Described as a musician of “superb artistry” (Pasadena Now) who plays with “high energy and polish” (WQXR), cellist Anita Graef has earned recognition for her music making as an artist who is equally at home exploring traditional as well as contemporary works, along with a deep commitment to service, outreach and education. Notable appearances include features in Strings Magazine, as well as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, and “Concerts from the Library of Congress.” She has also performed as a guest of various radio programs, including WQXR, WFMT, WGTE, WUOL, WOSU, WVPB, NPR and others. Ms. Graef has performed with orchestras across the United States, with recent and upcoming engagements including the Louisville Orchestra, Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and others. Highlights of the 2022-2023 season include her New York debut with the Riverside Symphony, as well as recital appearances at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, Ojai’s Chamber on the Mountain, the Charlotte Warner Concert Series at Kenyon College, the Nielsen Concert Series, and return appearances to “Live from WFMT” and “Temecula Presents,” among others.

She completed her Bachelor’s studies at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Following this, she obtained a Master’s Degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Anita performs on a modern Italian cello by Ferdinando Garimberti, dated 1923.

Louise Chan, a native, of Ottawa, Canada, is a versatile pianist with experience as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral keyboardist. She is a founding member of the Blue Violet Duo with violinist Kate Carter, and their duo has enjoyed repeat performances at the Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series. Their critically acclaimed debut album, American Souvenirs, was featured as WFMT 98.7’s Album of the Day. The duo’s second album, Strike, Strum and Stride, will be released by Centaur Records in January 2023. Dr. Chan is dedicated to performing new music; recent performances in her home base of Chicago have included appearances at the Ear Taxi Festival and the George Crumb Festival, and with Fulcrum Point New Music Project and The Zafa Collective. She was the former principal pianist for the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and was a regular keyboard substitute for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for several years. She has appeared as a soloist with the Music Institute of Chicago Community Orchestra, the Evanston Summer Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

As a music educator, Dr. Chan maintains a busy studio of young and adult piano students at the Music Institute of Chicago. She is a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners, and travels throughout North America as an adjudicator. She has served on the faculties of the Chicago Chamber Music Festival and the Chicago Duo Piano Festival. Her degrees are from the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University.