About Our Team
It is my great honor to work with some of the finest musicians in Vermont.
It is my great pleasure to introduce you to our team of highly trained classical musicians dedicated to providing an ambiance for your occasion that matches your hopes and dreams. Whether you choose an elegant or lively or meditative backdrop to your occasion, our family trio with my two young adult daughters or a seasoned duo or trio, our team of musicians is at your service. I, Lisa will be available to you, with assistance if you choose, in selecting repertoire to fashion your special event to match your vision. We offer options of classical or Celtic music, often mixed with some pop, Broadway, or in some cases light jazz, depending on the specific ensemble chosen.
Mariah Carlson-Kirigin
Harpist and Violinist
Mariah is a graduate of Vassar College, where she studied violin with Linda Quan and performed with the Vassar Orchestra in addition to several small ensembles. She currently (2016) plays with the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra as well as the Vermont Philharmonic, in addition to our family duo and trio. She started flute at age 2, piano at 5 and violin at 6. When she started writing to the tooth fairy enlisting assistance in purchasing a harp at age seven, Lisa and Mariah became a duo, initially as street musicians. By age 10, Mariah had earned enough to purchase a harp. In high school, Mariah performed with the Vermont Youth Orchestra as well as the All State and District Festivals, in addition to her school orchestra program.
Alison Bruce Cerutti
Pianist
Alison Bruce Cerutti has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout Vermont, and as a flute accompanist in the U.S. and France. For eight years, she studied with Louis Moyse and accompanied his flute master classes in Vermont and France, and in 2012 performed with his former students in St. Amour, France. Cerutti has played with TURNmusic for the 2015 production of A Fleeting Animal, Arioso, the Northern Third Piano Quartet, the Cerutti-Reid Duo, Veritas, and the Bruce Klavier Duo; and appeared as a soloist with the Burlington Civic Symphony Orchestra and the Vermont Philharmonic. She has premiered works by Vermont composers Lydia Busler, Erik Nielsen, David Gunn, Dennis Bathory-Kitsz, and Jacob Morton-Black. A Vermont native, she studied with Sylvia Parker and earned degrees from, Oberlin Conservatory and the Hartt School. She maintains an active piano studio and is an adjunct professor at Norwich University.
Mary Fran Stafford
Celtic Harp
Mary Fran has performed with her voice and Celtic harp in VT and New England since 1987, both solo and with a number of groups and musicians. She has recorded 2 albums of her own, been guest artist on several others, and is three-time winner of the New England Scottish Harp Championship. Mary Fran studied harp at the Gaelic College, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Cairde ne Cruite Harp Course in Termonfeckin, Ireland; Ohio Scottish Arts School at Oberlin College; and with numerous Celtic and pedal harp teachers from the U.S., Ireland and Scotland. Her early music preparation was in piano, vocal music, and guitar. She teaches harp and Celtic music in Montpelier, Vermont.
Clara Carlson-Kirigin
Violist and Violinist
Clara is (spring of 2016) a junior at Oberlin College, where she studies viola through the conservatory and performs regularly with the Oberlin College orchestra as well as a variety of small ensembles. Clara began her study of flute at age two, piano at three, and violin at four. After trying viola through the Craftsbury Chamber Players summer youth program, she decided to devote her musical study to viola. In high school, Clara performed as principal violist in the All New England Music Festival, the All State Music Festival, and the Vermont Youth Orchestra, as well as school and district orchestras. She also played both violin and viola in pit orchestras for musicals.
