Mayumi
Nakamura-Smith, Violin.
A native
of Japan, Mayumi Nakamura-Smith began studying the
violin with her father at the age of nine. By age
twelve she was featured soloist on live radio broadcasts
with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra. Mayumi has
performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician
throughout Japan, South Korea and the United States She
gave her New York City solo recital debut at Carnegie
Recital Hall in 2002. Mayumi earned a Bachelor's degree
at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
She received her Master's degree from the Manhattan
School of Music, studying with Ariana Bronne. She then
earned a Professional Studies Diploma at Mannes College
of Music as a student of Todd Phillips (Orion String
Quartet). Ms. Nakamura-Smith currently resides in
Charleston, where she is enjoying an active freelance
career performing regularly with the Charleston Symphony
Orchestra, the Hilton Head Orchestra, and for various
civic functions in the Lowcountry.
Ashley
Dew, Flute.
A native
of Charleston, Ashley Dew received her Bachelor's of
Music degree in flute performance from the University of
Kansas. Among her teachers are Jeanne Baxtresser, Nestor
Herszbaum and John Bolton. She has participated in the
Brevard Music Festival and has played with the
Charleston Symphony Orchestra and maintains a large
flute studio in Charleston.
Julie
Mathias, Clarinet.
Julie grew up in Florence, South
Carolina. She began her musical education at Florida
State University, then transferred to Winthrop College
in Rock Hill to study under Phil Thompson. She received
a Bachelor of Music Performance degree as well as a
Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990 and was
awarded the prestigious Presser Music Scholarship the
same year. She continued her graduate studies at
Winthrop and received her Master of Music in 1993. Mrs.
Mathias was the 1988 winner of the South Carolina MTNA
Young Artist Competition, as well as second runner up in
the Southern Division Finals held in Richmond, Virginia.
She has been a public school music educator for the
past thirteen years. She currently teaches elementary
music at Sullivan's Island Elementary School and resides
on Daniel Island with her husband and two daughters.
Ellen
Moryl, cellist
A native of Portland, Oregon,
cellist Ellen Moryl has performed in solo and chamber
music recitals throughout the United States. Besides
her cello work she has also directed Charleston's Office
of Cultural Affairs and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival
since 1979. The Piccolo Spoleto Festival presents some
700 events in 17 days. The festival offers visual arts
exhibits, classical music, blues, jazz, dance, theater,
poetry readings, children's activities, choral music,
ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film. She
performs as a part time member of the Charleston
Symphony Orchestra as well as in numerous chamber
ensemble performances throughout the greater Charleston
area.
Associate Artists.
Signature Players
contracts with many other classical musicians residing
in the greater Charleston, SC Area. These associate
musicians are members of the Charleston or Savannah
Symphonies or local freelance musicians. This not only
allows for scheduling flexibility, but also lends to
greater instrumental versatility. Upon request,
Signature Players is able to provide various size
string and wind ensembles. Please inquire.
Timothy
O'Malley, Cello.Signature Players Cellist and Ensemble Liaison Tim O'Malley is core cellist of Chamber Music Charleston, co-principal cellist of the Hilton Head Orchestra and member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He holds a Bachelor's degree in cello performance from Oberlin Conservatory and a Master's degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Besides an active performing career he also has a large studio of cello students of all ages.
Frances
Hsieh,
Violin.Frances Hsieh, a native of Chapel Hill, began studying violin at age five under Dorothy Kitchen of the Duke University String School. She continued her studies with Eric Pritchard as an A.J. Fletcher scholar at Duke University earning degrees in Music and Biology. Under the tutelage of Charles Castleman, Frances received her masters in Violin Performance at the Eastman School of Music. There, she performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra through an internship with the Eastman Orchestral Studies Program. Frances is an active chamber musician of Chamber Music Charleston and has performed with numerous symphonies including the North Carolina and Phoenix Symphonies and has won positions with the Colorado Music Festival, Richmond, Ashveille, and Charleston Symphony Orchestras.
Nonoko
Okada, Violin.Nonoko Okada started her violin training at the age of six in her native Japan. She received her Bachelor's degree in violin performance from the Mannes College of Music and later received her Master's degree from the Juilliard School in New York City. She has performed recitals throughout Japan as well as New York. She has also participated in Spoleto Festival USA, the Cape May Music Festival, the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts and Festival Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy. As an orchestral player and chamber musician, Ms. Okada has appeared at Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Juilliard Theater at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and Symphony Space in New York City.