Angéle Sherwood-Lawless, Violin
The Kevin Phillips violin faculty chair
Angèle Sherwood-Lawless began her violin studies with Anna Tringas at the age of eight. She attended The Meadowmount School for Strings Encore during the summers studying with Linda Cerone, and continued her studies with Cerone and David Updegraff at The Cleveland Institute of Music.
She currently plays with The Atlanta Opera, John’s Creek Symphony Orchestra, is principle second with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, and subs with The Atlanta Symphony and The Atlanta Ballet orchestras. She often plays lead with many shows at The Alliance and Fox Theaters and The Cobb Energy Center. She has also served as concertmaster of The Ohio Light Opera, The Atlanta Pops, The Atlanta Bach Choir, The Lyric, Cobb Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Sinfonia. She has played in many orchestras throughout the South East and Cleveland areas under the baton of such great conductors as Christoph Von Dohnanyi, Pierre Boulez, Robert Shaw, Robert Spano, Lorin Maazel, and Yoel Levi.
Mrs. Lawless can also be seen on the stages of Chastain Park, The Fox, Philips Arena sharing the stage with such artists as Rod Stewart, Page and Plant, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Moody Blues, Barry Manilow, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, Amy Grant, Mannheim Steamroller, David Byrne, Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall. She has also recorded with the artists P!nk, Amy Grant and Atlanta’s own Joe Gransden and is the soloist that can be heard on the CD Forbidden Forest: Impressions of George Winston.
After teaching in several schools in the Atlanta area including Agnes Scott College, The Lovett School, and The Georgia Academy of Music she now keeps a studio in her home. Some of her students’ accomplishments include scholarships to Loyola, Florida State, Kennesaw State and Southern Methodist Universities, many participants in the Georgia All-State Orchestra program, and positions in the Georgia Youth Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Lawless resides in Marietta, GA with her wonderful husband and percussionist, John and their two children, Hannah and Bryden.
She currently plays with The Atlanta Opera, John’s Creek Symphony Orchestra, is principle second with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, and subs with The Atlanta Symphony and The Atlanta Ballet orchestras. She often plays lead with many shows at The Alliance and Fox Theaters and The Cobb Energy Center. She has also served as concertmaster of The Ohio Light Opera, The Atlanta Pops, The Atlanta Bach Choir, The Lyric, Cobb Symphony Orchestra and the Georgia Sinfonia. She has played in many orchestras throughout the South East and Cleveland areas under the baton of such great conductors as Christoph Von Dohnanyi, Pierre Boulez, Robert Shaw, Robert Spano, Lorin Maazel, and Yoel Levi.
Mrs. Lawless can also be seen on the stages of Chastain Park, The Fox, Philips Arena sharing the stage with such artists as Rod Stewart, Page and Plant, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Moody Blues, Barry Manilow, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban, Amy Grant, Mannheim Steamroller, David Byrne, Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall. She has also recorded with the artists P!nk, Amy Grant and Atlanta’s own Joe Gransden and is the soloist that can be heard on the CD Forbidden Forest: Impressions of George Winston.
After teaching in several schools in the Atlanta area including Agnes Scott College, The Lovett School, and The Georgia Academy of Music she now keeps a studio in her home. Some of her students’ accomplishments include scholarships to Loyola, Florida State, Kennesaw State and Southern Methodist Universities, many participants in the Georgia All-State Orchestra program, and positions in the Georgia Youth Symphony, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. Lawless resides in Marietta, GA with her wonderful husband and percussionist, John and their two children, Hannah and Bryden.
Kevin Chaney, Violin
The Alston & Bird, LLP violin faculty chair
An active performer, Kevin Chaney has played with many orchestras including: Macon Symphony, Atlanta Pops, Hilton Head Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Valdosta Symphony, Cobb Symphony, Albany Symphony, Capitol City Opera, and the Ocmulgee Symphony. As a contracted violinist with Quality Concerts, LLC, he has toured extensively throughout the United States, Japan, and China on various concert tours. In addition to his extensive touring experience, he also plays frequently with many well known artists such as Sarah McLachlan and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He also has appeared in movies and TV: Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, Joyful Noise, and TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress.
In addition to his active performance schedule, Kevin teaches violin at the Atlanta International School and maintains a private studio. Kevin is originally from Atlanta and received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Performance degrees from Georgia State University under the tutelage of Tania Maxwell Clements, Christos Galileas, and Michael Palmer.
In addition to his active performance schedule, Kevin teaches violin at the Atlanta International School and maintains a private studio. Kevin is originally from Atlanta and received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Performance degrees from Georgia State University under the tutelage of Tania Maxwell Clements, Christos Galileas, and Michael Palmer.
