Horn
Bill Bernatis is currently Professor of Horn at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Assistant Director of UNLV Orchestras, Principal Horn with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and Assistant Principal Horn with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York. Bernatis has been Professor of Horn and Orchestra Director at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, Professor of Horn at Baylor University in Waco, Texas and Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. His performing background includes a wealth of orchestral and chamber music with the Corpus Christi Symphony, the Waco Symphony, the San Angelo Symphony, the Breckenridge Music Institute, and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the Seattle Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Sierra Winds, Boston Brass, Dallas Brass, Burning River Brass, Ithaca Brass, Ithaca Wind Quintet, Baylor Chamber Players, Baylor Brass Quintet, and the Texas Brass Ensemble.
Recently, Bernatis was asked to perform with the Utah Symphony on a Mahler cycle for a series of concerts that culminated in a recording of Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He has recorded soundtracks for video games and motion pictures such as Eulogy, Step Up Revolution, and Mirror, Mirror. Bernatis studied with John Iltis at Washburn University (BM), Philip Farkas at Indiana University (MM), and Bill Scharnberg at University of North Texas (Doctoral studies).
Over the years, Bernatis has performed solo recitals and studio recordings, judged competitions, and held master classes around the country. He has performed solos with the Corpus Christi Symphony, Waco Symphony, and Victoria Bach Festival to name a few, and recorded for The Masters Symphonic Band Series and Mode Records. He is an active recitalist, clinician, and freelance performer.
Beth Lano, associate principal French horn, was educated at Ball State University and Indiana University, with occasional trips to Northwestern University and the University of Michigan to augment her private studies. A student of Philip Farkas, Dale Clevenger, Louis Stout and Fred Ehnes, Beth began her career at the age of 17 as a traveling and recording musician. She has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Omaha Symphony and “Opera Omaha”, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Grand Rapids Symphony.
After moving to Las Vegas in 1982, Beth spent five years in the traveling orchestra backing Wayne Newton, followed by a two-year stint in the orchestra for Bally’s “Jubilee!” show, where she was also assistant conductor. In 1986, she began playing with Frank Sinatra, and toured with both his East and West coast orchestras. She also toured with Ann-Margret and Johnny Mathis.
In 1989, Beth began her public relations career working as Director of Public Relations for the Musicians Union of Las Vegas during a serious labor dispute. At the end of the strike, she continued her career as an independent publicist for various arts and labor organizations, eventually joining local public relations and advertising agencies.
She continued to freelance in music and public relations throughout the 1990s, and during this time became an award-winning voice actor. She also became a morning radio DJ, hosting a daily lifestyle/entertainment show on KQOL-FM, then on KSTJ-FM; and she hosted a nightly show on KJUL-FM. She later became an announcer for Nevada Public Radio, hosting shows on KNPR-FM and KCNV-FM.
Beth was solo horn in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at Wynn Las Vegas, and principal horn in “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular” at the Venetian Resort and Hotel. She has performed with many entertainers appearing in Las Vegas, including Tony Bennett, the Who, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Andrea Bocelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Kelly Clarkson, Cheap Trick, and many others. She can be heard on several critically-acclaimed jazz recordings, most notably Carl Saunders’ “Eclecticism”, Harry Skoler’s “A Work of Heart”, and Paul Broadnax’ “Here’s to Joe”, a tribute to Las Vegas jazz legend Joe Williams.
Beth is currently Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Music, where she is also an adjunct instructor of horn. She maintains a successful private teaching studio, and works as a freelance voice actor. She lives in South Las Vegas, and in her free time (when there is any) Beth enjoys hiking, writing, reading and traveling.
Frank Joyce has been tenured as part of the Las Vegas Philharmonic for over 20 years. Frank studied in California with George Cable and Gerald Thatcher formally, and has had other instruction from such notables as Jim Thatcher and Rick Todd. Frank has performed with the San Luis Obispo County Symphony, Santa Maria Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, and the Arizona Opera.
Locally, along with his LVP commitments, Frank has performed with the Nevada Ballet, Opera Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Synphonietta, and many other notable freelance opportunities including Andrea Bocelli, the Who, Journey, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and others. Also, during the tenure of Phantom Las Vegas at the Venetian, Frank performed in many shows during its 5+ year run.
In 1999, Frank came to Las Vegas as a builder, and has been building the Las Vegas community ever since. Notable projects include the Las Vegas Municipal Courthouse downtown, Global Community High School and Family Support Center, 3773 Howard Hughes Parkway high-rise Tower and parking structure, numerous healthcare projects at Sunrise Hospital, MountainView Hospital, Southern Hills Hospital, and St. Rose Siena Hospital.
Frank lives in Henderson, and in his free time enjoys spending time with his family and playing tennis whenever possible.
