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Bella Corda String Ensemble
Maria Potapov: Violinist Maria Potapov, a native of St. Petersburg, Russia, grew up in a family of musicians. Her mother, Elena Nikulshina-Fray is an opera singer who performed with many leading opera companies of Russia as well as United States. Her brother, Michael Potapov, is an accomplished pianist. Maria began studying violin at age 8 with professor Polonskaya at the Music Academy no. 16 of St. Petersburg. Upon graduation she began taking lessons with Vladimir Gentselt of St. Petersburg Philarmonic. Moving to the United States in 1999, she started studying with world-renowned professor Vadim Voyler. During that time Maria became a member of Knoxville Youth Symphony Orchestra, won two first place awards in instrumental competitions, and participated in All State Orchestra. Currently Maria is studying with Inez Redman at UNCA majoring in music and psychology. She is presently a member of Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. For the past two years Maria has been a member of the UNCA Scholarship String Quartet, and a member of a recently created Asheville ensemble Bella Corda. Paul Stroebel: Violinist Paul is from Augusta, GA, where he studied the Suzuki Violin Method from the age of three until graduating high school from Davidson Fine Arts. At Davidson Fine Arts, he was concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra and led various string quartets, playing for weddings, banquets, and chamber concerts. Paul also plays regularly with jazz and rock bands in Asheville, Augusta, and Athens, GA. He is a sophomore at UNCA and plays with the Blue Ridge civic orchestra, UNCA string ensemble, and the Spartanburg Symphony. Kara Poorbaugh: Violaist and Violinist Kara is a graduate of the Eastman School of music in Rochester, NY. She contributes her viola skills to the Asheville, Hendersonville, Greenville and Spartanburg SC symphonies. Kara is currently pursuing an academic degree at UNCA in sociology and psychology. Ryan Kelly: Violinist Ryan began her career as a cellist at the age of 10, and has grown to become a passionate lover of music and fine arts. She has contributed her talents to such places as the Johnson City Symphony and the Blue Ridge Orchestra. At UNCA, she is pursuing a degree in cellular and molecular biology for medical research with plants.
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