Arlene Haas

Orchestra Member

Instrument

Viola

Year Joined

2005

Most memorable performance with the ESO

Playing Rhapsody in Blue without a conductor for much of the work was a stressful but exhilarating experience. The performance required great trust between the orchestra and Maestro Eckerling as our conductor/soloist. I also loved the little complications introduced by the unusual nature of the performance. Maestro Eckerling had to time flipping his tails over the piano bench every time he switched from conducting to playing the piano!

Favorite ESO soloist

I really enjoy when we feature as soloists members of our orchestra or local artists, such as the Lincoln Trio. The virtuoso violinist Bella Hristova was a particularly memorable soloist.

Why I like playing with the ESO

I love the way the ESO brings together people from very different walks of life and professions to make music.

Favorite composer or piece

If I have to choose, it would be Brahms, due to the great parts he wrote for strings.

When I’m not playing with the ESO, I’m…

I’m raising my two wonderful boys, Noah and Benjamin, with my husband, Michael. Previously, I was an environmental lawyer at Sidley Austin and the U.S. EPA and am currently a pro bono counsel in the Legal Assistance Foundation’s Consumer Practice Group. I am also trying to honor the long line of bakers in my family by improving my baking skills through classes at the French Pastry School.

Something most people don’t know about me

I went to divinity school before law school.