H. Michie Akin is Organist/Choirmaster for the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas Texas. He also is the founding conductor and artistic director of the Arts District Chorale in Dallas. A native Texan, he holds degrees from the School of Music, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; and the School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, awarded with distinction. He began doctoral studies in piano at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, Connecticut in preparation for a college career in teaching. While in Hartford, he took a “temporary” position as music director at St. Bernard’s Church in Enfield, CT. This “temporary” position turned into a distinguished twenty-five year career in worship, music and the arts.

After moving back to Texas in 1985, Mr. Akin was appointed Director of Liturgical Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He also served as Assistant Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Dallas and for ten years was Director of English Music for Cathedral Guadalupe in the downtown Arts District. For the cathedral, he established a not-for-profit arts organization, Cathedral Dallas, Inc., to promote artistic, cultural and educational events centrally located in the heart of the downtown Arts District. 

Originally trained as a pianist, Mr. Akin took a 16-year hiatus from playing the piano to pursue other professional interests. He returned to public performance in 1997, and in succeeding years has performed at the annual Summer Music Festival of Alta Riborgorza, Spain; in Italy at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival; and most recently, at the Seventh Festival Sauvanese in Monte San Savino. In 1999 and again in 2000, Mr. Akin was one of 100 candidates from around the world to participate in the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris, France. In 2004, and again in 2006, he was one of six finalists in the Rocky Mountain International Amateur Piano Competition. In the 2004 competition, he received two special awards from the panel of judges for Best Performance in Romantic and Contemporary repertoire. 

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Sherna Armstrong, mezzo-soprano. Sherna Armstrong is currently a Professor of Voice at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, and a Professor of English at SMU, and Richland Community College. Sherna is pursuing the PhD in Arts and Humanities in the Aesthetics from the UT Dallas. Sherna received degrees both in Voice Performance and Music Education from SMU, where she studied in the studio of Barbara Hill Moore. Sherna is a full-member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and maintains a private Voice and Piano studio, and conducts group Voice Classes.

Most recently Sherna performed in the role of Alice, in the Garland Civic Theater's production of Big River, and she performed in leading roles in various productions including: Three Divas, Grand Duke, Patience, and Porgy and Bess. Sherna enjoys an extensive performance career which requires that she perform varied genres including opera, musical theater, gospel, and jazz. Her recent solo project entitled, “My Soul Music”, reflects her unique ability to perform a diverse palette of music equally well. Sherna has served as soloist, section leader, Music Director, and Stage Director. 

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Tabitha Boxerman earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Piano Performance (summa cum laude) from Texas Woman's University, where she was a student of Dr. Richard Shuster. Her awards include the Presser Foundation Award, the Sarah Verna Cox Coffey Endowed Music Scholarship, and the Outstanding Undergraduate Performer Award. Ms. Boxerman was also awarded scholarships to attend the Chautauqua Institution Music Festival and Summer School in Chautauqua, New York in 2005 and 2006. She has performed in masterclasses with Rebecca Penneys, Aldo Mancinelli, Dr. Leslie Spotz, Petronel Malan, and others. Ms. Boxerman has performed solo recitals at Tarrant County College and Brookhaven College, and is currently an independent music teacher and freelance accompanist. This fall she will be a piano instructor with Texas Woman's University Community Music.

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Ann Bradfield, saxophone

Ann Bradfield is presently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in saxophone performance at the University of North Texas where she also earned a Master of Music in classical performance and Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies performance. Ms. Bradfield has recorded with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Corporon and participates in the annual recording of the educational series “Teaching Music through Performance in Band.” Ms. Bradfield presently serves as a teaching fellow in saxophone at UNT and also teaches in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. She has studied with John Vana, Chad Eby, Jim Riggs, David Lown, and Dr. Eric Nestler. 

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Sara Chason

Sara Chason holds degrees in Psychology from Brown University, Voice Performance from the University of Michigan School of Music and Music Therapy from Wayne State University.

Her most recent local performance credits include Sweeney Todd with Lyric Stage, The Dialogues of the Carmelites with Fort Worth Opera and the role of Edith in Regal Opera's presentation of The Pirates of Penzance. She will perform this spring with the 2007 Fort Worth Opera Festival Chorus.  She has also sung with The Living Opera Chorus, The International Opera Studio of Dallas, Deep Ellum Opera Theatre and the Texas Gilbert and Sullivan Company. Nationally, she has performed with Michigan Opera Theater and several professional choruses, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Kenneth Jewell Chorale and the Symphony Choruses of St. Louis and Dallas.

