BENNIE COTTONE

Principal

Sponsored by Janis O’Driscoll

With the opening of the 2025-2026 season, this San Francisco native begins his 20th season with Santa Cruz Symphony, as well as his 37th season as Principal with the Monterey Symphony. Bennie also plays the English Horn, which is one of the larger members of the oboe family. In that capacity he has been with the Berkeley Symphony since 1977, and from 1990 to 2010 was frequently in the pit with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, subbing when needed. His association with the Santa Rosa Symphony began in 1982, and he continues as a section member. He has also performed with the San Francisco Symphony, the Mark Morris Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, and the San Jose-Cleveland Ballet.

Offstage there are two activities which occupy his time: reed making, which runs about 20 hours per week, and answering to the unending demands of his Dachshund companion, Gino.

Diane Machado-wyant

Sponsored by Sherrie DeWitt

Diane Wyant grew up in the Santa Clara Valley of California and attended college at San Jose State University. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in oboe and English horn performance (1989) she went on to earn her California state teaching credential in music.

Since 1990, Ms. Wyant has held directorships at Valley Christian Middle School, Sierramont Middle School, Leigh High School, Cupertino High School, and is presently one of the directors of Music at Bellarmine College Preparatory and is the Director of Bands at Branham High School, both located in San Jose, CA. In addition, she maintains the position of conductor of wind bands for the San Jose Youth Symphony.

Along with teaching in both public and private schools, Ms. Wyant is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International (DCI), and various other state band associations. Over the past 21 years, Ms. Wyant has been a member of the Music Educator’s National Conference (MENC), California Music Educator’s Association (CMEA), and the California Band Director’s Association (CBDA).

As a performer, Ms. Wyant holds the English horn position with Santa Cruz Symphony and has performed with the San Jose Symphony, Opera San Jose, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, Monterey Symphony, and Ensemble Monterey.