Date:  March 25, 2003
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

 The Benton Middle School eighth grade orchestra will open the Prince William County School Board meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at 6:15 p.m.  This past weekend, the orchestra received a Superior Rating at the District Festival.   The orchestra director is Tami Nelson.
Nelson graduated with honors from George Mason University in January of 2001 with a Bachelors degree in Music Education.  Twenty years ago she started college in 1980, but was in a car accident that injured her neck and hand.  Nelson joined the Air Force and worked on strengthening her hand.  She was able to return to playing and re-enrolled in college to complete her teaching degree.  In the fall of 2000, Nelson completed her student teaching under the guidance of Larry Casey at Benton Middle School and was hired the following year.  Nelson is the principal violist for the Nova/Manassas Orchestra, plays in the "QIB String Quartet" (Quartet in Black) and is a violin and viola instructor.