Mari is a highly skilled musician, specializing in both violin and viola. With over 20 years of performing experience, she has played throughout the East Coast of the United States and in Europe, including at the National ASTA Conference. She has received training from renowned instructors such as Donna Vandiver, Patricia Barber, Sarah Johnson, a former student of Ivan Galamian, and the late Miles Hoffman, founder and violist of the American Chamber Players. Additionally, Mari has participated in Masterclasses by esteemed musicians such as the Cavani String Quartet, the Stradivari Quartet, James Ehnes, Jonathon Kramer, and Vadim Gluzman.

Dan is a multi-genre violinist & violist who started playing music at the age of four. Classically trained, his repertoire includes orchestral, chamber, bluegrass fiddle and Americana classics. He is additionally a member of The Woodshed Collective—a small group of musicians who frequently jam together to enjoy their love of American folk.

At ten years old she found the cello thanks to the music program at her public school. She studied with Charles Griffith of the Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and played in many youth orchestras and chamber groups in Cleveland, Ohio. She has raised three fine young musicians, and had the thrilling experience of playing in a string quartet with her two talented daughters. She currently teaches, and plays with the Blue Ridge Orchestra.

Ashley Flower is a professional cellist and dedicated music educator based in Charlotte, NC, with over 20 years of performance experience.

Ashley began her musical journey at the age of 8 in Savannah, GA, under the tutelage of Dr. Douglas Graves. She later pursued further studies at Brenau University with cellist Alice Swope, where she developed her skills performing with the Atlantic Armstrong Youth Orchestra and the University Symphonic Orchestra, and gained valuable experience through numerous auditions and adjudications.

In 2013, she was accepted to the Petrie School of Music at Converse College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Cello Performance in 2018. There she studied under distinguished faculty with ties to institutions such as the St. Petersburg Conservatory, UNCSA, the Curtis School of Music, the Eastman School of Music, Bowdoin College, and Juilliard, training that sharpened her artistry and provided opportunities to perform internationally.

Today, Ashley brings more than a decade of teaching experience to students of all ages and skill levels. She has served as a judge for events including the North Carolina Western Regional Orchestra and NC Music Adjudications, and remains a passionate advocate for music education in her community.

Monica has been at the keys since long before her feet could reach the pedals, and she still loves her time on the piano bench. Her training has deep roots in the precision, discipline, and technique of classical music, but she also loves the uninhibited emotion and improvisational vibe of popular music. She has played for parties, singalongs, dinners, churches, and funerals - and while she enjoys the solo spotlight as much as a performing musician, she knows how to share it too.

There’s nothing like live music to set the tone and the mood for an event. Live music is something precious and ephemeral, a fleeting thing of beauty.