Gretchen started playing the violin when she was seven as part of a group lesson. She might have started with a motivation to get out of school for the lesson, but her passion for the music carried her through the last 20 years. She fell in love with the rich sound of the viola in high school and made the switch.
Over the years, Gretchen played in a variety of musical groups, including the Tango Community Orchestra in Washington, D.C. and a quartet, and now the Denver Pops. She finds inspiration from Yo-Yo Ma, The Piano Guys, Johnny Frigo, and Duke Ellington.
Some of Gretchen’s favorite violin and viola memories come from her time performing solos every Sunday for a nursing home. She played songs from the 40’s and 50’s, which the residents loved.
When asked why she is a member of the Denver Pops, Gretchen said: “I love creating something—music, harmony, peace—that I cannot do on my own. I feel connected and I love pops music—from Broadway to the movies to plain old jazz.”
Gretchen, thank you for being a part of the Denver Pops journey and our mission to serve the community through the performance of familiar music for the last 40 years.
This season the Denver Pops want to want to celebrate 40 years with you! Enter to win a VIP Experience at one of the Denver Pops concerts for our 40th Anniversary. VIP Experience includes two concert tickets (4 p.m. at Central Presbyterian on February 29 or April 18) and a 4-course tasting menu for two at Sarto’s Social Italian Eatery’s Cicchetti Counter.