Elizabeth Gue has been teaching violin using the Suzuki Method for over ten years.  She began her violin studies at the age of 3 with Celia Nicks at the Suzuki Institute of Seattle, with whom she studied for 15 years.  While in college she went on to study Suzuki pedagogy with Celia Nicks and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance at Western Washington University with Walter Schwede.  She spent two summers working with Charles Avsharian at the Meadowmount School of Music, where she assisted him with his Galamian Techniques classes.  In 2006 she completed her Master's Degree in Music Performance at the University of Texas at Austin where she studied violin with Vincent Fritelli and Violin Pedagogy with Dr. Laurie Scott.  During her graduate studies in Texas she was an active teacher with the University of Texas String Project, teaching both private students and group classes ranging from pre-school to intermediate level students.  She has most recently studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Judy Wiegert-Bossuat at the University of Oregon Suzuki Institute and has become a Registered Suzuki teacher.  Elizabeth is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the American String Teachers Association.

Yuriy Mikhlin, Violin & Viola

Yuriy Mikhlin has been a professional violinist in Russia and then in the Pacific Northwest for more than 35 years. At the age of 23, he graduated from the Kiev Conservatory with honors. His most influential teacher was a student of David Oystrakh. From 1969 to 1974, he was an Assistant Principal and soloist of the Kiev Chamber Orchestra, and from 1974-1991, Assistant Principal for the Kiev Opera & Ballet Orchestra. During his 20-year career as a violinist with the Kiev Opera and Ballet, Yuriy performed in Asia, Russia, and Europe. He was also a faculty member of Kiev Music School #32 and Glier College of Music.

Since moving to Seattle in 1991, he has founded a local studio and has continued providing his pedagogy expertise. Since 1993, he’s been a member of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra and a principal violinist of the Federal Way Symphony. He’s also the principal second violin in Seattle Chamber Orchestra, and a member of Seattle Violin Virtuos. Yuriy is actively involved in chamber concert arena and his chamber performances have been particularly highly praised.

John Kim, Violin & Viola

John Kim is a versatile performer in the Pacific Northwest. He is the former Concertmaster of the Northwest Sinfonietta, Associate Concertmaster of the Northwest Chamber Orchestra, and is currently Concertmaster of the Bellevue Philharmonic. With degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, his primary teachers include Linda Cerone, Victor Danchenko, Bernhard Goldschmidt, and Glenn Dicterow, Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.

Mr. Kim was a New York String Orchestra Seminar participant in 1991 under Alexander Schneider and Jaime Laredo in 1993 with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Other achievements include National Orchestral Institute Concertmaster, Ladies Musical Club of Seattle Competition top prize winner, featured artist on KING FM “Live by George”, and a performance at the White House. In recent years, Mr. Kim has participated in the Seoul Festival Orchestra, the Tanglewood and Spoleto festivals, and has also performed chamber music with Richard Stolzman and Joseph Silverstein, performed on the UW World Series at Meany Hall, and has appeared as soloist with numerous regional orchestras.

A sought after teacher, Mr. Kim has coached orchestra and chamber music at the Marrowstone Music Festival, Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra Music Camp, Evergreen Music Festival, Vivace Chamber Players!, and Garfield High School Orchestra program. Currently, Mr. Kim is the Director of the Seattle Conservatory of Music’s Eastside Chamber Music Program, violin coach for the Seattle & Bellevue Youth Symphonies, and teaches privately in Bothell, Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Issaquah at Hammond Ashley Violins.

Jim Mihara, Violin & Viola

Jim Mihara has been teaching violin and viola in the greater Seattle area for over 20 years. His students have successfully auditioned for the area’s top youth orchestras and ensembles, music schools and scholarships, and have won awards in music festivals. Jim also performs on violin and viola professionally in the Northwest. In the 90’s he was concertmaster of both the Bellevue Philharmonic and Federal Way Symphony. He also played professionally in Idaho and Alaska. As a conductor, he founded and conducted the Emerald City Philharmonic Orchestra and currently is the conductor of the Musicians Emeritus Symphony.

Jim’s philosophy is that the most important aspects of music are the enrichment of life and the development of all the mental, artistic and social skills which are a part of the path of becoming a musician. His teaching style is supportive and positive while developing exacting technique and musicianship. He works with students of all ages and skill levels and supports them on their unique set of musical goals.

