Our Musicians
Exceptional Talent. Unforgettable Experiences.
Encore Omaha Entertainment brings together accomplished musicians from Omaha and beyond. Our artists are passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences for every occasion, from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations.
Strings
Henry Jenkins
Henry Jenkins is known for his versatility across multiple instruments, including baroque violin, banjo, and guitar. With a foundation in classical music, Henry brings a unique blend of technical precision and artistic expression, bridging genres from the Baroque period to bluegrass and folk. His ability to interpret and connect diverse musical styles makes him a sought-after artist in both traditional and contemporary settings.
In addition to serving as Associate Concertmaster of the Omaha Symphony, Henry enjoys performing with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and participating in the Omaha Chamber Music Society's year-round concert series. He is also an active participant in the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival.
Henry began his career serving as Assistant Concertmaster of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Evansville Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, and Indianapolis Symphony. His festival experience includes the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, National Repertory Orchestra, and Iris Orchestra.
Henry grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended the Oberlin Conservatory, where he studied with Milan Vitek. During his undergraduate studies, he maintained an enthusiastic focus on chamber music and attended the Litomyšl International Masterclass in Czechia. Following graduation, he continued his studies with Kevork Mardirossian at the IU Jacobs School of Music. Henry also expanded his studies into baroque violin performance with Stanley Ritchie.
Violin
Bozhidar Shopov
Bozhidar Shopov completed his musical studies in his native country of Bulgaria, and his professional career has taken him to 26 countries around the world. He has performed with the State Opera Plovdiv in Bulgaria, the Vienna Walzer Orchestra, Monterrey Symphony, Southwest Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, and Omaha Symphony Orchestra.
Bozhidar served as concertmaster of both the Southwest Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and Sioux City Symphony Orchestra. An experienced violinist and violist, he has also performed extensively in chamber ensembles throughout his career.
Violin & Viola
Juliet Yoshida
Juliet Yoshida has been a member of the Omaha Symphony since 2011 and joined its viola section in 2025 after previously performing in the violin section. An active chamber musician, she has collaborated with Opera Omaha, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Meadowlark Music Festival, and the Omaha Chamber Music Society, and has appeared as a soloist with Orchestra Omaha. She also continues to perform violin for touring Broadway productions and other theatrical engagements.
Raised in Omaha, Juliet began her musical studies at age nine. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Vanderbilt University and her Master of Music from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. After years as a professional violinist, she became newly devoted to the viola in 2025, pursuing intensive study and mentorship with accomplished colleagues and friends.
Violin & Viola
Sam Brok
Sam Brock is a professional violinist based in the Omaha area. She has performed with local theaters including The Rose, BLUEBARN Theatre, and Ralston Community Theatre, as well as with renowned artists such as Michael Bublé, Rod Stewart, Disturbed, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Sam earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance, specializing in Music Technology, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During her studies, she was actively involved in the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, and Contemporary Music Ensemble 768. Her musical versatility spans a wide range of genres, including classical, contemporary, fiddle, pop, jazz, and rock, which she brings to both her performances and teaching.
She currently serves as Resident Artist-Faculty at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and teaches in the String Sprouts program at Nelson Mandela Elementary. In addition, Sam provides private instruction in the Suzuki method and teaches Suzuki Early Childhood Education classes at the Conservatory.
Violin
Alfiia Mansurova
Alfiia Mansurova was born in Kazan, Tatarstan, and is of Tatar heritage. She attended the Secondary Special School and College of the Kazan State Conservatory, graduating with honors in 2014.
From 2014 to 2017, she performed as a soloist with the Tatar State Philharmonic. In 2017, she also performed with the international orchestra of the Harbin Conservatory in China. She has participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians including Miriam Fried, Krzysztof Węgrzyn, Maxim Fedotov, and Irina Bochkova.
Alfiia has extensive performance experience throughout the United States, Russia, China, France, Turkey, and India. She earned a Graduate Certificate in Instrumental Chamber Music from Park University, where she studied with Ben Sayevich, and a Master of Music in Music Performance from Southern Methodist University under the mentorship of Alexander Sitkovetsky. She later pursued a Graduate Artist Certificate in Violin Performance at the University of North Texas, studying with Julia Bushkova.
