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Violinist
Mr. Samer Jeroudi joined Simply Strings in the summer of 2019 as its newest member. Originally from Damascus, Syria, he started playing the violin at the age of 5 at the Syrian Conservatory for Music. Before immigrating to the US, Mr. Jeroudi was a member of the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra performing in many countries around the world including the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. |
After moving to the east side of Michigan, Mr. Jeroudi joined the Macomb Symphony Orchestra. He also founded ProArte Violin and Guitar Duo which performed throughout the Metro-Detroit area.
Mr. Jeroudi has also been an orchestra teacher in the public schools since 2009 and is currently teaching in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. When not teaching or playing music, he enjoys cooking ethnic food and playing with his 4 year old- who is also learning piano and violin.
Mr. Jeroudi has also been an orchestra teacher in the public schools since 2009 and is currently teaching in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. When not teaching or playing music, he enjoys cooking ethnic food and playing with his 4 year old- who is also learning piano and violin.
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Violinist
Linda Blakemore, violinist, teaches music and directs orchestras in the Grand Rapids Public Schools, teaming with Patricia at times. She has also taught in Marshall, Michigan, Acquinas College, and the Homeschool Building in Grand Rapids for several years prior to moving to GRPS. She has taught lessons for over 40 years on violin and viola, and currently holds a large studio of students. Ms. Blakemore has performed with the Battle Creek Symphony, as well as subbed in with other symphonies in the area. She spends some of her summer at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, teaching and inspiring young musicians. |
Outside her daily teaching, Ms. Blakemore enjoys performing with other quartets, musicals and other area performances. Music is rich in her family, and she loves sharing this gift with others.
Ms. Blakemore currently partners with area school districts, including Kenowa Hills, to provide more opportunities to her students of Grand Rapids, MI.
Ms. Blakemore currently partners with area school districts, including Kenowa Hills, to provide more opportunities to her students of Grand Rapids, MI.
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Violist
Connie Meekhof, violist, is a retired orchestra director from West Side Christian School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Music Education from Calvin College. Mrs. Meekhof has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, West Michigan Symphony and currently plays with the Holland Symphony. Mrs. Meekhof also maintains a large private violin/viola studio in her home, where she teaches weekly private lessons to students of all ages. She enjoys performing in several church bands in the area, and has performed for several musicals and festivals in and around the Grand Rapids area. |
Mrs. Meekhof has performed with many different quartets over the years, and through her experiences has an eye for great music selections. She is a great asset to our ensemble, and brings her music selection experience to each rehearsal and performance.
Mrs. Meekhof lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and three children.
Mrs. Meekhof lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and three children.
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Cellist
Mr. Weston Hosler, Cellist, is currently teaching string orchestras at Kenowa Hills School District, north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has been teaching publicly and privately for the past 17 years, on all string instruments found in an orchestra. He holds a Bachelor's of Music Education from Eastern Michigan University, and a Master's in Music Education from Central Michigan University. He enjoys playing classical music, but also plays bluegrass, fiddle, country, rock, and classic rock. He spends his non-musical time outdoors, fishing rivers in the summer and winter, biking in the spring and summer, and playing hockey year round. |
Mr. Hosler has a passion for organization and takes pride in performing with the ensemble. He organizes many of the weddings the group performs in, and is always looking for ways to help couples make their evening special. Aside from weddings, Mr. Hosler has also performed for cocktail hours and special awards events downtown and abroad, and is willing to work with any group, for any occasion. Mr. Hosler is the current webmaster for the ensemble, and is willing to help with any musical selections you may be looking for.