Jim graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Music. He has studied violin, viola, and chamber music with a number of notable teachers, including: Vilem Sokol (now retired), Denes Zsigmondy, Paul Coletti (Julliard), Mark Sokol (San Francisco Conservatory), and has participated in Master Classes with members of the Guarneri Quartet, Ida Kavafian, James Buswell, Camilla Wicks, and others.

Jim can be reached at 206-523-0966 or visit www.miharaviolinstudio.com.

Emanual Vardi, Violin & Viola

Long known as the world's leading viola soloist, Emanuel Vardi is acclaimed as a performer, pedagogue and champion of his instrument. In 1942, Mr. Vardi received the prestigious "Recitalist of the Year" award from the New York music critics for the best New York recital following his Town Hall debut. His many concerts and recitals have taken him throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Far East. As a member of the unparalleled NBC Symphony Orchestra, and protege of the famed conductor Arturo Toscanini, he has soloed many times with that famed orchestra, and was given the extraordinary distinction of being asked to perform a solo recital at the White House for Franklin D. Roosevelt during WWII. Mr. Vardi is one of one two violist in the world to have ever given a solo recital in Carnegie Hall.

During his career, Emanuel Vardi has played countless solo recitals to great critical acclaim in the major concert halls of the world including New York's Alice Tully, Carnegie Hall, and London's Wigmore Hall. In 1985, Mr. Vardi was featured in a full length article in Strad Magazine, and in 2003 he was honored with a lengthy interview in The American Viola Society Journal, with his pointing 'Homage to a Great Violist' appearing on the front cover. During his career, he frequently appeared live in concert radio stations around the globe including the BBC in London, CBC in Canada, and WQXR and WNCN in New York City.

The only person to hove ever recorded all 24 Paganini Caprices on the viola, Mr. Vardi has made numerous recordings which can be heard on such labels as MGM, Kapp, Musical Heritage Society, Audio Fidelity, Vox, Columbia, and RCA. Recently, he has recorded for Dorian, Chandos, and Collins Records. He has served as full professor of viola and violin at Temple University in Philadelphia, Manhattan School of Music in NYC, and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. As a renowned pedagogue, he has helped to produce some of the finest soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral players throughout the world.

Emanuel Vardi's versatility as a musician spills over into conducting and composing, with frequent forays into the jazz field as well. He has worked with some of the top names in this genre and has produced recordings for such greats as Lionel Hampton, Al Hirt, and Louis Armstrong.

Following a severe accident in 1993, Mr. Vardi, an avid painter throughout his music career, retired from the concert stage and decided to devote the rest of his life to art. A natural outgrowth of his love of music and his experience as an intimate colleague gives him a knowledge and insight into the world of the musician, and his work has become sought after by collectors, musicians, and music lovers alike.

Emanuel Vardi's art career developed parallel to his musical career as he began lessons in art while simultaneously studying the violin and piano as a seven year old in New York City. At the age of 14, while a student at the prestigious Wolden School in New York, he won first prize in sculpture at Macy's Children's Art Show. Subsequently, Mr. Vardi studied life drawing with Morris Kantor at the Art Students League for two years, and in 1950 he studied for two years at the Academia de Belle Arte in Florence, Italy. His instructors were renowned landscape and portrait artist Giovanni Colachicci and Italy's most famous portrait artist Primo Conte. While in Italy, Emanuel Vardi won the prestigious first prize at the Rappalo International Art Competition on his abstract of a violin which now hangs at the Bordeghera Art Museum. In 1956 his painting White on White, Composition No. 3 was shown in a group show in New York's City Center and was picked by the New York Times as best in show. He has had many New York shows since that time, and has sold well over 100 works during his career. Since the early 1970's, Emanuel Vardi has concentrated on painting his musicians, beginning with a flute player that was commissioned by a famous jazz musician. These paintings soon became very popular amongst musicians, music lovers, and private collectors all over the world. Because of his parallel involvement in music and art, he brings a unique style and perspective to his musical subjects; that of a musician, intimate colleague, and painter. His last show in New York City was in 1993, at which the critic for the magazine Art Speak wrote: "I hear music when I look at Emanuel Vardi's paintings." Mr. Vardi has shown at countless art galleries throughout his long career, and is currently represented by Reflection Fine Art in Dallas, Texas, The Casarietti Gallery in Breckenridge, CO, and Artisans on Taylor in Port Townsend, WA.

