Our 2022-23 Artists
MEGAN HOLLAND
Originally from Albuquerque, Megan Holland began studying the violin at age four with Susan Kempter, nationally renowned pedagogue, author and Suzuki teacher trainer. She later studied privately with Leonard Felberg, former Professor of Violin at the University of New Mexico, concertmaster of the Santa Fe Symphony and violinist of the Seraphin Trio. She has received Suzuki teacher training from Susan Kempter. She received a Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with David Updegraff, head of the Violin Department. She received a Master of Music degree and an Advanced Studies diploma under the tutelage of Robert Lipsett at the University of Southern California.
Megan has performed throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. Reviewers have characterized her performances as "poised" and "powerful". She held the position of Principal Second Violin in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and member of the CSO String Quartet since 2001. In addition to her duties as Principal Second Violin, she also performed as soloist with the CSO on several occasions. She has given critically acclaimed solo and chamber music performances in the Piccolo Spoleto Chamber Music Spotlight Series. She also has been a member of the Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra, a summer orchestral and chamber music festival under the baton of Gerhardt Zimmermann, since 2002. In 2003 she performed as soloist with that orchestra. She has performed in the Breckenridge Music Festival's Winter Concert Series since it's inception in 2002. She has also appeared as soloist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Albuquerque Philharmonic.
Currently, Megan is co-director of the Strings program at The Montessori Elementary School. She is an active performer in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area. She performs regularly with Chatter, the Albuquerque Chamber Soloists and Santa Fe Pro-Musica.
Megan has performed throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. Reviewers have characterized her performances as "poised" and "powerful". She held the position of Principal Second Violin in the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and member of the CSO String Quartet since 2001. In addition to her duties as Principal Second Violin, she also performed as soloist with the CSO on several occasions. She has given critically acclaimed solo and chamber music performances in the Piccolo Spoleto Chamber Music Spotlight Series. She also has been a member of the Breckenridge Music Festival Orchestra, a summer orchestral and chamber music festival under the baton of Gerhardt Zimmermann, since 2002. In 2003 she performed as soloist with that orchestra. She has performed in the Breckenridge Music Festival's Winter Concert Series since it's inception in 2002. She has also appeared as soloist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and the Albuquerque Philharmonic.
Currently, Megan is co-director of the Strings program at The Montessori Elementary School. She is an active performer in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area. She performs regularly with Chatter, the Albuquerque Chamber Soloists and Santa Fe Pro-Musica.
JAMES HOLLAND
James Holland began his cello studies at age 9 in his hometown of Pensacola, FL. He earned degrees in cello performance from the University of Alabama and the Eastman School of Music, after which he became a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In 1996, James was appointed Principal Cellist of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for 11 years. In 2007, James and his wife, violinist Megan Holland, relocated to Albuquerque, NM. In 2014, James became president and artistic director of Albuquerque Chamber Soloists. As a chamber musician, he has performed with Chatter, the Placitas Artists Series, the Taos Chamber Music Series, Chamber Music Amarillo, and the Lake City Arts chamber music series among others. James is Principal Cellist of Santa Fe Pro Musica and a member of the SFPM Baroque Ensemble. He has also been a member of the Santa Fe Symphony since 2007. From 1998-2021, James was Principal Cellist of the Breckenridge Music Festival and appeared as soloist with BMF in 2005 and 2007. His recording activities include an award-winning live concert recording of the music of Duke Ellington with jazz legends Eddie Daniels and Roger Kellaway, and a recording for Smithsonian Folkways with the oud virtuoso Rahim AlHaj. James also maintains a large and active private cello teaching studio and directs orchestras at The Montessori Elementary and Middle School.
DAVID FELBERG
Violinist David Felberg is Associate Concertmaster of the New Mexico Philharmonic, Concertmaster of the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as concerto soloist with the New Mexico Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Palo Alto Philharmonic, Albuquerque Philharmonic, and the Balcones Orchestra in Austin, TX. The Albuquerque native has also performed solo recitals in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Clovis, Portales, and as a chamber musician with the Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, Chatter, Santa Fe New Music, and Serenata of Santa Fe. In the spring of 2005, he made his New York recital debut in Merkin Hall.
