Bach Fest Chamber Music

Monday - Friday, July 8-12th, 2024 at 12:00PM

Locations Vary

Monday, July 8, 12 noon

Riverwalk Park Picnic Shelter

Tuesday, July 9, 12 noon

Chelan Methodist Church

Wednesday, July 10, 12 noon

Riverwalk Park Picnic Shelter

Thursday, July 11, 12 noon

Chelan Methodist Church

Friday, July 12, 12 noon

Riverwalk Park Picnic Shelter

Meet our Noon Concert Musicians:

Kathryn Castrodale

Kathryn Castrodale, pianist, is a frequent performer throughout North Central Washington. She has been participating in the Bach Fest since its beginning and was one of the founders who worked closely with Cora Hartley to gather musicians together for a celebration of music, performing concerti with the orchestra, soloing and playing chamber music on noon concerts, accompanying the choir, and is an orchestra member. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Willamette University and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oregon. Kathryn is a member of the trio Classic Pizzazz and also arranges music for the group. She plays jazz piano with various groups and has been musical director of many community theatre productions. 

Julie Cross

Julie Cross is a performing music director, mezzo-soprano, and collaborative pianist. She currently teaches music courses and lessons at Linfield University in McMinnville, OR, where she serves as Director of Choirs. She took this position after three years as music director and organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Vancouver, WA, and three years as Principal Accompanist and voice teacher at Linfield. She is choir director and soloist for the Lake Chelan Bach Festival every July, and has been a Bach Fest soloist since 2013. A former tenured professor in the University of Wisconsin system, she has performed and offered master classes throughout the country. She served as two-term treasurer of the International Alliance for Women in Music, and has performed the music of women composers in recitals and at national and international music conferences. She studied at Oberlin Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, and earned her doctorate at the University of Michigan. Her mentors include Daune Mahy, Sedmara Rutstein, Richard Miller, Marlena Malas, Shirley Verrett, and George Shirley.

Susan DeWitt Smith

A native of Portland, Oregon, pianist Susan DeWitt Smith has an active career as both a soloist and chamber musician. She has performed as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, and on subscription series with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Palomar Symphony and the Dartmouth Symphony. A co-founder of the Nelson Chamber Music Festival in New Zealand,  Dr. Smith is highly regarded as a chamber musician and has performed at festivals throughout the country, with musicians who include members of the Juilliard, Kronos, and Philadelphia string quartets.

She has performed at the Bloch, Cascade Head and the Cascade music festivals in Oregon, as well as the Grand Teton, Hot Springs, and Olympic music festivals. An enthusiastic and committed proponent of music education, she co-founded the innovative and highly successful Music in Context series in 2005. A graduate of Dartmouth College, she earned her MM from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music. She is a member of Portland’s Third Angle New Music Ensemble, and teaches at Lewis & Clark College. Dr. Smith has recorded extensively on the KOCH International Classics label.

Denise Dillenbeck

Denise Dillenbeck, violinist, has played for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Pennsylvania Ballet Theater, Philly Pops, and most recently as the Associate Concertmaster of the Tacoma Symphony. As a member of the Oregon Symphony, she was a featured soloist for several concerts, and has served as concertmaster for orchestras across the country and in England.
As a member of new music group Third Angle, she gave world premiere performances of works by many of today's leading composers. She was also the Lead Teaching Artist in the Philadelphia Orchestra's Community Partnership Program, where she led urban elementary school students in experiential music learning, and directed workshops on aesthetic education for classroom teachers and music educators.
Denise formed the Areté Trio with Oregon Symphony principal cello Nancy Ives and pianist John Pickett. Ms. Dillenbeck was recently named as violinist with the Kairos String Quartet at Central Washington University. She has recorded solo and chamber works for the Albion and KOCH International labels.
She holds a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory where she studied with James Buswell, and a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota where she was Sally O'Reilly's teaching assistant and worked with Minnesota Orchestra concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis. The San Francisco Chronicle hails her playing as "simply first-rate."

Christopher Foerstel

Christopher Foerstel, violist, started learning the violin at age 9 and found his love for the viola while attending Central Washington University.  He currently is principal violist of the Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island as well as the Federal Way Symphony and performs regularly with the Village Theatre and the Seattle Rock Orchestra.  Not strictly a classical musician, Chris has recorded with such Pacific Northwest artists as Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Blake Lewis and performed with touring groups Il Divo, Trans Siberian Orchestra, and DJ Spooky.  A faculty member of the Evergreen Music Festival and Orchestral Coach for Tacoma Youth Symphony, Chris also keeps a small private studio of students in Seattle.

