The Stringphonics Lineup: Get to Know the Ensemble
We welcome you to learn about each of our musician’s backgrounds and experiences that led them to the emergence of The Stringphonics. Together we have over two hundred years of experience in the music industry.

Tomas Verastegui
Mr. Verastegui started his musical studies at age sixteen with classical guitar and at the age of eighteen started his professional studies on cello under the teaching of Prof. Patricia Eugenia Lopez. He continued his studies in music education with a concentration in Cello and Piano at the University of Texas at Brownsville. Besides his orchestral experience, he has participated in many recitals as a soloist and in chamber music (piano trio, string quartet, soloist with choruses, etc.) in Mexico and in The US.
Maria Ochoa
Violin/Viola
-Bachelor of Music Education
University of Texas at Río Grande Valley
She has been a Violin Consultant for Edinburg CISD (2019) as well as a guest violin instructor at Vanguard Beethoven Academy (2022). She currently teaches Piano, Violin, Viola, as well as Ukelele privately to students of all ages from McAllen to Brownsville. In addition, Maria teaches K-5 music at an elementary school in McAllen.


Penny Tong
Viola/Violin
-Doctorate of Music Performance
University of North Texas
-Master of Music Performance
Cleveland Institute of Music
-Bachelor of Music Performance
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Ms. Tong is an active orchestral player. She is a section violist in the Valley Symphony Orchestra since 2022. Before moving to the U.S., she was appointed to be the Principal of the 2nd Violin at Chung Chi Orchestra and the Principal Viola at the HKFW Six Arts Orchestra. She was the Guest Section Violist of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta between 2010-2016. She participated in different international music festivals, including the Asian Youth Orchestra; the Orford Music Academy in Montreal, Canada; the Bowdoin International Music Festival in Maine, U.S.; the Sommermusik und Meister Klaus in Nagold, Germany; the 3rd Marvo International Music Festival in Marvo, Portugal; the nuits romantiques du Lac du Bourget in Aix les Bains, France; and the La Folle Journée au Japon in Tokyo, Japan.
The Stringphonics is honored to have Penny as an active member, with her knowledge and orchestral background.
Victor Flores


Natalie Haugeberg
Angelica Martinez


Pedro Vera
Robert Zuñiga


Diane Taylor
Lolis Flores


Marilú de Santelmo