In 2001, Mr. Vardi was commissioned to paint a large oil of a violist for the Brigham Young University Library's PIVA wing in Provo, Utah. Word of his beautiful commissions soon spread to the Dallas Symphony, where in 2003 he was commissioned to paint a large canvas for their annual Symphony Gala to benefit the Dallas Symphony.

In 2001, Mr. Vardi was commissioned to paint a large oil of a violist for the Brigham Young University Library's PIVA wing in Provo, Utah. Word of his beautiful commissions soon spread to the Dallas Symphony, where in 2003 he was commissioned to paint a large canvas for their annual Symphony Gala to benefit the Dallas Symphony.

Mr. Vardi now makes his home in Port Townsend, WA where he continues to be very active in both music and art.

Lenore Vardi, Violin & Viola

Since her New York solo recital debut in Merkin Hall in 1982, violinist Lenore Vardi, has received international acclaim as soloist and chamber musician for her refined artistry and extraordinary technique. Richard Kimball of the New York Post has hailed Ms. Vardi as a soloist of "...amazing elegance and musicianship...a natural performer."

A native of Detroit, she attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School as a music major, and was then offered a full scholarship to attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where she worked with Eric Rosenblith. She subsequently attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she completed her BM degree as a scholarship student in violin performance under Steven Staryk and Andor Toth.

Lenore's post-graduate studies then continued on the East Coast where she received a teaching fellowship under Joseph Silverstein in Boston, and earned her MFA degree in violin performance and chamber music from Sarah Lawrence College as a student of Dorothy DeLay in New York. She also studied viola during this time with Emanuel Vardi, and performed extensively on that instrument as well. She has coached extensively with a host of esteemed artists including Rudolph Kolisch and Eugene Lehner of the Kolisch Quartet, Denes Koromzay and Andor Toth of the Hungarian Quartet, Rostislav Dubinsky of the Borodin Quartet and Trio, cellist George Ricci, and pianist Leonard Shure.

Well-known as a soloist and chamber musician, she has collaborated with a host of world-class artists including Paula Robison, Michaela Petri, and Menahem Pressler in concert and in recording. She was a founding member of both the Laurentian String Quartet and the Westchester Chamber Players, and has been a member of the Amacorda String Quartet, The Sutton Ensemble, Musica Sacra of New York, and the Philharmonia Virtuosi under Richard Kapp. Lenore has also frequently performed world-wide as violinist in the Vardi Duo with her husband and world renowned violist, Emanuel Vardi.

Audiences in major music festivals throughout the world have enjoyed performances by Ms. Vardi where she has been heard in concert at such festivals as the Newport Music Festival, Aspen Festival, and Tanglewood Festival, and she has made numerous TV and radio appearances internationally many stations including the BBC London, CBC Montreal, and in New York City on stations WNCN and WQXR. Lenore also has the distinction of being one of the violists profiled in Maurice Riley's book THE HISTORY OF THE VIOLA.

In 1988, she made her London debut in recital at the Royal Academy of Music, and she made her Canadian recital debut the following year at the Domaine Forget Music Festival in Quebec.

One of the busiest recording musicians in NYC, Ms. Vardi has performed and recorded regularly with numerous stellar names such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet, and has demonstrated her artistic versatility as a record producer for Dorian Records, and as a painter specializing in figurative abstract renditions of women musicians in performance.

Ms. Vardi has been actively involved in teaching and often teaches and gives master classes on the violin and viola in collaboration with her husband, Emanuel Vardi. As a former dancer, she brings a unique problem solving capability to her students with her understanding of movement and the physical problems of the string player.

Having performed with many of the most renowned musicians on the music scene today has afforded her the opportunity to visually study these artists on an intimate basis, leading to the creation of her unique renditions of them in rehearsal and on the concert stage. "I derive as much joy from creating these ‘performances from the audience perspective’ as I do from being 'in the spotlight'.”

Lenore's future plans include recording CDs of the Franck, Faure, and Saint Saens Sonatas, and the three Brahms Sonatas for violin and piano for Blue Rock Recordings in Austin, TX.