Felberg is the Co-Music Director of Chatter, an innovative Sunday morning series highlighting music and poetry that has been featured on NPR and in the Los Angeles Times. The multi-faceted musician is also Music Director of the Albuquerque Philharmonic, assistant conductor of the University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and founder and conductor of Chatter, a chamber ensemble dedicated to performing 20th and 21st century chamber orchestra repertoire.
Felberg received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Arizona and a Master of Music in instrumental conducting from the University of New Mexico. He has also taken advanced string quartet studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder and attended the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival, where he worked with maestros David Zinman and Murray Sidlin, and with renowned conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.
Felberg is the Co-Music Director of Chatter, an innovative Sunday morning series highlighting music and poetry that has been featured on NPR and in the Los Angeles Times. The multi-faceted musician is also Music Director of the Albuquerque Philharmonic, assistant conductor of the University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and founder and conductor of Chatter, a chamber ensemble dedicated to performing 20th and 21st century chamber orchestra repertoire.
Felberg received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Arizona and a Master of Music in instrumental conducting from the University of New Mexico. He has also taken advanced string quartet studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder and attended the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival, where he worked with maestros David Zinman and Murray Sidlin, and with renowned conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.
KIMBERLY FREDENBURGH
Kimberly Fredenburgh is Associate Professor of Viola at the University of New Mexico where she teaches private viola students, classes in orchestral audition preparation and chamber music ensembles. Ms. Fredenburgh has served as assistant principal viola of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra for the past 10 years.. She performs regularly with the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and appears as principal viola with the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra. She was previously associate principal viola of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and also taught on the faculty at Arizona State University
Ms. Fredenburgh was a co-principal violist with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and has appeared in Carnegie Hall with Sir Georg Solti conducting. She has been featured as a concerto soloist with orchestras such as the Phoenix Symphony and the New Mexico Symphony. She has taught master classes and performed in recitals across the US as well as in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco. Ms. Fredenburgh has delivered pedagogical papers at several National ASTA conferences and has also performed at the 2008 International Viola Congress.
Ms. Fredenburgh was a co-principal violist with the New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and has appeared in Carnegie Hall with Sir Georg Solti conducting. She has been featured as a concerto soloist with orchestras such as the Phoenix Symphony and the New Mexico Symphony. She has taught master classes and performed in recitals across the US as well as in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Monaco. Ms. Fredenburgh has delivered pedagogical papers at several National ASTA conferences and has also performed at the 2008 International Viola Congress.
TZU-FENG LIU
Pianist Tzu-Feng Liu works as a solo pianist and collaborative artist, and has performed in many different settings, including vocal, chamber, orchestral and solo concerts in both Taiwan and the U.S. She received her Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008.
Tzu-Feng’s past awards include first prize at the 1997 Taipei Senior division piano competition, second place at the 1998 Taiwan Senior division piano competition and finalist in the Taiwan Symphony Young Artist debut, as well as the YAMAHA young artist debut in 1999.
In 2003, she was the winner of the concerto competition at the University of Illinois. Her 2010 concert highlights include solo performances at Keller Hall, (Albuquerque, NM), Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York, NY) and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (Washington, DC). Besides her solo engagements, Dr. Liu is also devoted to new music performance.
She was the co- winner of the UIUC “21st Century Piano Commission” award in 2007. Ms. Liu has been invited to perform in several festivals including the Electronic Music Midwest Festival (EMM, Kansas City), CHASM Festival (Tallahassee, FL), Society for Electroacoustic Music in the United States (Salt Lake City, UT) along with John Donald Robb Composer’s Symposium Concerts in 2008 and 2010. She currently resides in Albuquerque,NM.
Tzu-Feng’s past awards include first prize at the 1997 Taipei Senior division piano competition, second place at the 1998 Taiwan Senior division piano competition and finalist in the Taiwan Symphony Young Artist debut, as well as the YAMAHA young artist debut in 1999.
