November 6, 2016 at 3:00 pm
THE TRYON STREET QUINTET
string quintet
The Tryon String Quintet is composed of celebrated and world-renowned members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Joseph Meyer, violin
Meyer is an active soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral leader who has been garnering critical acclaim throughout the country. He has been described by the San Francisco Classical Voice as " a standout player, both technically brilliant and musically innovative." The Miami Herald has called his solo playing "exquisite," while the New Orleans Times Picayune describes him as a "brilliant concertmaster and a superb violinist."
Jenny Topilow, violin
Born into an artistic family, Jenny began violin lessons at the age of three. Continuing her love for the violin, she studied under former Cleveland Orchestra member Stephen Majeske throughout high school and received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2002.
Kirsten Swanson, viola
Graduating from the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance in 2004, violist Kirsten Swanson spent 2005-2007 as Assistant Principal and section violist with the Charlotte Symphony. An extensive orchestral musician since high school, Kirsten has played with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and Aspen Festival and Chamber Orchestras, to name a few.
Alan Black, cello
Alan Black’s performance experience covers the complete spectrum of music; from classical music including chamber music, solo recitals, and concertos with the Charlotte Symphony, to appearing on stage as a soloist and chamber musician with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, Bobby McFerrin, Van Cliburn Gold Medal pianist Jon Nakamatsu, and fiddler Mark O’Connor.
Marlene Ballena, cello
Peruvian cellist Marlene Ballena began playing the cello at age seven in her hometown of Lima. She served as a member of the Peruvian National Symphony and as principal cellist of the Piura Symphony Orchestra. Later on, she continued her studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Stephen Geber. During her time at CIM she joined the Matisse String Quartet and participated in the Intensive String Quartet Seminar working with members of the Cleveland, Cavani,Tokyo, Jerusalem, Julliard, and Tackacs Quartets.