Joli Wu, Viola
The Alfaro Violins/Huthmaker Stringed Instruments viola faculty chair
Joli Wu, violist, a native of Los Angeles, California, began her viola studies at the age of 13, under the tutelage of Louis Kievman. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Juilliard School in viola performance, where she studied with William Lincer, and a master’s degree from Yale University, where she was a member of the Quartet-in-Residence, studying with the Tokyo String Quartet, as well as member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Upon graduation, she moved to Cambridge, MA, where she served as a resident tutor in Currier House at Harvard University and performed frequently with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Wu is the principal violist of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and a section member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra. In the 2008-09 season, Ms. Wu served as acting principal violist of the Atlanta Opera. In addition, Ms. Wu has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including an upcoming engagement this Fall with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. She has also received myriad prizes and fellowships, among which include the Aspen Fellowship, and the Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship. Moreover, Ms. Wu performed and recorded with musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith, among others. This summer, Ms. Wu will be performing at a music festival in Nessonvaux, Belgium, while also giving masterclasses and coaching chamber music. Ms. Wu currently teaches violin and viola in her private studio and at the Georgia Academy of Music. She also coaches chamber music and technique classes at The Westminster Schools.
Ms. Wu is the principal violist of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and a section member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra. In the 2008-09 season, Ms. Wu served as acting principal violist of the Atlanta Opera. In addition, Ms. Wu has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including an upcoming engagement this Fall with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra. She has also received myriad prizes and fellowships, among which include the Aspen Fellowship, and the Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship. Moreover, Ms. Wu performed and recorded with musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith, among others. This summer, Ms. Wu will be performing at a music festival in Nessonvaux, Belgium, while also giving masterclasses and coaching chamber music. Ms. Wu currently teaches violin and viola in her private studio and at the Georgia Academy of Music. She also coaches chamber music and technique classes at The Westminster Schools.
Barney Culver, Cello
The Beau Vinci Violins/Voss Violins cello faculty chair
Barney Culver is a cellist who teaches and performs throughout the southeastern United States. He attended the University of Michigan for his bachelors degree and Carnegie Mellon University for his masters degree, both in cello performance. Barney enjoys teaching at both the Lovett School and at Agnes Scott College, and plays often with the Atlanta Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and with symphonies in Charlotte, Savannah, Charleston, Tampa, Naples, and Sarasota.
Gabriel Monticello, Bass
Gabriel Monticello’s music career is a diverse blend of many genres and styles. Gabriel is one of the top freelance classical musician in the Southeast. He serves as principal bass for The Albany Symphony and frequently performs in the Savannah Philharmonic, Valdosta Symphony, LaGrange Symphony, Greenville Symphony, and many others in the region. Gabriel has toured internationally with The Hollywood Concert Orchestra and Spaceseed. He in the modern ensembles The Artifactual String Unit, and Panthera Leo Atrox, and Chamber Cartel. Gabriel also plays bass guitar for Space Mirrors which includes members from The United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Russia. Gabriel has frequently performed with the art duo The Ghosts Project, and has had the honor of performing with artists such as 2cellos, Kristen Chenoweth, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Chris Tomlin, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Walfredo Reyes Jr, and János Starker. As an educator, Gabriel is the bass instructor for the Atlanta Chamber Music festival and is a frequent clinician for Upbeat String Camp as well as many High Schools and Middle Schools in the Atlanta Area.
You can follow his travels on his facebook page www.facebook.com/Gabriel.J.Monticello
You can follow his travels on his facebook page www.facebook.com/Gabriel.J.Monticello
Chris Riggenbach, Bass
Chris Riggenbach has played double bass and electric bass professionally for over 20 years. He has performed with Josh Groban, Macon Pops, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Gwinnett Symphony Wind Orchestra, Gwinnett Symphony Jazz Orchestra, Gary Motley, Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines, Ted Howe, Sarah Partridge, and the Marcus Lewis Big Band. Chris has also played bass on the musicals, “The Sound of Music”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Dreamgirls”, and “Bonnie & Clyde”. For several years, Chris performed internationally on cruise ships. In 2010, Chris did a tour in Poland with the Josh Lawrence 3, playing at jazz festivals and jazz clubs.
Chris earned his Bachelors degree and Masters degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University. He studied bass with Ralph Jones and Thomas Thoreson from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Dee Moses from the Florida Orchestra, and jazz bass with Neal Starkey, Rich Nanista, and Robert Dickson. Chris teaches bass at Emory University, Oglethorpe University, and Reinhardt University. He resides in Marietta with his wife, Anna, and their two daughters, Maya and Helen. For more information, please visit www.chrisriggenbach.com.
Chris earned his Bachelors degree and Masters degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University. He studied bass with Ralph Jones and Thomas Thoreson from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Dee Moses from the Florida Orchestra, and jazz bass with Neal Starkey, Rich Nanista, and Robert Dickson. Chris teaches bass at Emory University, Oglethorpe University, and Reinhardt University. He resides in Marietta with his wife, Anna, and their two daughters, Maya and Helen. For more information, please visit www.chrisriggenbach.com.
*Artist-faculty are subject to change.
