Karen Lim-Smith, Violin

Karen Lim-Smith started playing the piano by ear at 2. Five years later, she went on to win her first piano competition. At 8, she had also picked up the violin. At 12, she was the youngest member to tour with the Penang Symphony Orchestra to Adelaide and Melbourne for the Adelaide Music Festival. That same year, she was the youngest musician selected to represent her country Malaysia with the ASEAN Symphony Orchestra in Thailand.

At 14, she went on to win her first major violin competition. Not only did she win the coveted first prize at the Mozart National String Competition, but also a free round-trip to Amsterdam to study with Theo Olof, the former concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

At 17, she won her first full scholarship abroad to study with Alice Waten at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After graduating with a Diploma in Music with Distinction, she followed Waten to Australia, where she won another full scholarship to undertake her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at the Canberra School of Music, which is affiliated with the Australian National University. Three years later, she moved to Sydney to complete her Bachelor of Music degree with Honors at the Australian Institute of Music.

While a student at the Canberra School of music, she was selected as the only Malaysian delegate to participate with the World Youth Orchestra. The orchestra toured the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia as well as Denmark and Germany.

Lim-Smith went on to graduate in 2003 with a Master of Music degree in violin performance as well as a Master of Journalism degree from the University of North Texas (UNT). At UNT, she studied with Igor Borodin. Over the years, she has also studied with Amadeus Heutling (member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), Emanuel Borok (concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and Susan Demetris (former concertmaster of the Dallas Opera).

Lim-Smith is a very active performer and teacher. Lim-Smith has toured with Andrea Bocelli and Diana Ross and the Supremes throughout the United States. She also appears frequently with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and The Tulsa Opera Orchestra during the operatic seasons. She also performs on baroque instruments with the Forth Worth Early Music and the Orchestra of New Spain.

She strives for versatility in her playing as well as in her students' playing. While a student at UNT, she picked up jazz violin, and was a founding member of UNT's Swing Strings. She has also appeared with UNT's Repertory Jazz Ensemble in a series of performances commemorating the indefatigable Duke Ellington.

Lim-Smith has also performed as a soloist during the 2008 National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA) National Concert at the Eisemann Center in Dallas / Richardson, TX. In February 2009, Lim-Smith presented the world premiere performance of “Wayang” for solo violin, composed by Wieslaw V. Rentowski at the NACUSA Texas Conference at the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In February 2010, Lim-Smith will also be presenting the world premiere performance of another work for violin and piano composed by Rentowski at the NACUSA Texas Conference at the University of San Marcos, Texas.

She has been teaching professionally for the past 20 years. She has served in the violin faculty at the Canberra Youth Orchestra Society in Australia and the Community Music Program at UNT. She has also taught young students for the Australian Institute of Music. Her violin students were members of the Texas All-State Orchestras, All-Region 2, All-Region 20 and All-Region 24 Middle and High School Orchestras, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, Greater Fort Worth Youth Orchestra and Lone Star Youth Orchestra, and have won gold medals at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (TSSEC). Lim-Smith is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association as well as the Denton Music Teachers Association, which is affiliated with the Texas Music Teachers Association and the Music Teachers National Association.

Sarah Lee Sproul, Flute & Double Bass

A native of New Jersey, Sarah Lee Sproul is currently the Orchestra Director at Shadow Ridge Middle School in Flower Mound. A scholarship recipient and graduate of the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, she earned her Bachelor of Music degrees in both music education and flute performance where she studied with principal flutist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Jean Larson Garver. Sarah Sproul also holds a Master of Music degree in conducting from SMU where she studied under Dr. Jack Delaney, Director of Bands, and Dr. Paul Phillips, Director of Orchestral Activities. While pursuing her degrees, Sproul held principal chairs in domestic and international tours, and performed in six recording projects, including two world premieres.

Sproul has also been a participant in a number of elite conducting programs. These include a Conductors Guild Workshop in New York City with maestros Paul Vermel, David Epstein, and Kenneth Klein, the Brevard Summer Music Festival of North Carolina under maestros Gunther Schuller and David Effron, and the Aspen Summer Music Festival of Aspen, Colorado under maestros David Zinman, and Murry Sidlin. Sproul went on to serve as Assistant Conductor of the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Garland Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony Arlington, and Conductor/Music Director of the Lone Star Youth Orchestra from 2001-2008.

Since 2005 Sproul has been a core member of the Lyric Stage orchestra in Irving. Her Lyric Stage performances include Jane Eyre, Sweeney Todd (performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center), Cabin in the Sky, The Winner, Carousel, West Side Story, Fiorello!, The King & I, and Funny Girl. As she enjoys performing a wide variety of musical styles on just as many instruments, Sproul has performed extensively with Southern Methodist University's Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band (on baritone saxophone), including a side-by-side on-stage performance with Wynton Marsalis. Additional ensembles include Pecos River Brass, Serenata Strings, and I Virtuosi.