Mel Foster

Tenor Mel Foster is an Associate Professor of Voice and Chair of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at Morehouse College.  Dr. Foster has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he was a student of John Maloy and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara where he was under the tutelage of Elizabeth Mannion. Most recently, he has greatly benefited from the mentoring of Victor Roman.

Noelle Goodenberger

Noelle Goodenberger, an accomplished performer and dedicated teacher, is immersed in the dynamic music scenes of the Pacific Northwest. Raised in a family of professional musicians, she is proficient in voice, violin, piano, guitar, and composition. 

Noelle pursued Vocal Performance at the University of Oregon under the tutelage of Milagro Vargas, earning the accolade of the Outstanding Performer of Voice. She was a valued member of the renowned UO Chamber Choir directed by Dr. Sharon Paul for all four years, participating in competitions and choral symposiums across the globe. During this time, she had the opportunity to perform at the Oregon Bach Festival and sing solos under the baton of the world-renowned Maestro Matthew Halls. 

Now based in Portland, Noelle is a sought-after soloist and session singer for Oregon Catholic Press, serves as the Director of Music at Lake Oswego UMC, and performs with esteemed ensembles such as Cappella Romana, St. Mary’s Choir, and Trinity Episcopal Choir. She co-founded the Nexus Vocal Ensemble, advocating for young, living composers and musicians. Currently studying with Nancy Olson-Chatalas, Noelle showcases her versatile vocal styles in performances across Oregon and Washington, including original compositions with Sage Rendezvous, her family’s musical ensemble. 

Beyond her musical pursuits, Noelle indulges in crafting and gardening, and exploring this beautiful pocket of the world.

Evelyn Gottlieb

Evelyn is a member of the Northwest Sinfonietta violin section and is Assistant Concertmaster of Symphony Tacoma. She also performs with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Vashon Opera, Auburn Symphony, NOCCO, Tacoma City Ballet, Tacoma Opera, and in chamber music concerts. She has performed in music festivals and recitals across the globe including China, Italy, Cuba, Canada, Austria, and of course here at home in the Pacific NW. One highlight from the previous season includes performing as concertmaster and soloist for a tour in China with the Hollywood Concert Orchestra.
Evelyn received her BA/BM and Masters in Music degrees from the University of Washington in violin performance. She received music scholarships to study with Ronald Patterson, and served as co-concertmaster of the University Symphony. During her time there she especially enjoyed playing for patients at the UW Hospital. Previous to the UW she studied with Kelly Farris as a running start student at Eastern Washington University.
Evelyn is a native of Argentina and moved to Spokane, WA at a very young age. She currently lives in Bellevue with her violinist husband Colin Todd and a small spoiled dog named Dante. Her other career is in real estate; working as a licensed agent, owner, and remodeler. Evelyn has a sweet tooth, loves to eat and explore new
cuisines, enjoys binging on Netflix, and is crazy about dogs.

Selina Greso

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Selina is an active performer on Oboe and English Horn in the Seattle area. She is the Principal Oboist of Symphony Tacoma, and regularly performs with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, and Seattle Opera. Selina has also done extensive adjudicating with school districts all around Washington state. A graduate of The Juilliard School, her teachers include John Ferrillo, Elaine Douvas, and John Mack.

Nancy Ives

Composer and Cellist Nancy Ives is a musical icon, having “built a career of such spectacular diversity that no summation will do her achievements justice.” (Artslandia) As "one of Oregon’s most prominent and accomplished classical musicians,” (The Oregonian) Ives offers both depth and approachability with enduring and eloquent music inspired by the natural world. “Modernistic but melodic and compelling... [with] a refreshing musical breadth,” her work communicates “a uniquely personal voice.” (Oregon ArtsWatch)

A relative of the legendary composer Charles Ives, she carries on the tradition of her namesake with modern relevance. Her music has featured in performances by Portland Chamber Orchestra, Fear No Music, Friends of Rain, Portland Cello Project, Siletz Bay Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival and OBF Composers Symposium as well as broadcasts on All Classical Portland and KBBI (Alaska). Ives’ projects involve working with indigenous communities to authentically capture, amplify, and relay their stories to wider audiences. Her recent multimedia orchestral work, Celilo Falls: We Were There, traces geologic and human history with “stunning, assiduously crafted, and mostly melodic music... a many-splendored artistic experience... universal in [its] artistic, social and political impact.” (Oregon ArtsWatch)

Ives is a gracious cornerstone of Portland musical life, “a local treasure,” according to the Portland Mercury. With more than 20 years as Principal Cellist of the Oregon Symphony, she’s also a member of the Palatine Piano Trio, Rose City Trio, and Fear No Music, has collaborated with all of the region’s premier performance organizations, and performed as soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Portland Columbia Symphony, Clark College Orchestra, and Cascade Festival of Music. A regular performer on All Classical Portland, Ives was also the “Cellist in Residence” on OPB’s State of Wonder.