The Vardi's have called Port Townsend home since August of 2006.

Helena Emery, Violin & Viola

Helena Hämäläinen Emery was born in Kauhajoki, Finland, in 1975. Her passion for music began at the age of three and she received her first violin as a Christmas gift when she was six years old. The following fall she was accepted at the Kauhajoki Music School, where she began intensive violin study, winning her first competition at age eight.

Helena was eleven when she was invited to play as soloist with the Kauhajoki String Orchestra and during the same year she made a solo appearance with the orchestra on a television documentary “Evening of Music”. In 1987 she appeared as a soloist with the orchestra during its tour to Hungary. At the Lahti Conservatory, Helena continued her study under Pertti Sutinen. She later returned to Hungary to perform in concert with other gifted students of the Lahti Conservatory. Her subsequent appearances included recitals, concert tours, musical events and festivals.

Helena moved to the United States in 1996, and began coaching under Ann Elliot-Goldschmid, first violinist of Lafayette String Quartet of the University of Victoria, BC and Prof. Burkhart Godhoff at Victoria Conservatory of Music. Her first CD “Praeludium” was released in December 1999 and was followed by “Legends” in 2001. She has been a performing member of the Ladies Musical Club since 2000. Her performances include solo recitals at various locations in the Northwest, such as the Bloedel Reserve at Bainbridge Island and the Seattle Art Museum. She has been soloing with the Port Angeles Chamber Orchestra under Nico Snel, and with Musicians Emeritus Symphony Orchestra of Seattle under James Mihara. She completed a concert tour of Alaska in February 2001. In addition to her solo career, Helena is teaching private violin students at the Olympic Peninsula and at the King County area.

Richard Skerlong, Violin & Viola

Richard is leaving a dual legacy in the music world: in addition to playing for 37 years with the Seattle Symphony, 21 of them as principal violist, he has taught more than 300 string students - some of whom are now playing in major orchestras themselves.

Richard also has dual instrumental expertise: he began his music education with the violin, and continued studying that instrument through a master's degree at the Eastman School of Music. His first job was as a violin instructor at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he also played in a trio-in-residence and in the Columbus Symphony.

His next professional stop was in Louisville, where he played in the city's professional orchestra while teaching fulltime at the university. During those years, he also managed to travel to Indiana University (IU) to continue his own music education, studying with Josef Gingold and working toward a doctorate. "I was encouraged by the viola instructor at IU to switch instruments because of the sounds I could produce," he remembers. "Mr. Gingold was not happy with my decision to pick up the viola; he envisioned my future as being with the violin. But I got myself a wonderful viola, and never looked back."

After stints in Oklahoma City and Minnesota, Richard was offered the principal's seat in Seattle, and his wife Pat won a position as a violinist with the symphony. Richard also joined the music faculty at Seattle Pacific University, where he taught viola, violin and chamber music for 30 years.

Richard says he has always had at least 10 private students, as well, and intends to continue that pattern, focusing on high school students and adults. "I've always enjoyed teaching," he says. "It's a logical thing for most performers, to pass on the things we know and have experienced."

Teaching while also performing fulltime comprises a very challenging life, Richard acknowledges. "It's a tough route. No one should go into music as a career unless they have a real drive for it. But, ever since I decided as a 15-year-old that I wanted to play professionally, I've had a one-track mind - which has been a good thing." rskerlong@aol.com

Na Young Kwon, Violin & Viola

Na Young Kwon is an active instructor and performer of violin in the greater Seattle area. She has coached the orchestras of the Cascade Youth Symphony and Roosevelt High School, and is a certified instructor in the Suzuki Method, which emphasizes the development of talent in all individuals. Her students are of varying levels and ages, from ages five to adult, and have participated in such ensembles as the Northwest Symphony, Bellevue Youth Symphony, Seattle Youth Symphony and Cascade Youth Symphony Orchestras.

“First and foremost, I would like my students to enjoy making and sharing music through their discovery of violin-playing. It has been said that the violin resembles the human voice, in terms of its depth and range of expression. The sound of the violin combined with the player of it creates a unique voice. Indeed, no two violinists are alike, and I would like to help discover the unique violinist within each of my students.”