She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and currently gives private voice instruction at Highland Park High School and in her home studio.

Sara lives in Dallas with her husband David, a physician at UT Southwestern Medical Center. They have two grown children - a graduate student at The University of Denver and an undergraduate at The University of Texas at Austin.

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Color of Sound

The trio is composed of Mark Miller and Ute Miller (of Duo Renard) plus Laura Love, cello.

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Tommaso Cogato, piano

"Tommaso Cogato came through Jofre Theater like a cyclone. . .with verve, energy, and musicality.” Praised by the Spanish press, Tommaso Cogato made his international debut after winning the "Ciudade de Ferrol" International Piano Competition. Cogato’s great musicality, together with his unique technical and expressive skills, allowed him to stand out in national and international competitions: first prize at the Igor Stravinsky National Music Competition, first prize at "Pietro Argento" National Music Contest, and a special prize for the best Beethoven performance at the "Camillo Togni" International Piano Contest. He has appeared at the Santa Fiora International Music Festival, "Amici della Musica" of Vicenza, "Giovanni Paisiello" Association in Lucera, Chamber Players Academy, Siena and Arezzo Universities, "Accademia Chigiana" in Siena, and the Meyerson Symphony Center. He has also appeared with such artists such as Andres Diaz, Francesco Mastromatteo, and Nicola Fiorino.

Cogato started his piano studies at the Vicenza Conservatory at the age of nine and completed with full grades, honors, and an honorable mention at the Monopoli Conservatory under the guidance of Benedetto Lupo. He has taken part in piano courses at Ecole Normale de Musique "Alfred Cortot" in Paris, under the guidance of Ian Hobson, Boaz Sharon, and Einar Steen-Nøkleberg. He recently attended a course at Gargano International Festival, studying Mozart's and Beethoven's piano works with pianist Robert Levin and the Chigiana Academy with Joaquín Achúcarro. In addition, Cogato studied under Sergio Fiorentino, François-Joel Thiollier, and Lazar Berman. Currently, after winning a conspicuous scholarship and receiving an Artist's Certificate in Piano at Southern Methodist University, Cogato is continuing his studies as a second-year Masters student of Joaquín Achúcarro.

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Aaron Cotton, Classical Guitar

Aaron Cotton, a native of Austin, Texas, was first introduced to the classical guitar at the age of 9. He started with a rudimentary study of the guitar and then changed studios to study with Carlo Pezzimenti. By the age of 12, he was already performing in public for special events and café concerts. Since that time, Aaron has continued to perform in various places and events throughout Texas, and in 2001, he was invited to go to England to give several recitals. 

In 2004, he graduated with his B.A. in Music from Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas. Aaron has participated in many master classes with internationally acclaimed guitarists such as Christopher Parkening, Manuel Barrueco, Juan Carlos Laguna and Ernesto Garcia de Leon. Currently, he is performing on more national and international basis as he enjoys traveling. 

In 2005, he traveled to Spain and Taiwan where he gave several concerts. He also gave a small tour of Texas with his teacher and mentor Carlo Pezzimenti and they are looking forward to recording a duo CD this winter on the Mapleshade record label. In September 2005, he was invited to play at the University of Evansville, Indiana and also gave a concert in Owensboro, Kentucky. In August 2005, he was the recipient of the 1st place award from the 2005 Eastfield College Classic Guitar Festival and Competition in Mesquite, Texas. Aaron plays on a guitar hand constructed by Ignacio Rozas in Madrid, Spain.

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A sophisticated music ensemble with a unique blend of tone quality. They play musical styles from Haydn to Joplin and Sousa. "The original cast" has performed together since 1984 in recitals, at churches, weddings, parties and at retirement homes. This is their 17th anniversary year. 

Members of Dallas Camerata include:

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Dallas Doo-Wop Vocal Band

The Dallas Doo-Wop Vocal Band (a.k.a. "The Fabulous Viagras") was organized to perform for their 40th high school reunion in 2002. These men have known each other since the second grade at Lakewood Elementary, and went on to attend J.L. Long Jr. High and Woodrow Wilson H.S. where they all performed together in various bands throughout their school years. Since their successful debut at their reunion, they have been singing together for various private parties and Woodrow Wilson functions. To learn more about the group visit their website at: www.fabulousviagras.com

Personnel: Jack Andrews is a graphic designer with his own advertising firm, Andrews & Associates.
Jerry Barnett is a pharmacist and the proud grandfather of two wonderful little boys, Hayden and Logan.
Ralph Hamm, when not playing golf, is CEO of Texas AGA, Insurance.
Glenn Redmond is a Construction Administrator with F&S Partners, Architects. He serves as the musical arranger for the group.

