Silver Birch String Quartet

Silver Birch String Quartet
Official Website: www.silverbirchconcerts.com From left to right: Christian Robinson, Violin I, Geoff McCausland, Violin II, Alexandra Lee, Cello, Jane Russell, Viola "... played with effortless precision, unequivical virtuosity, and refined elegance. All-in-all a stunning performance that, by completely avoiding the potential for saccharine often inherent in "jazz meets classical" ventures, suggests new possibilities for merging the two genres with greater success." - allaboutjazz.com Named after the trees inhabiting the area around their home, Sudbury's JUNO-nominated Silver Birch String Quartet is one of Canada's most exciting and innovative young quartets, earning the admiration of audiences and critics alike for their vibrant performances. In addition to extensive activities throughout Northern Ontario, the SBSQ has been featured in concerts and given masterclasses at QuartetFest at Wilfrid Laurier University, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, Laurentian University, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. The quartet has collaborated in concert with some of Canada's finest chamber musicians, including octets with the Penderecki String Quartet, quintets with renowned Canadian virtuoso Scott St. John, pianist Peter Longworth, and conductor Joel Sachs (Julliard School). 2009 saw the SBSQ undertake a multi-city cycle of the complete string quartets of Felix Mendelssohn (in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer), as well as receive a prestigious career development residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Strongly committed to Canadian music of our time, the quartet's extensive repertoire includes music by John Weinzweig, R. Murray Schafer, Linda Bouchard, Robert Lemay, along with the young composer Alex Eddington. The quartet particularly prides itself on its innovative programming, presenting interdisciplinary concerts bridging the gap between traditional classical chamber music and other genres in an effort to introduce new audiences to the world of chamber music. Past projects include tango collaborations with such artists as Argentine Tango dancers Roxanna and Fabian Belmonte, and Quartetto Gelato accordionist Alexander Sevastian, as well as narration projects involving CBC Radio host Dan Lessard. The quartet's long association with Montreal-based jazz pianist John Roney resulted in their first album "SILVERBIRCH" on Montreal's Effendi record label, which is rapidly gaining critical acclaim, including a 5-star review in both the Montreal Gazette and the Vancouver Sun, praising the album's "…transcendent ease" and "…joyous and energetic" performances. SILVERBIRCH was also named one of the Top 10 Albums of the year by the Montreal Gazette, has received frequent airplay on CBC Radio 2 and Espace Musique, was nominated for a prestigious Félix Award in the province of Quebec, as well as a 2010 JUNO nomination. Christian Robinson, Violin I Sudbury Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Christian Robinson completed his undergraduate performance degree at the University of Toronto, where he functioned as Concertmaster of the University orchestra, and was awarded the Felix Galimir prize for chamber music performance. As one of the busiest and most visible violinists north of Toronto, Christian has earned praise from audiences and critics alike for his vibrant and energetic performances. His chamber music activities have seen him perform in feature concerts at many of Canada’s premier festivals, including the Guelph Spring Festival, Festival of the Sound, and the Banff Summer Arts Festival, collaborating with artists such as Edgar Meyer, Marc Durand, Rob McCosh, and Gary Kulesha. In 2003 he co-founded the Silver Birch String Quartet, which continues to be one of Ontario’s most active young quartets, with concerts throughout the country. In addition, he recently co-produced the SBSQ’s first commercial recording on Montreal’s Effendi record label (FND086 “SILVERBIRCH”), in collaboration with the acclaimed young jazz-pianist John Roney. His chamber music performances with the SBSQ and in other configurations have been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio 2, and Espace Musique. Christian is also a tireless advocate for new music, having been involved in numerous premieres of pieces by both emerging and established composers, including John Weinzweig, Gary Kulesha, Roger Bergs, and Robert Lemay. His collaborations include work with Earshot Concerts at the Music Gallery, as well as with Soundstreams Canada for CBC Toronto at the Glenn Gould Studio. At the age of 24, Christian was appointed Concertmaster of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, a position he still holds. In addition, he has recently been appointed Concertmaster of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra, and has been featured as guest soloist with both of these orchestras. Christian performs exclusively on an instrument completed in 1993 by Masa Inokuchi of Toronto. Jane Russell, Viola Jane Russell is thrilled to be starting the next stage of her musical adventure as the violist of The Silver Birch String Quartet and principal violist for the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. In May of 2009, Jane completed her Masters of Music in Performance on viola under the instruction of Professor Andre Roy at McGill University, Montreal. Jane was born in England and began her musical education on the violin, and continued her musical training in Canada with Keiko Yamada of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, in Ottawa. In 1992, when her family moved to British Columbia, Jane began studying with Ken Stromberg of Vernon, BC. At the age of nine, Jane joined the Brio Trio under Mr. Stromberg’s direction, playing viola. The success of this group in provincial competitions, which expanded to the Brio Quartet, began a transition to the viola as her principal passion. A memorable summer music school and festival with Professor Robert