About
Westwood Ensemble
Welcome to Westwood Ensemble, a multi-generational community-based orchestra dedicated to bringing the beauty and joy of symphonic music to a diverse audience. Our mission is to create an inclusive and educational experience for all, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their familiarity with classical music, feels welcome and inspired by our performances.
Established with the goal of providing entertaining and educational programming, Westwood Ensemble prides itself on making symphonic music accessible to everyone. We achieve this by performing at centrally located venues and not charging admission, making it easy for families, including those with children, to attend and enjoy our concerts.
Our conductor enriches each performance with engaging talks throughout the concert that offer background information about the composers, a history of the works, and listening guides, enhancing the audience's understanding and appreciation of the music. We encourage interaction after the shows, inviting our audience members to meet the musicians and ask questions following each performance, fostering a deeper connection between the performers and the community.
The Westwood Ensemble endevours spread the joy and beauty of symphonic music to a wider audience by touring multiple venues across the region, engaging diverse communities, and fostering a love for music.
Founder and Artistic Director
Jonathan Lane
Maestro
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Mr. Lane began his musical journey playing bass in public school. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Arizona State University and a Master's Degree in Double Bass Performance from the University of Michigan. In addition, he attended a Summer Fellowship at Northwestern in Chicago and numerous conducting and orchestra education workshops. His conducting mentors and teachers include Marvin Rabin, William L. Jones, and Donald Schleicher.
With over 35 years of experience in music education, Mr. Lane has taught students from elementary school through college, many who have gone on to top schools and symphonies. For 31 years, he served as the orchestra director at Shawnee Mission East High School, where his ensembles achieved national recognition. Under his direction, the Shawnee Mission East orchestra was selected as an Honor Orchestra for prestigious events such as the Chicago Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Music Educator National Conference (MENC), and the American String Teachers National (ASTA) convention. A sought-after guest clinician and presenter, he has shared his expertise at conferences for organizations such as ASTA and MENC, as well as being a published author.
Jonathan maintains an active career as a professional double bass player and teacher, running a private studio in the Kansas City area. His former students have gone on to prestigious music schools and professional orchestras.
Meet The Orchestra
Barron Weir
Bass Section Leader
Barron Weir grew up in Independence Missouri and attended Music Arts Institute studying with Steven Peters former Bass Section member of the Kansas City Symphony. He later studied with Misha Krutz who was also a former Bass section member of the Kansas City Symphony. Barron attended UMKC studying with Jeff Kail, former principal Bass of the Kansas City Symphony.
After leaving the Kansas City area Barron studied at The Juilliard School in New York receiving an Undergraduate diploma and summers in Aspen Music Festival where he studied with Bruce Bransby, Albert Laszlo, and Christopher Hanulik.
Previously Principal Bass of the Arkansas Symphony and Principal Bass in Christchurch symphony New Zealand.
Seungchan Song
Cello Section Leader
South-Korean cellist Seungchan Song is building his career as a captivating soloist and chamber musician. Having made a solo debut at the age of 12, he has worked with Jinju Symphony (Korea), State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, Midwest Chamber Ensemble, and has been performing nationally with the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra. His competition experiences include Plowman Chamber Music Competition, III International Klaipeda David Geringas (Lithuania), Gustav Mahler (Czech Republic) and French Music Competition, and has held solo recitals in US and Asia. He has participated in masterclasses by Zlatomir Fung, John Sharp, and Mike Block and worked with Dave Eggar, Gil Shaham, Jake Heggie, and Del Sol Quartet. A fervent advocate of contemporary music, Seungchan has presented several lecture recitals on extended techniques as an expressive medium across the United States and Canada.
Seungchan holds a B.M from Indiana University and a M.M from University of Missouri-Kansas City.