Music and the other arts are the most potent demonstration that, in the heart, we are all one community.
~ Jan Swafford
A
Jonathan is director of the Hilton Head Youth Orchestra and the Statesboro Youth String Program. He plays violin with the Magellan String Quartet, is often featured as concertmaster with the Augusta Opera and Augusta Choral Society, is an adjunct professor at Georgia Southern University, and composes/arranges music for Tin Pail Tales, Musical Morsels, and Lyra Vivace productions.
Jonathan has served in several acting concertmaster positions for regional orchestras, worked as Principal Second Violin with the Augusta Symphony, has taught at Mercer University, and has conducted the Mercer/Macon Symphony Youth Orchestra. Jonathan was a member of the Arizona Opera Company for many years, and spent several summers performing in the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, and its American counterpart, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. He has performed the Wagner Ring Cycle twice!
Jonathan holds performance degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Arizona State University, where he completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1998. He studied violin with Eric Rosenblith, Ronald Copes, and Catherine Tait, and chamber music with members of the Juilliard and Fine Arts String Quartets. A native of the state of Maine, Jonathan lives in Statesboro, Georgia.
B
A frequent solo recitalist and guest artist, Linda has performed on concert stages throughout the central and southeastern United States, Hong Kong, and central Italy. She is popular at conferences, clinics, workshops and symposiums around the country with a variety of choral and vocal music genres and subjects, and has served as a vocal adjudicator throughout the United States, and over the oceans to Europe and East Asia.
Linda has sung a wide range of operatic roles and has shared her talent and experience with several regional arts organizations, including the Augusta Opera, Augusta Choral Society and the Aiken Choral Society. Her devotion to the arts in Augusta, Georgia, also extends to artistic leadership with several groups, including the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society, the Augusta Opera, the Morris Museum, and the Jessye Norman School of the Arts. Linda also serves as a member of the governor's cabinet for the Southeast Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
A native North Dakotan, Linda holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Missouri in Columbia and earned a Doctor of Music degree in voice performance from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She teaches studio voice and opera workshop at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia.
Ruth is a cellist, music educator, artistic director and administrator. She gives recitals of popular classics with Duo and Trio Intermezzo, is a member of the Magellan String Quartet, is Artistic Director and co-founder of the musician-run chamber orchestra, Lyra Vivace, and manages the unique musician booking service, In Praise of Music.
Her Tin Pail Tales interactive performances for pre-school children are in high demand at Early Childhood learning centers and other literacy development programs and her Global Navigation with the Magellan String Quartet programs are enjoyed by K-6 graders throughout the state of Georgia. During the summers, she performs with Glimmerglass Opera, where she specializes in solo continuo work for 17th- and 18th-century repertoire.
Ruth has taught cello, music theory and music appreciation at Georgia Southern University during the 18 year faculty residency of the Magellan String Quartet. Ruth has held several principal cello positions (including 16 years as Principal Cello of the Augusta Symphony), has worked as education director and grants administrator with the Greenville (SC) Symphony, and has recorded on the Spectrum and Nonesuch labels. Ruth completed a Bachelor's degree at Boston University School of Music and a Master's at Cornell University. She lives in Evans with her husband, Michael Boardman.
Richard is an educator and conductor, specializing in (but not limited to) wind ensembles. Richard teaches at Augusta State University, where he conducts the ASU Conservatory Wind Symphony and high school division of the ASU Summer Band Camp. His active retirement, following thirty-five years of work in Georgia and South Carolina as a music educator and conductor, also includes directing professional CSRA wind players as the Conductor of Savannah River Winds. Under his direction, the Savannah River Winds has received many honors, including the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Scroll Award and a recording contract with the C.L. Barnhouse Publishing Company.
Richard is frequently engaged as clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor all over the globe, including opportunities in London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland and Alaska, and throughout the USA, including the SouthEast tour of the United States Army Field Band, the University of Georgia Winter Music Festival, and numerous national conventions and symposiums. He has trained concert, jazz, and marching bands to perform high level music on a high level (consistent Superior ratings), including national tours to perform at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Lord Mayor's Parade in London, and the Easter Festival in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Richard was nationally featured with the "Educators Who Make A Difference" article in Band and Orchestra. His other honors include four National Band Association Citations of Excellence, three ASBDA/Stanbury Awards, the ASBDA Career Achievement Award, the Teacher of the Year Award, three Star Teacher Awards, and the WJBF "Golden Apple Award."
A native of Jeannette, Pennsylvania, Richard has a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. He lives in North Augusta, South Carolina, with his wife Barbara. Their son, Craig, lives in Marietta, Georgia, with his wife Erika, daughter Natalie, and son Nicklaus. Their daughter Mia, lives in Aiken, South Carolina, with her husband C. Allen Miller and their daughter Penelope.
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An active violinist, Neil often serves as Concertmaster with the Augusta Opera and Augusta Choral Society. He is a member of the Excelsior Trio, which placed third in the nation at the MTNA Collegiate Chamber Music Competition. Neil was Concertmaster and soloist for the premiere performance of the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra in 2010. He served as Associate Concertmaster of the Augusta Symphony for many years and performed as guest concertmaster for the South Carolina Philharmonic and Savannah Sinfonietta.
Neil is Assistant Director of orchestras at the University of South Carolina, as well as the conductor of the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra in Savannah, Georgia. At USC, he teaches conducting, violin, chamber music, conducts Opera at USC and the USC Campus Orchestra. His numerous conducting opportunities range from a post as Assistant Conductor of the Augusta Symphony, across the USA as guest conductor for orchestras such as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Richmond Symphony (in his native state of Virginia), and to international acclaim as guest conductor Karelian Philharmonic Orchestra (Petrazovodsk, Russia). He was the founding conductor of the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestras and Resident Conductor of the Shenandoah Performing Arts Camp.
Neil earned both his B.A. in music education and violin performance, and his M.M. in orchestral conducting from the University of South Carolina.
Manda is an oboist and music educator. She studied oboe with Kelly Odell and then earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Georgia. While attending the University of Georgia, she was chosen to travel to Porto Alegra, Brazil, to perform with the Orquestra Sinfonica de Porto Alegre. After college, she went on to teach elementary music in Georgia and North Carolina. She has also directed elementary and high school choirs.