Bardston, of Medicine Hat Conservatory of Music confirmed Jane’s decision to take up the viola full-time. In 2005, Jane completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance at the University of Victoria, under the tutelage Joanna Hood, violist of the Lafayette Quartet. While at the University of Victoria, Jane remained involved with chamber music, playing with the Maya Quartet and the Arbutus Quartet. Jane was also the principal violist of the University of Victoria Symphony Orchestra. Jane’s enthusiasm for new music began at the University of Victoria. She was seriously involved with the group Sonic Lab, which specialize in presenting contemporary works of music. This love of new music prompted Jane to commission a new work for solo viola. Marcin Swoboda, a young Canadian composer, wrote Beard Moss on Mount Finlayson, which Jane performed at her Final Masters recital, to the delight of the audience After completing her Bachelor degree, Jane remained in Victoria for two years teaching private violin, fiddle and viola lessons to children, youth and adults. Jane continued her love of ensemble and orchestral playing with Trio Esprit and the Victoria Chamber Orchestra, under the musical direction of Yariv Aloni. Mr. Aloni also instructed Jane on the viola, preparing her for auditions for her Masters of Music at McGill University. In her summers sessions away from university, Jane continued her musical education by attending Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific, the Banff Centre, and the Orford Arts Centre. At these programs Jane was able to study with Karen Tuttle, Andre Roy, Steven Dann and Evan Wilson who helped her develop her ensemble playing and her technical and musical proficiency. Jane brings to Sudbury a love of music and a great passion for sharing it with people young and old. Alexandra Lee, Cello Alexandra Lee (B. Music Performance, University of Toronto) performs regularly as a chamber musician, recitalist, orchestral player, and contemporary music interpreter. After holding the position of Principal Cellist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra for seven seasons, Alexandra has since resigned to pursue a career in chamber music. Her passion for the string quartet began with the Downtown Quartet, with whom she won the University of Toronto's Felix Galimir Award for excellence in chamber music. Later in 2004, she co-founded the Silver Birch String Quartet, and the chamber music series Silver Birch Concerts, of which she is co-artistic director. With the SBSQ, she performs often, in her home city of Sudbury and across Canada and the USA. Her most recent accomplishments with the SBSQ include participating in the Chamber Music Seminars at Stanford University, by special invitation of the St. Lawrence Quartet, where she worked with such mentors as the SLSQ, Henk Guittart, Suren Bagratuni, and Tim Ying. In recording, the SBSQ's collaborative CD with jazz pianist John Roney has gained acclaim and has been nominated for both a Félix and a JUNO award. Alexandra's interest in new music was piqued in the Contemporary Music Ensemble at the University of Toronto, under director Gary Kulesha. As her interest grew, she freelanced in concerts with Earshot, Soundstreams, NuMus and Continuum, and premiered several new works by young composers. Today, she is a frequent performer for 5-Penny New Music Concerts, and incorporates new music into much of her programming. Ms Lee has performed and premiered numerous contemporary works, including a cello concerto Unapproachable Light written for her by Nicholas Akers. Her premiere of a piano trio In the Dark... hommage à Lars Von Trier by Robert Lemay, for which she received partial dedication, was recorded and broadcast by Espace Musique of Radio-Canada. She continues to be an advocate for new compositions, especially new Canadian works. The importance of Canadian compositions resonates with her desire to further understand the complex tapestry of Canadian culture. As a soloist, Alexandra is experienced in solo cello, cello and piano, and as a soloist with orchestra. Some of her notable performances are: the Casalmaggiore International Festival in Italy, where she was a featured soloist in the festival's gala concert; featured recitalist in Barrie's Colours of Music with pianist Charlene Biggs; and a featured soloist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Victor Sawa. Some of her self-directed performances take her out of the concert hall and into unique performance venues; most recently, her recital in Vancouver BC at CocoaNymph chocolaterie. In addition to a busy performance schedule, Alexandra is an active pedagogue, and has a healthy studio of cello students. She has started two cello ensemble for adult amateur cellists, and continues to innovate to create exciting learning opportunities for her studio. As a member of the SBSQ, Alexandra was a featured mentor in the North Bay Symphony's String Retreat for adult amateur musicians (www.stringretreat.ca). Alexandra performs exclusively on a 1996 cello by Hratch Armenious. Geoff McCausland, Violin II Geoff McCausland grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he started violin with his father. In his younger years he showed great promise, as Junior and Intermediate Star of the NB Music Festival, playing as concertmaster of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, and as a section violinist in both the New Brunswick and PEI Symphonies. From there he went on to McGill where he was granted a BMus in Violin Performance studying with Jonathan Crow and Andrew Dawes. A great deal of Geoff's education has come from his time at the Domaine Forget Summer Institute in Quebec, where he spent eight summers studying with such teachers as Gwen Thomson, Regis Pasquier, Yehonatan Berick and many others. Last year, Geoff played as Principal 2nd in the Timmins Symphony, and was one of the Artists-in-Residence at University New Brunswick until March, when he moved to Sudbury and started with the Sudbury Symphony and the Silver Birch String Quartet.

