Featured December, 2022

Lois grew up in Fort Morgan, CO. In the fourth grade, she started playing the piano and violin. “My Dad said that, if I got good enough, we could move the piano from my bedroom into the living room.”

She did get good enough and the piano was relocated. She played at church and was her mother’s accompanist when she sang. In school Lois played the violin in the orchestra and in a traveling string quartet. Her family moved to Montrose when she was 13. “Much to my disappointment there was only a band in high school—no orchestra.” She took up the oboe so she could have some music in her life. “Don’t ask me to play it now, as I would not know where to start!”

Lois has lived in the area for 55 years, the last 18 in Delta. She’s worked for the Montrose School District for 28 years. She loves to read and fly fish, and lives a content, peaceful, and mostly drama-free life.

When Lois’ niece told her she wanted to learn to play, Lois lent her violin. Sadly, her niece’s husband sold it. “So, I went a long time without a violin.”

Her husband, Leroy, knew how much she missed it and “When I turned 51, he bought me a violin!” Lois started taking lessons, “…to get back what I had lost for so many years.” Her violin teacher gave her and Leroy tickets to see the VSA, and Lois was hooked. She joined the VSA Orchestra in 2011.

“One cannot describe the joy you get playing music with an ensemble like the VSA. Sometimes it still gives me chills. I look forward to playing more music, to learning more, and sharing with everyone.”