Meet the Artist in Residence with the Brio Concert Series

Gina Caldwell began her musical studies at age three in North Carolina and is a graduate of the North Carolina School for the Arts (BM), Boston University (MM), and has earned a doctoral degree from the Catholic University of America (DMA). Before returning to North Carolina, she was Professor of Violin and Viola at Shepherd University. There she founded the Shepherd Trio, a faculty Ensemble in Residence and the Sheperd University Chamber Orchestra. Previously, she was Director of the String Department for the Arts Education for Children Group (Maui, Hawaii) and Professor of Violin, Viola, and Chamber Studies at Atlantic Union College (MA). In addition to performing extensively in the United States, Dr. Caldwell has performed solo recitals and taught master classes across Costa Rica as part of a tour by the performing ensemble Algarabia, of which she is a founding member. The group was invited by the US Embassy of Costa Rica to perform solo works at the Eugene O'Neil Hall of the North American and Costa Rican Cultural Center. Caldwell has taught students of all ages for over 15 years and is an adjunct Professor at Mars Hill College. She has played with many North Carolina Symphonies and is currently a member of the Asheville Symphony.

Brad Curtioff is an experienced performer and teacher of classical, blues, jazz, rock, and bluegrass music. While his collegiate career concentrated on the classical repertoire, Mr. Curtioff has since found his way onstage performing styles ranging from Dave Brubeck to Lynyrd Skynyrd. As a classical pianist, he has performed throughout the eastern United States both as a solo artist and chamber musician. In addition to a private studio, he teaches at Joyful Noise Community Music School, and accompanies at Mars Hill College.

Cary Fridley has been performing and teaching music in Western North Carolina for over 10 years. This year she released her second solo CD, Down South, which highlights the music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains through ballads, fiddle tunes, and modern country songs. Since moving to the North Carolina mountains in 1995, Cary has been teaching private lessons in guitar, singing, flute, bass, and clawhammer banjo. She has worked as the guitar teacher for the Haywood County children's JAM program, and started a similar program in Swannanoa, where she was the elementary music teacher at ArtSpace Charter School for 2 1/2 years. She currently performs with her country band in and around Western North Carolina and teaches at the Joyful Noise Music School in Weaverville, and at the new Black Mountain JAM program. She also provides historical programs for 4th graders through the Mountain Heritage Center in Cullowhee, NC. Cary has a BA in Music Performance from University of Richmond and a Masters of Music Education from UNC-Greensboro. Please visit www.caryfridley.net for contact information.

Flutist Cynthia Roop enjoys a career that draws on her background both in teaching and in performance as chamber musician, soloist and orchestral player. She serves as the adjunct Instructor of Flute at Mars Hill College, performs as a member of the Faculty Woodwind Quintet, and the Mosaic Flute and Percussion Duo with her husband, Brian Tinkel. She has performed with the Enid Symphony (OK), New Century Ensemble (OK), the Arioso Trio (OK), the Milhaud Ensemble (NE), the Trillium Trio (NC), and has performed solo recitals in Germany and across the United States. Ms. Roop is a graduate from Murray State University (B.M.E.), the University of Massachusetts Amherst (M.Ed.), and received an M.M. in flute performance from the University of Oklahoma. Currently Ms. Roop is Middle School Band Director for Rugby Middle School and is the founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Brio Concert Series.

Natalya Weinstein is an accomplished multi-genre fiddler and violinist. She trained for 15 years as a classical violinist before switching her focus to bluegrass, country, swing, and old time fiddling. She has been teaching for 10 years and has resided in Asheville for the past 3, performing with a number of local and regional bands, doing session work, and teaching students of all ages. While she focuses on fiddle repertoire with her students, Natalya teaches from a classical perspective. After students gain a level of comfort on the instrument, she encourages them to study whatever fiddle style they are most interested in. Please see her website, natalyaweinstein.com for more information

Brian Tinkel, the Director of Percussion Studies at Mars Hill College in North Carolina, will join The Cavaliers percussion staff in 2008 to work in collaboration with percussion caption head Jim Ancona and percussion designers/arrangers Jim Casella and Erik Johnson. Tinkel enjoyes a career that draws on his background in teaching, as well as performance as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral player.

While being involved in the drum corps activity for nearly two decades, Tinkel's performance opportunities led him to being a member of the Boston Crusaders and the Star of Indiana. He went on to perform with the Star of Indiana's Brass Theater production where he toured with The Canadian Brass and Nexus.

Since devoting his time to teaching, he has been on faculty with the Crossmen, the Glassmen, and has coordinated percussion activities for the Magic of Orlando and the Madison Scouts. In addition, he has served as the Percussion Caption Director and Arranger for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps.

Tinkel has been a featured clinician at numerous college and high school workshops and arranges for percussion ensembles across the country. Currently, he is a design team member, music composer/arranger and instructor for the Penn State Indoor Drum Line, which placed second at WGI Championships in 2006.

He was Principal Timpanist with the Enid Symphony, has performed with the Oklahoma Philharmonic, and performs regularly with his wife, Cynthia, in their flute and percussion duo, Mosaic. Tinkel has received both a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he studied with Thom Hannum, Eduardo Leandro, and Dr. Peter Tanner. In addition, he has been admitted into candidacy for the Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma. Brian Tinkel is the co-artistic director of the Brio Concert Series.