A native of Iowa, violist Angela Kratchmer maintains an international career as a teacher, performer, and arts administrator. Committed to socially-motivated artistic practice, Kratchmer was selected to join the Global Leaders Program as a member of the 2018 Cohort, and recently completed the program's certificate in social justice, teaching artistry, cultural agency, and social entrepreneurship with teaching artist residencies in Chile, Paraguay, and Tanzania.
Chauncey Patterson began his professional career at the age of twenty-three as Assistant Principal Viola of the Colorado Symphony in Denver. He was eventually appointed Principal Viola by Music Director Philippe Entremont. His next post was Principal Viola of the Buffalo Philharmonic under the direction of Semyon Bychkov. During his stay in Buffalo, Mr. Patterson was offered and accepted the Viola position in the award winning Miami String Quartet.
Rochelle Pearson was a violist in America’s Orchestral Academy, The New World Symphony, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, which traveled extensively throughout Europe, Israel, and South America. They recorded the CD "Tangazo," which was nominated for a Grammy.
Eric Eakes enjoys an active and vibrant career as a performer, teacher, recording artist, and artistic content consultant. He has performed with internationally recognized artists including Estelle, Andrea Bocelli, Jorge Mejia, Ben Folds, Jon Secada, Garth Knox, Take 5, and Midori. While in his home state of North Carolina, Eric worked in the Fayetteville Symphony, Durham Symphony, and as a freelance musician for local opera and musical theatre performances.
A native of Iowa, violist Angela Kratchmer maintains an international career as a teacher, performer, and arts administrator. Committed to socially-motivated artistic practice, Kratchmer was selected to join the Global Leaders Program as a member of the 2018 Cohort, and recently completed the program's certificate in social justice, teaching artistry, cultural agency, and social entrepreneurship with teaching artist residencies in Chile, Paraguay, and Tanzania.
Violist JT Kane is currently the Dean of Visiting Faculty and Orchestra Manager for the New World Symphony (NWS). Before joining NWS, he was the Personnel and Popular Programing Manager and violist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Assistant Principal Violist for the Chattanooga Symphony, and was the Acting Assistant Principal Violist for six seasons with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa, in Veracruz, Mexico. He was on the faculty at the Facultad de Música-Universidad Veracruzana, and the Instituto Superior de Música del Estado de Veracruz.
Elizabeth Oka is a second-year Viola Fellow at the New World Symphony. Her most recent engagements include the Des Moines Metro Opera, Artosphere Festival Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa). She has also performed with the Charleston Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, Discovery Ensemble, Atlantic Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic and the Owensboro Symphony.
Violist Vivian Torres began her musical training at the age of 12. She has studied under the direction of Juilliard graduates Richard Fleischman, Paul Coletti, and Michael Klotz. Vivian obtained her Master’s degree in Music Performance from Florida International University and Artist Diploma from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. She performs regularly as an orchestral and chamber musician throughout South Florida. For over 10 years she has been teaching privately throughout Miami and is currently the viola teacher at the Gulliver Academy.
Amanda Diaz began studying music at the age of five. She received her Bachelor's in viola performance at the University of Miami and was awarded a full scholarship to be a part of the Stamps String Quartet. With the ensemble, Amanda studied chamber music intensively for four years and received several opportunities such as working with the Juilliard String Quartet in a rigorous seminar in New York.
Scott O’Donnell comes from Endwell, NY, where he began studying the violin at the age of seven. Two of Scott’s first teachers were Maryanne Wallenburg, Concertmaster of the Binghamton Symphony and Peter Marsh, first violinist of the Lennox Quartet. Five years later Scott studied with Elmar Oliviera, the first American violinist to win the prestigious Tchaikovsky competition.