With a DMA from the Manhattan School of Music, Ives is an Instructor of Chamber Music at Lewis & Clark College and serves on the Board of Directors for All Classical Portland.

nancyives.com

Biography by Aligned Artistry

Mary Jensen

Mary Jensen is Principal Flutist of Symphony Tacoma, Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra, and is Principal Flutist and Artist-in-Residence of the Lake Chelan Bach Festival. She has also appeared as Principal Flutist with such orchestras as the Northwest Sinfonietta, Tacoma Opera Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Heritage Symphony, Bellevue Ballet, and Lyric Opera Northwest Orchestra. As a chamber performer, Mary has performed with the Lake Chelan Bach Festival, Second City Chamber Series, Icicle Creek Music Center, Seattle Happy Hour Concerts, and as a guest performer for the Asociación Nacional de Conciertos de Panamá. Mary has appeared as a concerto soloist with numerous orchestras throughout the Northwest region, including Symphony Tacoma, Olympia Symphony, Everett Philharmonic Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, Icicle Creek Chamber Orchestra, Lake Chelan Bach Festival Orchestra, and Tacoma Young Artists’ Orchestra. Mary maintains a private studio in Tacoma, where she also is a flute and chamber music coach for the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and is on the faculty of the Evergreen Music Festival. She frequently conducts flute clinics, adjudicates competitions and coaches sectionals for school programs in the Puget Sound region. Ms. Jensen holds a Performance Diploma from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she studied flute with Michel Debost and baroque flute with Kathie Stewart.

Coni Liljengren

Coni Liljengren, pianist, began her music career in New York State where she was raised and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from State University College of New York at Fredonia.  She taught for 10 years at the Brattleboro Community Music School in Brattleboro, Vermont.  There she taught private lessons and was a performing member of a lively chamber music community, studying with Luis Batlle and Blanche Moyse.  For 16 years Coni taught as an adjunct professor at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota.  She opened her piano studio in Gig Harbor, Washington in October of 2007 and is a member of the Gig Harbor Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association.  As a freelance accompanist, Coni has accompanied members of the Minnesota Orchestra and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and has acted as professional accompanist with the Tacoma Symphony Chorus, the Bremerton Symphony Chorale, Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, and NOISE (Northwest Opera in the School Etcetera).  In addition, Coni has been a church organist since the age of sixteen, serving many parishes.

Scott Meredith

Dr. Scott Meredith currently resides in Poulsbo, Washington where he actively performs as Principal Trumpet with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, Chelan Bach Festival and the Port Angeles Symphony. He can also be heard playing in the sections of the Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Auburn Symphony, Yakima Symphony, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Tacoma and the Village Theater. Scott enjoys working with students of all ages and continues a private studio as well as brass coach for several Seattle area high schools. For 25 years he was Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wyoming, the University of Northern Colorado and the University of North Texas. Dr. Meredith has performed nationally with the Boulder Philharmonic, Cheyenne Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, the Irving, Plano, and San Angelo Symphonies, Dallas Wind Symphony, North Carolina Pops, Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, and at the Colorado Music Festival.

He been a featured performer, soloist and clinician at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, National Trumpet Competition, San Juan Jazz Festival, Colorado Trumpet Fest and the Wyoming and Colorado All-State Conferences. He stays active as a clinician and judge of several Washington State festivals and competitions as well and maintains an active trumpet studio in the Seattle area.

Scott is one of the founding members of the Seattle based brass chamber ensemble Valhalla Brass.

Dr. Meredith earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in trumpet performance and Masters if Music from the University of North Texas. He earned and Bachelor of Music Education and Music Performance degrees from the University of Northern Colorado.  Dr. Meredith can be heard on the CD "Chamber Music of Jennifer Higdon" featuring the premiere recording of her "Trumpet Songs" ("Trumpets can sing, too, and trumpeter Scott Meredith does just that, displaying a gorgeous tone and sense of phrasing." - Fanfare Magazine). He can also be heard on the "Teaching Music through Performance in Band" series as well as numerous recordings with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony under the direction of Eugene Corporon as part of the "Klavier Wind Project," including: Convergence, UFO: Music of Michael Daugherty, Time Pieces, Recollections, Symphonic Excursions, Escapades, Carmina Burana, Hemispheres, Allegories, and Retrospectives.

