Chamber Music ~ Improvisation ~ Performing
PAST STAFF
Kevin Flynn is pursuing his Doctor of Music at Indiana University as the Eva Heinitz Memorial Scholar and assistant to his teacher, Emilio Colón. He received his Master of Music from Indiana University, and a double Bachelor of Arts in Cello and Philosophy from Grand Valley State University, studying under Pablo Mahave- Veglia. He has played in other eclectic venues including Constellation Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, and Old San Juan's Castillo San Cristobal. He has been a guest on American Public Media’s Performance Today in I CARE IF YOU LISTEN. Previous engagements include concerts across Canada with The Magisterra Soloists, GVSU New Music Ensemble’s 2016 National Parks Tour, Bloomington Indiana Early Music Festival, Fresh inc. festival with Fifth House
Ensemble, & Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. He made his first commercial recording as a member of the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, a CD of newly-commissioned works celebrating the centennial of the National Parks Service - released in April 2020 through Innova Recordings.
Kevin has served as an adjunct lecturer in music theory in the GVSU music department, and as a teaching assistant in the GVSU Philosophy department. rHis hobbies include cooking with cast iron, taking pictures of his cat, and losing at chess.
Ensemble, & Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute. He made his first commercial recording as a member of the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, a CD of newly-commissioned works celebrating the centennial of the National Parks Service - released in April 2020 through Innova Recordings.
Kevin has served as an adjunct lecturer in music theory in the GVSU music department, and as a teaching assistant in the GVSU Philosophy department. rHis hobbies include cooking with cast iron, taking pictures of his cat, and losing at chess.
Ethan Young is a cellist in Lexington, Kentucky, where he is the cello instructor for the University of Kentucky String Project as well as a teaching artist for the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra’s MusicWorks program. He has recently played as a substitute cellist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 2015-2019 he was the cellist of the Rockefeller String Quartet and a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, giving concerts and educational demos throughout the state of Arkansas. While there he held teaching positions as the cello instructor for the ASO’s Sturgis Music Academy, and the Adjunct Cello Instructor at Hendrix University and Henderson State University.
He has served as principal cellist of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, the Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra, and the Indiana University Baroque Orchestra where he has studied baroque cello under renowned early music specialist Stanley Ritchie. Other orchestral positions have been with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and as a substitute with the New World Symphony.
He has worked under the baton of numerous conductors including Andris Nelsons, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman, Leonard Slatkin, Alan Gilbert, Christoph Eschenbach, Stéphane Denève, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Ludovic Morlot
He has played chamber music at the Tanglewood Music Center and Schleswig-Holstein festivals, and has performed on numerous chamber concerts including at the University of Kentucky, the University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas Little Rock, and at Ionian University in Corfu, Greece
Ethan has taught at CelloChanWoods for four summers in its Michigan and Vermont settings, where he contributes performances, pedagogy, and positivity as he joins participants in their pursuit of combining the musical with the mindful. The serene setting perfectly complements his teaching approach of using calmness and balance to overcome the challenges of cello playing, converting hard work into manageable and meaningful steps of accomplishment and self-discovery.
Ethan holds a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Michigan where he studied with Anthony Elliott, and a Master’s Degree from Indiana University under Peter Stumpf.
From 2015-2019 he was the cellist of the Rockefeller String Quartet and a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, giving concerts and educational demos throughout the state of Arkansas. While there he held teaching positions as the cello instructor for the ASO’s Sturgis Music Academy, and the Adjunct Cello Instructor at Hendrix University and Henderson State University.
He has served as principal cellist of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra, the Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra, and the Indiana University Baroque Orchestra where he has studied baroque cello under renowned early music specialist Stanley Ritchie. Other orchestral positions have been with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and as a substitute with the New World Symphony.