Official Website: www.silverbirchconcerts.com

From left to right: Christian Robinson, Violin I, Geoff McCausland, Violin II, Alexandra Lee, Cello, Jane Russell, Viola

"... played with effortless precision, unequivical virtuosity, and refined elegance. All-in-all a stunning performance that, by completely avoiding the potential for saccharine often inherent in "jazz meets classical" ventures, suggests new possibilities for merging the two genres with greater success." - allaboutjazz.com

Named after the trees inhabiting the area around their home, Sudbury's JUNO-nominated Silver Birch String Quartet is one of Canada's most exciting and innovative young quartets, earning the admiration of audiences and critics alike for their vibrant performances. In addition to extensive activities throughout Northern Ontario, the SBSQ has been featured in concerts and given masterclasses at QuartetFest at Wilfrid Laurier University, the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, Laurentian University, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. The quartet has collaborated in concert with some of Canada's finest chamber musicians, including octets with the Penderecki String Quartet, quintets with renowned Canadian virtuoso Scott St. John, pianist Peter Longworth, and conductor Joel Sachs (Julliard School).

2009 saw the SBSQ undertake a multi-city cycle of the complete string quartets of Felix Mendelssohn (in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the composer), as well as receive a prestigious career development residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Strongly committed to Canadian music of our time, the quartet's extensive repertoire includes music by John Weinzweig, R. Murray Schafer, Linda Bouchard, Robert Lemay, along with the young composer Alex Eddington. The quartet particularly prides itself on its innovative programming, presenting interdisciplinary concerts bridging the gap between traditional classical chamber music and other genres in an effort to introduce new audiences to the world of chamber music. Past projects include tango collaborations with such artists as Argentine Tango dancers Roxanna and Fabian Belmonte, and Quartetto Gelato accordionist Alexander Sevastian, as well as narration projects involving CBC Radio host Dan Lessard. The quartet's long association with Montreal-based jazz pianist John Roney resulted in their first album "SILVERBIRCH" on Montreal's Effendi record label, which is rapidly gaining critical acclaim, including a 5-star review in both the Montreal Gazette and the Vancouver Sun, praising the album's "…transcendent ease" and "…joyous and energetic" performances. SILVERBIRCH was also named one of the Top 10 Albums of the year by the Montreal Gazette, has received frequent airplay on CBC Radio 2 and Espace Musique, was nominated for a prestigious Félix Award in the province of Quebec, as well as a 2010 JUNO nomination.

