| About the Bellas... |
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Erica Johansen , Violin | |
| Erica Johansen holds a masters degree in violin performance from the University of Washington. She began her studies at the age of eight, and studied with Rochelle Walton, a former assistant to Ivan Galamian. Erica played in the California All-State Honor Orchestra for four years and also performed in the 1998 National High School Honor Orchestra. While attending the University of Puget Sound she studied with Edward Seferian, earning a bachelor's degree in violin performance. Erica also spent six months in Vienna studying with Rene Staar, a violinist in the Vienna Philharmonic. She is currently concertmaster of the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, and a member of the Tacoma Symphony and Bellevue Philharmonic. Erica is a string teacher at Lakeside School and and maintains a private studio. In addition to her classical performances she has recorded and performed with many bands, including Sky Cries Mary and Sera Cahoone.
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Nicola Reilly, Violin | |
Nicola started the violin at age seven. She attended the Northwest School for the Arts and under the direction of Paul-Elliot Cobbs traveled to perform and compete in Austria, Germany, and Japan. In college she studied violin with Edward Seferian at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. It was there that she earned two degrees in Spanish Literature and Music History and wrote her MacArthur-winning senior thesis on the Basque composer Juan Cris˜stomo de Arriaga. Nicola is an avid freelance violinist performing regularly with Northwest Sinfonietta, Bellevue Philharmonic, and the Lake Union Civic Orchestra. She has recorded with Sera Cahoone, Sarah Shannon, Mastodon, and Sky Cries Mary. Nicola is the Director of Marketing for Seattle Chamber Music Society. |
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Jennifer Ellison, Cello | |
| Jennifer began playing the cello at age 10. She attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, and was a member of the Texas All-State Orchestra and the Houston Youth Symphony for four years. She was also a winner of the Houston Young Artists competition in 1994. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Masters Degree in Professional Accounting, and Bachelors degrees in Accounting and Business with a minor in French. Jennifer is the principal cellist for the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, and an active freelance and chamber musician. She has studied cello with David Garrett of the LA Philharmonic, and Rich Eckert in Seattle. Jennifer is also the Accounting Manager at a local biotech company, Seattle Genetics. | ||
About some of our substitute players: |
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| Alina To (Violin) | Alina is a graduate of the University of Washington. She plays with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, The Bellevue Philharmonic, Grand Hallway, and many other groups in the Seattle area. | |
| Dave Beck (Cello) | Dave Beck, cello, is a member of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra and served as principal cello in the Bellevue Philharmonic, Seattle Philharmonic and Federal Way Philharmonic Orchestras. He is currently president of the board of directors of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras and plays in the Seattle based chamber music society Klassikon. A University of Washington graduate, his cello instructors have included Toby Saks, Raymond Davis and Cordelia Wikarski Miedel. Dave is an award-winning broadcaster as well as musician. He has worked at the NPR affiliate station KUOW 94.9 Public Radio in Seattle since 1985. | |
