A few of our musicians

Meet our directors

Elizabeth Knoll-Bowman, Director

Elizabeth Knoll is an orchestra director at Kentwood Public Schools, heading the program at Valleywood Middle School as well as starting the beginners at Pinewood Middle School. She previously was the Orchestra Director at Muskegon Public Schools, having worked to grow the program to the point where it necessitated a second high school ensemble.

A West Michigan native, Elizabeth Knoll grew up in Holland, graduating from West Ottawa High School in 1996. She studied music education at Grand Valley State University before transferring to, and graduating from, Wayne State University. As a violinist and violist, Ms. Knoll has performed professionally with the educational branch of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, St. Clair Shores Symphony, Dearborn Symphony, Plymouth-Canton Symphony, and Holland Symphony Orchestra. After five years performing with the Grand Rapids Symphonette, she then moved into the conductor position.

Elizabeth Knoll-Bowman

Maddy Peters

Maddy Peters, Associate Director

Maddy is a performer and educator from Grand Rapids. She obtained her bachelor’s of music education, with a concentration in cello, from Central Michigan University in 2018, and her master’s of music education from Anderson University in 2022.
She currently teaches 6th-12th grade orchestra for Byron Center Public Schools and has maintained a private studio for over ten years.
As a cellist, Maddy has made appearances with the Holland Symphony Orchestra, the Vintage Parlor Orchestra, Hark Up, and the Grand Rapids Symphonette. She served as guest conductor of the Vintage Parlor Orchestra in spring 2024.
Maddy released her debut EP, “Songs About Things,” in 2018, and an instrumental holiday album, “Celloing Into Christmas” in 2020. She performs regularly around Grand Rapids and Michigan as a cellist, singer/songwriter, and wedding musician.