An Augusta native, Manda returned to Augusta in 2005. She has performed throughout Georgia and South Carolina and enjoys playing in many different settings. She is a preschool music teacher and volunteers her time to teach literacy through music to Kindergarteners. She also directs a children’s choir at Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church.
Manda and her husband, Matt, live in Augusta with their four children. She enjoys adventure racing, singing and dancing with her many young students and, of course, making reeds.
Kathryn performs regularly with the Augusta Choral Society, other regional collaborative orchestras, and with the Crescent Brass Quintet. She teaches at Augusta State University and in her private studio. Kathryn lives in Appling, GA, where she works on the music staff of Kiokee Baptist Church. Kathryn received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, and a Master's at Ithaca College. She is a native of Conyers, GA.
Barbara is a member of the Azalea Trio (www.azaleatrio.com), in addition to serving as oboe instructor for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program and working as a free-lance oboist and private oboe teacher.
Barbara has served on the faculty of Agnes Scott College as an Artist Affiliate. She also worked for over twenty-five years as a Senior Learning Designer for Delta Air Lines, Inc. Barbara has performed with orchestras throughout California, Oregon, Colorado, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.
Trained as a violinist from the age of 9, Barbara Goorevitch Cook started playing the oboe when she was 12. Six years later, heeding the advice of famed violin professor Stanley Plummer at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Barbara began devoting her full attention to the oboe, winning prizes in the Atwater Kent and Frank Sinatra Musical Performance Awards solo competitions.
She earned a B.A in Music Performance from UCLA, then continued her studies with Laila Storch of Seattle's Soni Ventorum Quintet and Louis Rosenblatt of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She spends her free hours making reeds, jogging, playing tennis, hiking, and traveling.
Richard is the Director of Music at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA, serves as Resident Conductor of the Augusta Opera, and is Music Director of the NOVUS Chamber Orchestra in Winston-Salem, NC.
Richard has served as Resident Conductor of the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra in Winston-Salem, and for 17 seasons as Artistic Director of the North State Chorale. He has also served as assistant conductor for both Piedmont Opera Theatre and the Greensboro Opera Company. Richard’s many conducting opportunities have taken him to Romania (Baccau Philharmonic), to Missouri (St. Louis Symphony Chorus), to the NY City based Gregg Smith Singers, as well as throughout North Carolina on the podiums for various professional, college and youth orchestras. Richard has taught on the faculties of Elon University, High Point University, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
A native North Carolinian, Richard earned a BA from Pfeiffer University, an MM in opera from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, a DMA in orchestral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the Diploma in orchestral conducting from the University of Catania, Sicily.
In addition to his conducting activities, Dr. Cook has appeared as a tenor soloist in opera and oratorio performances in the United States and Europe, most recently performing with Carolina Baroque. He resides in Augusta with his wife, Carol, and their son, John.
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Vonda Darr has been the principal harpist for the Augusta Symphony (GA) since 1993, and the Augusta Opera since 1998. She also performs with the North Carolina Symphony, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra (SC), and the South Carolina Philharmonic.
Vonda was recently featured with the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra in an Augusta Opera production of Puccini's Suor Angelica, in addition to the December 2010 premiere concert of Lyra Vivace with the Augusta Children's Chorale. Vonda and Lyra Vivace violinist Neil Casey often perform as a duet, and were presented by the Tuesday Live concert series a few years ago.
She has been a soloist with the the Magellan String Quartet, Augusta Symphony String Quartet, the Florence Symphony, the University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra, and the Georgia Southern University Orchestra. Mrs. Darr appeared in the PBS Christmas special, "Home for the Holidays," with opera singer Jessye Norman, recorded in 1998 in Augusta.
Vonda began studying the harp at age six with Gladys Hubner in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and played with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies through childhood. She studied with Gretchen Van Hoesen in Pittsburgh, while earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in harp performance from Geneva College.
Mrs. Darr performs regularly throughout North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, and has recorded a compact disc of solo harp. She also maintains a private harp teaching studio.
E
Tim works as principal double bass for the Greenville Symphony, the South Carolina Philharmonic, and the Augusta Opera. He teaches double bass at Furman University, works in a "day job" in sales at Northhampton Wines in downtown Greenville, SC, and freelances with many regional orchestras, including the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, Charleston, and Charlotte Symphonies.
Tim has appeared as soloist with the LA Piano Quartet, and has been featured in performances with double bass virtuosos Edgar Meyer, Hal Robinson, and Jack Budrow. He worked for many years on the double bass faculty at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and for many regional orchestras, including the Savannah Symphony, and as Assistant Principal with the Augusta Symphony.
Tim received a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from Furman University, where he was a pupil of Peter Rickett, conductor emeritus of the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. He plays a full sized master copy of a Domenico Montagnana, circa 1750's, made by master luthier Barrie Kolstein. His hobbies include golf, cycling, wine and cooking.
Jason is a violinist with the Magellan String Quartet, and is the Concertmaster of the Macon Symphony. He teaches Violin at Wesleyan College in Macon, and performs in many orchestras throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Jason has enjoyed many years as music director of the Baroque on Beaver Music Festival on Beaver Island, MI.
Prior to moving to Georgia, he served as a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony, as Artist-in Residence at Alma College, and taught violin at Aquinas and Calvin College in Grand Rapids. Jason was a member of the Chicago Opera Theater, New World Symphony, Greater Lansing Symphony, Flint Symphony, Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra and served as concertmaster of the Elgin Symphony.
Jason has also developed his talents in other music styles; he is a Scottish Fiddling Champion, and performs regularly on mandolin and mandola with the Atlanta Mandolin Society. Jason earned a BM in violin performance from Arizona State University and a MM in violin performance from the University of Michigan. His principal teachers were Camilla Wicks, Frank Spinosa, and William Magers. He has performed in master classes for Josef Gingold, Daniel Majeski, Mischa Mischakoff and Samuel Thaviu and he has been coached in chamber music by Martin Katz, Eckhart Sellheim, and members of the Emerson Quartet.
He has made a home in Macon, GA with his wife, violinist/violist/public school music educator Patty Baser, and their two daughters.
