Mateusz Wolski
Mateusz Wolski was born in Warsaw, Poland where he began his musical training at the age of seven. He studied at the Szymanowski Musical High School and the Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw.
Mateusz Wolski was born in Warsaw, Poland where he began his musical training at the age of seven. He studied at the Szymanowski Musical High School and the Chopin Music Academy in Warsaw before traveling to the U.S. to attend Manhattan School of Music. It was there, with full scholarship, that he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees under the tutelage of New York Philharmonic Concertmaster Glenn Dicterow.
Mateusz has enjoyed a distinguished solo career both in the U.S. and abroad. Recent performances include the Beethoven Violin Concerto; Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor; Paganini First Violin Concerto; Karlowicz Violin Concerto; Wieniawski Second Violin Concerto in D Minor and Polonaise in A Major; Mozart Concerto in G Major and Simphonia Concertante; Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor and Double Concerto; Waxman Carmen Fantasie; Sarasate Carmen Fantasy; Brahms Double Concerto; and Vivaldi Four Seasons.
As an orchestral musician, he has played with New York Philharmonic in over 200 concerts and four international tours, as well as with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and National Philharmonic. Also an enthusiastic chamber musician, he has appeared in New York City at Weill Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, 92nd Street Y, the Kosciuszko Foundation, and on radio broadcasts with WQXR. International appearances have included Wigmore Hall in London and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, as well as several engagements throughout Poland, Italy, England and Germany.
Mateusz has had the privilege to play under the batons of many of the most distinguished conductors of our time, including Lorin Maazel, Yuri Temirkanov, Kurt Masur, Gerard Schwartz, Christoph Eschenbach, Valery Giergiev, Charles Dutoit, George Manahan, Zdenec Macal, and Pinchas Zucherman.
Mateusz has recorded for dozens of movie soundtracks, including The Good Shepherd, The Departed, The Manchurian Candidate, Hitch, Intolerable Cruelty, The Rookie and Failure to Launch, as well as solo CDs of Audra MacDonald and Donny Osmond.
He performs on a violin owned by the Spokane Symphony that was crafted by Italian master Carlo Landolfi in 1779.
Amanda Howard-Phillips
Amanda Howard-Phillips has been Principal Second Violinist of the Spokane Symphony since 2008, and has been on the faculty at Gonzaga University since 2011.
Amanda Howard-Phillips has been Principal Second Violinist of the Spokane Symphony since 2008, and has been on the faculty at Gonzaga University since 2011. She also performs as associate concertmaster of the Northwest Bach Festival Orchestra and the Inland Northwest Opera Orchestra, and plays second violin in the Spokane String Quartet.
Originally from Bainbridge Island, Washington, Amanda began studying violin at age four, and made her solo debut with the Bainbridge Orchestra at age 11. She was awarded fellowships to study at the International Festival-Institute at Round Top and the National Repertory Orchestra, and was awarded first prize in the Pacific Chamber Symphony Concerto Competition in San Francisco. Amanda holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and her major teachers include David Updegraff, David Cerone, and the legendary violinist Camilla Wicks.
A passionate chamber musician, Amanda was accepted into the Intensive String Quartet Seminar at the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with the Cavani Quartet and Peter Salaff of the Cleveland Quartet. At the San Francisco Conservatory, she studied chamber music with Mark Sokol, Bonnie Hampton, Paul Hersh, and Ian Swensen; and performed in master classes for Robert Mann (Juilliard Quartet), Clive Greensmith (Tokyo Quartet), and Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio).
As second violinist of the Spokane String Quartet, Amanda can be heard frequently on Spokane Public Radio, and has been featured three times on the national NPR show Performance Today, heard on over 280 radio stations nationwide. The Spokane String Quartet reaches audiences throughout the Northwest, performing, giving master classes, and coaching youth chamber ensembles. A passionate advocate for new music, Amanda has programmed pieces for the SSQ by rising young composers such as Dan Visconti, Mohammed Fairouz, and young American Indian composers studying with renowned composer Jerod Tate at the Chickasaw Arts Academy in Oklahoma. Recently, as part of the Northwest Bach Festival, Amanda performed Tchaikovsky's Souvenir de Florence and Schubert's Quintet in C Major with Grammy-winning cellist Zuill Bailey.
Amanda has appeared as soloist with the Spokane Symphony several times. When she's not performing or teaching, Amanda enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with her husband and their little son.
Jason Moody
Since his solo debut at the Festival at Sandpoint at age sixteen, Jason Moody has performed across the United States, Europe and Japan. Jason is a member of the Spokane Symphony and is a substitute with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera.