In her spare time (ha ha!), Sproul performs across the Metroplex as both a freelance flutist and bassist and teaches private flute, bass, and piano lessons. Recently, Sproul has been included in the Marquis 2006 and 2007 editions of Who's Who of American Women.

WonHwa Hong, Jazz Violin & Classical Violin

WonHwa “Wana” Hong was born in Korea. She started playing the piano at the age of 6. When she was 9-years-old, she had also picked up the violin. Hong graduated from Yon-Sei University in Korea with a Bachelor of Music degree in music composition.

From 2000 to 2008, she undertook studies in jazz violin, classical violin, and jazz piano at the University of North Texas on a music scholarship. While a student at UNT, Hong performed jazz violin with the “Zebras.” Her performing experiences with the “Zebras” landed her an opportunity to perform with Russ Ferrante, a member of the “Yellow Jackets.” Hong also played jazz piano with jazz singers and jazz lab bands at UNT.

In 2003, a Korean jazz magazine “MM Jazz” introduced Hong as the first woman jazz violinist in Korea. Subsequently, the magazine featured her recording “Jazz Violin,” a project album for the magazine. The feature in “MM Jazz” also garnered a recording session with Ed Soph, Lynn Seaton, and Stefan Karlsson.

She also participated in a cross over recording project and recorded “Amapola” with the Urban Pops Orchestra. The recording “Phytoncide” was released in 2006 in Korea and the song “Amapola” has been used for radio shows and cable TV shows. In 2008, the Dallas Korean Newspaper “News Korea” introduced Hong's life and music and interviewed her at Master's of Music degree recital at UNT.

In May 2009, Hong earned a Master of Music degree in Jazz Violin Performance from University of North Texas. She is currently a music director at the SaeSarm Methodist Church in Coppell. Hong has performed in various jazz festivals in the U.S. and has traveled to Korea to perform in jazz concerts and TV shows.

Joel Adair, Trumpet

A native Texan, trumpeter Joel Adair graduated summa cum laude in trumpet performance at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where he studied with Galindo Rodriguez, and completed a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance at Illinois State University studying with Dr. Amy Gilreath.

Adair has performed across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with Serenata Strings, Celebration Jazz Orchestra, as lead trumpet with the Bill Tillman Band, and subbed with Crosswinds Jazz Band, First Baptist Church Euless Big Band, and Brookhaven College Lab Band. He has performed across the country with numerous groups including the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Symphony Brass Ensemble, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band of Central Illinois, Illinois State University and Bands of America Summer Symposium Faculty Brass Quintets, Ron Scott Jazz Orchestra, Peoria Municipal Band, and the Northwestern State University Baroque Trumpet Ensemble. Musicals and operettas performed include Bernstein's West Side Story, Strauss's Die Fledermaus, and Les Misérables.

Adair performed as principal trumpet in ensembles accompanying: Kyle Engler, international mezzo soprano soloist and McDaniel College faculty; Nikita Fitenko, internationally acclaimed pianist, Yamaha Artist, and Associate Professor of Piano at the Catholic University of America; Jeff Snider, international baritone soloist and Chair of Vocal Studies at the University of North Texas; Carolyn and Stephen Warner, The Cleveland Duo, pianist and violinist with the Cleveland Orchestra; and Julian Dawson, Adjunct Piano Professor at Northwestern University. Adair has also played in big bands accompanying jazz trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, trumpet soloist with the Army Blues jazz ensemble Graham Breedlove, and tenor saxophonist with Astral Project and Professor of Saxophone at Loyola University, Tony Dagradi. Likewise, he has also performed with numerous faculty members at both Northwestern State and Illinois State Universities.

Adair has recorded with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra and with the Illinois State University Wind Symphony, and has performed on 13 world premiere performances. Additionally, he has performed with the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Louisiana Intercollegiate Band, and with various ensembles at the Texas Music Educator's Association conference, Louisiana Music Educator's Association conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the 2008 National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA) concert at the Eisemann Center.

Joel was co-winner of the 2005 Natchitoches-Northwestern Concerto Competition while Principal Trumpet with that ensemble, an alternate for the 2006 International Trumpet Guild Mock Orchestral Audition, Runner-Up at the 2006 ISU Wind Symphony Concerto Competition, and a finalist in the 2007 ISU Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, and played both feature and improvisational solos with the NSU Jazz Orchestra and the ISU Jazz Ensemble.