G
Barry serves on the faculty at Augusta State University as Instructor of Double Bass and String Methods, and teaches strings/ directs orchestras in the Richmond County (Georgia) public schools, He often leads and performs in double bass sections for area professional organizations, including the Augusta Choral Society, the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra Augusta, in which he served as principal from 1981-1988.
He holds degrees in Music Education with an emphasis on string pedagogy, having earned both the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Music from the University of Miami, and a Bachelor of Music from Augusta College.
John grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he began playing horn at age twelve. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies in music at the University of Southern Mississippi, he joined the Army, playing horn in the Army Ground Forces Band at Ft. McPherson Georgia, and later the Signal Corps Band at Ft. Gordon, Georgia.
Since completing his military service, John has continued to work as a freelance performer and private teacher in the Augusta area. He is currently a graduate student at the University of South Carolina, pursuing a Master of Music degree in horn performance.
John has performed with ensembles such as Meridian Symphony, Ludwig Symphony, New Atlanta Philharmonic, Augusta Choral Society, Augusta Opera, Symphony Orchestra Augusta, Columbia County Chamber Orchestra, and the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. He currently resides in Augusta, Georgia with his wife, Katie and their two sons.
Katie has been an active professional musician for over 12 years. After studying horn performance at the University of Southern Mississippi, she spent over four years performing as an enlisted member of the Army Ground Forces Band, Ft. McPherson, GA, where she completed two tours performing for troops in Kuwait.
After completing her enlistment term, Katie was drawn to pursue a career in music librarianship. She completed a Bachelor's of Science in Music at Excelsior College and enrolled in the Masters of Library and Information Science program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Today, Katie a full-time graduate student and an active member of the Music Library Association, American Library Association and Society of American Archivists.
In addition to performing horn and violin extensively as a freelance musician, she plays an active role promoting local music and music education in the CSRA through volunteer activities with several area music organizations. Katie currently resides in Augusta with her husband, John, and their two children.
H
Diane was born in Mansfield, England, and graduated in Vocal Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester. As a soloist she has performed in operas and orchestral concerts in England, Europe, and the United States, singing with orchestras, including the English Sinfonia, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.
She sang for seven years on a full-time contract with the Netherlands Opera in Amsterdam. Her operatic roles have included Dorabella (Cosi fan Tutte), Cherubino (Le Nozze di Figaro), Siebel (Faust), and Isabella (Italiana in Algeri). Diane has appeared in numerous Arts Festivals and concert series, specializing in presenting themed concerts combining song and poetry. American composer Rick Sowash has written extensively for her voice, dedicating 28 songs and song cycles to her.
She has been a respected teacher for more than 25 years and her private voice studio, Vocal Dimensions, is in Aiken, SC. For three years she taught as Adjunct Professor of Voice at Newberry College, South Carolina, where she created courses in Vocal Literature and Vocal Diction, coaching students in six languages. She is currently on the faculty of USC Aiken as Lecturer in Voice.
Diane has given Master Classes in vocal performance and led workshops in holistic singing in England and the United States. She is the founder and music director of the Aiken Singers. Her book, "The Heart of Singing: Steps on the Path to Becoming the Singer You Want to Be," is now available through Amazon.com or Diane's own website and as an eBook on Kindle. Diane writes about singing in a monthly blog.
Equally at home on both the concert and theatrical stage, Isaac has performed as a vocal soloist, dancer, instrumentalist, and chorister all over the world, including performance tours in the Netherlands, Central and Eastern Europe, Great Britain and East Asia. The Augusta, GA region has benefited from his versatile talents in roles ranging from musical theatre and opera to Shakespeare and narration for symphonic works. The Augusta Opera, Augusta Players, USC Philharmonic, Augusta Symphony, Paine College, the Morris Museum, and Aiken Community Theatre are among the organizations who have featured Isaac as a vocal artist and actor.
Isaac is an assistant professor of music and Concert Choir Director at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and served for many years as artistic director and conductor of the Columbia County Choral Society
An Augusta, GA native, Isaac received a B.M.A. from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), where he majored in vocal performance, studying with George Shirley, and Leslie Guinn. 
Richard is an Associate Professor of Music and the Director of University Bands at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, where he directs the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, teaches music education classes and applied lessons in trumpet. An active professional trumpet performer, he has performed with Symphony Orchestra Augusta (GA), the Augusta Choral Society, the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra and continues to perform recitals, wedding ceremonies, and church services.
Richard has held prior band/music teaching positions at Claflin University, Augusta State University, Bridgewater College, as well as Middle and High School in Raleigh, NC and Chesterfield, SC. His degrees include both a Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Music and Masters in Trumpet Performance from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from East Carolina University.
J
Kate is the principal trombone with the Augusta Opera and the Augusta Choral Society. She is a founding member of the Crescent Brass Quintet. Kate performs regularly with Chamber Music Charleston, the Hilton Head Orchestra, as well as other regional orchestras, including the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, Charleston Symphony and the South Carolina Philharmonic.
She teaches low brass at Charleston Southern University and to students of all ages in her private studio. Kate has toured the United States and Europe with the Kings Brass and the Eurobrass. A Vermont native, she has made her home in the South East with her husband, trumpet player Todd Jenkins.
Todd is the principal trumpet of the Augusta Opera and Augusta Choral Society, and is a founding member of the Crescent Brass Quintet. Todd performs regularly throughout the South East with several orchestras, including the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. He has served as pastor of instrumental music at East Cooper Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, SC, in addition to teaching at Brevard College as interim Director of Brass Studies and Director of Bands.
Todd earned a Master's degree in music from Ithaca College, and a Bachelor's from the University of South Carolina. He has also studied at the University of Georgia and Shenandoah University. A North Augusta, SC native, Todd enjoys visiting his relatives whenever he and his wife, trombonist Kate Jenkins, have performing opportunities in Augusta.
Jeanie has served as Director of Music at Thomson First United Methodist Church since August 2010, after having served as Organist and Director of the Canterbury Choir since 2006 and participating in the music program at TFUMC since 1975. She studied Music Performance and Music Education at the University of Texas and graduated from Augusta State University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education.
