Barbara Freischlad

As a child, Barbara learned to play guitar from her father. She played clarinet in the Orange Grove Rd. Jr. High School Band under the direction of Herschel Kreloff(!). She studied voice with Dr. Mary Frances Fest at Amphi High School, violin with Mr. Föhl, and piano with Lira Makarova. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Linguistics from the University of Arizona and taught English in Germany.

Then she discovered percussion. Barbara has been studying percussion with Homero Cerón, Principal Percussionist for the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, for seven years. Her musical journey has been enriched with courses in music theory, ear training, music history and literature, and piano taught by the excellent Music Department faculty at Pima Community College. Barbara has performed with almost every musical ensemble offered at PCC, including Choir, Concert Band, Orchestra, and the Jazz Improv Class.

Barbara has been a guest performer at the Pima College Student Art Gallery Opening, at the Pima College Alumni Association's Zoo Nights in Reid Park, and she played in the theater orchestra for the PCC Performing Arts presentation of Bernstein's musical "Wonderful Town." Barbara has also enjoyed performing with The Sonora Winds, The Tucson Flute Club, The Arizona Balalaika Orchestra, Christian Youth Theater's production of "Peter Pan" and The Tucson Concert Band. She is the Handbell Choir Director at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church.

Barbara is the coordinator of COT's Musical Instrument Petting Zoo. She finds it very rewarding to offer people (including children) the opportunity to try out playing a variety of orchestral instruments. Sometimes, placing the right instrument into someone's hands can be life-changing. Barbara is grateful to her friend and mentor Ben Buette for handing her the percussion mallets.