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Having recently relocated to the DFW area, Dean is very excited about the performance opportunities in the metroplex. Most recently, Dean played the role of Jim in the Garland Civic Theater’s production of Big River. He has also had leading/supporting roles in Jekyll and Hyde, Footloose, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Holes, and The Prince of Egypt in theaters across Texas. 

While singing has always been Dean’s first love, and he has been blessed to be able to use his gift in hundreds of performances, he is also an actor, dancer, and model. He has modeled for GAP, Mercedes, BMW, Wilson Leather, Motorola, Corona Extract, Contigo Clothing, and has also been featured in a few commercials. Dean also has a strong love for sports, particularly basketball and tennis, which he played at the collegiate level. Surprisingly enough, Dean has done all of this in his spare time. It is his full-time work of helping to better the lives of underprivileged and disadvantaged youth that he values most, above all else.

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Cornelia Demian, viola 

Violist Cornelia Demian began her musical education in Timisoara, Romania. After winning several competitions in her homeland, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1999 from West University of Timisoara, continuing her studies on scholarship at the Académie Royale in Brussels and l’Isola San Giulio Chamber Music Program in San Giulio, Italy. Ms. Demian has performed with numerous orchestras in Romania and Texas. She completed a masters degree in violin performance at SMU in 2005 studying with Vesselin Demirev. She has been an active member of the North Texas musical community, currently playing in three orchestras in Plano and Irving. Last spring, after her switch from violin to viola, she was accepted to compete in the Naumburg Competition, scheduled in New York City later this month. Her competition repertoire includes all the works represented on this afternoon’s program, as well as several other compositions. 

Ms. Demian plays an Augustin Chappuy viola ca. 1765.

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Duo Diplogenesis

Duo Diplogenesis was formed in 2005 by guitarists Carlo Pezzimenti and Aaron Cotton. The group focuses on Impressionistic and Contemporary music for two guitars. Since their collaboration, they have performed in Madrid, Spain and throughout Texas. Several composers have already dedicated works to them, such as Jim Chenevert and Brian Clement-Foreman. In 2005, they recorded their first duo CD for the Mapleshade Record label in Washington DC. Currently, Duo Diplogenesis is performing with special guest Wang Jing, an erhu performer.

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Carl Gallington, well-known in the music industry for 36 years, has performed with various bands and vocalists. His styles of music include jazz, country, rock, R&B, and classical music. Mr. Gallington studied with private teachers in the Dallas and Amarillo areas. The talented drummer also went on a European tour with the Larry “T-Bird” Gordon Orchestra. While there he performed for Prince Albert of Monaco, and in various venues throughout Europe. Mr. Gallington has given back to his community through his talent by performing for the homeless during the holiday seasons, at charitable events, and at local schools. He currently directs the musical group, EZY. 

Mr. Gallington’s musical accomplishments are evidence of his natural gift and work ethic.

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Justin Gray, a brilliant young American virtuoso who has won numerous awards for his artistry, has been described by the Remarker Arts Magazine in Dallas, Texas as “managing to perform with both passion and composure, fervor and poise, zeal and control.”

Mr. Gray was the Kawai Grand Prize winner in the 2005 Palos Verdes Music Peninsula Festival Competition in Los Angeles, and he has also won prizes in the 1994 Kingsville International Competition, the 1995 Texas Music Teacher’s Association Competition for Solo Piano, the 1996 Grace Welsh Prize for Piano in Chicago, the 2004 Mid-Texas Symphony Competition, and the 2004 Los Angeles Liszt Competition. 

Mr. Gray has been coached by such esteemed artists as Claude Frank, Ian Hobson, Anton Nel, and Jeffrey Swann. He has also studied extensively with Tong-il Han and Donna Edwards.

In his career, Mr. Gray has been a participant at the 1995 Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, the 1996 Festival for Young Artists in Lawrence, Kansas, the 1997 Cliburn Institute for Young Artists in Fort Worth, Texas, and the 2005 International Piano Institute of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has been featured as soloist with the Southern Methodist University Symphony, conducted by David Milnes.       

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Freddie Jones, enormous talent, roots in Memphis ,a jazz studies degree from University of North Texas, and a passion for playing have earned Freddie a devoted following in contemporary jazz circles. Freddie has taken his trumpet and his group on the road throughout the Southwest ,performing in hot spots from Caravan of Dream to Austin's Elephant Room. Little Rock's Riverfront Auditorium to numerous festivals in Oklahoma City and everywhere in between. The group has shared the stage with greats such as David Sanborn, Freddie Hubbard, Chuck Magione, George Benson and Najee and has produced three highly acclaimed CDs.

