Quintet Members
GUEST ARTIST — CELLO II
Kristin Kuhlman Smith
Kristin Kuhlman Smith began her cello studies at age nine. She earned the Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from St. Olaf College, where she studied with Janet Horvath. She received the Master of Music degree in cello performance from Indiana University Bloomington, where her major teachers were Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi and Helga Winold. While at Indiana, she directed the Young Cellists Program and served on the faculty of the Indiana University String Academy. Currently, she plays cello with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, maintains a modest private cello studio, and serves as Co-Director of Music at All Saints Episcopal Church in Russellville, Arkansas, where she makes her home. However, her favorite collaboration in chamber music and in life is with her talented pianist husband, Dr. Timothy Smith, with whom she shares son, Noah and daughter-in-law, Elise!
VIOLIN I
Elise Smith
Elise Smith holds a masters degree in violin performance from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor's degree in music education from Calvin University. Deeply committed to sharing the joy of music with young people, Elise directs orchestras for the Caledonia Community Schools and teaches private violin and viola lessons. violinisteg@gmail.com.
VIOLIN II
Ashley Grace Davies
Ashley Grace Davies is a passionate violinist who has been pursuing music since she was 4 years old. Ashley Grace served as concert master for the Grand Valley State University Orchestra for 3 years and has continued to enjoy playing since completing her undergraduate degree. She has been featured as a guest soloist for the Vintage Parlor Orchestra and has played for many venues and groups in the area. When she is not playing the violin, she is working on completing her masters degree in biostatistics through Grand Valley and enjoying nature through backpacking trips around the country. ashleygracedavies@gmail.com
VIOLA
Darren Chan
Darren Chan holds a Bachelor of Music from the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific, and a Master of Music from Western Michigan University. In addition to regularly performing with local orchestras like the Kalamazoo Symphony, Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Battle Creek Symphony and West Michigan Symphony. Music is Darren’s lifelong passion, and he enjoys helping others learn to love it as much as he does. darren@darrenchanmusic.com
CELLO I
McCormack Wyn
McCormack Wyn began learning the cello at the age of fourteen. He studied cello with Karen Krummel in high school and with Horacio Contreras and Pablo Mahave-Veglia during his undergraduate years. McCormack is the Associate Principal Cellist for Holland Symphony, and he often plays for Grand Rapids Civic and Circle Theaters, other local orchestras, and other, nontraditional venues. McCormack teaches private lessons at the Ada Conservatory of Music and loves to share his joy for classical music and birds with others, pointing out how the beauty of art and the natural world reflects the goodness of God. mccormackwyncellist@gmail.com