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Sarah Becker, Co-Founder, Violin
City Six Strings co-founder Sarah Becker is an active violinist living in Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a Master of Music degree from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, where she studied with former Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Timothy Lees. Prior to her time in Cincinnati, she received her Bachelors in Music studying with First Assistant Concertmaster Peter Otto at Cleveland State University School of Music.
Ava Shedd, Violin
Ava Shedd is an accomplished violinist dedicated to delivering exceptional performances and making lasting impacts through her music. At 11 years old, she made her orchestral debut, performing as a soloist with the Bay Youth Concert Orchestra. During her undergraduate studies
at CCM, she won the CCM Violin Concerto Competition in 2022 and 2024. Recent achievements include performing at Carnegie Hall with the CCM Philharmonia, winning first prize in the 2025 Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition, and winning the 2025 Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition.
Ava’s orchestral experience includes performances with the Virginia Symphony
Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond (IN) Symphony. In addition to her position with the Lexington Philharmonia, she currently serves as Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and is on the substitute list for the New World Symphony.
Ava is a dedicated educator, with experience teaching privately through Cincinnati
Strings and currently at the Stafford Music Academy. She is also a Suzuki-certified violin instructor (Books 1–3). Some of her summer festival appearances include the Meadowmount
School of Music, Brevard Music Center, Heifetz International Institute of Music, and Sarasota Music Festival.
Outside of music, Ava enjoys thrifting, baking, traveling, trying new coffee shops and spending time with family and friends. She is an avid sushi lover and loves trying different cuisine whenever she travels.
Ava earned her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in 2025 and is currently pursuing her Master’s
degree at Indiana University.
at CCM, she won the CCM Violin Concerto Competition in 2022 and 2024. Recent achievements include performing at Carnegie Hall with the CCM Philharmonia, winning first prize in the 2025 Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition, and winning the 2025 Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition.
Ava’s orchestral experience includes performances with the Virginia Symphony
Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and Richmond (IN) Symphony. In addition to her position with the Lexington Philharmonia, she currently serves as Assistant Principal Second Violin with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and is on the substitute list for the New World Symphony.
Ava is a dedicated educator, with experience teaching privately through Cincinnati
Strings and currently at the Stafford Music Academy. She is also a Suzuki-certified violin instructor (Books 1–3). Some of her summer festival appearances include the Meadowmount
School of Music, Brevard Music Center, Heifetz International Institute of Music, and Sarasota Music Festival.
Outside of music, Ava enjoys thrifting, baking, traveling, trying new coffee shops and spending time with family and friends. She is an avid sushi lover and loves trying different cuisine whenever she travels.
Ava earned her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music in 2025 and is currently pursuing her Master’s
degree at Indiana University.
Gabby Sewell, Violin
Violinist Gabrielle Sewell is passionate about sharing music with others through performance. She is also a sought-after teacher of pre-college students and is a violin and chamber music faculty member at the Cincinnati Starling Project. Her first solo performance with orchestra was at age 12. She performed Vivaldi’s Summer as a winner of the Masterworks Youth Sinfonia Concerto Competition and has performed concertos with the Starling Chamber Orchestra, Cumberland Orchestra, and Northern Kentucky Youth Orchestras. Gabrielle has served in principal positions and concertmaster as a member of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Orchestras and Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) Orchestra. She has been invited to perform in many orchestras throughout the greater Cincinnati area. In 2019, she was honored to be the first prize winner of the Nancy F. Walker Memorial Scholarship and an award winner in 2023. During 2022 and 2023, Gabrielle was a grateful recipient of the Three Arts Scholarship. Gabrielle has attended Innsbrook Institute, SSMF, and Bowdoin International Music for six summers as a scholarship student. At the Bowdoin Music Festival, she studied chamber music with the Ying Quartet and with the Ariel Quartet at CCM. Gabrielle enjoys sharing music through the creation of community outreach programs in local church and elderly care facilities. Currently, she is a scholarship student of Kurt Sassmannshaus at CCM.
Jenny Gaffney, Viola
Jenny Gaffney is an avid violist and educator, performing and teaching throughout the midwest. She currently serves as the violist and director of education with the Cincinnati String Project. As a chamber musician, Jenny regularly performs with her quartet, the Cincinnati String Project, and has recently performed with Francisco Fullana, Anna Lee, and members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. As an orchestral musician, she performs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra San Antonio, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, she has worked to make music accessible to all students through programs such as the Fairview Violin Project, the IU Distance Teaching Learning Lab, and the Cincinnati String Project. Jenny earned her Bachelor’s and a Performance Diploma at Indiana University under the tutelage of Edward Gazouleas and Li-Kuo Chang.
Joe Kovac, Cello
Joe Kovac is a professional cellist and music educator based in Cincinnati, with over a decade of experience performing at weddings, concerts, and special events. He serves as the Adjunct Instructor of Cello at Northern Kentucky University. He is also pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he is the teaching assistant for Alan Rafferty of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Joe plays with several orchestras including the New World Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. He performs alongside his wife, violinist Shannon Mustard, as the Atlantic Harmony String Duo, a collaboration that extends beyond concert venues to wedding ceremonies and community performances. With his warm stage presence, refined artistry, and commitment to detail, Joe ensures every performance is personalized and memorable.
As a performer, Joe has played with world-class ensembles such as the New World Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and he regularly shares the stage with his wife and violinist Shannon Mustard as the duo Atlantic Harmony. Together, they specialize in creating elegant, heartfelt music for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions from classical favorites to folk tunes to custom requests. With his warm stage presence, refined artistry, and commitment to detail, Joe ensures every performance is personalized and memorable.