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Violist Ronald Houston's passion for teaching and performing has led him to festivals around the globe such as the Ameropa Internation Festival in Prague, the International Musical Arts Festival in Maine, and the Elan Festival in Vermont. In North Texas, Ronald founded and directs the celebrated viola ensemble, ViolaPower!, an assemblage of the top high school violists in the Dallas area. The knowledge Ronald imparts to his young students was gathered under some of the most eminent teachers at the Juilliard School, the Music Academy of the West, and the New England Conservatory of Music, where he graduated with distinction in performance. 

In his professional life, Ronald has performed as the principal violist in the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Santa Fe Pro Musica, and has also appeared with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras and the Handel – Haydn Society Orchestra. Currently, Ronald serves as the principal violist of the Dallas Chamber Orchestra. He is also an accomplished recitalist with performances at the 25th International Viola Congress in Austin, the Chappelle Ste. Pierre in Paris, Louisiana State University, Texas Tech University and the University of Kansas. Ronald received his degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music where his primary teachers were Walter Trampler and Burton Fine.

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Wang Jing

Wang Jing, a composer and virtuoso erhu artist, was born in Wuhan, China. Now she is pursuing a Composition DMA Degree at the University of North Texas where her major professors are Jon Nelson, Joseph Klein, Andrew May, Phil Winsor, and Joseph Rovan.

As a composer, her compositions have been selected and presented at the International Computer Music Conference, International Festival of Electronic Music and Sonic Art Bourges (France), SEAMUS National Conference, Santa Fe International Festival of Electro acoustic Music, Florida Electro acoustic Music Festival, Electronic Music Festival Midwest and Electric LaTex Festival. She is this year’s winner for the Pauline Oliveros Prize given by the International Alliance for Women in Music, as well as one of the finalists for the II Electro-acoustic Miniatures International content, Huelva, Spain. In 2005, the Atlantic Center for the Arts selected Ms. Wang for Artists-in-Residence Program. As a performer, Wang Jing was chosen in competitive auditions as one of two winners of NIU School of Music Concerto Competition in 2001 and successfully performed erhu concertos with several symphony orchestras in Midwest area of the U.S.

While pursuing her degree, she works as a teaching assistant in CEMI (Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia), as well as a teaching fellow in the composition department. 

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Brendan is in the sixth grade at Rice Middle School in Plano. He has played the violin since kindergarten and is currently studying with Sachiko Mori. A high achiever, he is a straight-A student. He also enjoys playing tennis.

Doohi Lee, piano

Doohi Lee began the piano at age 13 and studied with Paul Kueter, continuing with Harriet Goler at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Piano Performance. He changed his major field of study to Biomedical Engineering at the Case School of Engineering in Cleveland, while continuing his piano studies with William Appling and Andrius Kuprevicius. During the summer of 1986, he was accepted to the Fontainbleau School of Music in France, where he studied piano with Gaby Casadesus and music analysis with Narcis Bonet, as protégé of Nadia Boulanger. Lee has also coached with Carolle Anne Mochernuk, Samuel Sander, Emilio del Rosario, Jose Fegahli, and Tamas Ungar. 
As piano soloist, Lee performed with the Redford Civic Symphony Orchestra in Michigan in two separate occasions, performing the Piano Concerto Nos. 19 and 20 by Mozart. He has also presented solo recitals in Lexington, Richmond, Cleveland, Detroit, Antwerp, Montreal, and Buenos Aires. In June of 1999 and 2000, he was invited to participate in the First and Second Van Cliburn International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs at Fort Worth, Texas. In August 2001, as part of Altamura Music Festival on the Greene (Catskills, New York), Lee performed and recorded the Piano Concerto No. 20 (K466) by Mozart with the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Bacau, Romania, Karel Mark Chichon conducting.

A devoted chamber musician, Lee has performed with the members of The Cleveland Orchestra (June 1989, for the benefit of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus), The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Chamber Ensemble, and the Montreal Symphony. In June of 1991, he was invited to perform the “Trout” Piano Quintet by Schubert with The Lafayette String Quartet for the benefit of The Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. In 2003, Lee founded The Phoenix Trio, with Nancy Messuri (Violin) and Dwight Anderson (Cello), and presented many concerts in the greater Dallas area.

