The members of The
Birchwood String Quartet bring years of
professional training
and performance experience to accompany any event. The quartet has
performed at hundreds of weddings and other
special
occasions throughout the Twin Cities, out-state Minnesota and
Wisconsin, at
locations as diverse as the Minneapolis
Basilica, Summit Avenue
mansions, private homes and even in a hedge maze! (read story) As a
group they blend
their many
musical interests and experiences to create a dynamic performance
experience for you to share with your guests.
Blayne Barnes, violinist, received
his Bachelor of Music degree, summa cum laude,
from Arizona State University and his Master’s degree from the
University of Oregon, where he was named “Outstanding Graduate
Performer in Music.” His primary teachers have included Marla
Mutschler, William Magers, Fritz Gearhart and Jorja Fleezanis. While in
Oregon, Mr. Barnes served as assistant concertmaster and acting
concertmaster of the Eugene Symphony and performed extensively with the
Oregon Symphony and Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra. Since moving to
Minneapolis in 2005, Blayne has performed regularly with the Minnesota
Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (including touring to Chicago
and New York City), and serves as concertmaster of the Kenwood Symphony.

Nancy
Svenddal, viola, received her music degrees from the New England
Conservatory
and the University of Minnesota. She has performed with a wide range of
artists from Kurt Masur to Garrison Keillor, at such notable events as
the Aspen Music Festival
and Chautauqua Music Festival, and has toured internationally. Nancy
has
also performed in blues bands, as an old-time/folk fiddler and was
previously a member of the Mandrogora
Tango Orchestra.
Christy
Libbus, cello, has been an active performer,
chamber musician, and teacher in the Twin Cities since 2003.Previously,
she lived in
Cleveland, Ohio,
where she performed as a member of the Gitano Quartet and in chamber
ensembles
with members of the Cleveland Orchestra. She also taught at the
Cleveland Institute of Music and
performed in the
orchestras of Akron, Canton, and Youngstown, as well as in the
Cleveland
Chamber Orchestra.Christy
received her
Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Baylor University and her
Master of
Music from Florida State University. Christy
currently teaches at the MacPhail Center for Music.
