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About the Bellas...
  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 TOPS K-8 School and maintains a private studio.  In addition to her classical performances she has recorded and performed with many bands, including Sky Cries Mary. She currently plays violin for Sera Cahoone.

 

  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 is also a member of Duo Savoir Faire with her husband, violinist Tyler Reilly. Nicola is the Annual Giving and Marketing Manager for Seattle Chamber Music Society.

  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, a member of Orchestra Seattle, and an active freelance and chamber musician.   She studies cello with Rich Eckert in Seattle.   Jennifer is also an  accounting manager at Starbucks.

About some of our substitute players:

Tyler Reilly (Violin)
 

Tyler started the violin at age nine, quickly taking the Olympia classical music scene by storm. At the age of 17, he entered the Cleveland Young Artists Institute and won the esteemed position of concertmaster. He played at the Spoleto Opera Festival and won praise from notable international conductors and musicians. Accepted at the top music schools in the country, he chose to study with James Buswell at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Tyler has also played with the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Auburn Symphony, Federal Way Symphony, and has appeared on both KING FM and KUOW. Also a prolific recording artist, Tyler has played with The Walkabouts and Drenched. A musician in high demand, he also performs with Trio con Brio and Duo Savoir Faire. Tyler performs on a rare 1868 Sebastian Vuillaume.

Alina To  (Violin)   Alina is a graduate of the University of Washington.  She plays with the Lake Union Civic Orchestra, The Bellevue Philharmonic 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.