Jeanie has appeared as a soloist with the Augusta Opera and the Augusta Symphony and served as music teacher at Briarwood Academy for over 20 years. While at Briarwood, Jeanie produced 10 Broadway musicals and also directed musicals at the Washington Little Theatre in Washington, GA. During her teaching career, she was a two-time recipient of the State of Georgia Star Teacher award. In Praise of Music ensembles are often engaged to perform under Jeanie’s direction, as well as in recital performance at Thomson First United Methodist.
Born in Augusta, GA, Eliza began taking violin lessons at the age of three. As a member of the Jeunesses Musicales World Orchestra, she has toured Europe and Canada, and has performed in major concert halls, including the Berliner Philharmonie, Musikgebouw in Amsterdam, and El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia.
She graduated from University of South Carolina magna cum laude, receiving both a Presser Foundation Scholarship and the Arthur M. Frasier Music Excellence Award. At the University of South Carolina, she was a concerto competition winner and served as concertmaster in the university's orchestra during her senior year. She was named the Aiken County Young Artist in 2001, which resulted in her performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto with the Augusta Symphony. While obtaining her Masters at Arizona State University, she held a position in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. She also played in several ensembles at Arizona State, including a string quartet, which was coached by both the Juilliard and Brentano String Quartets, as part of the university's string quartet residency program.
In the summer of 2007, she was a member of the National Repertory Orchestra, and performed throughout Colorado. In the spring of 2008, she was the concertmaster for the Spoleto Festival's premiere show, Monkey: Journey to the West, in which she collaborated with Damon Albarn from Gorillaz/Blur and famed director Shi Zheng Chen. She has participated in music festivals, including the Rome Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Castleton Music Festival, and Brevard Music Festival. 
Lorraine is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra Program. She is the flute instructor at AASU and conducts the Coastal Flute Choir. She is currently the principal flutist with the Hilton Head Orchestra, the Augusta Opera, and the Augusta Choral Society. Lorraine performs with the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra and has performed with the Jacksonville, Alabama, Charleston, Augusta, Greenville and Toledo Symphonies; as well as The Atlanta Pops, Piccolo Spoleto, and the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado.
Lorraine was a member of the former Savannah Symphony Orchestra, playing flute and piccolo since 1983. Prior to joining the Savannah Symphony, Lorraine was a member of the Orquesta Filarmonica de la Ciudad de Mexico, and toured extensively throughout Mexico, Europe, Japan, and the United States. She also performed with the Camerata Pan America Woodwind Quintet and was principal flutist with the Orquesta Sinfonico de Mineria for many summer seasons.
Born in Toledo, Ohio, she is a graduate of the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University (Ohio). Her primary teachers have been Judith Bentley and William Hebert.
K
Ryan teaches Mathematics at Augusta Preparatory Day School and Violin at the Augusta State University Conservatory Program, where he also serves as Conductor of the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestras. He has recently performed as Guest Conductor for orchestras including the SC Allstate Orchestra, the SC Region Orchestra, the Suzuki Festival, the MENC Georgia District 10 Honors Orchestra, and the Augusta State Orchestra String Jamboree. He served as Concertmaster of the Augusta Symphony for 19 years and first violinist with the Magellan String Quartet during its residency at Georgia Southern University.
Following his retirement from those positions, Ryan received his Master of Arts in Teaching from Augusta State University, with teaching certifications in both Music and Mathematics. In addition to his Concertmaster work in Augusta, GA for the Augusta Symphony, Augusta Opera and Augusta Choral Society, Ryan served as Guest Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and held the position of Principal Second Violin with Symphony Nova Scotia for many years. He has worked under many world-class conductors, including Charles Dutoit, Pierre Boulez, Simon Streatfield, Leon Fleisher and Klaus Tennestedt.
For many summers, he performed as Principal Violinist with the New Hampshire Music Festival, taught on the violin faculty of the University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and USC Columbia School of Music. Ryan's chamber performances have also taken him worldwide across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, including performances in Carnegie Hall with Boston Musica Viva, and with Walter Trampler, Malcolm Lowe, Gary Hoffman, Charles Wadsworth and Colin Carr.
His performances have been broadcasts on the CBC Radio Canada, WQXR, and NPR. Ryan received a BM from the New England Conservatory of Music on full scholarship, and studied violin with notables such as Dorothy Delay, Paul Kantor, Tibor Vaghy and Thomas Wang. He lives in Augusta with his wife, cellist Christine Crookall, and their young son.
Pawel recently received his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Georgia, where he studied violin with Levon Ambartsumian and viola with Mark Neumann. His undergraduate degree was at Augusta State University, where he studied violin with Angela Morgan.
Pawel performs with several orchestras, including the Augusta Symphony, Greenville Symphony and Charleston Symphony. As a member of ARCO, he had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall and can be heard as a soloist in recordings of several concertos by Vivaldi.
Pawel started playing violin at age 7 at the Bydgoszcz (Poland) Conservatory, where he was a student of Malgorzata Szadowiak. After he moved with his family to the United States, Pawel won several competitions, including the Albuquerque Youth Symphony and the Southwest Young Artist Competition (which led to his solo performances with orchestras in New Mexico and San Francisco). He presently lives in Evans, GA.
L
Chris hammers out the stylish sounds of summer in Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Santana and Calypso classics on his hand crafted 55-gallon oil drum. With his custom computerized midi backing tracks, Chris is a one-man band, with an enthusiastic following (especially those in the conga lines!) with his versions of Calypso, Reggae, and island favorites.
Chris received his Bachelors in Music degree from the University of Maryland and Masters in Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Percussion Performance from the University of South Carolina. He began playing steel drums in 1990 as a graduate student at USC and his love for the instrument has taken him to Trinidad and Tobago (the “birthplace” of steel drums). 
Sara Neal Lokey is a talented and experienced professional double bassist who brings energy and passion to many different styles of music. A virtual double bass "chameleon," Sara enjoys performing in various classical, jazz and bluegrass settings throughout the Central Savannah River Area and the state of Georgia. From churches to front porches, symphony hall stages to late night dives, she is versatile and comfortable in all musical settings.
In 2007, Sara's passion for sharing music led her into the classroom, where she has taught both elementary general music and string orchestra classes. She currently resides in Augusta, Georgia, and is an instructor for the Richmond County School System Orchestra Program.