He has worked under the baton of numerous conductors including Andris Nelsons, Charles Dutoit, David Zinman, Leonard Slatkin, Alan Gilbert, Christoph Eschenbach, Stéphane Denève, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Ludovic Morlot
He has played chamber music at the Tanglewood Music Center and Schleswig-Holstein festivals, and has performed on numerous chamber concerts including at the University of Kentucky, the University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas Little Rock, and at Ionian University in Corfu, Greece
Ethan has taught at CelloChanWoods for four summers in its Michigan and Vermont settings, where he contributes performances, pedagogy, and positivity as he joins participants in their pursuit of combining the musical with the mindful. The serene setting perfectly complements his teaching approach of using calmness and balance to overcome the challenges of cello playing, converting hard work into manageable and meaningful steps of accomplishment and self-discovery.
Ethan holds a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Michigan where he studied with Anthony Elliott, and a Master’s Degree from Indiana University under Peter Stumpf.
Jason Gong is an international pianist and cellist from Michigan. He received his Masters of Piano Performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, UK studying under Prof. Noriko Ogawa and Prof. Paul Roberts and his Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan studying under Dr. Louis Nagel.
Although his foundations are in classical music, Jason loves to explore the connections between all creative disciplines. Within music, how do things like genres relate to each other and socially how might things such as politics, traditions, and cultures inform those relations? As musicians, can our work elucidate something about ourselves? Outside of music, how can other mediums of expression such as movement or visual arts relate and connect with sound? In times of crisis, or when physical needs are in jeopardy, what is the role of art? These questions drive his love for improvisation and passion for collaboration, both with other musicians as well as other disciplines.
Currently, Jason is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan where he performs around SE Michigan, arranges chamber music, and maintains a teaching studio for both piano and cello. Jason is very excited to be returning to CelloChanWoods. He greatly values the environment that the retreat fosters--one of intense focus, unbridled joy, and nourishing support. CelloChanWoods is a place where real growth happens and “unlikely connections” are commonly found. In his spare time, Jason enjoys cooking for others, listening to podcasts, and swing dancing!
Although his foundations are in classical music, Jason loves to explore the connections between all creative disciplines. Within music, how do things like genres relate to each other and socially how might things such as politics, traditions, and cultures inform those relations? As musicians, can our work elucidate something about ourselves? Outside of music, how can other mediums of expression such as movement or visual arts relate and connect with sound? In times of crisis, or when physical needs are in jeopardy, what is the role of art? These questions drive his love for improvisation and passion for collaboration, both with other musicians as well as other disciplines.
Currently, Jason is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan where he performs around SE Michigan, arranges chamber music, and maintains a teaching studio for both piano and cello. Jason is very excited to be returning to CelloChanWoods. He greatly values the environment that the retreat fosters--one of intense focus, unbridled joy, and nourishing support. CelloChanWoods is a place where real growth happens and “unlikely connections” are commonly found. In his spare time, Jason enjoys cooking for others, listening to podcasts, and swing dancing!
Dr. Sonja Kraus, a native of Germany, is an internationally acclaimed cellist, teacher, and music scholar, whose concertizing and teaching career has taken her through Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States. Currently, Kraus holds the position of Assistant Professor of Cello/Bass at the University of South Dakota and is the cellist in the renowned Rawlins Piano Trio. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of South Dakota, Kraus was the Cello Professor at the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo as well as the principal cellist of the Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaqul in Ecuador. Kraus holds her bachelor’s in Cello Performance and Pedagogy from the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart (Germany) as well as a master’s and doctoral degree from the Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University Bloomington where she studied with Prof. Emilio Colón, the 2017 Artist of the year by the New York Classical Music Society. Kraus is a sought-out performer, clinician, and instructor of masterclasses throughout the US, Latin America, and Germany with invitations to the Colegio Universitario San Gerónimo de La Habana (Cuba), Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University (IN), Chapman University (CA), and University of Lincoln (NE). Kraus participated in several music festivals around the world including Habana Clásica, the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy. As a researcher, Kraus focuses on broadening the cello repertoire by identifying manuscripts and creating editions of unpublished cello works from the classical era, currently focusing on three Cello Concertos by Franz Anton Hoffmeister.
Leslie Welan As a cello performance major at Ithaca College, Leslie studied with Nicola Heinrich, Elizabeth Simkin, and Heidi Hoffman.
