Sheila McLay

violin

Sheila began playing melodies by ear on the organ at age three, and took up violin, piano, and clarinet when she was nine. At 12 she was studying with UNM professor Morton Schoenfeld on piano, and at 14 with UNM professor Leonard Felberg on violin. She began playing violin professionally at age 18 with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. Sheila is currently a violinist with the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, and Opera Southwest.  She has also played with the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque, Musical Theatre Southwest, Flagstaff Symphony,  Flagstaff Festival of the Arts,  and the Phoenix, Roswell, San Juan and Las Cruces Symphonies. She also co-owns and manages a mobile home park as well as a trucking business started by her husband Gene.  She spent almost a year on the mission field in Brazil and Mozambique and hopes to have that opportunity again soon.