Sara trained classically with Dr. Barry Garman at Augusta State University, where she received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Double Bass Performance. She was a 2003 ASU Concerto Competition winner and recipient of the Powers Baldwin Outstanding musician award. Her jazz skills were honed under the direction of Dr. Rob Foster and have afforded her the opportunity to perform with the great jazz trombonist and vocalist, Wycliffe Gordon.
Sara began expanding her horizons and exploring bluegrass music after hearing the album "Uncommon Ritual" by one of her idols, bassist Edgar Meyer. She began "pickin" with Carl Purdy soon thereafter, and has been performing with him for nearly a decade. Sara is a founding member of the groups Event Horizons and Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra.
M
Angela is the flute instructor at Presbyterian College and serves as Third Flute/Piccolo with the SouthWest Florida Symphony. She also works as a freelance flutist in Georgia and South Carolina, including work with the Augusta Choral Society, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and the South Carolina Philharmonic.
Some of Angela's notable accomplishments include winning the Raleigh Area Flute Association Competition, receiving second prize in the Alexander and Buono International Flute Competition, placing third in the Frank Bowen Young Artist Competition, and being a finalist for the Myrna Brown Competition.
She has had the opportunity to perform in master classes and seminars with James Galway, Eleanor Lawrence, Gary Shocker, Randy Bowman, and Jim Walker. Through her former position as president of the South Carolina Flute Society, she has worked with renowned artists such as Jeanne Baxtresser and Bonita Boyd.
She received her Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her Master of Music degree in flute performance from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her principal instructors have been Dr. Brad Garner, Dr. Brooks de Wetter-Smith, and Martha Kitterman. She lives in Augusta with her husband, clarinetist Taylor Massey.
Taylor Massey has been in much demand as a performer and instructor throughout the southeast region. He has been a featured artist of the Symphony Orchestra Augusta, performing the Brahms Clarinet Quintet and Aaron Copland's Clarinet Concerto. He has also presented many chamber performances in the United States, as well as in Morges, Switzerland, and Lucca, Italy. While in Italy he served as principal clarinetist of the Lucca Theatre Opera orchestra.
Taylor is currently on faculty at Augusta State University and the University of Georgia's Hugh Hodgson School of Music and has previously been visiting instructor at Georgia Southern University. He maintains a strong interest in new music and has given many performances of new works while in Cincinnati and as a part of MusicX, a contemporary music festival in Cincinnati, OH.
His principal instructors have been Steven Cohen, Russell Dagon, and Ronald de Kant. He has received additional bass clarinet instruction from Ronald Aufmann of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and J. Lawrie Bloom of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Taylor earned a Bachelors degree in Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Masters degree from the Northwestern University School of Music. He lives in Augusta with his wife, flutist Angela Massey.
Larry began playing the piano as a child growing up in New York. He quickly progressed as a young pianist, winning numerous young artist competitions and awards, studying with William Hargrove and Herbert Rogers of the Juilliard School. Larry completed a bachelor's degree in piano performance at Indiana University, studying with Alberto Reyes and John Keeton, and later finishing a Master's degree in Music in New York.
While in New York, Larry was the artistic director and conductor of the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, performing throughout the New York area to considerable acclaim. Larry developed a strong reputation while in New York as a vocal coach, accompanist, chamber music performer, teacher, and conductor.
Later, he pursued a career in medicine, bringing him to Augusta, where he is now working as an endocrinologist. He has appeared with the Augusta Symphony numerous times since his return to Augusta, performing as a pianist with the orchestra, as a soloist with the chamber orchestra, in concert with the chamber players, as soloist on the Appleby series concerts and Westobou festival, and is a regular performer in the area. His compositions have been performed by the Augusta Choral Society and St John Choir.
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Mark is music director of the Augusta Youth Chorale, Assistant Professor of Music at Erskine College, and directs the music ministry at Christ Church Presbyterian in Evans, GA. He is also the Assistant Conductor of the University of South Carolina University Chorus.
Mark headed the Choral and Vocal Department at Brevard College, served for ten years as Director of Music on the staff of First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, and was Director of Music in Memphis Tennessee at the Second Presbyterian Church. He has guest conducted student and adult choral organizations throughout the Southeastern United States, and over to Europe (Odessa Philharmonic and Chorus in the Ukraine). Mark has also enjoyed opportunities as a tenor soloist with the Brevard Chamber Orchestra, the Hendersonville Symphony and the Asheville Bach Festival.
Mark was born into a parsonage family in northern Minnesota, and grew up in the midwest. He earned a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina Columbia, a M.Mus. degree from the Eastman School of Music, and Bachelor of Music degree from Houghton College. He lives with his wife, Fran, and their four children in Evans, Georgia.
Rob is Founder/Music Director of the Columbia County Orchestra Association (CCOA) in Evans, Georgia. He is also the conductor of the Columbia County Civic Orchestra (CCCO) and Columbia County Youth Orchestra (CCYO).
Rob has been active professionally in church music, conducting, and music teaching since 1974. He has studied conducting under Robert Burton, Donald Portnoy, and Florin Totan. Rob's first private music instruction was through his father, Clarence Nordan, Jr.
His other private trumpet instructors have included: Mike Brescia, Homer Phillips (Navy Band), Doug Phillips (Navy Band), Emerson Head (University of Maryland), Chuck Gallagher (University of Maryland), and Willie Hammett (Valdosta State University). He received his Bachelor of Music in 1978, and his Master of Music in 1982.
When not conducting, Rob enjoys the company of his beautiful and musically talented wife, Elizabeth, and spending time with their extended family. He has resided in the Augusta, Georgia, area since 1996.
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Kelly has an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and a Performance Certificate from the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. She was a winner of the Concerto Competition at the University of Massachusetts, where she received her Master's degree. She has been on the faculty of Bates College and Georgia Southern University and is presently the oboe instructor at Augusta State University.
Kelly has performed as guest soloist with the Symphony Orchestra Augusta, Pittsfield Symphony, and Savannah Sinfonietta. She has played with the Portland Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Bangor Symphony, Savannah Sinfonietta, Greenville Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, the Pittsfield Symphony and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. She has toured Western Europe with the Ricciotti Ensemble, an orchestra dedicated to performing new music.
