The Birchwood String Quartet Biography

Who We Are

Group Biography

Giselle Hillyer - Violin

Maria Mimick - Violin

Nancy Lemke - Viola

Christy Libbus - Cello

As a group, the Birchwood String Quartet has enjoyed a varied and busy performance schedule since its inception in 2002. Most frequently heard as a featured ensemble , the Birchwood String Quartet performs with others including choirs and small chamber groups, as well as individual performers such as vocalists, pianists and other solo instrumentalists

In addition to extensive wedding and liturgical music performance experience, the group also counts concerts, radio broadcasts and recording projects among their accomplishments. The group has been featured in film scores for the Cannes and Minneapolis-St Paul International Film Festivals as well as concert performances and recordings for GIA Publication composers/artists.

Featured in multiple publications including The Knot.com, Minnesota Bride and Duet, the Twin Cities Musicians Union magazine, the Birchwood String Quartet has been acknowledged multiple times for their commitment to wedding industry excellence through the “Best of Ceremony Music” award.

As individuals, the members of the Birchwood String Quartet have experience performing in diverse venues, from internationally renowned concert halls to local coffee houses. Performance experience ranges from standard classical ensembles, including symphony orchestra, ballet, opera, and chamber groups to playing jazz, rock, R&B, tango, folk , liturgical and Klezmer music.

Over the years, they have worked with many outstanding artists and arts organizations including:

Daryl Anger
Phillip Brunelle
Ray Charles
James DePreist
David Hass
Marty Haugen
Michael Joncas
Garrison Keillor
Mannheim Steam Roller
Kurt Masur
The Minnesota Opera
The Minnesota Orchestra
Olivia Newton John
Mark O'Connor
Eiji Oue
Prague '24
Seiji Ozawa
Leonard Slatkin
Michael W. Smith
The St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas
The Tokyo String Quartet

"Your musicianship and virtuosity
really showed in the Mozart,
your ensemble-sense in the Dvorak,
and your flexibility in the Vivaldi."


"Wow! You all are truly gifted!
Your music was played so beautifully and
made our ceremony so special."


"Thanks for playing at our wedding!
The Led Zeppelin, especially,
sounded fantastic!"