Also a Conductor, Lee began conducting in college with the Case Men’s Glee Club as Interim Conductor. He studied orchestral conducting with David Daniels, Michael Charry, David Delta Gier, and Gustav Meier. He was Apprentice Conductor under David Daniels, and made his orchestral conducting debut in 1994 with The Pontiac-Oakland Symphony in Michigan, directing the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Liszt and the Violin Concerto by Mendelssohn. At the Altamura Music Festival, Lee also conducted the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Bacau, Romania, in a performance of the Overture to “Die Fledermaus” by R. Strauss and the Symphony No. 7 (1st Movement) by Beethoven. 

As a physician, Lee is a Surgical Radiologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, chronic soft tissue pain, diabetic neuropathy, and vein diseases. He currently practices in Plano, Texas. 

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Lois Lee, a sophomore at Paschal High School, has been playing the violin for ten years. As an orchestral player, she has been the concertmistress of the Fort Worth Youth Orchestra since 2004 and has been in the 2005-2006, 2006-2007 All-District and All-Region Orchestra (concertmistress) and All-State Symphonic Orchestra (1st violin.) She was recently awarded the Bayard H. Friedman Award, in which she received a thousand dollar scholarship to further enhance her violin career. As a soloist, she has performed with the FWYO at the Bass Hall, after winning the 2005 FWYO Young Artist Competition. She has also won first place at the 2004 Dallas Symphony Festival Junior Division, along with the 2006 Dallas Symphony Festival Senior Concerto Division. Lois is involved in Varsity Tennis and Cooking Club.  She also enjoys reading and playing video games.

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Liptonshire Chamber Players

The Liptonshire Chamber Players, composed of both amateur and professional musicians, formed in 1991 with a nucleus of players from Lake Highlands who started meeting because of longtime friendships through music. As the group evolved, it solidified into a woodwind quintet with piano and has enjoyed performing most of the standard repertoire for that instrumentation. The woodwind players have been or currently are members of various symphony orchestras in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and the pianist is a staff accompanist at Richland College and with the Arts District Chorale in downtown Dallas.

Originally because of necessity, and later because of interest, the Liptonshire players also have presented chamber music with smaller combinations of members of the group. They will perform Reinecke's Trio for Oboe, Horn and Piano, and music for clarinet and piano by Brahms on the March 11 recital. Soprano Carol St. George will collaborate on two sets of Vaughan Williams songs: Three Vocalises for Soprano and Clarinet and a selection of Blake Songs for Soprano and Oboe.

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Laura Liu, violin

Laura Liu is a 9th grade student at Jasper High School in Plano. She began her study of violin at age 7. She has been a student of Jan Mark Sloman for the past 5 years. Laura was the 1st place winner of Dallas Symphonic festival in 2006 and had a performance with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra. She has performed at the National Radio Show “From the Top."  Laura also was the 2nd place winner of Hubbard Chamber Music Young Artists Competition in 2007. She has regularly participated The Institute for Strings. Laura was in the Heifetz International Music Institute in New Hampshire for 2 years. Aside from her violin studies, Laura enjoys playing sports, spending time with her friends, shopping, dancing, and art. She is enrolled in the French Club and Drill Team at her school.

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Laura Love, cello  

Laura graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rice University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance and continued her summer studies and attended such exclusive festivals as National Repertory Orchestra and Spoleto USA, where she served as principal cellist. She earned her Master of Music in Performance degree in 2004 after studying with cellist Lynn Harrell. She is currently pursuing an Artist Certificate Degree at Southern Methodist University under the tutelage of Christopher Adkins, Principal Cellist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. 

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Scott Marosek, piano

Pianist Scott Marosek performs regularly as soloist and collaborative pianist. His recent concert tour of China included several solo recitals in Beijing and Guangzhou (Canton), a concerto performance at the renowned Xinghai Hall, and master classes at several universities. Recent performances in Israel included collaborative recitals at the Jerusalem Music Centre (broadcast on “The Voice of Music,” Israel’s only classical music radio station) and the Felicja Blumenthal Music Centre in Tel Aviv. Mr. Marosek has performed several solo recitals sponsored by the Van Cliburn Foundation, and performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra as orchestral pianist. Concerto performances this season include Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 at the University of North Texas, and Jon Christopher Nelson’s “Fantasies and Flourishes” for Disklavier and Orchestra with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra at Texas A & M.

Mr. Marosek is currently Adjunct Professor of Piano at the Southwestern Adventist University Department of Fine Arts and Music, and is on the faculty of the Eastern U.S. Music Camp. Mr. Marosek taught for three years at the University of North Texas, where he is completing his doctorate in piano performance. His major teachers have been Adam Wodnicki and Robert Weirich.

