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Monya Winzer Gilbert
Born in London, England
Father, Geoffrey Gilbert, well known Flutist
Mother, Marjorie Gilbert, Actress.
Monya began studying Violin , age 7. She left school at age 15 to study Music at the Guildhall School of Music
and Drama. She again left school at age 19 to become Principal Second Violin with the Festival Ballet Orchestra.
After many tours with the Ballet, Monya turned to light entertainment as a solo cabaret violinist, traveling with
tours to Egypt, North Africa, the Persian Gulf, Cyprus and Europe. For three years she worked for the Cunard Line
including a long residency as Artist performing cabaret and classical concerts aboard the QE2.
In 1971 Monya joined her parents who had moved to DeLand, Florida. She joined the Florida Symphony Orchestra, also
played with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Florida Orchestra. She was active throughout Central Florida playing
school concerts and general freelance work. She toured regularly with Liberace, Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and
Red Skeleton and played often at Disney World venues including the Contemporary Hotel.
Due to tendonitis in her arm she gave up playing professionally and turned to Administration. In 1982 she became
General Manager of the Florida International Festival with the London Symphony Orchestra in Daytona Beach. Her
tenure with the Festival and other Central Florida Cultural Endeavors, its sister organization, continued for six
years and encompassed three Festivals. Then she returned to London to join the LSO for a brief period. For seven
years she served as CEO of The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields.
Monya returned to Florida in 1995 to become Managing Director of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society. In 1997 she
joined the administrative staff of Stetson University. She was appointed Special Events Manager, then Associate
Director of Development for the Music School in September 1998. In October 1999 she became Director of Development
for the Seaside Music Theater in Daytona Beach. She retired in 2001.
Monya has been making cameo appearances during fundraising telethons at WCEU, Channel 15, Daytona Beach, and has
been presenting a series of programs called "ADVENTURES IN MUSIC" with Monya Winzer Gilbert.
When these shows become available, The American Heritage Orchestra plans to add the complete series to the Lending
Library which will be made available to the music departments at High Schools, Colleges and Universities around
the world.
In 2002 and again in 2005 Monya narrated Peter and the Wolf with the DeLand Little Symphony under Maestro Antonio
Luigi Salvatori, bringing the story to life with inspired performances. Her encouragement and sound council have
been instrumental in Maestro Salvatori's creation of THE AMERICAN HERITAGE ORCHESTRA, LTD. |
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