Christian Robinson, Violin I

Sudbury Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Christian Robinson completed his undergraduate performance degree at the University of Toronto, where he functioned as Concertmaster of the University orchestra, and was awarded the Felix Galimir prize for chamber music performance. As one of the busiest and most visible violinists north of Toronto, Christian has earned praise from audiences and critics alike for his vibrant and energetic performances.

His chamber music activities have seen him perform in feature concerts at many of Canada’s premier festivals, including the Guelph Spring Festival, Festival of the Sound, and the Banff Summer Arts Festival, collaborating with artists such as Edgar Meyer, Marc Durand, Rob McCosh, and Gary Kulesha. In 2003 he co-founded the Silver Birch String Quartet, which continues to be one of Ontario’s most active young quartets, with concerts throughout the country. In addition, he recently co-produced the SBSQ’s first commercial recording on Montreal’s Effendi record label (FND086 “SILVERBIRCH”), in collaboration with the acclaimed young jazz-pianist John Roney. His chamber music performances with the SBSQ and in other configurations have been broadcast nationally on CBC Radio 2, and Espace Musique.

Christian is also a tireless advocate for new music, having been involved in numerous premieres of pieces by both emerging and established composers, including John Weinzweig, Gary Kulesha, Roger Bergs, and Robert Lemay. His collaborations include work with Earshot Concerts at the Music Gallery, as well as with Soundstreams Canada for CBC Toronto at the Glenn Gould Studio.

At the age of 24, Christian was appointed Concertmaster of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, a position he still holds. In addition, he has recently been appointed Concertmaster of the North Bay Symphony Orchestra, and has been featured as guest soloist with both of these orchestras.

Christian performs exclusively on an instrument completed in 1993 by Masa Inokuchi of Toronto.

Jane Russell, Viola

Jane Russell is thrilled to be starting the next stage of her musical adventure as the violist of The Silver Birch String Quartet and principal violist for the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. In May of 2009, Jane completed her Masters of Music in Performance on viola under the instruction of Professor Andre Roy at McGill University, Montreal.

Jane was born in England and began her musical education on the violin, and continued her musical training in Canada with Keiko Yamada of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, in Ottawa. In 1992, when her family moved to British Columbia, Jane began studying with Ken Stromberg of Vernon, BC. At the age of nine, Jane joined the Brio Trio under Mr. Stromberg’s direction, playing viola. The success of this group in provincial competitions, which expanded to the Brio Quartet, began a transition to the viola as her principal passion. A memorable summer music school and festival with Professor Robert Bardston, of Medicine Hat Conservatory of Music confirmed Jane’s decision to take up the viola full-time.

In 2005, Jane completed her Bachelor of Music in Performance at the University of Victoria, under the tutelage Joanna Hood, violist of the Lafayette Quartet. While at the University of Victoria, Jane remained involved with chamber music, playing with the Maya Quartet and the Arbutus Quartet. Jane was also the principal violist of the University of Victoria Symphony Orchestra. Jane’s enthusiasm for new music began at the University of Victoria. She was seriously involved with the group Sonic Lab, which specialize in presenting contemporary works of music. This love of new music prompted Jane to commission a new work for solo viola. Marcin Swoboda, a young Canadian composer, wrote Beard Moss on Mount Finlayson, which Jane performed at her Final Masters recital, to the delight of the audience

After completing her Bachelor degree, Jane remained in Victoria for two years teaching private violin, fiddle and viola lessons to children, youth and adults. Jane continued her love of ensemble and orchestral playing with Trio Esprit and the Victoria Chamber Orchestra, under the musical direction of Yariv Aloni. Mr. Aloni also instructed Jane on the viola, preparing her for auditions for her Masters of Music at McGill University.

