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
Kevin Hao
Concertmaster
Kevin Hao is an accomplished violinist and successful real estate professional whose career is defined by a pursuit of excellence, artistry, and community leadership. Currently serving as the concertmaster of the Westwood Ensemble and leading his own real estate team at Keller Williams Realty, Kevin brings a unique blend of discipline, precision, and passion to everything he does.
Kevin’s musical path began at the age of four. His exceptional talent quickly became evident, earning him admission to the prestigious Shanghai Conservatory Pre-College at just 11 years old. By age 19, he was a prize winner at China’s National Violin Competition. A year later, he recorded the iconic Butterfly Lovers violin concerto as a featured soloist with the renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
To further his artistry, Kevin moved to the United States to study under some of the world's most legendary instructors. He earned his Bachelor of Music at the University of Washington under Professor Steven Staryk, the former concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and completed his Master of Music at Northwestern University under the guidance of acclaimed soloist Gerardo Ribeiro, a protégé of Ivan Galamian.
Kevin's professional orchestral career is equally elite. He served as the concertmaster of the Chicago Civic Orchestra under the batons of legendary conductors Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez. In 2005, he joined the Kansas City Symphony, dedicating 15 seasons to the ensemble before retiring from the orchestra in 2020. In 2026, he returned to a leadership role in the local arts community as the concertmaster of the Westwood Ensemble.
In 2014, while still performing full-time with the symphony, Kevin expanded his horizons into the world of real estate. Applying the same rigorous work ethic and attention to detail required of a world-class musician, he quickly built a thriving practice.
Upon retiring from the symphony in 2020, Kevin transitioned to real estate full-time, forming his own dedicated team within Keller Williams Realty. Today, he leverages his deep roots in the community and a reputation for integrity to help clients seamlessly navigate the housing market. Whether guiding a homebuyer or leading a musical ensemble, Kevin remains dedicated to harmony, precision, and exceptional performance.
Nathaniel Quiroz
Violin 2 Section Leader
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Nathaniel Quiroz is an orchestral and operatic conductor, educator, and violinist. Throughout his career, Nathaniel has collaborated with both academic and professional organizations, including the World Youth Symphony Orchestra and Intermediate Concert Orchestra at the Interlochen Arts Camp, the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra, Ozark Festival Orchestra, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra, and the Ozark Lyric Opera. Nathaniel currently holds positions as the music director of the University of Kansas Philharmonic Orchestra, KU Prairie Fire Chamber Orchestra and also serves as an assistant conductor of the University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra.
As an educator, Nathaniel currently teaches string methods at the University of Kansas and has experience teaching string players in both private and classroom settings, including through the Illinois State University String Project. In addition to conducting, Nathaniel remains an active violinist, performing in local ensembles including serving as principal second violinist of the Westwood Ensemble in Kansas City.
Nathaniel is currently pursuing a doctorate in orchestral conducting at the University of Kansas. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Music from Missouri State University.
Outside of music, Nathaniel enjoys cooking, sketching, and cultivating bonsai trees.
Beth Macleod
Viola Section Leader
Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Beth holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She currently serves as the Music Teacher at Bethany Lutheran K-8 School, where she teaches band, strings, and choir and assists the drama team. She also serves as the Music Director at Bethany Lutheran Church, directing the adult handbell choir and various other instrumental ensembles. As a performer, Beth plays violin and viola with the Crescendo Trio.
Her pedagogical background includes over 20 years of operating a private viola and violin studio, where multiple students earned positions in All-State and District ensembles, including principal viola placements. Additionally, she previously served as an elementary and middle school strings teacher within the Hickman Mills School District.
Beth resides with her husband, Jason, and their four children. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys attending her children’s concerts and activities, volunteering, gardening, camping, and supporting the Nebraska Huskers.
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.
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.