In 2021, Alfiia was selected to participate in the Pinchas Zukerman Master Classes and Chamber Concerts, featuring musicians from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In March 2026, she performed as a substitute violinist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Violin
Rebecca Kia Mills
Rebecca Kia Mills is a Chicago native and an accomplished violinist and music educator. She earned a degree in Music Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and a Master of Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Iowa.
Rebecca joined the Omaha Symphony in 1990 and has performed in its first violin section ever since, frequently serving as Assistant Concertmaster. She has also been a member of the Lincoln Symphony. Since 2003, she has toured as a solo violinist with Mannheim Steamroller and serves as the ensemble's orchestra conductor.
An avid amateur pianist, Rebecca regularly performs solo violin for weddings, receptions, and special events, incorporating her own prerecorded piano accompaniment. In 2003, she founded Strings Unlimited, an intergenerational community orchestra based in Southwest Iowa, and continues to serve as its conductor and director.
Violin
Anthony Chau
Anthony Chau is a violinist and native Kansan who began studying the instrument at age ten. He earned bachelor’s degrees in Violin Performance and Music Business from Friends University, where he won first prize in the Miller Concerto Competition, before receiving his Master’s in Music from the University of New Mexico.
During his time in New Mexico, Anthony performed with the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Pro Musica, Roswell Symphony, and Durango Symphony while also touring with QTango Dance Orchestra. Since moving to Omaha in 2014, he has performed with the Omaha, Sioux City, Des Moines, Lincoln, and Helena symphonies.
Anthony is also a co-founder of Ruckus Strings and regularly performs for weddings and other special events.
Violin
Keith Plenart
Keith Plenert is an accomplished violinist with decades of professional orchestral, chamber, solo, and teaching experience. A native of Wichita, Kansas, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance magna cum laude from Wichita State University and later received his Master’s degree in Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Keith joined the Omaha Symphony Orchestra in 1988 as Principal Second Violin, a position he continues to hold. He has performed with numerous chamber ensembles and music festivals across the country and also serves on the faculty of Creighton University, where he maintains a private teaching studio in Omaha.
Violin
Frank Seligman
Frank Seligman has been a member of the Omaha Symphony since 1988. For thirty seasons, he performed as second violinist of the Symphony’s Fontenelle String Quartet and has remained an active chamber musician throughout the Omaha community, performing with the Dundee Trio and numerous other ensembles.
Prior to coming to Omaha, Frank was a member of the New Orleans Symphony. He has also performed with the North Carolina Symphony, Switzerland’s Festival Strings Lucerne, and the Lincoln Symphony, where he has occasionally served as concertmaster.
Frank’s extensive chamber music experience also includes performances with the Breckenridge Music Institute Chamber Orchestra and Summit String Quartet, as well as appearances on Omaha concert series and live performances on KVNO.
Violin
Victor Daniel Diaz Sanchez
Victor Daniel Diaz Sanchez is a Colombian violist and educator who joined the Omaha Symphony in 2026. He has performed with the Kansas City, Wichita, Virginia, and New World symphonies, participated in the Aspen Music Festival and School, and was appointed Principal Viola of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra.
A Sphinx Competition Honorable Mention recipient and Sphinx SOPA Finalist, Victor is pursuing a Master of Music in Viola Performance at Park University, following studies at the UMKC Conservatory.
Victor also maintains a private teaching studio and has worked with young musicians through Harmony Project Kansas City and String Sprouts. He believes music can help students build confidence, curiosity, and concentration while creating a sense of connection and belonging.
Violin & Viola
Zachariah Reff
Zachariah Reff joined the Omaha Symphony as Assistant Principal Cello in 2024. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he studied Cello Performance at the Oberlin Conservatory with Amir Eldan before earning his Master’s degree from McGill University, where he studied under Brian Manker.
After graduating from McGill, Zachariah worked as a freelance musician in Montreal, performing with the Montreal Symphony and other orchestras throughout the area. He also collaborated with composers and electronic artists on live performances and professional recordings.
Zachariah enjoys performing across a wide range of musical genres and is especially passionate about chamber music, where he values the opportunity to collaborate closely with friends and colleagues.