At present, Kelly performs as principal oboe with the Symphony Orchestra Augusta and english horn with the Hilton Head Orchestra. She is highly sought after as an expert reed-maker and oboe instructor. She has studied with Ray Still, Carlo Ravelli, Fred Cohen, and Yvonne Powers.
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Ying-Li is currently pursuing her M.M degree in violin performance at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, studying violin with Dr. Donald Portnoy. She holds the positions of Concertmaster with the USC Chamber Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster with the USC Symphony Orchestra, in addition to membership with the USC Graduate String Quartet. Ying-Li is a graduate from National Taiwan Normal University, where she studied with Nanette Chen.
She has participated in chamber and violin master classes with Qian Zhou, Nai-Yuan Hu, James Buswell, Yehonatan Berick, Lynn Chan, Vadim Mazo, Vadim Gluzman and Michael Ludwig. She has toured with NTNU Symphony Orchestra and Asia Youth Orchestra throughout Asia, Australia and USA. Ying-Li was born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Her first instrument, at the age of five, was piano, which was quickly followed by her first lessons on the violin at the age of six.
Jennifer Parker, an Augusta native, started her musical journey at the age of 10 when starting violin through the Richmond County Orchestra program. At the age of 12, Jennifer picked up the guitar and began writing songs, and has been a singer-songwriter ever since. Throughout her teens, Jennifer also picked up the bass, piano, ukuleles, viola, and more. An avid bluegrass and folk music lover, Jennifer has played with bands such as the Tom Miller Project and Mamie Foreman and The Rosebuds, and has also recorded with local Augusta bands, the Radar Cinema, Jokers & Thieves, and Mann Ray.
Jennifer is often a featured performer with Event Horizons. She is also a part of the Sand Hills String Band, the Augusta State University (ASU) Orchestra, and is a student assistant for the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestras. Jennifer is also a strings teacher at East Aiken School for the Arts, a secretary and violin teacher at the Carolina Academy of Music, and teaches private lessons in the Augusta area for violin, guitar, and mandolin.
Jennifer is currently attending ASU as a Music Education major and plans to graduate in Spring 2013. She is a violin student of Dr. Laura Tomlin and also studies privately with Carl Purdy.
Kevin has been an active musician and teacher in the Southeast for more than twenty years. He is an acclaimed pianist, baritone soloist, and conductor. In addition to his busy performing schedule with Emsembles Intermezzo, Kevin serves as Music Director at Warren Baptist Church, and is owner and principal instructor of Pollock Music Studios at Turner's Keyboards in Augusta.
He has also served as Choral Director at Augusta Preparatory School and as Prep School Chorus Director at Westminster Schools of Augusta, GA. Staying close to his boyhood home, Kevin attended Augusta College as a Vocal and Piano Performance major. He studied piano with Artemesia Thevaos from 1987 until her retirement from teaching in 2001.
Kevin currently studies with Lydia Porro Milham, Artemesia's duo-concert partner. He has also studied in the vocal studio of William F. Toole from 1988-2004. Music is a binding thread within the Pollock household. Kevin's wife, Andrea Pollock, is an active lyric soprano, as well as a voice and piano instructor at Pollock Music Studios. They have one daughter, Sophie, who is a budding young pianist.
Robert is currently Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina, where he teaches horn and is Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Studies. He is the Principal Horn in the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra, the Augusta Opera, Augusta Choral Society, and also performs with the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra.
From 1983 to 2003, Robert was Artist-in-Residence at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities summer Honors program, and from 1977-2011, he served as principal horn of the Augusta Symphony. His career also includes 14 years (1989-2003) as the creator, producer, and artist performer of a program entitled, "Bring Mozart Alive!" Dressed as a court musician in the time of Mozart, Robert performed for over twenty thousand elementary school children throughout the Carolinas and Georgia, educating future musical audiences about the work of this great composer.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam, he received his Masters of Music in Performance at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. with continued postgraduate work at the University of Maryland and Northwestern University.
Robert was a member of the United States Marine Band, "The President's Own" in Washington, D.C. and has appeared as a guest soloist or lecturer at the International Horn Society Symposium in New York, Texas, Florida, Colorado and Illinois. In the summer of 2010, he presented a lecture at the International Horn Symposium in Brisbane, Australia. He has appeared at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC and numerous regional orchestras throughout the Southeast and has received critical acclaim wherever he has performed.
Carl's versatility as an instrumentalist and vocalist has enabled him to perform many styles of music, including Classical, Jazz, Traditional British Isles, Classic American Folk, New Age Country Western, and Bluegrass. Carl is violist and founding member of the Magellan String Quartet and Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. He also performs as principal viola with the Augusta Opera and Augusta Choral Society.
At Augusta State University, Carl teaches viola, humanities, and directs the Sand Hills String Band. Carl also performs as soloist and chamber musician on the faculty of the International Music Festival at Vale Veneto, Brazil. He has recorded and toured internationally on the viola, jazz violin and viola, recorder, classical guitar, and folk guitar, in addition to composing and arranging for symphonies and chamber ensembles.
Carl performed with the members of the Franciscan Chamber Players in residence at the Summer Music Monterey music camp for many years, during which they recorded a compact disc with legendary jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. He developed his talents as a folk musician with the Boston-based Celtic band, St. James Gate, while attending New England Conservatory of Music in the 1980s. He was the principal violist of the La Crosse Symphony in Wisconsin before moving to Georgia for the position of Principal Viola with the Augusta Symphony.
Carl studied viola with Heidi Castleman and Walter Trampler at the New England Conservatory of Music, where he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
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Michael currently serves as choral music director at both the upper- and middle-divisions of Augusta Preparatory Day School, where he has been musical director for the following productions: Footloose, Fiddler on the Roof, Batboy, Chorus Line, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Grease. In addition, he has coached many state winners in vocal solo, trio, and quartet competitions, as well as in piano.
Aside from his work at Augusta Prep, Michael is also director of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, a nonprofit, after-school arts program for economically challenged youth in Augusta.
As a performer in his own right, Michael plays keys and guitar and provides back-up vocals for two area bands, "My Instant Lunch" and "Eleventhe Hour." “My Instant Lunch,” has received numerous accolades, including: Augusta Magazine’s Best Rock Band of 2010. They also won the Band-Aide Competition in 2010, and were named Best New Band of 2009 by Lokal Loudness. "My Instant Lunch" had the unique honor of performing a joint program with the Augusta Ballet, and most recently, performed for an Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field.
