I am finishing my doctorate at SUNY Stony Brook, where I study double bass with Joe Carver. I also play viola da gamba in the baroque ensemble Callisto Ascending, of which I am a founding member. I used to be a member of Local 1 in Cincinnati, where I played in the Lexington Philharmonic and the Ohio Valley Symphony. I joined 802 recently, when a contractor asked why I was not in the directory! My father, Michael Powell, is a long-standing 802 member, and he went with me to the office to submit my application. It was a proud moment. I am excited to be following in his footsteps!

Jessica Powell

Most of my gigs have been as a touring percussionist for contemporary rock and pop acts. After many years of paying union dues to SAG, AFTRA and the AFM, and looking towards the future and retirement, I figured I’d cut back on some unnecessary expenses, and so decided to withdraw honorably from Local 802 and AFTRA but keep my membership in the Screen Actors Guild where I get most of my freelance work at the moment.

As is always the case, no sooner did I honorably withraw from Local 802, I got called for a union gig! I figured that was a sign to stay in the union and so I rejoined after being out for only one quarter! 

Just like every other musician in NYC, I’d love to have a steady union gig in TV, theater or performance playing percussion right here in Midtown where I live.

Sue Hadjopoulos

As I start my DMA in viola performance at Stony Brook University, I want to build the professional connections with my fellow musicians by being a member of Local 802. I hope to play in a variety of ensembles, from chamber groups to orchestras, maintain a diverse performance repertoire, and eventually start my own private studio.

Kristi Hendriks

As a trumpeter, I joined Local 802 because I have been fortunate enough to have several opportunities to perform in New York City on tours, recording sessions, and private engagements, and want to take advantage of all the benefits of union membership. I grew up in Boston, and my grandfather, who was a jazz bassist, encouraged me to join Local 9-535 there when I was in high school. Since then I attended USC in Los Angeles and am fortunate enough to be working in the scene in Los Angeles as a recording session musician, performing at corporate events, and doing tours with some great artists. I will soon have a residence in New York as well and am looking forward to performing there more frequently. With the growth of new computer, internet, and software technologies, and convenient air travel from coast to coast; the U.S. and the world are a very connected place and can allow a musician to be as versatile, available, and successful as they want to be. I feel that in order to treat your career as a musician as a business, and to take what you do for a living very seriously, it is necessary to be a member of the union to protect your interests and those of other musicians.

Bijon Watson