Vanessa Edwards, a member of one of the first Columbus Pro Musica violin classes in the early 70’s, went on to graduate from Indiana State University as a music major with a degree in Music Merchandising. She served on the Philharmonic Board of Directors from 1985 to 1989 and in the early years of the Philharmonic Vanessa served as the orchestra music librarian and personnel manager. She has served as the Philharmonic Production Manager since 1997 and in 2009 Vanessa also agreed to become the Conductor of the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra which continues to thrive under her inspired direction.
Columbus native and the Philharmonic’s Principal Second Violin (now the Alice Curry Chair) since 1997, Vanessa Edwards has also been the guiding force behind the orchestra’s music education programs for the past eight years. These programs include, among many other education offerings, strings instruction in nine area schools, the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and music programs in area senior/assisted living facilities.
Vanessa is a member of the handbell choirs and handbell quartet at First Baptist Church in Columbus. She is the Membership Secretary for the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians and the String Ensemble workshop leader at the annual conference.
Vanessa and her husband Greg just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary and have two children, Nicholas and Shelby.