Upon completing her MM at the University of WI., in 2009, Leslie moved to Charlottesville, VA. While in Charlottesville, she met Suzuki Teacher Trainer Beth Cantrell, who inspired her to pursue further pedagogical studies. Over the course of two years, Leslie completed training courses for Cello Books 1-10, Suzuki Principles in Action, and Teaching Cello Group Classes. She studied with Ronda Cole, Tanya Carey, Beth Cantrell, Pamela Devenport, Carol Tarr, and Carey Beth Hockett.
While in Virginia, Leslie spent two years as principal cellist for the Ash Lawn Opera, and played with the Roanoke Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Opera on the James, Virginia Consortand the Oratorio Society of Virginia. As a member of the Afton String Quartet, she performed recitals at Mary Baldwin College, Christ Episcopal Church’s Bach’s Lunch program, and several assisted living centers. The Afton String Quartet also held a residency at the University of Mary Washington, where they gave masterclasses and a recital.
At the college level, Leslie taught at Longwood University in Farmville, VA during the 2013-2014 school year and Grayson College in north Texas from 2015 to 2019; she is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award. She is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra.
As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award. While in Virginia, Leslie spent two years as principal cellist for the Ash Lawn Opera, and played with the Roanoke Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Opera on the James, Virginia Consortand the Oratorio Society of Virginia. She was a member of the Afton String Quartet.
At the college level, Leslie taught at Longwood University in Farmville, VA during the 2013-2014 school year and Grayson College in north Texas from 2015 to 2019; she is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award.
Upon completing her MM at the University of WI., in 2009, Leslie moved to Charlottesville, VA. While in Charlottesville, she met Suzuki Teacher Trainer Beth Cantrell, who inspired her to pursue further pedagogical studies. Over the course of two years, Leslie completed training courses for Cello Books 1-10, Suzuki Principles in Action, and Teaching Cello Group Classes. She studied with Ronda Cole, Tanya Carey, Beth Cantrell, Pamela Devenport, Carol Tarr, and Carey Beth Hockett.
While in Virginia, Leslie spent two years as principal cellist for the Ash Lawn Opera, and played with the Roanoke Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Opera on the James, Virginia Consortand the Oratorio Society of Virginia. As a member of the Afton String Quartet, she performed recitals at Mary Baldwin College, Christ Episcopal Church’s Bach’s Lunch program, and several assisted living centers. The Afton String Quartet also held a residency at the University of Mary Washington, where they gave masterclasses and a recital.
At the college level, Leslie taught at Longwood University in Farmville, VA during the 2013-2014 school year and Grayson College in north Texas from 2015 to 2019; she is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award. She is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra.
As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award. While in Virginia, Leslie spent two years as principal cellist for the Ash Lawn Opera, and played with the Roanoke Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Opera on the James, Virginia Consortand the Oratorio Society of Virginia. She was a member of the Afton String Quartet.
At the college level, Leslie taught at Longwood University in Farmville, VA during the 2013-2014 school year and Grayson College in north Texas from 2015 to 2019; she is currently on faculty at Austin College.
Leslie teaches privately in Texoma and performs with the Sherman Symphony Orchestra. As Education Director of the SSO, Leslie oversees all of the orchestra’s educational programming, and she enjoys developing new outreach efforts. She is the founding director of Austin College Summer Music Camp, a program that is operated by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra and hosted by Austin College. In 2024, Leslie was nominated for the Sherman Chamber of Commerce ‘Community Leader of the Year’ award.
Joeseph Tatum completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University where he studied with Prof. Emilio Colón. During that time he also had the opportunity of studying with cellists Dr. Helga Winold, and Prof. Marc Coppey. Joseph participated in chamber music master classes led by the Pacifica String Quartet and received coachings from Pacifica's cellist, Brandon Vamos.
In addition to classical playing, Joseph is very passionate about pursuing creative musicianship including improvisation as well as writing and performing original compositions. Joseph currently performs as part of The Eclectic Celli, a cello duet focused on expressing the cello in many diverse musical styles. Another one of Joseph's active projects is composing for and performing with a quartet comprised of cello, electric bass, drums and violin. During his undergrad, Joseph co-founded the band Darwin's Groove, a trio consisting of cello, guitar, and drums. The ensemble performed original compositions centered on harmony and rhythm while transitioning contrasting grooves. In each of these projects, Joseph seeks to explore and innovate the cello's unique capabilities as a non classical performance instrument.
