Rachel Kristenson Violin

A native of Alberta, Rachel is the founding teacher and director of the Rocky Mountain Suzuki School of Music. She has a Master's degree in violin performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio. She studied with David Russell and William Preucil, the latter being concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra. Rachel also holds a Master's degree in Suzuki pedagogy under the tutelage of Michele George and Teri Einfeldt. Rachel recently finished a two-year stint with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Someday, Rachel would like to be living in a log cabin in the woods and drinking tea by the fireplace.

Diane Lane Violin

Born in Claresholm, Alberta, Diane graduated from McGill University with her Bachelor of Music degree under the tutelage of Yehonatan Berick. She continued her studies with Edmond Agopian at the University of Calgary and graduated with a Master's degree in violin performance. Diane spent the fall of 2004 at The Banff Centre as an artist-in-residence. She is co-founder of the Players Chamber Ensemble and Harmonia Piano Trio and is on faculty at the Mount Royal Conservatory of Music. Diane likes to play ultimate Frisbee and would like to be a race car driver.

Patricia Higgins Viola

Patricia comes from Québec, la belle province! She studied with François Paradis, principal viola of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec. She obtained her Master's degree in viola at tthe Music Conservatory of Québec. She studied orchestral excerpts and chamber music with François Paradis and Darren Lowe. She has played with the Québec Symphony Orchestra, Sherbrooke Symphony Orchestra, Saguenay Lac St-Jean Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Patricia is an experienced teacher, having taught at several schools as well as the Summer Strings at the Music Conservatory in Québec.

Andrea Case Cello

Calgary musician Andrea Case has a Master’s Degree in cello performance from McGill University where she studied on scholarship with Antonio Lysy. Andrea is co-founder of players chamber ensemble which debuted to great acclaim in the fall of 2004. This ensemble recorded a CD with saxophonist Michael Ibrahim in 2005 which has been heard on CBC. Andrea is thrilled to be the cellist of the Lily String Quartet which is often heard live on CBC and gives performances in and around Calgary with great success. She has done residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts and is currently exploring contemporary playing styles and improvisation. Andrea hopes to spend her life performing great music, cooking great food and spending as much time as possible on a beach somewhere.