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Yuri Maruyama, piano

Yuri Maruyama is in the 10th grade at Jasper High School in Plano . She began playing the piano at age 5 in her native Japan. She has performed six times as a soloist in Japan. Recently she has been awarded a Superior rating in the DMTA Achievement Auditions in 2005, and a +1 rating in 2006. She has consistently received the highest marks in the Texas State Theory Exams. She studied with Dr. Yoshie Ueki in Japan, and is currently studying with Dr. Rinna Saun in Plano. In her spare time, Miss Maruyama enjoys reading, drawing and playing the violin. She is also an avid composer, and has completed 8 compositions. She will be playing Bach, Beethoven, and Chopin.

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Mark Miller, violin

Mark Miller, violinist in Duo Renard, is String Instructor at TAMU-C. An experienced chamber musician, he has an extensive background with orchestras including the Orchester der Beethovenhalle Bonn and the Cologne Radio Symphony in Germany. He performs with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra and the Dallas Opera. He is concertmaster of the East Texas Symphony and of the North East Texas Symphony.

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Ute Miller, viola

Ute Miller, violist in Duo Renard, is String Instructor at TAMU-C. Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Frankfurt and Cologne Radio Symphonies and eight years as assistant principal violist of the Gürzenich Orchestra-Cologne Philharmonic in Germany. Ms. Miller is principal violist of the Dallas Opera Orchestra, a member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and principal violist of the North East Texas Symphony.

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Cellist Elizabeth Morrow has established her reputation as a dynamic performer whether it be as orchestral soloist or as recitalist. She is known for her warm, expressive tone and vibrant interpretation of the cello literature. 

Ms. Morrow's repertoire extends beyond traditional classical periods and styles to incorporate jazz and 20th Century compositions. She has a special interest in and commitment to performing newly-commissioned and lesser-known works in the cello repertoire. 

Elizabeth Morrow's performing career has taken her to Europe with performances in England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the former Yugoslavia. In addition, she has performed throughout the United States and in Mexico. 

Renowned as a successful pedagogue, her master classes focus on teaching musical style and principles of relaxation and balance, which allow her students freedom of musical expression. Elizabeth Morrow holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California and teaches cello on the faculty of The University of Texas at Arlington.

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Nova is an 18-member auditioned ensemble from Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas. It is directed by Wilshire’s minister of music, Doug Haney. The ensemble performs a broad range of literature, but it specializes in a cappella music of the Renaissance and 20th and 21st centuries, with attention to new works, especially local composers.

Three works by Aaron Copland will act as “bookends” to this program, which will include music from Renaissance to Romantic period European composers. The second half of the program features American composers, including two works by Dallas composer Michael Capps, a member of the ensemble.

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Carlo Pezzimenti, classical guitar

Since beginning his study of classical guitar in Florence, Italy at the age of thirteen, Carlo Pezzimenti has worked successfully to impart his wealth of knowledge to students of the guitar, to further develop his artistry, and to share his musical philosophy with audiences around the world. 

Summers, Pezzimenti attended Andrés Segovia's "Music in Compostela" festivals. Studying with the father of the classical guitar, he laid a strong foundation for his musical career. Pezzimenti continued his studies at Loyola University in Rome with Sergio Notaro. Later, he acquired a degree in music from the prestigious Morlacchi Conservatory in Perugia, and furthered his studies with Jose Tomás in Alicante, Spain. After returning to the United States in 1974, he attended master classes with Jesús Silva, Oscar Ghighlia and Federico Moreno-Torroba. His private studies with Segovia continued from 1980 to 1985 during annual visits to Madrid. 

Carlo Pezzimenti's Carnegie Hall debut took place in 1982 to great acclaim. Subsequent performances included concerts with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, and the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra. 

Pezzimenti has gained the attention of the music world through performances in the United State, Europe and Latin America. His appearances on the concert stage, as well as on radio and television, have received consistent, ever-widening acclaim. He has given live performances on the radio in Spain and the United States, appeared on television numerous times, including a PBS special, "Up Close" and was recently interviewed on the NPR program "Latino USA". 

In October, 2005 Mr. Pezzimenti completed a three week tour of China. His repertoire consisted primarily of pieces from Spain, Latin America and South America. The programs werer received with much enthusiasm. 

Mr. Pezzimenti is releasing a new CD in 2006 on the Mapleshade Records label. It includes a solo called "The Garden of Occult Pleasures" and a duo with the acclaimed guitarist Aaron Cotton titled "Diplogenesis." 

