Hailed by a 2nd grade classroom as “wreely nice and kind” and “the coolest man on erth,” Taylor Morris enjoys blurring the lines between violin and fiddle. Eagerly collaborating across musical genres, he has performed in 48 states and 13 countries as an alumnus of the Canadian world-music troupe Barrage, with duo partner Tricia Park, with chamber-folk string sextet The Sound Accord, or as a soloist. Offstage, Taylor obtained a master's in education from Harvard University and teaches nationally as a guest educator and clinician. He co-founded/co-directs the Gilbert Town Fiddlers (an extracurricular high school fiddle group), serves as a guest lecturer at Arizona State University, maintains a private violin studio in Mesa, and regularly works to help students and educators alike experience the thrill of taking musical ownership and finding their own meaningful ways to make music.
Adam Gurczak is a Boston-based performer, educator, and arts organizer who is passionate about collaboration and social change through music. He has performed with various ensembles like the New England Symphony, Boston New Music Initiative, Boston Chamber Symphony, New England Philharmonic, and Tucson Symphony Orchestra. Outside of the classical realm, he regularly performs with folk artists like Rachel Sumner and Sarah Grella; works as the Artistic Programs Administrator for the Grammy Award winning Silkroad Ensemble; and is a part-time performance manager at Club Passim, a non-profit arts organization and music venue. As a teacher, he runs his own private studio and works at StringPlay, which he has been part of since its founding in 2013. Previously, he taught at the Josiah Quincy Orchestra Program, where he co-taught in two orchestras with students ranging from grades 1-5; the New England Music Academy; and as a section coach for various schools in Tucson, AZ. Adam has a master’s in music from Boston Conservatory at Berklee and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona with a B.M. in Music Performance, a B.A. in Italian Studies, and a Thematic Minor. Beyond performing and teaching, he is also a freelance photographer, designer, and painter, working with unconventional mediums like tea and coffee. To learn more about Adam, visit his website.
Carlito Stewart, has studied cello since the age of 9. Growing up, his father gave him a well-rounded love for all genres: jazz, rock, R&B, blues, and soul. He completed a double major for his Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Music Business and Arts at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Then he transferred to the University of Arizona where he began his Bachelor’s degree in Music with an emphasis on Cello Performance, under the direction of Dr. Theodore Buchholz. Carlito has performed at numerous public schools, community venues, and also at a benefit concert for the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Carlito performed as a member of the Scottsdale Community College Cello Ensemble, with his former cello instructor, Dr. Jenna Dalbey of the Tetra String Quartet, for over two and half years. He also, regularly attends the Mike Block String Camp where he has performed with inspiring folk musicians and crazy cello pioneers like Mike Block and Rushad Eggleston. Through his years of performing he has had the privilege to play with musicians like Mike Block, Hanneke Cassel, Lauren Rioux, Brittany Haas, Natalie Haas, Jayme Stone, Rushad Eggleston, Joe Walsh, Kai Welch, and, the heavy metal band, Disturbed. Carlito is also an Eagle Scout.
Courtney Pinski is a violinist and fiddler originally from Gilbert, AZ. She completed her undergraduate degree in classical performance from the University of Arizona, studying under Tim Kantor, and most recently received her Masters in Multistyle Violin from New Jersey City University. There she studied under Jeremy Kittel and also got to work with great teachers such as Regina Carter, John Benitez, Joe Denizon, and Martha Mooke. While in school she taught private lessons, taught group violin classes at the Manhattan New School, and worked in development and marketing for the New York Choral Society.
After graduation, Courtney released an EP of original songs and started a remote recording company called Upbow Music with Xavi Morato. This year she has been traveling around Europe and the United States with Upbow, recording strings for 40+ artists in their first 12 months, and working on her own music. She is also now working for Edeta Arts, an organization based in Valencia that brings American ensembles to perform in concerts and festivals around Spain. She is excited about all the musical opportunities coming her way this year and to be back teaching at String Play!
Cameryn Baum is an educator at heart: she is a Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant at Great Hearts’ Archway Arete by day and a private instructor by night. Having started her private cello studio in high school, she continues to accept new students of all ages, teaching both classical and folk music styles. She is also a certified Suzuki instructor and on staff with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. When she’s not teaching, Cameryn is practicing for her next performance. A graduate of Arizona State University (ASU) with her Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance on cello, Cameryn still loves to perform whenever she’s able. From an intimate engagement, an elementary school music class, a Sunday church service, a backyard wedding, to a Michael Bublé concert, Cameryn has nearly done it all! With her diploma in one hand and her cello in the other, Cameryn is excited to continue learning all she can about teaching and playing the cello. To learn more about Cameryn, visit her website.