Opal String Quartet

Bio:

The Opal String Quartet, formed in January 2006, is a professional string quartet based in Asheville, North Carolina. Known for its fiery intensity and polished precision, the OSQ is dedicated to bringing the art of chamber music to diverse audiences by performing in a wide variety of venues, from schools and art galleries to street corners and concert halls. The OSQ has been featured on WCQS, Western North Carolina's classical music station, and has performed at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Appalachian State University, Montreat College, and Asheville Art Museum among others. The OSQ also serves as artists-in-residence for the educational outreach programs of the Asheville Chamber Music Society and the Asheville Symphony Guild. For booking information, contact Kara Poorbaugh at karafrances@yahoo.com or 828.551.0854.

AMY LOVINGER, VIOLIN: Amy Lovinger, native of Suffern, NY, holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music and a Master’s degree from Kent State University, both in violin performance. After graduating in 2004, she lived in Portugal for a year playing with the Orquestra Classica da Madeira. Now living in Asheville, Amy is a founding member of the Opal String Quartet. She is also the principal second violinist of the Asheville Symphony, associate concertmaster of the Hendersonville Symphony, principal second violinist of the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, freelances with many orchestras throughout the southeast and plays in the award-winning absurdist gypsy folk funk punk band, Sirius.B.

QIAO CHEN SOLOMON, VIOLIN: Qiao performs as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestra player throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. She holds degrees from the University of Georgia (DMA), University of Limerick, Ireland (MA), and the Beijing Conservatory (BM) and has won numerous competitions, including the 5th Liaoning Violin Competition (China), the West Waterford Music and Drama Festival (Ireland), and the MTNA competition (US). Qiao currently serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Agnes Scott College where she teaches violin, viola, and chamber music, and conducts the ASC Community Orchestra. She lives with her husband Jason and dog Spooner in the lovely mountains of Sylva, NC.

KARA POORBAUGH, VIOLA: Kara is the Principal Violist of the Asheville Symphony and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (BM-viola performance and music education), where she studied with John Graham and the Ying Quartet. Kara also performs regularly with the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Hendersonville Symphonies, and serves as a faculty member at the Joyful Noise Community Music and Arts Center where she teaches violin, viola, cello, and directs the chamber music program. Kara has been featured as a soloist with the Blue Ridge Orchestra, Raleigh Symphony, Triangle Youth Philharmonic, and Duke University String School Orchestra and has attended summer festivals at Interlochen, Musicorda, and Brevard Music Center.

FRANKLIN KEEL, CELLO: Franklin holds a Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at Appalachian State University in performance and music education. He has appeared as a soloist with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of the United Nations, and has also performed at local venues such as the Orange Peel and Stella Blue. Franklin is Associate Principal Cellist of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and also performs outside the classical genre with numerous bands & artists including Silas Durocher.

Member Since:

December 12, 2007

Members:

Amy Lovinger, violin

Qiao Solomon, violin

Kara Poorbaugh, viola

Franklin Keel, cello

Frances Hsieh, violin (Guest Artist)

Ginger Kowal, violin (Member Emeritus)

Sounds Like:

Western civilization's finest musical works done right. Innovative additions and collaborations include and extend the traditional string quartet repertoire.

Record Label:

Unsigned