Salisbury University students on campus

Musician Spotlights

Soloist Spotlight

Lana Suran

  1. Soloist Spotlight Lana Suran Why and when did you start playing music? 
    I started taking lessons at the age of five in Stockholm at a local music school
  2. What instruments did you play as a child?
    Piano
  3. What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your career?
    I think the challenges in my life as a musician have meant different things at different times, a big challenge fifteen years ago seems like a very small problem today and so forth. One of the biggest challenges I faced as a younger musician was learning to let go, trust the process and be happy for my friends in a time where it seemed like everybody around me was having “bigger” success then I and winning competitions left and right. Thankfully this period didn’t last very long and I was able to actually use that time in a way that really benefitted me long-term.
  4. If you were not a musician, what could you see yourself being?
    I could see myself being a manager in the music industry or owning a beautiful bookstore.
  5. Who were your early influences/inspirations?
    Martha Argerich and Sviatoslav Richter
  6. Who or what inspired you that was not music-related? 
    Books and Museums
  7. What is your favorite musician or period of music?
    I don’t think I can answer this one! It depends on what mood I am in during that specific period, right now I’m in a very Jazzy-period and listening to Keith Jarrett and Fred Hersch a lot.
  8. Favorite piece of music to play and/or to hear?
    Also very difficult! To play, I would say anything by Rachmaninoff, and to listen I would say anything by Bach.

Student Spotlight

Mary Hsia

  1. Student Spotlight Mary Hsia

    Why did you pick SU?
    Both of my parents graduated from SU and loved it so much that they practically forced me to tour here. I ended up feeling right at home and the Social Work program was a perfect fit for what I wanted to do with my career! Orchestra was a huge bonus too.

  2. When did you start playing an instrument?
    I started playing the piano when I was in kindergarten and started playing the cello when I was in fourth grade. I mainly picked the cello because I liked, and still love the lower register of the cello. That and I didn’t have to take it on the bus with me to and from school. I also did color guard when I was in high school and was captain for two years!

  3. Who is your favorite musician?
    My favorite musician right now is Akira Senju. He is a Japanese composer who did the soundtrack for my all-time favorite show, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. I often listen his music while I’m doing homework or reading, and I’m working on learning one of his pieces! I would highly recommend listening to the soundtrack, it’s gorgeous.

  4. What is your favorite SSO moment?
    My favorite moment has to be when Josh accidentally threw fake snow on Dr. Murasugi during Sleigh Ride at the 2023 Holiday Concert! I saw it happen from where I was sitting in the cello section and needless to say I got very distracted.

  5. What is your favorite Dr. Schoyen moment?
    I take private lessons with Dr. Schoyen as well, and my favorite thing is when we end up talking so much we only have time to play for maybe ten minutes of my thirty minute lesson. That and when he was riding Carters motorcycle around the solar lot after rehearsal.

  6. What are your future plans and aspirations?
    Once I graduate in May I plan to get my Masters in Social Work at SU in the advanced standing program. After that I want to get my social work license and start a career as a school social worker!

Community Spotlight

Karen Treber

  1. Community Spotlight Karen Treber Why and when did you start playing music?
    I started piano lessons when I was 6. When I was in the 3rd grade the music teacher handed me a viola and I’ve played it ever since! I took piano and viola lessons through college.
  2. What are some struggles or challenges, if any, you have overcome in your musical career?
    Playing viola is my avocation, not my profession. I’m really happy that I have been able to play viola my whole life, especially in the SSO and for other groups at SU that need a violist. I’ve played in many ensembles, a quartet that played weddings, show orchestras, and when I lived in western Maryland, I played in the Allegany Symphony Orchestra.
  3. When did you join the SSO as a community member?
    When I came to Salisbury in early 2017. It’s been a real joy to be a part of the SSO! I’m also honored to be a recent member of the SSO Board of Directors.
  4. When you are not performing with the SSO, what do you do?
    I’m SU’s General Counsel – that’s the university attorney. I’m looking forward to retiring soon, but I plan to keep playing in the SSO. I’m also going to teach for SU in the spring. I am on the board of directors of two national non-profit organizations and they keep me very busy. My favorite pastime is promoting my son Sam’s band, Short Fictions - give them a listen!
  5. Tell us something that we would be surprised to know about you.
    I speak French, Italian and Portuguese. Also, my family has hosted 10 exchange students over the years from all over the world through AFS, a high school exchange program. My husband and I keep in touch with many of the students we know who spent a year in the U.S. I’ve been lucky to have visited several of them in their home countries and plan to travel to see more of them!
  6. Who or what inspired you that was not music-related?
    My sons John and Sam constantly inspire me to do what I can to make this world more welcoming for all people. I want my sons to know that the world is a beautiful place and they should get out there and get to know people and places that are different from their experience.
  7. Favorite SSO piece of music to play and/or to hear?
    I’m very happy that we are playing Rhapsody in Blue, which is one of my favorites. Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings is also at the top of my list, as is Copland’s Appalachian Spring.
  8. Favorite Jeff Schoyen conductor story?
    I love it when Jeff gets really into the music at rehearsal and sings the parts as he wants us to play them – especially when he does the tympani part - boom, Boom, BOOM! It’s really funny!