In this concert, we'll play string quartets from the classical and romantic periods, and a lively fiddle piece from Denmark.

We love performing music from various eras, women composers, less known composers and those of varied ethnic backgrounds. Finding information on the pieces is very important to us and sharing that with our audience helps us connect with them.

Margaret Hopkins, violin
Lynne White McMahon, violin
Sally Wituszynski, viola
Gary Hodges, cello

PROGRAM
Quartet No. 2 in A Major by J. C. Arriaga
I. Allegro — II. Adagio — III. Menuetto-Trio — IV. Adagio-Allegretto
Quartet No. 2 in D Major by A. Borodin (1833-1887)
I. Allegro moderate — III. Nocturne
Sekstur from Vendsyssel/Peat Dance by Danish Traditional

Margaret Bruziak Hopkins was born in Poland where she began violin and piano studies. She received a B.M. in Performance from University of Mass. at Lowell where she also pursued Music Education. She received extensive Suzuki training at various universities in the USA. Margaret has performed in various countries throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. She has been active in promoting music education through participation with various organizations, and in lead positions at Maine Suzuki Association, Maine American String Teachers Association, and Maine Music Educators Association. Margaret is a long time teacher of Suzuki violin at Portland Conservatory. She performs with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra where she is the concertmaster, Artful Noise String Quartet, Lakes Region String Quartet and freelances in the New England area.

Lynne White McMahon holds degrees in violin performance and music education from Smith College and has studied under Phillip Naegele, Giorgio Ciompi, and Ani Kavafian. She has played with many chamber ensembles as a freelance artist throughout the New England region, including Portland Symphony Orchestra, Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, and many community choruses in the seacoast region. In addition to performing regularly as a member of the Artful Noise String Quartet, Lynne has taught in many area schools including Berwick Academy in South Berwick, Maine, and the York, Maine public schools. She teaches at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and in her studio at home in Cape Neddick, Maine.

Sally Wituszynski earned a B.M. in Viola Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music where she studied with Heidi Castleman and Marcus Thompson. She also completed a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. Sally is the principal violist for the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, a founding member of the Artful Noise String Quartet and has played in many ensembles. She is an active freelance performer throughout New England. Sally has a private teaching studio in Somersworth, NH since 1984, and is a Past President of the N.H. Chapter of the American String Teachers’ Association. Sally taught strings at Berwick Academy in southern Maine for 20 years, and she was the Master Teacher for the String Project at the University of New Hampshire for four years.

Gary Hodges has been performing and teaching in the Boston area for over 40 years. In addition to being a member of the Artful Noise string quartet, he is principal cellist for the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, is a founding member of the Mosaic Chamber Ensembles, and is a freelance artist throughout New England. He also served as principal cellist of the New Hampshire Philharmonic and worked with Amare Cantare, Granite State Choral Society, the Community Chorus of South Berwick, Portsmouth ProMusica, and the Seacoast Community Chorus, among others. He also accompanied Peter Mayer on tour. Mr. Hodges studied with Mary Rasmussen, Larry Veal, Sato Knudsen, Andres Diaz, and David Wells. Mr. Hodges performs with his 1968 Antonio Capela violoncello.