Maria Schleuning has been violinist for the Dallas-based contemporary music ensemble Voices of Change since 1996, and was appointed Artistic Director in 2009. An advocate of new music, she has worked with many of the leading composers of our day, and has premiered many new works, the most recent being "Dream Catcher," a solo violin work written especially for her as a gift by Augusta Read Thomas. The world premiere performance was on May 3, 2009 in Dallas, TX.
Ania Bard-Schwarz, DMA, has performed in recital and in ensemble on four continents across Asia, Europe, Middle East, North and South Americas. As concertmaster, second violin principal and a member of chamber and symphony orchestras, she has worked under such conductors as: John Axelrod, Niksa Bareza, Sergio Comissiona, Christoph Eschenbach, Hector Guzman, Graeme Jenkins, Krzysztof Penderecki, Helmuth Rilling, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and Antoni Wit.
Scott Tixier will join the UNT College of Music as an Assistant Professor of Violin (Jazz/Popular/Alternative Styles) in August 2018. One of his generation’s extraordinary talents, Tixier has made a name for himself as a violinist-composer of wide-ranging ambition, individuality and drive — “the future of jazz violin” in the words of DownBeat Magazine and “A remarkable improviser and a cunning jazz composer” in those of NPR.
Award-winning jazz vocalist, harpist and composer Anna Jalkéus has already distinguished herself as one of the most unique voices of the up-and-coming generation of musicians. As a soloist she has performed in many places around the world such as China (2012 and 2013), a number of European countries and venues including the Stockholm Concert Hall, the 2013 Stockholm Jazz Festival and the Olympic arena Haakons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway, as well as several notable US venues such as the Blue Room, Kansas City, and the Guggenheim Museum, NYC.
Gudrun Raschen has extensive solo, orchestral and chamber music experience on both double bass and cello. She has given concerts in the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Poland, Finland, Italy, Germany, Vietnam, South Africa and Namibia.
Elizabeth Chappell taught orchestra for seventeen years in the Austin Independent School District in Austin, Texas. Twelve of those years were in Title One programs and this experience sparked one of her research interests, equity of access to music education in urban public schools. Dr.
Lynn was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 18, 1957. He began studying classical guitar at age seven, switching to string bass at age nine. While studying music at the University of Oklahoma, he began working the clubs around the state.
In September of 1980, Lynn relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio to join the Steve Schmidt Trio and the Blue Wisp Big Band. He was awarded a Jazz Studies Fellowship in the summer of 1981 from the National Endowment for the Arts to study with Rufus Reid.
Allen Whear is Associate Principal Cellist of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Artistic Director of Pro Musica Rara, Baltimore, Maryland's premier early music ensemble. He is Principal Cellist and Recital Director of the Carmel Bach Festival in California. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and the Juilliard School, he was the recipient of an ITT International Fellowship and studied with Anner Bylsma in Amsterdam and holds a doctorate from Rutgers University.
A native of Croatia, Nikola Nino Ružević has performed in many countries around the world where he has received critical acclaim for his artistry. The Los Angeles Times writes about his playing: "... thrilling intensity and apprehensible projection", " ... compelling narrative skills and imaginative coloring. Each piece told a story the listener could immerse in."
Cynthia Roberts is one of America's leading baroque violinists and has appeared as soloist, leader, and recitalist throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. She has served as concertmaster of the New York Collegium, Apollo's Fire, Concert Royal, and Les Arts Florissants. She performs regularly with the Boston Early Music Festival, Tafelmusik, and the American Bach Soloists. She has appeared with the London Classical Players, Taverner Players, Clarion Music Society, and Smithsonian Chamber Players.
