As a harpist, Lynnelle Ediger-Kordzaia has been praised for her beautiful tone, passionate playing and brilliant technique. She has concertized to critical acclaim throughout Belgium, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Eastern Europe and the United States as a soloist and principal harpist with orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
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Connor Thompson has been playing professionally in the Richmond area since 2007. He received a bachelor’s degree in music performance and jazz studies from Virginia Commonwealth University where he studied with guitarist Mike Ess, composer Doug Richards, and trombonist/composer Antonio Garcia. He also performed in masterclasses led by jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas and guitarist Anthony Wilson. As a jazz musician, Mr. Thompson has performed regularly in a variety of ensembles as well as solo. For the last several years, he has played at various venues in the Richmond area, such as Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Tobacco Company restaurant, Havana 59, Maymont, and at weddings and private functions.
Brittany Brooks received her degree in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music, where she was a member of VCU’s opera program and Commonwealth Singers. She graduated with honors in the spring of 2010, receiving the award for outstanding accomplishments in undergraduate music education and was invited to join the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society. As member of Commonwealth Singers she had the opportunity to tour in China singing for several pre-Olympic festivals. She was involved in the University’s full scale productions of Suor Angelica in which she played the role of “seconda cercatrice” and The Mikado, as well as several roles in the fall presentation of opera scenes. Brittany has taught music at several private schools in the Richmond area and currently holds a full time music teaching position at Walnut Hill Elementary School in Petersburg, VA. She has been singing professionally for three years at Centenary United Methodist Church, and has been a featured soloist at the annual Centenary Classics concert.
Violinist Amanda Ellerbe is a graduate of the Master of Music Teaching program at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she was the recipient of the Clifford Cook Memorial Merit Scholarship in String Music Education, Statler Walker Scholar, director of the Camerata Chamber Orchestra (formerly directed by Robert Spano), and assistant director of Oberlin’s String Preparatory Program. Miss. Ellerbe’s extensive performing experience has taken her throughout the United States and abroad, including Vienna’s Musikverein and Chicago’s Cultural Center, Harris Theatre, and Ballroom at Navy Pier. She currently plays with The University of Richmond Orchestra and The Appassionata String Quartet.
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Ron Alig has been playing classical guitar in the greater Richmond area as well as northern VA for the past 4.5 years. He has a Bachelor degree in Music Performance from the VCU School of Music where he studied with David Toussaint and John Patykula. In 2007 he joined the Richmond Guitar Quartet and has performed for the Charlottesville Guitar Society, Randolph-Macon College, the VCU Guitar Series, as well as many other concerts and events in the area.
In addition to solo and quartet performances, Ron also is a regular member of the Richmond Community Guitar Ensemble and one of the founders of the Ashland Guitar Society. He is currently teaching guitar at the Academy of Music.
Stephanie Ycaza, founder of the River City Ceremonial Brass, is a tuba player and brass specialist based in Richmond. She has extensive experience both organizing and playing brass music at weddings, graduations, and other ceremonies. She works with her clients to choose a brass ensemble (duo, trio, quartet, quintet or large ensemble) that is appropriate and festive.
Suzi Fischer received her Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Jazz Studies. During her time at VCU she studied with Skip Gailes, Albert Regni and Doug Richards, held the lead alto chair in VCU's Jazz Orchestra 1, and received a number of performance based scholarships. She currently performs on saxophone, clarinet and flute in many ensembles in the greater Richmond area in a variety of genres, including jazz, classical, R&B, funk and rock. She currently plays with Beast Wellington, Upper East Side Big Band, the Diggity Dudes, the Royal Virginians, and more. Suzi has led various sizes of jazz ensembles for events, from duos to quintets.