As an accompanist and solo pianist, Michael accompanied Nicole Sponberg, former lead singer for SELAH, opened for "The Charlie Daniels Band," and regularly plays for the Augusta Comedy Troupe, “Schoedinger’s Cat.”
Michael holds a bachelor of music degree from Ohio University and is currently enrolled in a master's program at Augusta State University in choral conducting.
Justin is from a family of blue ribbon fiddle and guitar players in West Texas. As a child, Justin signed up at his public school for violin, but the teacher said his hands were too big and suggested the cello. His response was, "but what is a cello?" He later went on to study with Orlando Cole of the Curtis String Quartet and Stephen Geber, principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra. Justin graduated with a Masters in Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Justin is an active chamber and orchestral cellist in the CSRA and South East region. He currently performs with the South Carolina Philharmonic, the Augusta Choral Society, Augusta Opera, and is a founding member of the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. He recently performed the Schubert Cello Quintet as guest cellist with the Magellan String Quartet at the Westobou Festival.
Deciding to pursue a career in medicine, he graduated from the Cleveland Clinic and is presently the Chief of Cardiovascular Perfusion at the Palmetto Health Heart Hospital in Columbia, SC. He lives in Evans GA.
Paul’s primary area of musical endeavor is church music. After singing in professional choirs at Emmanuel Church in Boston and St. Thomas Chapel in New York, he held the positions of Organist and Choirmaster at the First Alliance Church in New York and the First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, Georgia, where currently he is Music Director and Organist.
His experience includes virtually all aspects of church music: choral and orchestral conducting, organ and piano performance, and composing and arranging a sizeable body of works for choir, organ, and various instrumental ensembles. Paul is also active in concert music. In addition to organizing and directing chamber choir/orchestra performances in Boston, New York, and Augusta, he has participated as director and performer in various instrumental and choral ensembles, including directing a Christmas performance of the Augusta Symphony.
Another interest of Paul’s is theater music. He has directed, performed, and arranged music for community and school theatrical productions in Boston and Augusta. Finally, Paul has a vital interest in folk music. He maintains an affectionate interest in American jazz and bluegrass music, Middle-Eastern dance music, and traditional Celtic music of the U.K., writing arrangements and performing on several traditional folk instruments.
Paul has published works in several genres. His Three Carols for Trumpets and Organ is published by GIA Publications. His work for choir and solo flute, The Word Became Flesh, is published by Augsburg Fortress Publications. His Greek and Jew for unaccompanied flute is published by Flute World, Inc. Many other of his works are published privately through Paul’s website, Fresh Music All-Star Bands.
Paul was born in Richmond, Virginia and began private piano instruction at the age of 7. He continued musical studies in theory and ear training during high school years at the Cleveland Institute of Music, private study in organ and cello in Boston, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in composition and conducting at Boston University and the Manhattan School of Music, respectively, and additional conducting study at the Juilliard School. He won composition and arranging contests at both Boston and Harvard Universities during the same year. Paul studied composition with Nicholas Flagello and Vittorio Giannini. His conducting teachers included Hugh Ross and Jean Morel.
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Amy is a native of Augusta, GA. She has studied cello with Ruth Berry, Douglas Graves and David Starkweather. She is a certified Kindermusik instructor and holds a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University in music performance. She is currently working on a degree in Nursing.
Amy has been performing and teaching in the Augusta area for the past 5 years, and is employed at both Augusta State University and Carolina Music Academy. When she has spare time, she likes to spend time with her family and play with her dogs.
Debra currently performs violin and viola with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Pops, Augusta Opera, and Augusta Choral Society, and the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. She is on the Athens Academy music faculty and teaches orchestra for grades ranging from 2 through 12. In addition to her position at the Academy, she has an active private studio of over 50 violinists and violists.
Prior to her work at the Academy, Debra was fifth grade orchestra teacher in Clarke County. She has taught Suzuki violin for over 22 years (receiving extensive Suzuki training from Alice Joy Lewis, Kay Sloan and Almita Vamo), including work as the director of Suzuki programs at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, and Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, and is currently on faculty of the Morningside College Suzuki Institute and Advanced String Camp in Sioux City, Iowa.
She is often a clinician for Suzuki workshops in a region that expands from Georgia to Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Illinois and Iowa. Debra was a violinist in the Savannah Symphony Orchestra for over 10 years and while living in Savannah, served on the educational staff of the Savannah Symphony and directed the Savannah Symphony's Junior String Ensemble.
She also taught violin, string methods/pedagogy and directed the Suzuki Program at Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia, and at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Prior to her faculty positions in Athens GA, Debra had time to perform with the Hilton Head Chamber Orchestra, Augusta, Charleston and Greenville Symphonies. Debra received her Master's degree in violin performance from Western Illinois University and Bachelor's degree in music education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Karl Schab founded and directed the Athens String Ensemble from 1996-2000 and was appointed the first Music Director of the Athens Youth Symphony in November, 2000. He has been a member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra since 1984 and travels to Colorado during the summers, where he works as Principal Violist of the Crested Butte Music Festival. Karl also travels to perform with various orchestras in the South East, including the Augusta Opera, Augusta Choral Society, Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, as well as the Augusta, Charleston and Savannah Symphonies.
Following his undergraduate studies at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and completion as Master’s degree in viola performance from Indiana University, Karl took positions with the Venezuelan National Symphony and the Pro-Arte Quartet of Caracas, touring extensively in Latin America and performing the entire cycle of Beethoven string quartets.
Settling in the Atlanta area in 1980, he continued his chamber music work with the Atlanta Virtuosi and became Principal violist of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Chattanooga Symphony. Karl studied viola and violin with Abraham Skernick, Richard Young, and Dorothy Mauney.
Karl and his wife, Debra, a violinist, share their home in Athens, GA with eight cats and countless students. His hobbies include building and restoring harpsichords and golfing.
Angela regularly performs with the Augusta Opera, Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra, and Augusta Choral Society. She is often guest violinist and violist with the Magellan String Quartet and the Kiokee Quintet. Angela teaches private violin/viola lessons at the Carolina String Academy in Aiken and the Augusta State University Conservatory Program.
