Maestra Suzanna Pavlovsky

Conductor

Whether at the podium or in the classroom, Suzanna Pavlovsky’s musical expertise and exuberance shine, inform and inspire.  In a career that’s led from the former USSR to stages in Israel, Canada, and the United States, Dr. Pavlovsky has become a popular guest conductor for a diverse array of orchestras and ensembles, as well as a beloved artistic director for university, community, and professional ensembles in her home state of South Carolina and beyond.

Maestra Pavlovsky is the founder, artistic and music director of Columbia, South Carolina’s Palmetto Chamber Orchestra, which combines professional players/educators with talented community members to great acclaim. Her Ensemble Eclectica, a professional group that combines live music with dance, visual art and media to create interdisciplinary magic, has earned kudos both regionally and nationally. With blockbuster programming and nationally-renowned guest artists, both Ensemble Eclectica and the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra have grown into innovative, collaborative institutions offering a full season of classical music to a wide audience in the Carolinas and beyond.

Maestra Pavlovsky’s conducting repertoire includes symphonic staples, pops, educational programs, contemporary compositions, and chamber music for various ensembles.  Her professional skills include relationship-building and collaboration as well as coaching and education.  

Dr. Pavlovsky is former Associate Conductor in Residence of the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestra in Toronto, Canada and Associate Conductor of the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra in Columbia, SC. An Assistant Conductor at Michigan State University, she was also a graduate assistant at the Eastman School of Music, as well as a conducting and teaching assistant at the University of South Carolina.  Her recent guest conducting engagements include but not limited to appearing with New Mexico Philharmonic and with International Center for Music Orchestra (ICM) at the Park University, Missouri.  

Academically, Dr. Pavlovsky has a special interest in the harmonic system of Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, and she has transcribed Scriabin’s piano cycle Trois Morceaux, Opus 52, for string orchestra.   In the classroom, she has taught Conducting, Music Theory, Aural Skills, Piano & Improvisation, and Music Appreciation.

Betty Gardiner, Flute

 Betty Gardiner, flute, is a regular performer with several Midlands area ensembles, including Palmetto Chamber Orchestra,  Palmetto Concert Band, Carolina Wind Symphony, and Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra. Betty received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Performance Certificate from the University of South Carolina and has masters degrees in business and arts administration from Southern Methodist University. Her former flute teachers include Kay Borkowski and the late Dr. Constance Lane. Betty is the Director of Accountability and Resource Development for South Carolina First Steps, the state’s school readiness initiative for children 0-5. Her husband, Dr. Robert Gardiner, is a jazz saxophonist and Professor of Music at Lander University, and they have two children: Ellen and Robert.