Musicians
Katie Brown, Violin
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As a founding member, Katie Brown has enjoyed playing principal violin for the Orfeo String Quartet since the ensemble’s formation in 2007. She has studied violin under Dr. Wei Tsun Chang, and recently graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Throughout her college career, Katie was a member of both the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and the Tennessee Tech University Orchestra. From 2009-2011, she had the honor of being Concertmaster of the Tennessee Tech University Orchestra. Katie now continues to perform with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Oak Ridge Orchestra and Symphony in the Mountains. She also teaches violin at Steven's Street School of Performing Arts and Peachtree Learning Center.
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Lauren Carlton, Violin
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Lauren Carlton has been a violinist in the Orfeo String Quartet since 2007 and is a founding member. Lauren, a native of Chattanooga, graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Music Education in December 2012. During her college career, Lauren has studied with Dr. Wei Tsun Chang and performed in the University Orchestra and various other ensembles and master classes. She regularly performs with the Bryan Symphony, has played with the Oak Ridge Symphony, and enjoys teaching violin in the Putnam County School System and privately throughout the community.
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Sarah McKelvie, Viola
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A native of Columbus, Indiana, Sarah McKelvie recently transplanted to Cookeville to join the faculty at Tennessee Tech University. Sarah began her musical studies on the violin at the age of five. Her passion for the lush sound of the viola was sparked in high school and it was this instrument that she later received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and The University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music . As an undergraduate, Sarah was a member of the Caricato String Quartet as both second violinist and later violist. This chamber group was a semi-finalist at the internationally acclaimed Fishoff Chamber Music Competition in 1995. She was also a Fellow at both the Sarasota Chamber Music Festival and the Brevard Music Center. Sarah was a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and has been a member of orchestras in Europe including the Esternach Festival orchestra, and served as principal violist in the Lucca Opera Festival Orchestra in 1997. From 2001 through 2014, she served as principal violist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic under the direction of David Bowden. Currently Sarah collaborates with Cookeville area musicians, local churches, and the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Cookeville, she created rich music programs in schools as well as directed the McKelvie String Studio, and she currently serves as Music Director of the Tennessee Tech Strings Project.
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Rachel Salter, Cello
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Rachel Salter, a Knoxville native, began playing with the Orfeo Quartet in the fall of 2011. She received her Bachelor's in cello performance from Tennessee Tech University in 2014 under the instruction of Dan Allcott. Rachel was the principle cellist of the TTU Orchestra during her four years as a student. She also played with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and was a recipient of the Captain William Anderson Performance Scholarship during her last year at Tech. Rachel currently works for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra Association as the Executive Director. Rachel enjoys serving her community and is the Vice President of the Cookeville Arts Council board and also serves as an executive committee member on the Tennesseans for the Arts board. Rachel teaches private cello lessons at Stevens Street School of Performing Arts.
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