Since his solo debut at the Festival at Sandpoint at age sixteen, Jason Moody has performed across the United States, Europe and Japan. Jason is a member of the Spokane Symphony and is a substitute with the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera. In addition, he recently was awarded his D.M.A. from the University of Washington. Jason has been featured as soloist with orchestras throughout the Northwest, performed frequently at the Northwest Bach Festival, and has appeared on public radio several times with performances on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion and NPR's From the Top. His summer festival engagements include the Aldeburgh Festival in England, Lancaster Festival, Spoleto USA Festival and Masters Music Festival in Kazusa, Japan. Jason holds a M.M. from Rice University and a B.A. in Music from Seattle Pacific University. He is adjunct faculty at Whitworth University and Edmonds Community College and is regularly heard performing as a part of Duo Zephyr with his wife, harpist Earecka Tregenza.
Jeanne Bourgeois
Jeanne Bourgeois has been Assistant Concertmaster with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra since 2008. She has a doctorate in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, a master's from Northwestern University and an undergraduate degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Jeanne Bourgeois has been Assistant Concertmaster with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra since 2008. She has a doctorate in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, a master's from Northwestern University and an undergraduate degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Her teachers include Charles Castleman, Almita and Roland Vamos, and Kurt Sassmannshuas. Jeanne has held orchestral positions with the Syracuse Symphony, Sarasota Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She was Associate Concertmaster of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and has also served as Concertmaster of the Spoleto USA Festival Orchestra in Charleston, S.C. As a soloist, she has performed with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Starling Chamber Orchestra (Cincinnati), as well as the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra (Chicago). She has taught at Whitworth University, is currently on faculty of Washington State University String Camp and also maintains a violin studio in Spokane.
Julia Salerno
Dr. Julia Salerno has served as Senior Lecturer of Violin and Viola at Eastern Washington University since 2010, and began her private studio in 2000. Her students have been finalists and prizewinners of regional and national competitions, soloists with orchestra, and scholarship recipients at summer programs and prestigious graduate programs.
Julia began Suzuki violin lessons at age two and her passion for the instrument never let up. During her teenage years, Julia went on to be a competition winner, orchestral soloist and scholarship recipient for several prestigious summer festivals. Julia graduated with a DMA in Violin Performance from the University of Southern California. She was also awarded major scholarships for music study at the University of Michigan and University of Southern California, where she received her B.M. and M.M., respectively, in violin performance.
Elizabeth Lund
Elizabeth Lund holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Eastern Washington University, where she studied with Kelly Farris. Other important teachers include Jean-Jacques Kantorow and William Steck.
Elizabeth Lund holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from Eastern Washington University, where she studied with Kelly Farris. Other important teachers include Jean-Jacques Kantorow and William Steck. She is a former member of the United States Air Force Band Strolling Strings in Washington, DC. She performed with the Washington Bach Consort, and is currently a member of the Silver Bay String Quartet, based in the Adirondacks, N.Y. Elizabeth teaches at Holy Names Music Center.
Tana Bachman
Learn all of the skills needed during your violin lesson from practice to performance. Learn how to perform in bands, chamber music groups, or orchestras of all levels.
April Martin
April Martin, violinist, is excited to be joining the First Violin section of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Denver, April was an active part of the musical community there, performing with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, Up Close and Musical, the St. Mary Baroque Orchestra, and as a substitute violinist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.
She has degrees from the Lamont School of Music (University of Denver) and recently completed a D.M.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her teachers have included James Maurer, Lina Bahn, and Andres Cardenes.
In addition to performing, April enjoys teaching and currently maintains a private studio and string classes at the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy. She is also an accomplished pianist and has maintained an active accompanying career
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Hannah Elizabeth
Hannah Elizabeth studied under Rhonda Marsh, from 2003-2009 as a private student. Rhonda Marsh has been Concertmaster of the Golden Valley Symphony, Minneapolis, 1st violinist with the Maestroso Quartet, and 1st violinist with Nutcracker Orchestra.
Rhonda Marsh’s melodic tone, delicate handling of the bow, and professional performance continues to influence Hannah in her teaching style today.
Hannah Elizabeth also performed in the Tacoma Youth Symphony under Dr. Cobbs and carried out an intense performing schedule between 2003-2009, including street performances in Seattle’s iconic Pike’s Market and appearances at Naval Hospital Bremerton.
She continued her string studies under Dr. Phillip Baldwin, Director of of String Studies, at Whitworth University from 2009-2014.
Rebecca Stamm
The mission of North Spokane Music Studio is to provide a positive environment for musical creation and learning. By joining North Spokane Music Studio, you will not only gain expertise in the performance practice of violin and piano and an appreciation for the various facets of music, but also an appreciation for personal growth through the study of music.
