Music Director

A Note from the Director

"My goal is to create a space where every musician, regardless of their starting point, feels empowered to contribute to something beautiful. Music is the thread that binds our community together."

Nicholas Lewis

Nicholas began studying violin at the age of six. In middle school, he served as concertmaster of the Youth Orchestra of Bucks County, and in ninth grade was accepted into the Temple University Music Prearatory Program in Philadelphia, where he studied violin under Davyd Booth until moving to Sarasota during his senior year of high school.

In Sarasota, Mr. Lewis developed a strong interest in conducting while interning at Sarasota Opera, where he assisted and accompanied the Youth Opera on piano. He later attended Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. During his time there, he served as assistant conductor for the main stage opera, principal conductor of opera workshop, and assistant conductor of the Big Bend Community Orchestra. He earned the faculty nominated music scholarship and completed an independent study under Alexander Jimenez. During the summers, he attended Brevard Music Center and numerous conducting workshops under Markand Thakar, Ken Lam, Neil Varon, Mark Gibson, David Jacobs, Gregory Pritchard, and Neil Varon.

In 2025, Nicholas relocated to Gainesville with his wife, Susy, drawn by the city's vibrant arts community. He frequently performs with the Gainesville Orchestra and the Ocala Symphony. As the newly appointed Music Director of the Annasemble Community Orchestra, he is committed to strengthening Gainesville's cultural landscape by fostering an inclusive musical environment where participation, growth, and shared artistry bring together musicians and audiences across backgrounds and traditions.

Annamieke Proker-Coron

Founder & Former Music Director

Annemieke Pronker-Coron studied at the Amsterdam Sweelinck Conservatory in her native country, the Netherlands, where her teachers included baroque specialist Jaap Schröder. She also studied music therapy in London. After starting her career in the Netherlands by playing in different orchestral settings and teaching violin, Annemieke went to the United States to do research in bluegrass fiddling. Subsequently she emigrated to Gainesville, Florida. A former member of the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, Annemieke teaches violin and fiddle.

She is an active promoter of music in the community, having helped inaugurate the Sawgrass Fiddle Contest, the Annasemble, Annasemble Chamber Orchestra and Young Annasemble under her musical direction. She has taught string programs in local schools, including at the Einstein School for children with learning disabilities. Annemieke also is part of the Magnolia Productions group, which organizes concerts and workshops of a variety of different musical styles.

Annemieke is a member of the Alachua Consort, a baroque-focused trio with oboe and organ. She played electric violin in the Greek band EMBROS. Her research into different musical styles led her to a course in New York City with Mark O’Connor and Pamela Wiley. She now teaches O’Connor’s New American Violin Method among other methods.

In order to accommodate the wide variety of musical levels as well as the combination of instruments represented in the different Annasemble orchestras, Annemieke has dedicated herself to arranging music for the use of these three orchestras. When not engaged actively in music making, arranging, teaching and organizing, Annemieke likes to write. In her book, the Bridge – connecting violin and fiddle worlds, she discusses some of her philosophies regarding integrating all musical styles in one’s music experience and the importance of music in our lives, whether it is classical violin music or any other music style.