About us

Member of Phoenix String
Quartet Association

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About the Phoenix String Quartet
founded in 1976

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Performances:
As one of Arizona's longest standing ensembles, we have had the honor to perform before Governors, Congressman, U.S. Supreme court justices and even the vice president of the United States.

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Our venue includes, weddings, receptions, parties, educational workshops, corporate functions, dinner parties, banquets, civil ceremonies, universities, live theatre and formal concerts. It would be our pleasure to perform for you. (available ensembles)

Artists in Residence

Carl Reiter: violin
   Carl holds a bachelors degree in music from Arizona State University, a masters degree from Northern Arizona University and did his doctoral work was at Northern Arizona University. Carl is currently concertmaster of the Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra, performs with the Phoenix String Quartet, the Tempe Symphony, and the Arizona Repertoire Orchestra.

     As an educator he held teaching positions at Grand Canyon University, Phoenix College, and K-12 public schools for over thirty years.
     Carl offers private instruction in Piano, Violin, and Viola at a studio in North Phoenix to serious students at all levels.

Carl's orchestral affiliations include, the Tucson Symphony, Flagstaff Symphony, Tempe Symphony, Phoenix Symphony, Scottsdale Baroque Orchestra, Mesa Symphony and movie soundtracks with Studio Orchestras in California. His received his first contract with a professional orchestra at the age of fourteen and is currently lead violinist with the Phoenix String Quartet. Phoenix String Quartet Artist in Residence. top

Nancy Reiter: violin

Received a bachelors in violin performance from Western Michigan University, a degree in string pedagogy from Arizona State University where she studied viola with Bill Majors, and a Masters of Musical Arts from Western Kentucky University. Nancy co-founded the young strings academy in Kalamazoo Michigan. She currently teaches orchestra for the Mesa Public School system, and performs with the Phoenix String Quartet, and the Tempe Symphony.

Nancy accepts a limited number of private students and teaches in private homes as well as her home studio. For information regarding private lessons, phone 623 582-6031. Phoenix String Quartet Artist in Residence. top

Caroline Broomfield: violin/viola

Caroline holds a bachelor's degree in violin performance from Arizona State University. Locally, she has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Symphony of the West Valley, and Musica Nova. Caroline is co-director of the Arizona Repertory Orchestra and teaches orchestra for the Chandler Unified School District.

Caroline has appeared with with the Brevard North Carolina Music Center Orchestra, and New College Orchestra in Sarasota Florida. As an educator and performer she has and attended the National Music Center in Interlochen Michigan and maintains a private violin/viola studio here in Metro Phoenix. Phoenix String Quartet Artist in Residence. top

Ajay Patel: cello
Ajay Patel holds a Masters Degree in Cello Performance from Arizona State University. Ajay has performed with the Arizona Opera, has served as substitute principal cello for the Chandler Symphony, and has been a member of the Symphony of the Southwest and Musica Nova orchestras. Ajay is the Musical Director and Conductor of the East Valley Youth Symphony (evysaz.org).

In addition to performing, he is a full time educator in the Chandler School district, directing the orchestra program at Basha High School. Ajay maintains a high level cello studio from his residence in Gilbert, and his students have participated in Regionals, All State, and high level performance competitions. For more information about studying cello with Mr. Patel, please send an email to cellopatel@gmail.com. Ajay is excited to be affiliated with the Phoenix String Quartet. Phoenix String Quartet Artist in Residence. top

Associate Artists

Mike Prokes: violin
Mike Prokes is perhaps the most recognized freelance violinists in the valley. He is a gifted player known for near flawless performances. He spent 15 years as a member of the Phoenix Symphony and performed with the Arizona Opera Company.

Mikes love of music shows in his performances. He is a bright spot in any group. During his career he has delighted audiences with thousands of concerts including, weddings, ballets, opera, rock and roll, live musicals, churches, formal concerts, and even as a strolling violinist.

Mike now performs exclusively as a freelance artist and is a member of the Phoenix String Quartet Association. top

Priscilla Binitas: violin
Priscilla Benitez has played with many of the orchestras in Arizona including the Arizona Opera Orchestra, West Valley Symphony, Symphony of the Southwest, Musica Nova Orchestra, Flagstaff Festival Orchestra , Tucson Symphony, and Phoenix Symphony. While in living in Sweden, she also performed with the Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her orchestral playing, she also is a busy freelance musician in the Phoenix area playing for dozens of corporate events, weddings, church services, and musical theater show every year. She is also employed as the director of orchestras at Connolly Middle School in the Tempe Elementary School district. She also maintains a private studio of violin and viola students. Priscilla graduated from Arizona State University summa cum laude with a degree in Violin Performance, where she studied with Eugene Lombardi and performed as Concertmaster of both the University Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Theater Orchestra. top

Robert Dunger: violin/viola

Robert Dunger has taught violin and viola lessons for over twelve years. He received a Bachelor Degree in Violin Performance from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2003 and Masters Degree in Violin Performance from Arizona State University in 2005. Robert is concertmaster of the Tempe Symphony Orchestra, is a certified Arizona K-12 Music Arts teacher and teaches K-6 general music in the public schools. Robert combines traditional and contemporary lesson instruction tailored to each student’s interest and needs.