As a teacher/clinician, Adair has served as head counselor for the NSU Honors Band Camp, ISU Jr. High Band Camp, and trumpet instructor for band camps/retreats in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois. He was also trumpet instructor for the Illinois State University Community School for the Arts, and currently teaches private trumpet lessons in the Duncanville, DeSoto, and Mesquite school districts.

Ashley Sirkel, Viola

Ashley Sirkel earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance in 2007 from Texas Christian University and her Master of Music degree in viola performance at Southern Methodist University in May 2009. She will be pursuing an Artist Certificate at SMU in fall 2009. Sirkel has participated in several Dallas-area orchestras, including the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, Texas Christian University Symphony Orchestra, and Meadows Symphony Orchestra. Her teachers have included Barbara Sudweeks, Misha Galaganov, and Daniel Sigale.

Jenny Lin, Viola

A native of Taiwan, Jenny Lin began her piano studies at the age of 5 and her viola studies at the age of 10. After earning her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the National Kaohsiung Normal University in 2007, Lin came to the United States to pursue her graduate studies at the University of North Texas with a viola scholarship. While a student at UNT, Lin has been an active participant in a number of ensembles including the UNT Chamber Orchestra and Nova Ensemble. She was also selected as the viola principal of the UNT Symphony Orchestras under Maestro Ansel Brusilow.

As soloist, Lin was the finalist in the 2008 Concerto Competition at UNT. She was also winner of numerous competitions in Taiwan such as the Tainan City Viola Competition, National Sun-Fu-Long Competition, National Chamber Music Competition and the Kaohsiung City Viola Competition.

Lin has extensive experience in chamber and orchestra playing. She participated in the Manchester Music Festival with a full scholarship, International String festival, and Mimir Music Festival. She appeared as soloist in The Rhythm In Sunshine Music Festival and her chamber group was chosen to perform in the Hot Spring Music Festival. Also, she was selected as principal violist of National Kaohsiung Normal University Orchestra, Tainan City Youth Orchestra, Tainan City Symphony Orchestra and Kaohsiung City Symphony Orchestra. Here in the U.S., Lin performs with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, Arlington Symphony Orchestra, Garland Symphony Orchestra, and the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra.

Jason Lim, Violin & Viola

Jason Lim received his formal training in viola performance when he won a music scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Alice Waten. The following year, Lim commenced his studies at the Australian National University and earned his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney.

While in Canberra, he began his conducting studies as an apprentice with the Canberra Youth Orchestra and served as assistant conductor with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic Orchestra in Sydney. Lim added to his awards and achievements the New South Wales Ministry of Arts Conducting Scholarship, the South Carolina Conductor's Institute Fellowship Award, and the Australian Opera and Arts Scholarship Award. Lim has also attended the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Maine. While pursuing a Master of Music degree in conducting at the University of North Texas, Lim led the NOVA Ensemble in its first commercial recording in 2000.

Under the auspices of the “Equilibrum” label, Lim conducted the world premier performance of Brian Bavelander's Distant Visions for orchestra and pre recorded tape. Lim held the position of music director and conductor of NOVA for two years. Lim dedicates a majority of his time conducting new music and has been invited to conduct in conventions such as the SEAMUS Y2K (the acousma tex conference) and the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2004, Lim conducted the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra Classical subscription concert and conducted the Abilene premier of Michael Remson's opera, Sibanda. Lim also conducted Seymour Barab's Little Red Riding Hood with the Hardin-Simmons University Opera.

In recent years, Lim has dedicated his talents to working with young musicians, conducting orchestra workshops in Asia and the United States. He served as conductor and educator for three years at the Abilene Summer Music Festival in affiliation with Hardin-Simmons University. Lim remains an active performing violist. Lim has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony of Malaysia, Australian National Opera Orchestra and the Texas Baroque Ensemble. Lim was a member of the University of North Texas Graduate String Quartet, under the sponsorship of the Liberace Foundation Scholarship.

Juan Guillermo Vizcarra, Piano

Vizcarra is working on his Doctoral Degree in Musical Arts – Piano Performance at the University of North Texas.

Gavin Kelso, Jazz Bass and Classical Bass

Kelso is completing his Bachelor of Music Degree in classical bass performance at the University of North Texas. Kelso is also proficient in jazz bass.

Tony Spiro, Drums

Tony Spiro was born in Los Angeles, California and began playing drums at the age 9 with a youth symphony.  After studying privately and playing in the jazz band in high school, he was awarded a competitive music scholarship to study at The University of North Texas. There he studied with the world-renowned music faculty at UNT in Denton, TX.  Spiro graduated with honors from UNT with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies in 2007. Spiro currently plays in multiple bands and teaches privately in the DFW area.