Our Core Musicians.
Allison.
Music is my passion in life and sharing my gift with others is what I love to do. I have been performing and teaching for over 20 years and have studied and performed with some of the most amazing, most talented, and genuinely wise musicians..
I started playing the violin at the age of 9 (after a few failed attempts at the ages of 2 and 5) and grew up learning and performing with the First Coast Suzuki Players under the direction of Laurie Ryer Willwerth.
I graduated high school from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, studied music performance at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.
My collegiate orchestra experience includes North Carolina School of the Arts, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and Belmont University. I am a current member of the Jacksonville University Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony Civic Orchestra, and the Jacksonville Civic Orchestra.
I am currently performing with Teatro Lirico D'Europa in their Florida performances of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and will be performing in the Dave Eggar Orchestra with the rock band Foreigner on their upcoming 2018 U.S. tour.
While the majority of my education lies in the realm of performance, my love for teaching is insurmountable. I currently teach private lessons from my in-home studio and also substitute teach at the Jacksonville School of Music on a regular basis.
I am married to my best friend, Jeremy, who is also a professional musician. We live in Jacksonville Beach with our daughter, Violet, who was born in January of 2017!
I started playing the violin at the age of 9 (after a few failed attempts at the ages of 2 and 5) and grew up learning and performing with the First Coast Suzuki Players under the direction of Laurie Ryer Willwerth.
I graduated high school from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, studied music performance at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and received my Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.
My collegiate orchestra experience includes North Carolina School of the Arts, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and Belmont University. I am a current member of the Jacksonville University Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony Civic Orchestra, and the Jacksonville Civic Orchestra.
I am currently performing with Teatro Lirico D'Europa in their Florida performances of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and will be performing in the Dave Eggar Orchestra with the rock band Foreigner on their upcoming 2018 U.S. tour.
While the majority of my education lies in the realm of performance, my love for teaching is insurmountable. I currently teach private lessons from my in-home studio and also substitute teach at the Jacksonville School of Music on a regular basis.
I am married to my best friend, Jeremy, who is also a professional musician. We live in Jacksonville Beach with our daughter, Violet, who was born in January of 2017!
Beth.
Photo Credit: Matt Bluejay Photography
I began playing the cello at age 10 while living in Maryland. My family relocated to Jacksonville, Florida where I began taking private cello lessons under the direction of Laurie Casseday of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
I auditioned and was accepted to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and it was during my 4 years there that I excelled musically beyond my wildest dreams.
I graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in 1999 and was offered a number of music scholarships to various colleges. I decided to stay close to my family and attend the University of North Florida in Jacksonville where I continued to study privately with Laurie Casseday. I graduated from UNF in 2005 with my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration with a minor in Music Performance.
The way my music touches others’ lives is what drives me to continue playing; the smiles I see on peoples’ faces reminds me that I had a part in making their day special and was able to warm their hearts with my music.
I am a proud member of the Jacksonville University Orchestra and I also perform at weddings and events with String Theory Music and other organizations in Jacksonville, Florida.
My loves in life are my husband Matt (who is an amazing photographer by the way!! Check him out on Instagram and Facebook), our son Zayne, our two special Chihuahuas Lucy and Bean, and my cello!
Courtney.
When I was only four years old I began taking piano lessons here in Jacksonville Florida. This musical seed that was planted in me began to blossom and at the age of 9 I began studying violin, and then viola at the age of 10.
Years later I was accepted into Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where I truly discovered my passion for the viola and performing. Throughout my adolescence my family experienced numerous hardships, including a house fire that left us with very little to live by. However, it was during this time that I realized that my music was unconditional- my soul is so deeply rooted in music that it cannot be taken from me. It was during my junior year when I found myself spending hours practicing Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony that I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to my art.
In 2014 I was accepted into the Jacksonville University Fine Arts Department with a full-ride scholarship for Music Education. There I study closely with Marguerite Richardson and perform in numerous ensembles, including the Jacksonville University Orchestra and String Quintet. I also assist with the Jacksonville School of Music and the First Coast Community Music School.
One day I dream of joining a world-renown symphony orchestra and touring the globe, or maybe opening my own studio, or evening joining an orchestra to make music for movie soundtracks- wherever life takes me I vow not only to hold my music close to my heart, but also to share it with the world!
Years later I was accepted into Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, where I truly discovered my passion for the viola and performing. Throughout my adolescence my family experienced numerous hardships, including a house fire that left us with very little to live by. However, it was during this time that I realized that my music was unconditional- my soul is so deeply rooted in music that it cannot be taken from me. It was during my junior year when I found myself spending hours practicing Mendelssohn’s Reformation Symphony that I realized I wanted to dedicate my life to my art.
In 2014 I was accepted into the Jacksonville University Fine Arts Department with a full-ride scholarship for Music Education. There I study closely with Marguerite Richardson and perform in numerous ensembles, including the Jacksonville University Orchestra and String Quintet. I also assist with the Jacksonville School of Music and the First Coast Community Music School.
One day I dream of joining a world-renown symphony orchestra and touring the globe, or maybe opening my own studio, or evening joining an orchestra to make music for movie soundtracks- wherever life takes me I vow not only to hold my music close to my heart, but also to share it with the world!
