Category: Violinists

Nicole McKenzie

February 10, 2018

NICOLE MCKENZIE has performed widely as soloist and chamber musician. The Santa Barbara Independent declared, “McKenzie made a splash in the luscious and exciting music – she performed with gorgeous musicality.” Winner of the Sutton Chamber Music Award, she graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy, earned a BM Degree from Oberlin Conservatory, an MM Degree from … More Nicole McKenzie

Kathie Kottler

July 7, 2016

Kathie has been a member of CHICO since 2008. She plays on a French violin approximately 100 years old. She started playing violin in elementary school and played in school orchestras through UC Irvine where she received a B.A. in dance and music. She subsequently played with community orchestras in Santa Barbara, Concord and Ventura. … More Kathie Kottler

Ruth Kay

May 30, 2016

Ruth earned her Bachelor of Music degree at CS University Fullerton. She has performed in many different symphonies & chamber groups. Most recently the Burbank Symphony, Conejo Valley Symphony, Santa Maria Philharmonic, Santa Maria Pops Orchestra & the Ventura Baroque Strings. She is a true second violinist who loves the moving underlying themes, creating fullness … More Ruth Kay

Liz Watts

May 30, 2016

Originally from England, Liz Watts never actually chose to play the violin. A pianist from the age of four, she wanted to play the flute (which she tried for a few years … it was a disaster!). As a teenager, she won a full scholarship to study piano and violin at the Royal College of … More Liz Watts

Karen Nelson

May 30, 2016

Karen Nelson grew up in Riverside, California. During her high school and college years at UC Riverside, she played with the  Riverside Symphony, Redlands Bowl Orchestra and University of Redlands Orchestra. During her undergraduate years, Karen attended a study program in Göttingen Germany and played with the University Symphony. During those years she met fellow student Jim … More Karen Nelson

Sharon Cooper

May 30, 2016

Sharon Cooper is an active freelance violinist and violist in central and southern California. She studied chamber music at San Francisco Conservatory and holds a BA degree in Music from Stanford University. Sharon has performed throughout California, Europe and Australia in numerous recitals, chamber ensembles, orchestras and civic events. She has performed solo works with … More Sharon Cooper

Cyndi Hall

May 30, 2016

CYNDI HALL, Violinist, is a native to Southern California. Having picked up the violin as an adult, she never dreamed of performing as a professional musician. Yet through hard work and discipline she found herself performing in her church orchestra after just eight months on her violin. Within four years she was performing in symphonies, … More Cyndi Hall

Steven Chang

May 30, 2016

Dr. Steven Chang began studying the violin at the age of 5 in Seattle, Washington, and continued intensive study throughout his youth. He played in numerous youth orchestras, including the Northern Virginia Youth Symphony and the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, and entered and won many competitions before beginning college. He was offered a scholarship … More Steven Chang

Irving Weinstein

May 30, 2016

Irving received a Master’s degree from DePauw University and an Artist Diploma at the Los Angeles Conservatory where he studied with Toscha Seidel, a student of Leopold Auer. He played viola in the Roth Quartet, in residence at UCLA, and as a member for 10 years performed concerts throughout the U.S., England, and Scotland and … More Irving Weinstein

Karen Darnall

May 28, 2016

Karen is an attorney and a symphony violinist. She began training 50 years ago in Albuquerque Youth Symphony and UNM Orchestra. During college she also played in the New Mexico Symphony. She moved to California in ’74 and joined Ventura Symphony. She enrolled in law school in ’86, and while studying first-year contracts, she established Fiori Musicali , to provide chamber music for weddings and special events. Jim Wimmer made her violin in 2012. … More Karen Darnall