Amici Strings Piano Quintet

Tatyana Gilson is a violinist currently studying with John Lowry at MRU Conservatory. Throughout her years of classical study, she has participated in festivals and performances, plays chamber music at the Amici String Program and is a member of the Calgary Youth Orchestra. Tatyana plans to continue her musical studies after high school and pursue a career in violin performance.

Joleene Owens is a Grade 12 student who currently studies violin with Fiona Carnie. Throughout her years learning the violin, she has taken part in many festivals and performances. Joleene is also part of the Amici String Program, the Calgary Youth Orchestra and the Calgary Fiddlers. Ella Tang is a twelfth grade student at Western Canada High School where she is a pianist in her school jazz band. She has played piano since she was 6 years old, and has been taking violin lessons with Diane Lane since she was 8. Currently, she is studying composition with Michael Van der Sloot, and is interested in composing as a career. She plays chamber music at the Amici String Program.

Ella Tang is a twelfth grade student at Western Canada High School where she is a pianist in her school jazz band. She has played piano since she was 6 years old, and has been taking violin lessons with Diane Lane since she was 8. Currently, she is studying composition with Michael Van der Sloot, and is interested in composing as a career. She plays chamber music at the Amici String Program.

Hazel Seong began studying piano in South Korea at the age of four and made her debut at the age of six. She received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from the Kyoung-won University in South Korea and a Master of Music Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). Hazel is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at West Virginia University. Her recent musical activities include working as accompanist for the University Choir, for the 2013 International Flute Symposium, and for voice and instrumental studios. She is currently an accompanist at the Alberta School of Ballet.

Andrea Case has a Master’s Degree in cello performance from McGill University where she studied on scholarship with Antonio Lysy. Andrea is co-founder and cellist of the Lily String Quartet, a group that has completed multiple tours across Canada, has performed for CBC Radio and released a jazz CD with HAT Trio. She co-directs The Kensington Sinfonia, performs on baroque cello with String Theory Music Collective, was recently principal cellist of the Cambridge Philharmonic (UK) and enjoys performing at folk festivals across Western Canada with folk duo 100 Mile House. At home in a recording studio, Andrea has credits in the classical, pop, folk, jazz and film score genres. Andrea adjudicates regularly at festivals throughout Alberta and British Columbia and teaches at the Amici String Program and Mount Royal University. 

The Amici String Program was founded in 2007 by Fiona Carnie and Theresa Plotnick in order to provide a setting for young string players to grow in a positive and nurturing environment, where high standards of playing are expected and all students have access to fine teaching. The program consists of weekly master classes and technique classes, weekly chamber music coaching, workshops with guest clinicians and monthly solo recitals. Amici alumni are now studying to become musicians in universities in North America and Europe and are playing professionally. The Amici program also runs two well established summer programs for young string players.