In 2003, she was the winner of the concerto competition at the University of Illinois. Her 2010 concert highlights include solo performances at Keller Hall, (Albuquerque, NM), Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York, NY) and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland (Washington, DC). Besides her solo engagements, Dr. Liu is also devoted to new music performance.
She was the co- winner of the UIUC “21st Century Piano Commission” award in 2007. Ms. Liu has been invited to perform in several festivals including the Electronic Music Midwest Festival (EMM, Kansas City), CHASM Festival (Tallahassee, FL), Society for Electroacoustic Music in the United States (Salt Lake City, UT) along with John Donald Robb Composer’s Symposium Concerts in 2008 and 2010. She currently resides in Albuquerque,NM.
GUILLERMO FIGUEROA
One of the most versatile and respected musical artists of his generation - renowned as conductor, violinist, violist, and concertmaster - Guillermo Figueroa is the Principal Conductor of the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra. He is also the Artistic Director of the Music in the Mountains Festival in Colorado and Music Director of the Lynn Philharmonia in Florida. Additionally, he was the Music Director of both the New Mexico Symphony and the Puerto Rico Symphony.
International appearances, among others, include the Toronto Symphony, Iceland Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile and the National Symphony of Mexico. In the US he has appeared with the orchestras of Buffalo, Detroit, New Jersey, Memphis, Phoenix, Tucson and the
New York City Ballet.
As violinist, his recording of Ernesto Cordero’s violin concertos for the Naxos label received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2012. Figueroa was Concertmaster of the New York City Ballet, and a Founding Member and Concertmaster of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, making over fifty recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. Also accomplished on the viola, Figueroa performs frequently as guest of the Fine Arts, Emerson, American, and Orion string quartets.
Figueroa has given the world premieres of four violin concertos written for him: the Concertino by Mario Davidovsky, at Carnegie Hall with Orpheus; the Double Concerto by Harold Farberman, with the American Symphony at Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center; the Violin Concerto by Miguel del Aguila, commissioned by Figueroa and the NMSO and Insula, by Ernesto Cordero with the Solisti di Zagreb in Zagreb.
International appearances, among others, include the Toronto Symphony, Iceland Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile and the National Symphony of Mexico. In the US he has appeared with the orchestras of Buffalo, Detroit, New Jersey, Memphis, Phoenix, Tucson and the
New York City Ballet.
As violinist, his recording of Ernesto Cordero’s violin concertos for the Naxos label received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2012. Figueroa was Concertmaster of the New York City Ballet, and a Founding Member and Concertmaster of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, making over fifty recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. Also accomplished on the viola, Figueroa performs frequently as guest of the Fine Arts, Emerson, American, and Orion string quartets.
Figueroa has given the world premieres of four violin concertos written for him: the Concertino by Mario Davidovsky, at Carnegie Hall with Orpheus; the Double Concerto by Harold Farberman, with the American Symphony at Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center; the Violin Concerto by Miguel del Aguila, commissioned by Figueroa and the NMSO and Insula, by Ernesto Cordero with the Solisti di Zagreb in Zagreb.
LAURA GRANTIER
Dr. Laura D. Grantier earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Alabama, an MBA from Averett University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Catholic University of America. Her teachers are Scott Bridges, Ken Grant, and Eugene Mondie.
Dr. Grantier is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Utah. She is the Secretary for the International Clarinet Association (ICA) Executive Board and is also the ICA Utah state chairperson.
From 2021-2022, she was the Director of Woodwinds and Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Southern Utah University. She served as guest at the 2022 SUU Honor Band. She formed the SUU faculty woodwind quintet and numerous woodwind ensembles. The SUU Clarinet Quartet performed at the 2022 ClarFest in Reno, NV and the Flute Choir performed at the 2022 NFA conference in Chicago, IL. She also founded SUU Woodwind Day, a one-day student-centered symposium, dedicated to music education through recitals, and masterclasses. Featured guest artists included Dr. Charles West and Dr. Jeremy Reynolds.
From 1995-2021 she was a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. where she served as Principal Clarinet, Woodwind Leader, Clarinet Section Leader, and Harborwinds Clarinet Quartet Leader. She performed over 2,250 public concerts, military ceremonies, education workshops, and high-profile protocol engagements for high-ranking dignitaries, including the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, and Secretary of the Navy.