He is a multi-genre cellist and composer residing in Reno, Nevada where he performs with a number of diverse ensembles. His primary objective has been to explore and innovate the cello's unique capabilities as a non-classical performance instrument. In June 2016 this goal manifested itself when Joseph teamed up with Ethan Gray to form Darabello, a duo featuring original composition for looped cello and percussion. More recently, Joseph was commissioned by Artown to collaborate with dancer Alex Kaskie for the inaugural Artown Under the Radar performance. In addition to these projects, Joseph performs as a section member of the Reno Philharmonic, as well as with the Desert Rose Ensemble. He also maintains an active interest in teaching, including work with the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program as well as leading a studio for private cello lessons. Joseph holds a Master of Music degree in cello performance from University of Nevada, Reno and a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.
In addition to classical playing, Joseph is very passionate about pursuing creative musicianship including improvisation as well as writing and performing original compositions. Joseph currently performs as part of The Eclectic Celli, a cello duet focused on expressing the cello in many diverse musical styles. Another one of Joseph's active projects is composing for and performing with a quartet comprised of cello, electric bass, drums and violin. During his undergrad, Joseph co-founded the band Darwin's Groove, a trio consisting of cello, guitar, and drums. The ensemble performed original compositions centered on harmony and rhythm while transitioning contrasting grooves. In each of these projects, Joseph seeks to explore and innovate the cello's unique capabilities as a non classical performance instrument.
He is a multi-genre cellist and composer residing in Reno, Nevada where he performs with a number of diverse ensembles. His primary objective has been to explore and innovate the cello's unique capabilities as a non-classical performance instrument. In June 2016 this goal manifested itself when Joseph teamed up with Ethan Gray to form Darabello, a duo featuring original composition for looped cello and percussion. More recently, Joseph was commissioned by Artown to collaborate with dancer Alex Kaskie for the inaugural Artown Under the Radar performance. In addition to these projects, Joseph performs as a section member of the Reno Philharmonic, as well as with the Desert Rose Ensemble. He also maintains an active interest in teaching, including work with the Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra program as well as leading a studio for private cello lessons. Joseph holds a Master of Music degree in cello performance from University of Nevada, Reno and a Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music.
Gabrielle Jimbo Viteri Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, Gabriel began his musical studies at the age of four and started playing cello at the age of six. He received his Bachelor of Music Performance from Indiana University and is currently pursuing his Master of Music at IU under the tutelage of Emilio Colón.
His orchestral career has included being a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, and the Guayaquil Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with multiple orchestras in Ecuador, most notably with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador in 2017.
During his studies at Indiana University, Gabriel has worked and received guidance from artists such as Anne Epperson, Lee Phillips, Richard Aaron, Stephen Wyrczynski, and members of the Pacifica Quartet.
A passionate educator, Gabriel aims to return to Ecuador after the culmination of his studies to inspire, guide, and nurture the next generation of musicians – and to foster interest and widen access to classical music throughout his country.
When not playing, Gabriel enjoys reading about economics, jogging, and listening to podcasts about human psychology.
His orchestral career has included being a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, and the Guayaquil Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with multiple orchestras in Ecuador, most notably with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador in 2017.
During his studies at Indiana University, Gabriel has worked and received guidance from artists such as Anne Epperson, Lee Phillips, Richard Aaron, Stephen Wyrczynski, and members of the Pacifica Quartet.
A passionate educator, Gabriel aims to return to Ecuador after the culmination of his studies to inspire, guide, and nurture the next generation of musicians – and to foster interest and widen access to classical music throughout his country.
When not playing, Gabriel enjoys reading about economics, jogging, and listening to podcasts about human psychology.
Suzanne Smith
449 Moretown Common Rd., Moretown, VT. 05660
[email protected] ~ 802.496.5273
COPYRIGHT 2003
449 Moretown Common Rd., Moretown, VT. 05660
[email protected] ~ 802.496.5273
COPYRIGHT 2003