Marissa Deans — 1st Violin

Marissa started her violin training at age three, and by age five she was a busy busking musician throughout greater Vancouver. At age twelve, she started playing for weddings, house parties, and corporate events. During her studies at the University of Victoria, she learned the viola, graduating with a BMus (distinction) in Viola Performance.

Moving back to Vancouver she became a versatile and eclectic freelance musician, playing with tango groups, mariachi bands, orchestras, rock bands, and folk singers, among others. Marissa graduated from UBC with a BEd degree and is currently teaching music for the Surrey School Board District.

Matthew Logan — 2nd Violin

As a violinist, Matthew’s musical journey began at age six, sparked by a childhood friend’s performance of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” This early passion blossomed into a lifelong dedication to music, leading him to study at Capilano University and the University of Victoria to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance.  With over a decade of experience teaching violin to students of all ages, from young beginners to adults, he finds immense joy in sharing his knowledge and love for the instrument.

Matthew’s performance career launched at age ten with his first wedding gig, and since then, his violin has been his passport to a world of diverse musical genres and international stages. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and recording artist, Logan Threshold, and has an album, “Effervescence”, available on Spotify.  Passionate about creating unforgettable moments, he thrives on enhancing clients’ special occasions with the perfect atmosphere of captivating live music.

Daniel Olsen —Viola

Dan Olsen holds a viola performance certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music and studied viola for 12 years at the Vancouver Academy of music with Stephen Wilkes (Vancouver Symphony Orchestra). He has participated in numerous summer festivals such as the Johannesen International School for the Art where he was coached by Milton Katims (Seattle Symphony) and soloist Rivka Golani. He was a member of the Quadraphonic String Quartet for 6 years and has performed with numerous other groups, including the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, with which he toured Ontario and Quebec. Dan currently plays with the West Coast Symphony Orchestra, and has played with the Syrinx String Quartet since 2012. He lives and teaches in Vancouver, BC.

 

Elizabeth Knudson — Cello

Elizabeth Knudson holds a BFA in Music from Simon Fraser University , and a M.Mus. from the University of British Columbia. She splits her time between teaching cello and music composition privately (at her home studio in Vancouver, and online), composing, managing, and performing with the Syrinx String Quartet (since 2004, as a founding member and cellist).  She is also currently a faculty member of the East Vancouver Community Music School.  Among many career highlights, Elizabeth has toured Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro as a member of the West Coast Symphony Orchestra.

Elizabeth is also an internationally award-winning composer, and an Associate of the Canadian Music Centre.  Her works have been performed in over a dozen countries around the world.  She enjoys composing for full orchestra, chamber ensembles, electroacoustic media, choir and voice, and working collaboratively with dance, film, and theatre.  Over the years, she has created dozens of original arrangements for the Syrinx String Quartet.