In her summers sessions away from university, Jane continued her musical education by attending Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific, the Banff Centre, and the Orford Arts Centre. At these programs Jane was able to study with Karen Tuttle, Andre Roy, Steven Dann and Evan Wilson who helped her develop her ensemble playing and her technical and musical proficiency.

Jane brings to Sudbury a love of music and a great passion for sharing it with people young and old.

Alexandra Lee, Cello

Alexandra Lee (B. Music Performance, University of Toronto) performs regularly as a chamber musician, recitalist, orchestral player, and contemporary music interpreter.

After holding the position of Principal Cellist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra for seven seasons, Alexandra has since resigned to pursue a career in chamber music. Her passion for the string quartet began with the Downtown Quartet, with whom she won the University of Toronto's Felix Galimir Award for excellence in chamber music. Later in 2004, she co-founded the Silver Birch String Quartet, and the chamber music series Silver Birch Concerts, of which she is co-artistic director. With the SBSQ, she performs often, in her home city of Sudbury and across Canada and the USA. Her most recent accomplishments with the SBSQ include participating in the Chamber Music Seminars at Stanford University, by special invitation of the St. Lawrence Quartet, where she worked with such mentors as the SLSQ, Henk Guittart, Suren Bagratuni, and Tim Ying. In recording, the SBSQ's collaborative CD with jazz pianist John Roney has gained acclaim and has been nominated for both a Félix and a JUNO award.

Alexandra's interest in new music was piqued in the Contemporary Music Ensemble at the University of Toronto, under director Gary Kulesha. As her interest grew, she freelanced in concerts with Earshot, Soundstreams, NuMus and Continuum, and premiered several new works by young composers. Today, she is a frequent performer for 5-Penny New Music Concerts, and incorporates new music into much of her programming. Ms Lee has performed and premiered numerous contemporary works, including a cello concerto Unapproachable Light written for her by Nicholas Akers. Her premiere of a piano trio In the Dark... hommage à Lars Von Trier by Robert Lemay, for which she received partial dedication, was recorded and broadcast by Espace Musique of Radio-Canada. She continues to be an advocate for new compositions, especially new Canadian works. The importance of Canadian compositions resonates with her desire to further understand the complex tapestry of Canadian culture.

As a soloist, Alexandra is experienced in solo cello, cello and piano, and as a soloist with orchestra. Some of her notable performances are: the Casalmaggiore International Festival in Italy, where she was a featured soloist in the festival's gala concert; featured recitalist in Barrie's Colours of Music with pianist Charlene Biggs; and a featured soloist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, under conductor Victor Sawa. Some of her self-directed performances take her out of the concert hall and into unique performance venues; most recently, her recital in Vancouver BC at CocoaNymph chocolaterie.

In addition to a busy performance schedule, Alexandra is an active pedagogue, and has a healthy studio of cello students. She has started two cello ensemble for adult amateur cellists, and continues to innovate to create exciting learning opportunities for her studio. As a member of the SBSQ, Alexandra was a featured mentor in the North Bay Symphony's String Retreat for adult amateur musicians (www.stringretreat.ca).

Alexandra performs exclusively on a 1996 cello by Hratch Armenious.

Geoff McCausland, Violin II

Geoff McCausland grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick, where he started violin with his father. In his younger years he showed great promise, as Junior and Intermediate Star of the NB Music Festival, playing as concertmaster of the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, and as a section violinist in both the New Brunswick and PEI Symphonies. From there he went on to McGill where he was granted a BMus in Violin Performance studying with Jonathan Crow and Andrew Dawes. A great deal of Geoff's education has come from his time at the Domaine Forget Summer Institute in Quebec, where he spent eight summers studying with such teachers as Gwen Thomson, Regis Pasquier, Yehonatan Berick and many others. Last year, Geoff played as Principal 2nd in the Timmins Symphony, and was one of the Artists-in-Residence at University New Brunswick until March, when he moved to Sudbury and started with the Sudbury Symphony and the Silver Birch String Quartet.