3/1 Goldberg Variations
Alicia Yang
A former member of the Oregon Symphony, concert violinist Alicia Yang regularly performs with such renowned ensembles as Philharmonia Baroque, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. Her training from the Oberlin and New England Conservatories spans genres from Renaissance to contemporary-minimalist, and she has recorded an album of contemporary compositions on the Opus One label. Ms. Yang is a specialist in historically-informed violin performance, and has appeared with period instrument ensembles across the US, including the Smithsonian Chamber Players, Carmel Bach Festival, and American Bach Soloists. Her performances have taken her through Europe and the US, including such lauded orchestras as the Kennedy Center Opera, the Seattle Symphony, and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Castilla y Leon (Spain). In addition to maintaining a private teaching studio in San Francisco, Ms. Yang enjoys performing with the baroque string band Archetti, playing chamber music with her husband Amos Yang, Assistant Principal Cellist of the San Francisco Symphony, and spending time with their children, Isabel and Noah.
Eric Gaenslen
Cellist Eric Gaenslen has performed as a chamber musician, recitalist and guest soloist in venues across North America and Europe. As cellist of the renowned Rossetti String Quartet, Eric performed at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Berlin Konzerthaus and at the Maverick and Vail Bravo Music Festivals and Festival del Sole. One of his favorite collaborations was playing the Gian Carlo Menotti Suite for two cellos and piano with Gautier Capucon and Jean-Yves Thibaudet in Spoleto, Italy, for the composer’s 95 th birthday. He also performed with the Ying and Enso String Quartets. Solo highlights include the world premiere of Siddartha for cello and string orchestra, by Laura Carnibucci, and a performance of Bloch's Shelomo at New York's Avery Fisher Hall. From
2009-2011 Eric held the position of Acting Principal Cellist of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
A devoted educator, Mr. Gaenslen gives master classes in cello and chamber music across the country and has worked with students at the University of Missouri, Kansas City; State University New York at Purchase; California State Universities at Fresno, Northridge and Long Beach; the Brevard Music Center; Cornish College and the University of Western Washington He has held faculty positions at the Mannes College in New York and at the University of California, Santa Cruz. From 2013-2015 Eric was Artist in Residence at the University of Washington where he instructed the undergraduate cello majors as well as the Doctoral students. Eric currently teaches privately in Burlingame and Palo Alto and also maintains a busy performing career.
Mr. Gaenslen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Master of Arts degree from the Juilliard School of Music. His teachers have included Joel Krosnick, Robert Mann, Aldo Parisot, William Pleeth and Irene Sharp.
Caroline Lee
Founder and Artistic Director of Community Concerts at Epworth Caroline Lee is currently a member of the San Francisco Ballet orchestra and also performs regularly with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and SF Symphony. Before relocating to the Bay area, Caroline was a member of the Kansas City Symphony and also performed regularly with the Chicago Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra during their summer seasons. An avid chamber musician, Caroline is a member of the Eos Ensemble, Strobe, and the Lee duo. Caroline received her bachelor in music degree at the University of Michigan and her masters and Artist Diploma at Yale School of Music. She currently lives in Oakland with her husband, two children, a dog, two cats, two goats and a few fish.