Julia Cory Slovarp & Friends (No. 1102)

Accomplished cellist Julia Cory Slovarp invites a cast of remarkable classical musicians to the set of 11th & Grant with Eric Funk, in a collaboration brimming with energy and character.

The diverse repertoire showcases the exploration of several styles and crossover genres. From Brahms’ Hungarian Dances to George Frideric Handel & Johan Halvorsen’s Passacaglia, the incredible depth and virtuosity of Slovarp and her fine ensemble takes center stage.

Julia is the principal cellist of the Intermountain Opera Company, Montana Ballet Company, Big Sky Classical Music Festival Orchestra, Assistant Principal of the Bozeman Symphony, and Assistant Teaching Professor of Cello at Montana State University in Bozeman. She frequently performs chamber music, collaborates with dancers and painters, has worked with groups such as Cirque du Soleil and Willie Nelson, and in 2013 led the MSU Cello Ensemble on a concert tour of Spain and Morocco. Joining Slovarp on this rich episode are renowned violinist Carrie Krause, pianists Laurel Yost and Stefan Stern, and classical guitarist Michael Videon.

Carrie Krause is a charismatic baroque and modern violinist who performs with ensembles across the country and on numerous international series. Carrie serves as concertmaster of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, and has performed as concertmaster of New Trinity Baroque in Atlanta, as guest concertmaster of Pacific Barque in Vancouver and the San Fransisco Bach Choir, and as associate concertmaster of Apollo’s Fire in Cleavland. Krause has also performed as a soloist with the Fairbanks Symphony, Casper Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, and the String Orchestra of the Rockies.

Laurel Yost is a classical pianist and associate professor of piano at Montana State University. She has performed many solo and chamber recitals. She has been a featured soloist with many orchestras, including the Casper, Washington-Idaho, and Denver Symphonies. Yost is a member of the Camerata Trio, Beethoven Trio, Milhaud Trio, and Montana State University-Bozeman New Music Ensemble.

Trained in a Hochschule fur Musik in Germany, Stephan Stern is the Music Director for Montana Ballet Company. He does freelance work as a jazz, classical, and rock pianist, both live and on CD recordings. He has performed at various venues, ranging from music festivals to private house concerts, as well as on cruise ships in Antarctica and traveling up the Amazon River.

Classical guitarist Michael Videon performs frequently both as a soloist and in a variety of ensemble settings. He has performed as a guest artist at both the Portland and the Northwest Guitar Festivals. Videon is also an Associate Teaching Professor in the School of Music at MSU where he directs the guitar program.