Irene Wade has been a violist with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 1979. She was Principal violist in the Lincoln (NE) Symphony, and has played with the Jackson Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Winston-Salem Symphony, and Roanoke Symphony orchestras.
Ms. Wade earned a Bachelor of Music in viola performance with distinction from the Eastman School of Music, attended Oberlin Conservatory and College, and received a diploma from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She was a graduate teaching assistant at Memphis State University and also at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned the Master of Music degree. Other academic awards include the National Honor Society and a four year National Merit Scholarship.
In addition to her symphony career, Ms. Wade has taught violin and viola in the Memphis area since 1981, and is an instructor with the Suzuki String Program of the Community Music School at the University of Memphis. She has been recognized as an Outstanding Teacher by the faculty and students of the Tennessee Governors School for the Arts.
Ms. Wade is married to Jeff Lehr, a culinary consultant with CreativeFoodworks. They enjoy travel and visits with their many nieces and nephews.
Irene Wade, Viola
First Season with the MSO: 1979-1980
Some Facts About Irene

Hobbies:  Yoga, reading, walking/hiking and spending time with Nash and Miss Silver, her retired racing Greyhounds.
If she hadn't become a musician, she'd have enjoyed:  Archaeology, diplomacy or community organizing
What she's reading now:  Faith & Power, the Politics of Isalm; His Excellency, George Washington; several historical novels
Favorite Memphis restaurants:  Mayuri; Sekisui East
Favorite vacation:  India
Worst non-musical job she's held:  Cocktail waitress. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke!
Most influential teacher:  Dora Marshall Short
Earliest musical memory:  Attending concerts with my parents -- I was so little that my feet didn't touch the floor when I sat in the theater seats. We always went backsatge after orchestra performances when there was a piano soloist so I could get an autograph on the program.
Favorite composer:  Bartok
What she listens to in the car:  Opera, jazz, Celtic or "classical"
What she enjoys most about performing:  The times when we (the orchestra) are really "on" or "in the flow". It's so uplifting to play really great music well.
Other than creating great music, the symphony's greatest role is:  It's a tremendous resource for the community -- a collection of creative people who understand commitment to excellence and can serve as teachers, mentors, role models and performers in other settings.
What we forgot to ask:  Something I don't usually include in my professional bio is the study of Russian language, culture & history (our local high school in Roanoke, VA, offered Russian language in addition to the more usual Latin, Spanish and French). I was fortunate to be able to travel to the USSR in 1969 to study Russian as part of the American Institute of Foreign Studies program for high school students, and was able to attend several performances of the Kirov Ballet and one full length performance of Boris Godunov by the Kirov Opera.