Ms. Stamm teaches with the mindset that the overall success of each individual student is primary. Her philosophy is person first, musician second. Ms. Stamm believes the influence of a teacher is priceless, therefore there is a genuine interest in each student's well-being and invest one hundred percent in each and every student.
Catherine Shipley
Catherine Shipley joined the Spokane Symphony’s violin section in fall 2001. A Seattle native, she began studying violin at her public school in 4th grade and viola in high school. She has a Bachelor of Music from Western Washington University and a Master’s in Violin Performance from the University of Washington.
To supplement her in-state education, Catherine attended music festivals around the country, including the Aspen Music Festival (CO) and the Chautauqua Music Festival (NY). She was awarded fellowships for three consecutive summers to play in the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. Her teachers included Walter Schwede, Karen Iglitzin, Peter Marsh, Kelly Farris, Robert Davidovici and Steven Staryk.
Since 2003 Catherine has been the violist of The Riverside Trio, playing with Symphony cellist Roberta Bottelli and former Symphony violinist Shelley Rotz. She enjoys being involved in various Spokane-area music education projects and is a member of the Symphony’s Education Committee. She also teaches private violin and viola lessons.
In her free time Catherine enjoys cooking and baking, reading, watching movies, traveling within the U.S. and beyond and hanging out with her family’s two cats. Above all, she loves spending time with her husband, Matt Altermatt, who is a computer programmer for Edmunds.com, and their son, Rowan, born in 2013.
David Armstrong
David Armstrong is assistant principal second violin for the Spokane Symphony.
A former resident of Kirkland, WA, he earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from Michigan State University and a Master of Music Performance from Northwestern University. While a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he was awarded a Civic Fellowship. Before coming to Spokane, David played for the Bellevue Philharmonic.
Michael Sporre
Butler University Master’s Degree Music Performance, Violin 2005 – 2007
Suzuki Violin Lessons, free complimentary lesson, rentals available on site. Come have a lesson today and meet Michael. He has well over 15 years of experience teaching and numerous satisfied and talented students.
Please consider giving your child the gift of music that they will enjoy for a lifetime.
Xu Duo
A notable Chinese violinist, Dr. Duo Xu is an international music competition award winner and serves as Chair of the Judging Panel for String Instruments at Zhongsing International Music Competition in Singapore.
Duo is the first Chinese violinist to earn the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the world-renowned St. Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia. He also earned an Artist Diploma from Ball State University, Indiana, where he received superior violin and conducting education from A. Vayman and Maestro B. Rattay. Duo has been invited to serve as Guest Concertmaster with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in Russia, Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and Shreveport Symphony Orchestra in the U.S.A. He also has received invitations to give master classes in China and Singapore.
In 2010, Duo was appointed Associate Principal Second Violin of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra in Beijing. With the NCPAO, he has partaken in over 200 performances of various concerts, operas and ballets. He has had the privilege to work with some of the most world-renowned conductors of our time, including Valery Gergiev, Lorin Maazel, Vladimir Ashkenazi, Christoph Eschenbach and Günther Herbig. Duo Xu has participated in concert tours through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea and the U.S.A. His music festival appearances include Salzburg Music Festival, Stuttgart Beethoven Music Festival, Luzern Music Festival and the Schleswig - Holstein Music Festival, among others.
Angela Mitchell
Angela Mitchell, viola, has been a member of the Spokane Symphony since 1982. She holds Bachelor of Music in viola performance and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees from Eastern Washington University, and a Master of Arts in Music Theory from the University of Oregon.
Angela is on the faculty of Whitworth University as instructor of viola, violin, and runs an active private studio of viola and violin students.
Kathleen Teal
Kathleen Teal earned her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University, a Master of Music from University of Northern Colorado and teaching certificate from Gonzaga University.
Teal has played with the Spokane Symphony since 1983. She previously performed with orchestras in Michigan, Colorado, Wyoming and Minnesota. Currently, she teaches elementary orchestra with the Spokane Schools.
Jeri Bentley
Music comes from both sides of my family. My Mother played violin when she was very young, cut short by her teacher being in a serious accident. On my Father's side, his uncle was a violin maker.
Our home was always full of music. Because my older sister played the violin, in 3rd grade, when the school offered a strings class, I jumped at the chance. Other than wanting to quit when it became hard in the beginning stages, I always had a passion to play the violin. I began college as a pre-med major, but realized at a certain point that I wouldn't be satisfied with the violin just being a sideline. I went on to receive my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music and my Master of Music in violin from the University of Victoria.