Get to know the musicians of Scruffy City Orchestra.
Meet Lizzy: The 16-Instrument Artist Who Can Play Just About Everything
Lizzy’s musical journey began in 6th grade with a violin in one hand and a trumpet in the other—and things escalated quickly. By 8th grade, viola joined the mix, officially kicking off her transformation into a one-woman orchestra.
Throughout her middle school and high school years, Lizzy played in several local west Tennessee orchestras and bands, including TN All-State bands and orchestras. She also participated in various summer musical festivals such as the Governor’s School of the Arts, Brevard Music Center, and others.
At Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), Lizzy left no musical stone unturned. She played flute and piccolo in the Concert Band, euphonium in the Symphonic Band, trumpet in the Pep Band and Band of Blue, and—because why not—joined an Eastern Cultural Orchestra where she learned traditional Chinese instruments like the guzheng. (Yes, the large, graceful one that sounds like a dreamscape.)
After MTSU, she continued her multi-instrumental streak at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. There, she played violin and viola in the UT Symphony, Chamber, and Opera orchestras, and marched trumpet with the legendary Pride of the Southland Band. One of her fondest memories is marching in a UT show with the Pride and her brother, who is also a Pride of the Southland Band alumnus.
Today, Lizzy is just as musically unstoppable! She plays violin with the Maryville College Symphony Orchestra, viola with the Scruffy City Orchestra, both violin and viola in her church orchestra, and serves as a violin and viola sub for the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra in the 2025–26 concert season.
With 16 instruments in her arsenal and a résumé that reads like a full concert program, Lizzy doesn’t just perform music—she lives it. Whether it’s a classical concert, a cultural ensemble, or a Sunday service, if there’s music to be made, Lizzy’s there!
If you want to hear more about all the instruments that Lizzy can play, she loves to share her experiences. She can be found at the next Scruffy City Orchestra rehearsal or concert and would love to chat.
PAT LUNA
Percussion
We discovered that percussionist Pat Luna is an expert at fencing! So we asked him to tell us a little bit about his history with this unusual sport:
“I started fencing in 1974 at San Jose State University under Olympic coach Michael D’Asaro. I joined the varsity team the following semester. Under D’Asaro I qualified for the United States Fencing Association nationals three times.
Under D’Asaro, I went from a 2.0 grade point average to a 3.8 average – all while training twenty hours a week and working, plus carrying a full class schedule. Fencing taught me discipline, how to focus, prepare and handle adversity. It was a life changing experience. D’Asaro shaped how I coach. I learned what to teach, but will never do what he did.
I left fencing until the early 2000s when my son started fencing with the Maryville Fencing Club, a Home School group. I took over the club in 2012 when I retired from teaching.
The club attracts all ages from 8 to… well, my age! Some of my fencers have medaled at the AAU Junior Olympics. One former fencer used fencing to help him get into West Point. Most do it because they love it.”
I seems to us there are a lot of parallels with music in this amazing story. Thank you for sharing, Pat!
TYLER ROBERTS
Clarinet
Carson-Newman University has an annual performers contest consisting of a keyboard category, vocal category and instrumental category. This year, our very own Tyler Roberts (SCO first chair clarinet) won the instrumental category! We are so proud of him and all of his achievements with the Carson-Newman University Music Department!!!!