She attended Augusta State University, where she received a Bachelor in Music Education. She was violin pupil of Dr. Angela Morgan, and studied viola with Carl Purdy. Angela is an Augusta, Georgia, native. Angela lives in Augusta with her husband, double bassist Travis Shaw, and their daughter Caeden.
Travis Shaw is an Augusta, Georgia, native. Travis is well-versed in many styles of music, including jazz, rock, bluegrass, and classical styles. Travis is an active teacher in Augusta (Southeast Music Academy) and Aiken (Carolina Music Academy) and is in special demand as a performer in the jazz genre. Some of his notable collaborations have been with Ravi Coltrane, Rob Foster, Wycliff Gordon, Pulsar, A Step Up, and The Jazz Collective. Travis is often featured with Carl Purdy’s groups, including the In Praise of Music ensemble Event Horizons.
Travis has studied at the Atlanta Institute of Music, where he studied bass guitar under the well known virtuoso, Adam Nitti, and local working musicians, Alan Barnes and Gary Wilkins, and at Augusta State University, where he studied double bass with Barry Garman.
Travis has also spent time in the flourishing music scene of Athens, GA, where he studied jazz bass with Chris Enghauser of UGA, and performed in master classes with John Clayton and Rufus Reid. He currently lives in Augusta doing freelance work and teaching guitar and bass at The Carolina String Academy and The Southeast Music Academy.
Debra is in her 6th season as a core member of Chamber Music Charleston. In addition, she maintains an active teaching studio and performs frequently with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Augusta Choral Society, the Savannah Philharmonic, the Greenville Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Syracuse Symphony and the Colorado Symphony.
During the summers, she is a participant with the Endless Mountain Music Festival, Loon Lake Live, the St. Augustine Music Festival and the Mozart in the South Festival. Before moving to the Lowcountry of South Carolina, she held the positions of Associate Principal Horn of the Barcelona (Spain) Symphony and Principal Horn of the South Dakota Symphony.
Debra has studied with Roger Collins at Western Illinois University, Erik Ralske at Manhattan School of Music, and Jerome Ashby at the Juilliard School. Outside of playing her horn, Debra’s hobbies include traveling, karate, hiking, kayaking, scuba diving and she is an avid birder. Originally from Danville, Illinois, Debra currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Anne Marie is a clarinetist, administrator and teacher. She has performed for over a decade with The Augusta Symphony, Augusta Choral Society and Augusta Opera. Anne Marie created the Augusta Preparatory Day School Music and Dance conservatory (voted Best of Augusta in 2010), and has maintained a successful clarinet studio for seventeen years. Her students' honors include All-State Band, District, Governors Honors, and The Augusta Symphony Young Artist Concerto Competition.
Her teachers were Hymie Voxman, Dr. Maurita Meade, Doug Graham, Laura Arden, and James Pyne. Anne Marie graduated with honors from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in clarinet performance. During her senior year, she earned the Donald E. McGinnis award, given annually to one band member whose musicianship, leadership, and personality emulate the professional standards of Donald E. McGinnis, who served as the director of bands for twenty seven years.
Laura is the director of the Orchestra and string program at Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta. She is the founder and director of the Carolina String Academy in Aiken and the conductor of the Aiken Youth Orchestras. She is an adjunct professor at Augusta State University and the University of South Carolina, Aiken, and teaches violin and viola privately at the Carolina Academy of Music and for the ASU Conservatory Program. She also served for several years as conductor of the Greater Augusta Youth Orchestras.
She has extensive experience as a chamber musician, including eleven years with the Augusta Symphony String Quartet, three years with the Magellan String Quartet as artist-in-residence at Georgia Southern University, and four years with the Southern Arts Piano Trio. Laura's students, colleagues and audiences benefit from her expertise and versatility as a music arranger.
She has participated in music festivals in New York, California, Michigan, North Carolina, and Maine, and has performed throughout the United States and Europe, most recently in Weill Recital Hall in New York as a member of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. She was awarded a 2001 research grant to attend the International Colourstrings Symposium in Helsinki, Finland.
Laura has been a member of Symphony Orchestra Augusta since 1987, serving one year as concertmaster, ten years as principal second violin, and currently as assistant concertmaster. Laura’s students have won numerous awards and competitions. She also directs the ASU Summer String Camp, as well as the ASU Honors String Jamboree, and coaches chamber music for the ASU Chamber Music Camp. She received a Bachelor of Music from North Carolina School of the Arts, a Master of Music from the University of Southern California, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Georgia.
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Caroline is Principal Flute with the Greenville (SC) Symphony Orchestra and is on the faculty at South Carolina Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities. She has frequently been featured soloist with the GSO and other ensembles, performing works of Bach, Mozart, Chaminade, Gluck, Godard, and most recently, Lukas Foss.
Caroline is active in chamber music, both in solo recitals and part of the GSO Spotlight Series. She has held positions with the Springfield (IL) Symphony, Cedar Falls/Waterloo Symphony, Asheville Symphony, and Augusta Opera, and has played in the orchestras of Broadway Touring shows at the Peace Center.
Caroline earned Master and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Florida State University. Her primary teachers were Charles DeLaney, Alexander Murray, and Felix Skowronek. She has also worked with William Bennett, Carl Hall, Paula Robison, Stephen Preston, and Kyril Magg.
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Dan is principal bassoon of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Dekalb Symphony, the Augusta Opera, Augusta Choral Society, and performs regularly with the Lyra Vivace Chamber Orchestra. He is a member of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and performs with the Atlanta Lyric Opera, Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony.
He has performed extensively in the U.S. and Europe with the quintet Arioso, which he founded. Arioso was selected as one of two chamber music groups from North America to perform at the first International Chamber Music Festival in Berkshire, Massachusetts, in 1976. Worley has played with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, under the direction of James Levine, and has played principal bassoon with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Spoleto, Italy.
As its youngest member, Worley won a position with the American Wind Symphony in Pittsburgh. He has also been featured as solo bassoonist with the Engadinger Festival Orchestra in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Dan was a scholarship student of William Polisi at the Juilliard School of Music.