Prior to her appointment with the United States Navy Band, she pursued a Master of Music at the Eastman School of Music. She has performed with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis, Arlington, McLean, New World, Tuscaloosa Symphonies, and the National Symphony Orchestra. She was principal clarinet of the American-Russian Youth Orchestra, the Capitol Wind Symphony, and is currently principal clarinet of the Virginia Grand Military Band.
Dr. Grantier has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions with the United States Navy Band, including national tours and the 2014 Midwest Orchestra and Band Clinic in Chicago. She was also a featured soloist at the 2013 CMEA conference, the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019 International Clarinet Association Conferences, 2017 Clarinetissimo in Seattle, the 2009 GMEA conference, the 23rd annual Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2022 Utah Clarinet Festival.
In 2012, Dr. Grantier founded Navy Band Clarinet Day, an annual education outreach symposium for clarinet students and enthusiasts. The event provided musical enrichment and interaction with Navy Band clarinetists and guest artists, representing the pinnacle of the profession from the orchestral, band, and academic arenas. For eight years, the symposium was presented in person to 125 participants annually and livestreamed to 23,000 online viewers globally. Past guest artists include Richie Hawley, Sean Osborn, Ricardo Morales, Jeremy Reynolds, Eugene Mondie, Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, Mark Gallagher, Kathy Mulcahy, Robert DiLutis, and Mitch Estrin.
An active Chamber musician, Dr. Grantier is a member of Darkwood Duo with Dr. Lynn Vartan, Voix des Femmes Clarinet Quartet (IG @voixdesfemmes.quartet), and K2V Trumpet/Clarinet Duo (IG @k2v_duo_) with Dr. Michael Mergen of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. New commissions for 2022 include works by Nadine Silverman, Todd Cochran, and Alex Freeman.
Dr. Grantier is a Buffet-Crampon performing artist.
Dr. Grantier is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Utah. She is the Secretary for the International Clarinet Association (ICA) Executive Board and is also the ICA Utah state chairperson.
From 2021-2022, she was the Director of Woodwinds and Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Southern Utah University. She served as guest at the 2022 SUU Honor Band. She formed the SUU faculty woodwind quintet and numerous woodwind ensembles. The SUU Clarinet Quartet performed at the 2022 ClarFest in Reno, NV and the Flute Choir performed at the 2022 NFA conference in Chicago, IL. She also founded SUU Woodwind Day, a one-day student-centered symposium, dedicated to music education through recitals, and masterclasses. Featured guest artists included Dr. Charles West and Dr. Jeremy Reynolds.
From 1995-2021 she was a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C. where she served as Principal Clarinet, Woodwind Leader, Clarinet Section Leader, and Harborwinds Clarinet Quartet Leader. She performed over 2,250 public concerts, military ceremonies, education workshops, and high-profile protocol engagements for high-ranking dignitaries, including the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, and Secretary of the Navy.
Prior to her appointment with the United States Navy Band, she pursued a Master of Music at the Eastman School of Music. She has performed with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis, Arlington, McLean, New World, Tuscaloosa Symphonies, and the National Symphony Orchestra. She was principal clarinet of the American-Russian Youth Orchestra, the Capitol Wind Symphony, and is currently principal clarinet of the Virginia Grand Military Band.
Dr. Grantier has appeared as soloist on numerous occasions with the United States Navy Band, including national tours and the 2014 Midwest Orchestra and Band Clinic in Chicago. She was also a featured soloist at the 2013 CMEA conference, the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019 International Clarinet Association Conferences, 2017 Clarinetissimo in Seattle, the 2009 GMEA conference, the 23rd annual Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2022 Utah Clarinet Festival.
In 2012, Dr. Grantier founded Navy Band Clarinet Day, an annual education outreach symposium for clarinet students and enthusiasts. The event provided musical enrichment and interaction with Navy Band clarinetists and guest artists, representing the pinnacle of the profession from the orchestral, band, and academic arenas. For eight years, the symposium was presented in person to 125 participants annually and livestreamed to 23,000 online viewers globally. Past guest artists include Richie Hawley, Sean Osborn, Ricardo Morales, Jeremy Reynolds, Eugene Mondie, Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, Mark Gallagher, Kathy Mulcahy, Robert DiLutis, and Mitch Estrin.
