In the 35 years that Mr. Severtson has called San Luis Obispo County his home, his most prominent positions have included Development Director at KCBX Public Radio, Co-Concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, and violin and viola instructor at Cal Poly.

His friendship with Burr Van Nostrand grew out of their experience together in the Repertoire Study Orchestra in La Jolla under the direction of Daniel Lewis, summer chamber music master classes with Edgar Lustgarten, and the Hoover High School Orchestra.

Mr. Severtson holds a Bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music. He returned to his hometown of San Diego, where he played in the San Diego Symphony and performed with the locally popular music group Stone’s Throw. He began his development career in San Diego as well, working with San Diego healthcare organizations. Since his retirement from active performing in 2017, he and his wife, the artist, Susan F. Schafer, have maintained an active DIY lifestyle, maintaining their 40-acre property in rural Santa Margarita.