The Southern Winds Concert band has a real Viking lady (Swedish/Danish) in the clarinet section. Sandra Novotny/Powell could very well be a descendant of Leif Erickson.Sandra grew up on a farm in central Minnesota. She attended high school in Hector, Minnesota, then she took a Special Education Advanced Career Course as a Medical Assistant. She specialized in medical lab work. She has two sons and a daughter plus two grand children residing in Minnesota.
Sandra was a clarinet player in her the high school band. She entered into and received Five Star ratings in state music competitions. These Five Star ratings were for small and large ensemble competitions plus solo competitions. Her high school band also received a number of Five Star ratings in statewide competitions.
She arrived in Georgia by way of Palo Alto, California. Not only is she a member of the Southern Winds clarinet section but she is also a member of a German Band that plays for October-Fest Celebrations throughout North Georgia.
She is a homemaker, who loves knitting. Sandra and Jim live in Marietta. She is also the Vice President of Performances of Southern Winds.