An active Chamber musician, Dr. Grantier is a member of Darkwood Duo with Dr. Lynn Vartan, Voix des Femmes Clarinet Quartet (IG @voixdesfemmes.quartet), and K2V Trumpet/Clarinet Duo (IG @k2v_duo_) with Dr. Michael Mergen of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. New commissions for 2022 include works by Nadine Silverman, Todd Cochran, and Alex Freeman.
Dr. Grantier is a Buffet-Crampon performing artist.
LAURA STEINER
Laura Steiner, violinist and violist, is a member of the New Mexico Philharmonic and the Santa Fe Symphony. She also performs with Chatter, Santa Fe Pro Musica, and other New Mexican performing arts organizations. Laura has performed solo works with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, the New Mexico Philharmonic, the Masterworks Festival Philharmonic Orchestra, and the University of Alabama Huxford Symphony Orchestra. She maintains a private studio of violin and viola students and has taught several levels of collegiate music theory.
Laura earned a Master of Music (with distinction) in Viola Performance, String Pedagogy, and Music Theory from the University of New Mexico in 2020, and a Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) in Viola Performance from the University of Alabama in 2015. Her principal teachers include Kim Fredenburgh, Wendy Richman, Daniel Sweaney, Gabriel Gordon, and Derek Reeves. When not practicing, Laura enjoys knitting, cross-stitch, and video gaming.
Laura earned a Master of Music (with distinction) in Viola Performance, String Pedagogy, and Music Theory from the University of New Mexico in 2020, and a Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) in Viola Performance from the University of Alabama in 2015. Her principal teachers include Kim Fredenburgh, Wendy Richman, Daniel Sweaney, Gabriel Gordon, and Derek Reeves. When not practicing, Laura enjoys knitting, cross-stitch, and video gaming.
RUXANDRA MARQUARDT
JENNIFER PEREZ
Jennifer Perez holds an M.M. with a concentration in vocal performance from The University of New Mexico. Professional ensemble experience includes performances with the Boulder Bach Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Dallas Choral Festival, and the New Mexico Philharmonic. She is an active member of the New Mexico based ensembles Chatter, New Mexico Bach Society, and Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico.
She excels in vocal chamber music, having a special affinity for the music of J.S. Bach, and she earned the "Honorable Mention" award in the Boulder Bach Festival's online 2020 World Bach Competition. Having also a propensity for new music, she has been featured as a soloist in several contemporary works, including Luciano Berio’s Agnus, Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater, James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross, David Lang's Death Speaks, Christopher Tin’s The Drop That Contained the Sea, and the world premiere of Hector Armienta's opera, Bless Me, Ultima.
Ms. Perez also enjoys participating in the musical community of Santa Fe as a soprano section leader for the Church of the Holy Faith choir and occasionally performs with the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and Santa Fe Community Orchestra. Recent performances include a Bach concert with the New Mexico Bach Society and a solo appearance for Chatter's Museum Series.
She excels in vocal chamber music, having a special affinity for the music of J.S. Bach, and she earned the "Honorable Mention" award in the Boulder Bach Festival's online 2020 World Bach Competition. Having also a propensity for new music, she has been featured as a soloist in several contemporary works, including Luciano Berio’s Agnus, Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater, James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross, David Lang's Death Speaks, Christopher Tin’s The Drop That Contained the Sea, and the world premiere of Hector Armienta's opera, Bless Me, Ultima.
Ms. Perez also enjoys participating in the musical community of Santa Fe as a soprano section leader for the Church of the Holy Faith choir and occasionally performs with the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and Santa Fe Community Orchestra. Recent performances include a Bach concert with the New Mexico Bach Society and a solo appearance for Chatter's Museum Series.
AARO HEINONEN
LAURA CHANG
JUDITH GORDON
Bio coming soon