Cello
Boris Chalakov
Boris Chalakov is a cello artist-faculty member at the Omaha Conservatory of Music and a substitute musician with the Omaha Symphony. A native of Bulgaria, he completed his professional studies at the Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts in Plovdiv. In 1993, he became the youngest member of the orchestras of the Plovdiv State Philharmonic and State Opera Plovdiv, performing throughout Bulgaria and Europe and recording for Music Minus One and Danacord.
Boris later continued his career in Monterrey, Mexico, where he joined the Symphony Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and held faculty positions at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León and the College for Music and Dance. His international experience has shaped his work as both a performer and educator, including his passion for Mexican contemporary music.
Boris holds advanced degrees in Cello Performance and Music Education from The Ohio State University and Texas State University, where he studied with associateship and scholarship support.
Cello
Piano
Adam Hu
Adam is a Chinese Canadian pianist, singer, and visual artist. With training in both classical piano and environmental engineering, he approaches music methodically and articulately, yet never rigidly.
As a classical musician, Adam brings broad experience performing and collaborating with orchestras, chamber ensembles, choirs, and contemporary worship bands. He is also a champion of new music, including choral works, art songs, and instrumental solos.
Adam currently lives in Omaha, where he serves as Director of Worship and Music Ministries at West Hills Church.
Piano
Justin Brown
Justin Brown is an experienced pianist who brings a thoughtful and personal approach to every performance. A longtime church and concert pianist, he has performed for weddings, celebrations, and a variety of musical settings, bringing warmth, versatility, and care to each occasion.
His musical experience has extended beyond Omaha, with performances throughout the United States as well as in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Comfortable performing music in both English- and Spanish-speaking settings, Justin values creating musical experiences that connect naturally with diverse audiences.
Whether setting the atmosphere before a ceremony, accompanying a walk down the aisle, or performing for a special celebration, Justin approaches each event with the goal of making the music feel meaningful to the moment.
Piano
Woodwinds
Aram Mun
Aram Mun has performed across North America, Europe, and Asia as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. She also has extensive recording experience and has contributed to numerous professional recordings.
Her performances have taken her to distinguished music festivals including Tanglewood, Aspen, the Banff Centre, and the Shostakovich Festival in Germany. Aram earned her Bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory and her Master’s degree from Rice University, and received prizes in multiple flute competitions during her studies.
Flute
Latin
Mariachi Los Caballeros
Established in 2013, Mariachi Los Caballeros brings the vibrant tradition and energy of Mariachi and Latin music to audiences in Omaha and beyond. Their musical journey has taken them throughout the United States as well as to Mexico and Puerto Rico, performing for audiences across a variety of celebrations and special occasions.
With performances in both English and Spanish, the ensemble offers a versatile and engaging musical experience that connects with audiences from diverse backgrounds. Among the highlights of their career is the honor of touring with the legendary Los Tigres del Norte.
From intimate celebrations to larger events, Mariachi Los Caballeros brings together musicianship, culture, and tradition to create a lively and memorable experience for every occasion.
Mariachi and Latin
Vocals
Alina Aminova
Alina Aminova is an internationally recognized vocalist, songwriter, and live performer with professional experience across Russia, South Korea, Vietnam, and the United States. From luxury hotels and high-end weddings to corporate celebrations, fundraisers, private events, and intimate lounges, she brings a rare combination of elegance, versatility, and stage energy to every occasion.
Her repertoire spans Jazz, Soul, R&B, Motown, Funk, Pop, Electronic, Lounge, Gatsby, Postmodern, and hybrid Christian-country styles. Alina can create a sophisticated atmosphere for cocktails and dinner, deliver soulful live entertainment during a reception, and turn up the energy when the celebration begins.
Her performance portfolio includes major corporate events for leading Russian oil and gas companies and appearances at venues such as JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Saigon Hotel, and Kangwon Land High1 Resort. A regular performer for CHI events across the United States, she has delivered performances for annual celebrations, fundraisers, Christmas festivities, and corporate gatherings.
As a recording artist, Alina's career has spanned the globe, building connections with audiences across Europe and beyond through diverse collaborations. A defining moment came in 2007, when her original tracks appeared on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Chart. Most recently, her song “Good Times” was featured on Netflix's Love Is Blind (Season 8).