As a benefit of membership, the Musicians Union offers dental insurance for an additional charge.
For more information go to the Membership page and click on Healthcare.
Born and raised in Seattle, I am a Freelance Cellist for hire in the Pacific Northwest with over a decade of professional experience in orchestral work, chamber music, and modern music. Currently performing with groups including but not limited to: Symphony Tacoma, NW Sinfonietta, Auburn Symphony, The Sound Ensemble, Village Theatre, and The 5th Avenue Theatre.
Cynthia Swenson is an experienced cello teacher and performer, recently moved up to Port Orchard from the San Francisco area. She has played cello since age 9, after/while also studying piano and flute, and completed her bachelor’s degree in biology from Stanford University while under music scholarship. She studied with the esteemed cello instructors Irene Sharp, Irving Klein, Bonnie Hampton and Gabor Rejto, and has performed as principal cellist with numerous professional and community symphonies and chamber groups. Cynthia also ran and performed in a professional string trio for many years, along with various gigs in musical theatre, choral and church ensembles, opera and ballet pit orchestras, and accompanying some rock, pop and fiddling groups! Her award, exam and competition winning students have successfully auditioned into many youth orchestras and summer programs; one was even selected to play on NPR’s radio “From the Top” program. Cynthia teaches all levels and commitments of playing; ages 4 through mature adult. She is also available as a performer with orchestras, chamber and choir ensembles, and solo events.
Available for Weddings and Events!
website: cellogirl.me
email: cswenson@stanfordalumni.org
phone/text: 650-387-2106
As a performer, I enjoy singing and playing a variety of styles. As a bassist, I have performed everything from orchestral music to circus/cabaret to dive bar rock and as a vocalist, I have trained in the operatic, jazz, and musical theatre genres. But I love singing funk any day of the week! I was raised on a diverse musical diet, frequently consuming Beethoven, Rush, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin, Queen, Schostakovitch, and Leonard Cohen in the same day. Because of this, I have always been happiest when I can look at a gig holistically, letting my musical experiences inform each other across genre lines. Striving for holistic and consummate musicianship happily also impacts me as an actor and as a teacher.
Music has a tendency to permeate everything in my life, but when I am not performing, teaching, composing, arranging, or practicing, I enjoy living into my viking domesticity and can frequently be found cooking, sewing, spinning yarn, SCUBA diving, or studying and practicing herbalism. Also, I am very happy to be household staff to the most exquisite of Fur Beasts (see pictures here).
I have been teaching a variety of instruments privately for over twelve years and have enjoyed giving both individual lessons and coaching sectionals as well as being part of masterclasses and workshops for bands and small ensembles. In addition to providing coaching for Bass and Voice, I also tutor in music theory and consult on songwriting and composition/orchestration.
My teaching philosophy for both bass and voice is that every student is an individual and their instruments are as unique as they are. I work with my students to reach whatever goals we may have set together, whether that is polishing their skills in a specific genre, or focusing on sustainable technique and navigating changes in voice or a growing body. I have had the privilege of working with students of all ages, skill levels, and identities.
If you are interested in more details about my private studio or would like to book me, feel free to send me a message!
Flutist Kate Johnson leads Cascade Sounds Ensembles, offering fresh yet classic sound of the woodwind quintet or the elegance of a flute, oboe and cello trio. Cascade Sounds performs at festivals, children’s concerts, weddings, private parties and corporate events. Their unique “lounge trio” of flute, guitar, and bass plays standards in a jazzy style. Kate obtained a master’s degree in flute performance from S.U.N.Y. Potsdam and has performed with Federal Way Symphony, Symphony Tacoma, Village Theatre. For more information as well as audio and video clips, visit:
Ms. Scarseth is a born and raised Seattleite who’s roots run deep in the local music community. She has studied with many great local teachers including Walter Schwede, Gennady Filimonov, Emily Bean, Svend Ronning, and Peter Kaman. Growing up she went through all the orchestras of the world renowned Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra program as well as attending the Marrowstone Music Festivals and MasterWorks Festivals during her summers. Ms. Scarseth received a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 2004. Since college she has created a strong and vibrant career both as a teacher and a performing artist. Ms. Scarseth is currently a member of Symphony Tacoma as well as concertmistress of the Seattle Rock Orchestra. She teaches private lessons on Violin, Viola and Cello as well as assists classroom teachers in the Edmonds School District. Ms. Scarseth has a very kind and nurturing teaching style and has worked with students who have learning disabilities, hearing impairment issues, and anxiety and depression. Her goal is always to do what is best for the student while working with their unique gifts and talents.
Email
425-954-9047
Maria is a Seattle-based classical and alternative style cellist, and is available for events (weddings, parties, funerals) and shows. After her Graduate studies, Maria moved to Hollywood and performed with Florence Henderson, Cat Power, Beth Thornley and String Theory. Seattle became her home in 2009, and since, Maria has collaborated with: Jherek Bischoff, Eyvind Kang, Wayne Horvitz, Jason Webley, Ahamefule Oluo, Degenerate Art Ensemble, Scrape, B’shnorkestra, Led to Sea, Mirah, Paul Kikuchi, The Angel Band Project, Bill Frisell, Lee Oskar, Hauschka, DeVotchKa, Al Gore, Karin Stevens Dance, and Dance Theater of Harlem. As a recording artist, Maria holds credits with John Zorn, The Head and the Heart, Recess Monkey, Jason Webley, ÄÄNIPÄÄ, Amanda Palmer and Fightstar.
South Sound Strings serves the Tacoma and Kitsap Peninsula with exceptional quality wedding and party music. The standard ensemble is string trio, two violins (Mary Manning and Gwen Taylor) and cello (Margaret Thordill). South Sound Strings also offers duos and quartets. See thier website for more information and to hear musical selections.
Julie Cho took studies in Germany. She is currently playing for the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and coaches group classes for the Seattle Conservatory’s Eastside Chamber Program.