Orchestra Teacher Contact Info

Becky Plachy (Central Middle School) Ms. Plachy graduated in 2015 from Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN with a degree in Instrumental Music Education. While she was there, she performed in the Concordia Orchestra, Symphonia Orchestra, and Echo Band. Her main instrument is the violin, but she also played the viola and the bass in the Symphonia Orchestra, along with the tuba in Echo Band. She has also performed in other community orchestras, including the Monticello Summer Strings and the Buffalo Community orchestra. Ms. Plachy has taught in the White Bear Lake school district since the 2016-17 school year. Previously, she taught 6-8th grade orchestra in Brooklyn Park, MN. She is from Monticello, MN, but currently lives in Ellsworth, WI. Outside of school and music, Ms. Plachy enjoys hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and drag racing

Todd Weinhold (Sunrise Park Middle School) A bit of an adventurer, Mr. Weinhold has spent the past 15 years running orchestra programs all over the planet.  In addition to singing karaoke with Tibetan monks in the Himalayas, he also has been invited to guest direct middle school honor orchestras in Singapore, Philippines, and China; he also only eats food which begin with the letter "C" (all of that is true except for the last bit).  He will be moving back to Minnesota from his current home in Bangkok, Thailand where he is excited to join the music team at Sunrise Middle School.  Mr. Weinhold sees orchestra as an opportunity to make the day a better day, and while he takes great satisfaction in helping young musicians to play better than they ever thought they could, what he sees as the best part of his job is just seeing an orchestra room full of smiles!  Also, Mr. Weinhold's socks rarely match.  And if they do, it's definitely by accident.