I Have Received the "2018 Couples' Choice Award" from Wedding Wire!

I'm excited to announce that I have received the "2018 Couples' Choice Award" from Wedding Wire! This is the fourth year in a row that I've received this reward and I want to give a huge shout out to each of the amazing couples that were not only a pleasure to work with this past year, but also took the time to leave me a great review!

I'm looking forward to this new year and am excited to see what new joys and challenges it brings. Each couple is unique and I enjoy customizing their wedding music to reflect their personality and vision.This year, we played everything from weddings full of classic elegance to weddings rocking with Colorado country charm. Here's to another great year!

Cracking the Wedding Dress Code

I Won the 2016 Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Award!

I want to extend a big thanks to all of my clients who reviewed me this past year. Because of you, I am privileged to once again receive the Wedding Wire Best of 2016 Couples' Choice Award, which means I have been selected as one of the top 5% of wedding service providers in the country. It was an amazing year, and you my clients are a big part of what makes my job so wonderful. I'm looking forward to another great year playing music and doing what I love.

 

Our France Vacation

Bonjour! My husband and I are recently back from a wonderful "holiday" in France. The people we so nice, the food was fabulous, and it was green and beautiful, although we paid for that greenery with unusual amounts of rain. We visited the Burgundian countryside, Paris, and Strasbourg, enjoying cathedrals, chateaus, gardens, local shops, and even caves. We particularly enjoyed small town life in the countryside, waking up to the birds singing, the hourly tolling of the church bell, and the routines of the locals who would walk or bike to the store every morning to buy fresh baguettes. The food was amazing, and we enjoyed the French favorites - baguettes, quiche, cured meats, strong cheeses, fruit, chocolate, wine, sparkling water, and espresso (un petit cafe).

Au revoir!

Welcome to my New Website Design!

After a month of experiencing technical difficulties on my website and being hacked by a Russian company selling suspicious name brand accessories, I’m happy to announce that I’m up and running again, and with a fresh new look. I want to extend a huge thanks to my friends who helped me in this endeavor – you know who you are! So take a look around and enjoy!

Boulder Symphony Orchestra Concert

Brahms

I play the cello with the Boulder Symphony Orchestra and am pleased to announce our upcoming performance: The Boulder Symphony Orchestra along with the Cherry Creek Chorale presents the Brahms Requiem conducted by Devin Hughes on May 18th and 19th. Soloists are soprano Teresa Castillo and baritone Thomas Fitzpatrick Kittle. The concert also features the world premiere performance of “Inter” by Austin Wintory. Tickets are $15. Join us for a wonderful evening of music on one of the following days:

Friday, May 18th at 7:00pm, First Presbyterian Church, Boulder Saturday, May 19th at 7:30, Bethany Lutheran Church, Denver

Mementos from my Musical Journey

Newspaper article featuring Bob Dole's address to Wingate University Grads, Wingate, North Carolina

A few days ago I was digging through my "memory box" and came across various newspaper clippings and other similar items that reminded me of past musical experiences. I hope you enjoy looking at these mementos from my musical journey.

I was in middle school when I had the privilege of playing for the 1995

Wingate University

 Commencement, with Bob Dole as guest speaker. I played flute along with the Wingate Symphonic Band, of which I had been a member for a year.

Spring Lecture Series Program from Wingate University featuring an address by Madeleine Albright in Wingate, North Carolina

Here is the program and ticket for another concert that I played with the Wingate Symphonic Band. This time Madeleine Albright gave the address.

Spring Lecture Series Ticket from Wingate University featuring an address by Madeleine Albright in Wingate, North Carolina

This is an article written about a concert given by the Charlotte Flute Choir in honor one of my former flute teachers, Irene Maddox. Her husband was the director of the flute choir until he passed away a few years later. I played in the Charlotte Flute Choir for six years, but only had the advantage of being Irene's student for a few months before she passed away.

Newspaper article featuring concert given by the Charlotte Flute Choir honoring the passing of Irene Maddox

Newspaper article featuring concert given by the Charlotte Flute Choir honoring the passing of Irene Maddox

This is the summer 2002 edition of the Flutist Quarterly featuring my flute teacher of six years, Mark Thomas. The Flutist Quarterly is the official magazine of the National Flute Association, which was founded by Mark Thomas. Mr. Thomas was kind enough to sign my copy of the magazine.

Summer 2002 Edition of the Flutist Quarterly featuring founder of the National Flute Association, Mark Thomas

Article from newspaper featuring 2004 campaign ball given by Sue Myrick

Left: This is an article about Sue Myrick's 2004 campaign ball, and if you look for the star, you will see our flute and harp duo, "Jubal" mentioned.

Below: This is a page from "Skirt!" magazine featuring my music business.

Article from Skirt! Magazine featuring Christen Neumann Stephens

Vivace Strings Upcoming Appearances

As the instructor of the USCHAP string ensemble, Vivace Strings, I would like to invite you to come and hear our upcoming performances. We have a great lineup for the spring season:

Downtown Monroe Spring Art Walk -  Friday, April 15, 2011 (6pm at First Baptist on Main & 7:30pm at the Loft, 211 N. Main St.) - free admission

Red Cross Rhapsody in Red Charity Ball - Saturday, May 7, 2011 6–7pm

Waxhaw Women’s Club Benefit for Loaves & Fishes - Friday, May 13, 2011

Waxhaw Spring Fest - Saturday, May 14, 2011 10am

New South Music Festival - Saturday, May 21, 2011 (Pre-concert and dinner music)

Queens Community Orchestra Concert

Pictures for Art Walk and Bravo! Beethoven

Bravo! Beethoven

Art Walk

There are now pictures available of our Vivace Strings performance at the Bravo! Beethoven concert on October 10, 2010, and the Art Walk in downtown Monroe on October 1, 2010.

Vivace Strings Plays at Deer Stone Lodge

Vivace Strings will be playing at Deer Stone Lodge, home of Dr. and Mrs. George Pinsak, for the Dream Home Open House on Saturday, November 6th 2010. This is 120 acre custom built Montana style estate has magnificent panoramic views from 148 over-sized windows. The tour also includes collector automobiles in a porte-cochère, a garden, and green houses. Home baked refreshments, mulled wine and punch will be served. The open house will go from 2:00pm until 6:00pm, and Vivace Strings will play for approximately one hour beginning at 3:30. Shuttle service will be provided from the parking lot at Sunset Dr. and Hayne St. in Monroe. Admission (adults only) is $25, and the proceeds will benefit the Union Symphony.