Na Young is currently a violinist with the Bellevue Philharmonic. She has also recorded for motion picture soundtracks and other commercial ventures in the Seattle area.  Her educational background includes undergraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Bachelor of Music degree from Cleveland State University, graduate studies at Kent State University, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She has attended such festivals as Aspen Music Festival, Encore School for Strings, Scotia Festival of Music in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Opera Theatre of Lucca in Italy. Na Young has also served as a member of the  Fort Wayne Philharmonic in Indiana, Erie Philharmonic in Pennsylvania, Eugene Symphony, Eugene Opera, Tacoma Symphony and Yakima Symphony.

Dajana Akrapovic, Violin

Born in Zenica, Bosnia in 1968. Educated at the Sarajevo University Music Academy and the Zenica Music High School. Performance experience:

Commercial Studio Recording for Hollywood movies including Sony Pictures.

On Stage orchestras with: Led Zeppelin • Queens Reich • David Matthews Band • Trans-Siberian Orchestra • Pacific NW Ballet • Cascadian Choral • Bolshoi Ballet • Seattle Choral Company • Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra • Federal Way Symphony • Northwest Mahler Festival • Orchestra Seattle • Britt Music Festival • Boise Philharmonic • Charlottesville Symphony Orchestra.

Private teaching instructor in Zenica, Bosnia and Seattle Washington 1990 to present.

Marjorie Parkington, Cello

Marjorie Parkington has devoted many years to teaching cello students in the Seattle – Issaquah area.  Her enthusiasm for helping students develop their playing skills has helped many of them place well in local student symphonies such as Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestras, and  Issaquah’s  Evergreen Orchestra.  Her students regularly go on to conservatory.  However, it’s the students’ own enthusiasm for playing that Marjorie is most interested in fostering. 

Marjorie holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Idaho and has completed Suzuki teacher training through the Book 9 level.  She participates in chamber music festivals across the country as well as performing solo recitals on a regular basis.  Her next recital is 3:00 p.m., October 21, 2007, at Hammond Ashley’s delightful facility.  The program is devoted to 20^th century works for cello and piano.  Think you don’t like such “new” music?  Come and find out how much fun it is!

Janet Neumann, Cello

Janet Neumann has been teaching cello and performing in the Seattle area for 17 years. She has a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Cello Performance from the University of Southern California where she studied with Gabor Rejto and Eleonore Schoenfeld. After college she lived in Caracas, Venezuela where she taught at the National Conservatory and played professionally.

Locally, she has played in many orchestras and chamber music groups such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Bellevue Philharmonic, and the Salieri String Quartet.

Her Suzuki cello program includes a weekly private lesson, a supplemental group class, 2 solo recitals, and a group concert.  She also believes it is important for music students to play in community and school groups. The experience is a powerful motivator.  Her students have been involved in many school orchestras, Seattle Youth Symphony, Bellevue Youth Symphony, Renton Youth Symphony, and Vivace chamber music camp.

In addition to teaching, Janet has been involved in many community activities. She was the Secretary of the Suzuki Association of Washington State for 4 years. She has served on the board of the Seattle Music Teacher’s Association and was a member of the Music Advisory Panel for the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival. She has also been a Big Sister for 10 years through Big Brothers Big Sisters of King and Pierce Counties. 

Kimberley D. Blanchard, Cello

In addition to teaching cello privately, Kim also directs the chamber music program at Seattle Prep. She has also been an intern and coach at Chamber Music Madness, under nationally recognized chamber music teacher, Karen Iglitzen, for several years. Kim has been actively involved in the arts community of the northwest for over a decade. She has performed with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera NW, and Bellevue Opera, as well as being actively involved in the chamber music community around Seattle. Kim moved to Seattle after receiving her BFA from Alfred University in New York, and went on to receive her B of M in cello performance from Cornish College of the Arts ten years later. Kim’s primary teachers include Dr. Lou Richardson, Mara Finkelstein, Paige Stockley, and Walter Gray.

Ji Youn, Cello

Scott performs as principal bassist with the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed on occasion with the Spokane, Yakima, Whatcom and Federal Way Symphony Orchestras.  He plays with salsa band Rhythm Syndicate and for ballroom dance bands Men in Black, SpeakEasy, The Ragtime Waltz Orchestra, Rouge & Noir Tango Orchestra, and TangoFusion.  Scott also plays electric bass and sings backing vocals for the Queen tribute band Her Majesty.