AL. He is the Minister of Music and Technical Director at Latham Church in South Huntsville. Part of his responsibility at Latham Church is playing guitar with the praise band at Latham.

Tyler would like to thank his loving wife, Sam, and his dog, Ellie Mae for their endless support and love. He’d also like to thank his cat Rey for tolerating his presence.

Joan Garrett Thompson, Alabama native, has enjoyed composing music most of her life. She studied piano with Ouida Susie Frances at Jacksonville State University, earning a B.A. degree in General Music and performing an honors recital at graduation. She taught private piano for over 30 years and served as Church Organist and director and accompanist of children's choirs in several churches in the states of Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Joan has been a member of Alabama Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association. She also worked as a graphics designer, and editorial assistant in Public Affairs Office for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retiring in 2006 after more than 25 years of service for the Dept. of Army. has one daughter and four grandchildren, all of whom play instruments. Both her professional and personal lives have provided inspiration for her many compositions. She has composed a song for each child/grandchild at their births, and each wedding and special birthday. She is currently planning to compile these works into a volume to share. Her compositions include works for piano, choral ensembles, symphonic band and for solo voice and piano; oboe and clarinet. Her composition for oboe, clarinet and piano was chosen for performance at the New Music Festival at UAH in 2009. Joan's two-piano works have been performed by the Piano Duo of Decatur Music Club for programs and fund raisers. She is honored to have her choral work, “Prayer of David,” performed by the Decatur Orchestra Concert Choir. Joan lives in Decatur with her husband, Ron, and their two feline fur babies.