Composers such as Federico Mompou, Manuel Ponce, Ernesto Garcia de Leòn, Brian Clément-Foreman, James Phelps, and Antonio Lauro draw him to works of the twentieth century. Pezzimenti's intuitive approach to the music conveys the emotional core of each composition and his flawless technique reaches beyond the mere mechanics of playing the instrument. 

Mr. Pezzimenti is a highly respected teacher of the guitar, holding faculty positions at Brookhaven College in Dallas, Texas and at Texas Woman's University in Denton. Students benefit from the vast experience and wealth of knowledge shared by this caring musician. He makes his home in Dallas with his wife Anita. 

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Donny Pinson is nearing completion of his doctoral studies at the University of North Texas, where he works with Vern Kagarice. He previously earned degrees at Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University, studying with John Kitzman, Dennis Bubert, and Barney McCollum. He currently serves as the second trombonist in the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, and he has performed extensively in classical and jazz styles throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Recently, he left for four weeks in Germany in August 2006, performing on tenor trombone in the Festivalensemble Stuttgart. Also active as a soloist and chamber musician, recent engagements include performances at the Big XII Trombone Conference at Texas Tech University, at Louisiana State University, and at several local universities, libraries, and churches. In March 2005, he placed second in the National Solo Competition at the Eastern Trombone Workshop, and he was invited and participated in the prestigious Prague Spring Solo Trombone Competition in May 2004. Mr. Pinson has also been active as an educator, teaching low brass students at the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Arlington, Brookhaven College, and the Lewisville and Grapevine-Colleyville school districts.

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Mose Pleasure III, was born in New Orleans, LA. He was raised in a classical home setting where his mother sang opera along with his dad and uncle. Trained in classical music since the age of 4 and educated in the public schools of New Orleans, he received his BA Degree in Concert Organ Performance from Dillard University of New Orleans in 1982. It was during his college years that he was introduced to gospel music and he developed a passion for it as well as his classical upbringing. He began playing for several local gospel groups and learned the art of playing black gospel through the experiences that was provided to him by many black churches in the area. His first church assignment was his home church Grace United Methodist Church at the age of 10. He has played for many different denominations which has enriched his talent by playing in so many different styles.
The mixture of gospel and classical music has given Mose a special touch both in his performing and his productions. He has performed on the prestigious Lay Family Organ inside the beautiful concert hall of the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, on two different occasions. You can get a taste of this wonderful mixture from his first solo debut CD entitled "Expressions In Light" released in 1993. This instrumental production gives you a taste of the versatility that Mose possesses in both the instrumental and vocal renditions on the CD. He has turned his experiences and talents to helping other artists realize their dreams by helping produce them in his own studio which has been built with time and care over the last several years.

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Nancy Pollard, mezzo-soprano

Nancy Pollard returned to the Denton area in the fall of 2003 after an absence of 35 years. She studied voice with her husband, Dr. J. M. Pollard and the late tenor, Eugene Conley.

Nancy began performing professionally in Wisconsin and continued in the Pacific Northwest where she and her husband raised 3 children.

She made her operatic debut with the Seattle Opera Association in the role of Maddalena in Verdi's Rigoletto and toured for Columbia Artists’ Community Concert Series. Mrs. Pollard has also sung the role of the mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore and Nettie in Carousel. Dramatic roles include Carrie in Toys in the Attic and Candy Star in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Other vocal activities of note include a role with Houston Grand Opera and soloist and recitalist for numerous symphonies, choruses and community groups. Recognition and acclaim for the voice of this talented mezzo-soprano have come from such diverse sources as tenor, Placido Domingo and popular performer, Harry Belafonte. She has been a featured soloist with the Denton Bach Society and has served as guest artist instructing the opera class at Brookhaven College in Dallas. Nancy met Sara Chason when both were singing with Ft. Worth Opera.

After many years of performing and teaching private voice, Nancy taught public school music and directed church and school choirs in Texas. She is currently the choir director at The Selwyn School in Denton. Since returning to the Denton area, where her husband had earned three degrees from UNT, the Pollards are enjoying being closer to their children and grandchildren and Marvin's sister, and spending time with their dogs and horses.

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Carol St. George is a writer and partner with her husband Cap Pannell in the graphic design firm of Pannell St. George. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas where she studied voice as a second minor. She is a former student of Anne Jackson and is a current student of Nancy Elledge. She is choir soloist at Grace United Methodist Church.