Raymond Karl Malone
Violist and Violinist
RAYMOND KARL MALONE started his professional career as a freelance violinist in New York City, while at the same time playing and teaching in many other parts of the country,most recently as adjunct professor of violin and viola at Johnson State College,Vermont and at the Monteverdi Music School in Montpelier, Vermont. An active recitalist, he has performed on Vermont Public Radio hosted by Walter Parker as well as concerto performances in Vermont,Texas,New Jersey and New York City.His recent collaboration with Pianist,Hannah Hsu Wang of New York City resulted in rave reviews by Kevin Shih,president of The New York Community News….” The thrilling voice of your performance still reverberates in the air! Bravo!” An advocate of contemporary music, he has performed the music of Vermont composer Dennis Barthory Kitz and well as having commissioned a viola piece by another Vermont composer, Ken Langer. Mr. Malone plays on a violin built by Oliver Radke of Fussen, Germany and a viola built by Gustav Wunderlich in Leipzig,Germany.
Sandra Cathey
Oboist
Sandra Cathey performed as principal oboist for the Vermont Philharmonic from 1969 to 2010, and has been principal oboe for the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra since 2009. Her playing has been described as “compelling and with an amazing finesse” by Times Argus music reviewer Jim Lowe. Sandra has taught oboe, clarinet, recorder since 1968, and Kindermusik since 2000, in addition to 20 years as a public school music teacher. Her greatest joys are teaching music, and playing with friends in small ensembles. “My earliest memories are dancing to Tchaikovsky and singing myself to sleep at night. I was introduced to the recorder in 4th grade, and fell in love with wind instruments, later adding the private study of clarinet, oboe and English horn. As I continue to play music and teach, I am overwhelmed by the impact that music has on children and adults alike, mentally, physically and emotionally. I feel honored to be a part of their journey.”
Michael Close
Cellist
Michael Close is a composer, cellist, and teacher living in Worcester, VT. He graduated from Bennington College in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in music composition and a master of arts in education. He teaches cello and chamber music classes at the Monteverdi Music School in Montpelier. He has been a composer-mentor with ‘Music-Comp’ since 2004, a program which encourages and supports students in composing and arranging music. He is also the music teacher at Worcester Elementary School where he teaches everything from band to chorus to general music classes. Michael plays cello with a wide variety of orchestral and chamber groups around Vermont. He has been the section leader of, and a soloist with, the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. He is a prolific composer and some of his most recent original musical works have been performed by the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, The Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony, The Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, and the Eleva Chamber Players.
Linda Radtke
Alto Vocalist Linda Radtke, while classically trained, is comfortable with a wide range of musical styles and language. Her vocal style has been described as “engaging, with a warm and expressive style and impeccable musicianship.” A graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Vermont, Linda sings with the professional vocal ensemble Counterpoint, and has sung solos of many great choral works with the Vermont Philharmonic, The Vermont Symphony, and in Vermont productions of opera and musical theatre, including Sound of Music (Maria and Abbess), King and I (Lady Thang), Camelot (Guinevere), and most of the alto leads in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. She has presented the Rogers and Hart Songbook throughout Vermont with jazz pianist John Lincoln. Her research on Vermont songs led to touring programs with the Vermont Humanities Council’s Speakers’ Bureau with pianist Arthur Zorn and a recording, Vermont History through Song. Other recordings include nine with Robert De Cormier and Counterpoint, Vermont’s professional vocal ensemble. Linda hosts a choral program on Vermont Public Radio.
Elizabeth Reid
Violist and Violinist
Elizabeth Reid is in high demand as a musician in Vermont. Her playing has been described as having a “deep and expressive sound” and a “natural musicality.” (Times Argus). A native of Hamilton, Canada, Ms. Reid studied viola performance with Lorand Fenyves, Ralph Aldrich, and Rennie Regehr. Ms. Reid has played principal viola in the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Banff Opera Orchestra. Locally Ms. Reid has performed at Dartmouth College, Paine Mountain Arts, Cathedral Arts, Capital City Concerts, as well as performing regularly with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington Chamber Orchestra, ARIOSO, and the Northern Third Piano Quartet. Ms. Reid has a strong interest in contemporary music and has been involved in various premieres of solo and chamber works in Canada and the US.
Classical Training
Versatility
Personal Attention
Clear Communication
Let's be in touch!
I look forward to hearing from you!