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The Valencia Baryton Project is a collective founded by Valencia-based barytonist Matthew Baker with the vision of performing the nearly 170 works written by Franz Joseph Haydn as well as compositions by other composers, both modern and classical. At the heart of the ensemble is the traditional formation in trio - baryton, viola, and violoncello - for which Haydn wrote 123 works of outstanding beauty. 

The Valencia Baryton Project has dedicated itself to the performance of music written for an ancient and little-known instrument, the baryton. A cross between the viol da gamba and lirone, with 10 resonating and plucked strings down the back of the instrument, the baryton gives the traditional string trio an entirely new dimension.

The Texas Guitar Quartet

Formed in 2009, GRAMMY™-nominated Texas Guitar Quartet has been hailed as “Impeccable in every respect” by Classical Guitar Magazine. Throughout the United States, Central America, Spain, and China, audiences have embraced the quartet for their daring programs, dazzling virtuosity and joyful music making.

The TxGQ has been featured in concertos with the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra (Maestro Marcelo Bussiki), Camerata Bach and Nicaraguan Youth Symphony (Maestro César Bermúdez Rodriguez), Sam Houston State University Symphony Orchestra (Maestro Zachary Carretin), Abilene Philharmonic (Maestro David Itkin), and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Columbus, GA). Their commitment to performing outreach concerts led them to be part of the Texas Commission on the Arts Texas Touring Artist Roster from 2010 to 2018, and again startig in 2024. The TxGQ is Isaac Bustos, Joseph Palmer, Jay Kacherski, and Alejandro Montiel.

The Bayberry String Quartet

Nurit Pacht and Steffani Kitayama, violins
Gabe Bolkosky, viola
Laura Usiskin, cello

The Bayberry String Quartet, known for its dynamic performances and fresh interpretations, embraces chamber music’s power to unite, inspire, and delight. Now in its eighth season, the BSQ continues to command the stage in prestigious concert halls across the country, including Carnegie Hall, Chautauqua Institution, and Lincoln Center. Its artistic reach extends beyond live performance, embracing innovative online collaborations such as its genre-blending rendition of Edgar Winter Group’s “Frankenstein” as well as the Bayberry String Quartet Listening Guide, a unique resource designed to deepen understanding of the rich string quartet tradition.

Education is a cornerstone of BSQ’s mission to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds. Initiatives include summer institutes, weekend workshops, school visits, and the Bayberry String Quartet Listening Guide. During the pandemic, the quartet created the virtual chamber music approach “PhoenixPhest Virtual” where they coached student and professional groups across North America in online workshops. Through their individual and collaborative work, the four musicians have impacted the lives of thousands of musicians. 

The Thunder Egg Consort

The Thunder Egg Consort is a group of seasoned performers who bring their individual talents together as a piano quartet comprised of violin, viola, cello, and piano. These graduates of some of the finest music schools in the country (Juilliard and Curtis) have won international competitions, have been mentored by wonderful musicians such as Isaac Stern, and have performed alongside artists such as Yo Yo Ma, Mark O'Connor and Harry Connick, Jr. They have recorded for Sony and Naxos, been featured on television and radio (in residence with NPR) and are able to compose and play in a variety of styles (classical, bluegrass and contemporary.) Having forged their varied careers in the New York area, these four musicians (three of whom originally hail from the Pacific North West) recently had children. They then realized that it would be much nicer to live in the Northwest again, and sold their houses and moved to Oregon. Taking their name and inspiration from the state rock, they have formed a consort and are forging new ground in their reclaimed homeland.

“ The Thunder Egg Consort is a small band of Oregon Super Stars! Not only do they play brilliantly, but the communicate their love of music to the audience more effectively than just about any group I know.”

-Alice Hardesty, Bacho Press 

Duo Beaux Arts

Since its inception in 2008 by concert pianists Catherine Lan and Tao Lin, Duo Beaux Arts has engaged with audiences through unique programming and adrenalized presentation of music from various genres. They have been presented by notable series including Impromptu Series (FL), The Cosmos Club (D.C.), Four Seasons Arts Series (CA), Northeast Kingdom Concert Series (VT), and Tallahassee Concert Association (FL). Catherine and Tao have collectively performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York (USA), Victoria Hall in Singapore (Singapore), Izumi Hall in Osaka (Japan), Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver (Canada), Bartók Hall at Buda Castle in Budapest (Hungary), Edvard Grieg Museum in Bergen (Norway), Pianola Museum in Amsterdam (Netherlands), Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn (Estonia), Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge (UK), Temppeliaukio in Helsinki (Finland), and UNESCO Eufrazijeva Bazilika in Poreč (Croatia). 

The Duo has been a featured ensemble on magazines, television channels, and radio stations such as National Public Radio, Maine Public, Fox4 Morning Blend TV, WFSQ-FM Classical Radio, Venice Magazine, Asian-Trend Magazine, World Journal New York, Miami. 

The Moanin Frogs

Bending genres and uplifting spirits, The Moanin’ Frogs offer an electrifying approach to chamber music. Conservatory trained and entertainment minded, their dynamic and technically precise performances of classical, ragtime, jazz, and pop delight fans across the world.

Featuring all six saxophones from soprano to bass, The Moanin’ Frogs are unique on today’s chamber music landscape. First prize winners of the 2018 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, their passion, quality, variety, instrumentation, and focus on the audience experience set them apart. Comfortable in a wide array of venues, The Moanin’ Frogs deliver artist-level performances to small towns and major performance halls alike, performing for concert series, as concerto soloists, and for educational programs throughout the US and abroad. The Moanin’ Frogs have appeared at The Kennedy Center, Kelowna Community Concerts, Detroit Public Television, American Band College, Texas and Oklahoma Bandmasters Associations, Conn-Selmer Institute, World Saxophone Congress, Strasbourg, France, and as concerto soloists with the United States Air Force Band of the West.