Robert instructs students of all ages and abilities. Instructional methods are founded upon traditional technique and literature, such as scales, etudes, and concertos. Modern media, such as digital recording, DVDs, and CDs, and various styles, including fiddle, pop, and Christian worship, are also incorporated based upon the interest and needs of the student. Robert’s diverse teaching background creates a foundation for exciting and effective violin and viola lessons. top

Patricia Cosand: viola
Violist Patricia Cosand is a native of Phoenix. She has degrees in music from both California State University at Fresno and Arizona State University. She counts ten years as a violist with Phoenix Symphony, and more than fifteen years as principal viola with the Arizona Opera Orchestra. She has an avid interest in pedagogy and chamber music, and runs a successful music studio called Mesa Violin Studios and is director of the summer camp, String Quartet Camp and Bass Workshop. She ois married to pianist, Walter Cosand and they reside in Tempe. top

Holly Fulton: viola
Violist Holly Fulton is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College (New York) and a current Master's student in Viola Performance at ASU. She is an acomplished performer and appeared with the Ameropa Festival (Prague), The American Chamber Orchestra (Fairfield, CT), the Artsehcro (Carnegie Hall), the Nyack Orchestra (Nyack, NJ), the Phoenix String Quartet (Phoenix, AZ), and the Sarah Lawrence and ASU Symphonies. Holly studied with Sung-Rai Sohn (Korea), Vadim Mazo (Prague), Jirji Posledni (Prague), and Nancy Buck (Viola Faculty at ASU).

She teaches Viola, Violin, and Music Theory. The top priority in Holly's tutelage is exploring each student's unique talents/goals and expanding them into their fullest, most gratifying form. Holly maintains her teaching studio at The String Shop of Arizona. top

Adele Maxon: viola

    Adele is a graduate of Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona. She studied Viola performance at Pacific Lutheran University with Betty Agent. She is an active member of numerous string ensembles through the valley and has worked locally with Cathie Lowmiller, Annie, Center, and Bill Engelsman. Adele plays viola in the Tempe Symphony and is a member of the Phoenix String Quartet. Adele resides in Kingman and tours with the Phoenix String Quartet throughout Arizona.

     In addition to her musical abilities, Adele holds a holds a degree in German and Library Sciences.
      Member of the Phoenix String Quartet Association    top

Jim Stanley: cello
Dr. Jim Stanley PhD is an outstanding performer and an inspiration to work with. He is currently a member of the Tempe Symphony and has appeared with numerous chamber ensembles throughout the valley. Jim is also an active member of the Phoenix String Quartet. He is the perfect blend of a performing artist and caring teacher. Dr. Stanley offers instruction to beginning and intermediate cellists who have a desire to make rapid progress and learn excellent technique.

Dr. Stanley currently works with Tom Lanchoot at ASU where he teaches Kinetics of Materials, Physics, and Material Science.

Dr. Stanley teaches in Tempe out of his home. Phoenix String Quartet Artist in Residence. top

Ian Ginsberg: cello

     Mr. Ginsburg gave his professional Debut at the age of 15 with the Baltimore Symphony. The "Washington Post" said of his playing;"…he showed an unusual command of the stylistic and technical difficulties in all that he played…exhibiting a lyrical soaring tone and superb musicianship." Ian is praised by critics in Seattle, Atlanta, Phoenix and Charleston S.C for his beautiful sound and thoughtful interpretations of music, from Bach to Bartok.
     He studied with Claus Adam, Leslie Parnas, Zara Nelsova and Bernard Greenhouse and completed his studies with Aldo Parisot at Yale University.
Ian was Principal Cellist with the Northwest Chamber Orchestra of Seattle, where he appeared as both soloist and section leader. Ian then went to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue chamber music as Cellist and Associate Director.
     Ian is also a passionately devoted teacher. He has held teaching positions at Emory University and the University of Puget Sound. He has appeared as Principal Cellist and featured Artist at the Britt and Grand Teton Music Festivals and also here in Arizona at the Sedona Chamber Music Festival and at Chamber Music in the Mountains at Echo Glen.     top

Gail Rolland: cello
Gail Rolland is a cellist and an orchestra director for the Mesa Public Schools. She studied cello with Takiyori Atsumi at ASU and earned her Masters in Education from NAU. She has been very active in both the Arizona Cello Society and the Arizona chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

She performs regularly with The Phoenix String Quartet, Chandler Symphony Orchestra and occasionally with Symphony of the Southwest. top

Michael Mazzatenta: Organ
    Dr.Michael Mazzatenta received his Doctor of Music Arts degree in Organ Performance from Arizona State University and performs as a concert organist, accompanist, handbell director, and jazz pianist. His Bachelors and Masters degrees were completed at the University of Michigan.

    Michael has won awards for both performance and composition, including his history-making "double-win" awarded by Area II of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers for original handbell compositions in both the adult and youth categories.

     Michael is the Organist at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale, and is the resident keyboard artist with the Phoenix String Quartet.    top