In his spare time Dr. Meredith enjoys watching movies (especially Star Wars!!), exploring Washington on his bike, and hanging out with his daughter Kat.

Cheryl Phillips

Cheryl Phillips, bassoonist, is a freelance bassoonist in the Puget Sound region.  She has performed with Olympia Symphony, Tacoma Community College Orchestra, Federal Way Symphony, LUCO and Northwest Symphony, to name a few.  She also performed a Music Benefit with Queensryche, members of Heart and John Lennon’s Studio Drummer, who made it a point to mention “You really can lay down that bassoon line, lady!”  She is also a professional Ethnic Dancer in the region.  An Olympia native, she resides in Tacoma with her husband and daughter.

Lauren Root

Lauren has lived in the PNW since 1979. She has been active freelancer and teacher since then. She studied at the Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore with the late Stephen Kates. Lauren was lucky to also studied chamber music with Karen Tuttle. Ms Tuttle’s style of coaching has been a life long inspiration. Lauren coached cello for over 30 years for Seattle Youth Symphony and was one of the first of three faculty members who formed that organization’s summer camp for ages 14 and under. She taught at the camp for over 26 years. Lauren is glad to be back with the festival and performing with so many fine musicians and friends. She’s lost count of how many years she’s played with Bach Fest. She’s still hoping to find a host family who would welcome her 220lbs pet pig, Wilson. But that’s another sort of adventure!

Cheryl Sears

Cheryl Sears, flutist, grew up in the Seattle area and currently lives in Olympia.  She has been a member of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra for many years, and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in flute performance.  Over the years, she has taught privately, performed in the Governor’s Mansion Chamber Music Series, and performed with several orchestras and operas throughout the Puget Sound region.  Her flute, violin, and cello trio has performed at the Governor’s Mansion on several occasions and regularly for recitals, parties, and weddings.  Cheryl is an elementary teacher in the North Thurston Public schools, where she teaches 3-5th graders.  During the summer she enjoys resting up from the school year, taking on house projects, and spending time with her husband and 2 daughters.

Charles Robert Stephens

Charles Robert Stephens’s career spans a wide variety of roles and styles in opera and concert music.  His performances show “a committed characterization and a voice of considerable beauty.” (Opera News)  At the New York City Opera he sang the role of Professor Friedrich Bhaer in the New York premiere of Adamo’s Little Women, and was hailed by The New York Times as a “baritone of smooth distinction.”   Since his debut as Marcello in La Bohème, Mr. Stephens’ New York City Opera roles include Frank in Die Tote Stadt, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, and 43 performances as Germont in La Traviata on tour across the US.

Margaret Thorndill

Margaret Thorndill, cellist, grew up in Tacoma, studying cello with Phylis Alport in Seattle and playing in the early years of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Washington State University and completed her Master of Fine Arts Degree in cello at California Institute of the Arts, where she worked with Joel Crosnick. Margaret’s teachers have included Claus Adam, former cellist in the Julliard String Quartet, Gabor Reijto, and Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel. She freelanced in the Los Angeles area for four years prior to becoming a member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for three years. She plays in Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and is a member of South Sound String Trio and Chambers Creek Piano Trio. , cellist, grew up in Tacoma, studying cello with Phylis Alport in Seattle and playing in the early years of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. She received her Bachelor of Music Degree from Washington State University and completed her Master of Fine Arts Degree in cello at California Institute of the Arts, where she worked with Joel Crosnick. Margaret’s teachers have included Claus Adam, former cellist in the Julliard String Quartet, Gabor Reijto, and Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel. She freelanced in the Los Angeles area for four years prior to becoming a member of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra for three years. She plays in Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and is a member of South Sound String Trio and Chambers Creek Piano Trio.

Colin Todd

Colin Todd, violinist, enjoys a varied musical life throughout the Puget Sound region. He currently serves as concertmaster of the Tacoma City Ballet orchestra and assistant concertmaster of the Bach Fest orchestra in Chelan. He is a member of Symphony Tacoma and Vashon Opera, and regularly performs with Northwest Sinfonietta and other large and small regional ensembles. He obtained his performance degree from the University of Washington where his principal teachers were Ronald Patterson and Helen Callus and he later pursued further professional studies with Maria Larionoff.