Panama City Symphony’s dynamic Music Director, Sergey Bogza, is entering his fourth season, marking a significant chapter in the Symphony’s 30-year history. Known for his innovative engagement with orchestras and audiences, Dr. Bogza recently expanded his national reach with debuts at the Alabama Symphony and Alabama Ballet. His leadership experience includes Music Director roles with the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra, Willmar Symphony, and Heartland Symphony Orchestra. An award-winning conductor and composer with international acclaim, Bogza earned his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting. A resident of Panama City, Florida, Bogza also demonstrates remarkable endurance as an ultra-marathon runner and enjoys sharing his culinary skills with Slavic cuisine. He shares his home with his two Belgian Malinois, Samson and Stella.
John Divine earned his master’s degree from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s from the University of Florida. He has been a part of two professional recordings, “The Wind Ensemble Music of Paul Richards” and “Clarinet Choir Classics.” He has also performed internationally, notably performing with the University of Florida Clarinet Choir during their European tour in 2011. As an avid chamber musician, John formed the “JoJo Duo” with Dr. Joseph Tomasso in 2013. John currently serves as Associate Professor at Gulf Coast State College and principal clarinet of the Panama City Symphony. He is an active soloist and performer throughout Northwest Florida, recently performing Weber’s Concertino in Ft. Walton Beach and giving many chamber recitals at Gulf Coast State College, including “An Evening of Brahms” in 2018 and “French Classics” in 2022.
David Goldflies is the principal bassist of the Panama City Symphony Orchestra, bringing a rich blend of classical training and wide-ranging musical experience. He toured and recorded with the Allman Brothers Band during their late ’70s resurgence, contributing to the instrumental Pegasus, which received a Grammy nomination. Earlier in his career, Goldflies played bass on the rock classic Black Betty, a recording that has become a classic rock staple. He is a songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, performing on violin, guitar, and bass in genres ranging from classical, jazz, EDM, and rock. As the leader of A Brothers Revival, he honors the legacy of the Allman Brothers while mentoring the next generation of musicians.
Charles Sciascia is a young American tenor with an extensive formation in opera and concert performance. He most recently performed as Don Ramiro in La Cenerentola with Florida State University’s Opera Outreach program, bringing the joy and excitement of opera to elementary schools across Leon County. Other roles performed include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Oronte in Alcina, and Ferrando in another FSU Opera Outreach production of Così fan tutte.
Charles has previously served as the music director at a Catholic church for three years, leading an engaging and active music ministry. He currently works as the Performing Arts Coordinator at Pyramid Studios, an arts-based program for adults with functional and intellectual disabilities, where he fosters creativity and personal growth of his students.
Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in Italian and a master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University and studies under the tutelage of David Okerlund. Outside of singing and teaching Charles absolutely adores seeing his wife perform, especially when she plays with the Panama City Symphony Orchestra.
Erika is a north Florida based violinist originally from the Tampa area. She is a member of several professional orchestras in the region and is concertmaster of the Panama City Symphony as well as Principal 2nd Violinist of the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. Erika started violin at the age of five in her elementary school’s “Suzuki in the Schools” program and holds B.M. and M.M. degrees in violin performance from FSU and a MAS in Musical Performance and Interpretation from the Conservatory of Italian Switzerland. Erika is also a registered Suzuki Violin teacher and maintains a large studio of violin students at the North Florida Suzuki School. She enjoys hiking, spending time with her husband, and visiting her family’s pet goats in her free time.
Dr. Marlene East, President of the Panama City Symphony Board of Directors, is a former licensed counselor and accomplished glass artist. With a career that includes university teaching, non-profit leadership, and private counseling, she brings extensive experience in education, management, and fundraising. She holds a BS in Psychology, MS in Community Counseling, and an EdD in Curriculum & Education/Instructional Technology. After leading the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation for 12 years and owning her private counseling practice for 20 years, she transitioned to creating Emerald Coast-inspired glass art, with works displayed locally and beyond. A passionate advocate for music education, Marlene combines her leadership, academic, and artistic talents to support and promote the Symphony’s mission.