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Rinna Saun, piano

Rinna Saun received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of North Texas, where she is now a teaching fellow. She received her Master of Music degree from Mannes College of Music and her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Maryland. She has given solo recitals in Texas, Florida and New Orleans, and has performed with chamber groups. She has won first prize in the New York – Korea Times Competition, the American Music Scholarship Association World Competition and the Nina Wideman Concerto Competition.

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Laurie Shulman, piano  

Laurie Shulman is well known to classical music audiences as program annotator for orchestras, chamber music organizations, recitals, and festivals throughout the United States. She currently writes locally for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, the new music ensemble Voices of Change, and the Richardson Symphony. Her national clients include the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the Charlottesville Symphony. Laurie has also furnished CD liner notes for more than a dozen classical record companies. 

A native of New York, Laurie comes from a family of professional musicians. Her father, the cellist and composer Alan Shulman, was a charter member of the NBC Symphony under Arturo Toscanini. Her mother, Sophie Bostelmann Shulman, was a pianist and music educator. Both her brothers are musicians in New York City. Laurie earned a B.A. in European history from Syracuse University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in historical musicology from Cornell University. She is an active amateur pianist who studied with Richard Contiguglia, Gerard Hengeveld, Edith Fischer and Malcolm Bilson. Since her move to Texas in 1985, she has been increasingly involved in our cultural community.
 
Her articles have been published in D Magazine, The Dallas Observer, The Dallas Morning News, Chamber Music Magazine, Tempo, and Stagebill. She was a contributor to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1980), The New Grove Dictionary of Opera (1992), and The New Grove II, published earlier this year. An authority on new music, she has worked extensively with living composers. Shulman’s first book, The Meyerson Symphony Center: Building a Dream, was published in 2000 by University of North Texas Press. 

Laurie’s interests outside music include European travel, foreign languages, cooking, and wine. She is a veteran long distance runner who has completed nine marathons, including three in Boston. She lives in Dallas with her husband, William Barstow. 

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Alexandra is a 13-year-old homeschooler from Grapevine, began violin lessons at age 4 and has been a student of Jan Mark Sloman, associate concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, for four years. She is the runner-up in the 2007 National ASTA Solo Competition, a semi-finalist in the 2007 Sphinx Competition in Detroit, and has been featured on the nationally syndicated radio show “From the Top.” In the summers, she participates with Mr. Sloman in The Institute for Strings in Dallas and has had the honor of performing for Ida Kavafian and Elmar Oliveira in master classes. She enjoys tennis, knitting, reading, and playing in the TIFS Quartet with her brother.

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Robert Switala, a 14-year-old homeschooler from Grapevine, Texas, began violin lessons at age 6 and is a student of Jan Mark Sloman, associate concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He is the State winner in the 2007 ASTA Solo Competition, semi-finalist in the 2007 Sphinx Competition, and finalist in the 2006 MTNA Jr. Nationals. He has soloed with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra as Grand Prize winner of the 2005 Dallas Symphonic Festival and has been featured on the nationally syndicated radio show “From the Top.” In the summers, Robert participates in The Institute for Strings in Dallas. He enjoys tennis, robotics, chess, reading, and playing in the TIFS Quartet with his sister.

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Patricia Woodward, flute

Flutist Patricia Woodward earned a BM in flute performance from the University of Redlands, a MM in Musicology from the University of North Texas, and a MM in flute performance from UNT under the tutelage of Mary Karen Clardy. Ms. Woodward is an avid chamber musician and currently plays in several chamber groups in the North Texas area including the Meridian Chamber Players, Trio Pacifique, and the Highland Chamber Winds. As an orchestral player, Ms. Woodward is currently principal flutist of the Denton Chamber Orchestra, and played flute and piccolo with the Flower Mound Chamber Orchestra and the Redlands Symphony. She has been a concerto soloist with the Riverside Chamber Camerata.

As a piccolo player, Ms. Woodward was recently a finalist in the Entergy Young Texas Artists competition. She also recently won the Texas Flute Society Solo Literature Masterclass Competition. A former student of Terri Sundberg, Sara Andon, and Cynthia Ellis, she has participated in master classes with Trevor Wye, Alexa Still, Ann Deiner Giles, Peter Lloyd, Ransom Wilson, William Bennett and others. In addition to performing, Ms. Woodward has a MM in Musicology from the University of North Texas, where she was the winner of the GAMuT paper competition. She was a selected presenter Petrucci Conference at the University of North Texas. Upcoming concert engagements include a California tour with duo partner Scott Marosek and a collaborative recital in Spain with pianist Nelson Ojeda Valdés as part of the Madrid Chamber Music Internacional concert series.

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