Joe plays with several orchestras including the New World Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. He performs alongside his wife, violinist Shannon Mustard, as the Atlantic Harmony String Duo, a collaboration that extends beyond concert venues to wedding ceremonies and community performances. With his warm stage presence, refined artistry, and commitment to detail, Joe ensures every performance is personalized and memorable.
As a performer, Joe has played with world-class ensembles such as the New World Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and he regularly shares the stage with his wife and violinist Shannon Mustard as the duo Atlantic Harmony. Together, they specialize in creating elegant, heartfelt music for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, and receptions from classical favorites to folk tunes to custom requests. With his warm stage presence, refined artistry, and commitment to detail, Joe ensures every performance is personalized and memorable.
Lila Reeser, Viola
Lila Reeser is a violist from Parrish, Florida. She is currently finishing her Artist Diploma in viola performance from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music under the direction of Dr. Catharine Carroll-Lees. She has earned her master’s in viola performance from CCM and bachelor’s in music composition from Florida State University. Lila also teaches private lessons, and really enjoys watching her violin and viola students progress!
Lila loves playing chamber music and collaborating with new people. She has also found a new love for opera. Lila loves playing weddings, especially with City Six Strings!
Outside of music, Lila is an avid movie and museum attendee, loves crafting, and will pet any dog she sees.
Lila loves playing chamber music and collaborating with new people. She has also found a new love for opera. Lila loves playing weddings, especially with City Six Strings!
Outside of music, Lila is an avid movie and museum attendee, loves crafting, and will pet any dog she sees.
Lindsey Sullivan, Violin
Lindsey Sullivan-Sawyer is a professional violinist in the Cincinnati area. She has over 20 years of professional experience performing, improvising, sight-reading, transcribing, arranging, singing, and studio recording.
Specializing in weddings, Lindsey has played over 50 ceremonies, with genres varying from classical, to oldies, to today's hits!
Lindsey received her undergraduate degree in Violin Performance from DePauw University, and her graduate degree from Florida State University.
Specializing in weddings, Lindsey has played over 50 ceremonies, with genres varying from classical, to oldies, to today's hits!
Lindsey received her undergraduate degree in Violin Performance from DePauw University, and her graduate degree from Florida State University.
Luke Orth, Cello
Cincinnati based cellist, Lucas Orth, currently studies at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Before that, he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to pursue his passion for music at this prestigious Canadian conservatory, The Glenn Gould School. This past October Lucas gave a solo recital where he played works by Rachmaninoff and Fauré. He recently won a seat in the cello section of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and joined the Genèse Quartet. Lucas has won prizes in the Tennessee Cello Workshops Competition, the Cleveland Cello Society Scholarship Competition, and the National Federation of Music Clubs Mary Alice Cox Award. Most recently, he won 1st Prize in the 2023 Matinee Musicale Scholarship Competition. During the summers of 2016, 2017, and 2019, he attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and in the summer of 2023, he participated in the Ohio Light Opera festival. He has performed in masterclasses for many artists including Steve Doane, Julie Albers, Matt Haimovitz, Richard Aaron, Peter Wiley, Carter Brey, Hans Jørgen Jensen, and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. In 2018, he performed the first movement of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra under the baton of Gene Chang. Lucas Orth started cello at age 6 with Ellen Shertzer and studied with Alan Rafferty in high school. He is studying at the College Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Alan Rafferty. On loan from the Virtu Foundation, Lucas plays on a 1999 Roger Lanne cello. In his spare time, he enjoys reading novels; some of his favorites include the Lord of the Rings, Dracula, and Le Miserables.
Molly Jones Castrucci, Cello
Dr. Molly Jones Castrucci enjoys a versatile career as an orchestral and chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. She currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the third chair cello in the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. She previously served as third chair in the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (2021-2023), Assistant Principal Cellist of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (2015-2021) and Section Cellist in the Akron Symphony (2018-2021). Molly has also performed regularly as a substitute with the National Symphony Orchestra in DC.
Molly received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Maryland. Her dissertation was titled “Voices from the Holocaust, Remembered: Selected Works for Cello." She has presented her research at numerous synagogues and the Jewish Museum of Maryland. Most of all, Molly loves spending time with her three young children and her husband.
Molly received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Cello Performance from the University of Maryland. Her dissertation was titled “Voices from the Holocaust, Remembered: Selected Works for Cello." She has presented her research at numerous synagogues and the Jewish Museum of Maryland. Most of all, Molly loves spending time with her three young children and her husband.
Shannon Mustard, Violin
Shannon Mustard is a violinist from the northeast of Scotland. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Professor Timothy Lees, and serves as his graduate teaching assistant. Shannon holds a Master’s degree from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory.
A dedicated performer and music educator, Shannon is a violinist and teacher with the Cincinnati String Project, a string quartet and non-profit organization that performs throughout the Cincinnati area and provides free music lessons and chamber coachings in local schools.
Shannon is an active member of the Cincinnati freelance scene, performing regularly with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Ohio Valley Symphony. She especially loves performing for weddings and special occasions, to create lasting, meaningful memories through music. Shannon performs alongside her husband, cellist Joe Kovac, as the Atlantic Harmony String Duo, a collaboration that extends beyond concert venues, to wedding ceremonies and community performances.
A dedicated performer and music educator, Shannon is a violinist and teacher with the Cincinnati String Project, a string quartet and non-profit organization that performs throughout the Cincinnati area and provides free music lessons and chamber coachings in local schools.
Shannon is an active member of the Cincinnati freelance scene, performing regularly with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Ohio Valley Symphony. She especially loves performing for weddings and special occasions, to create lasting, meaningful memories through music. Shannon performs alongside her husband, cellist Joe Kovac, as the Atlantic Harmony String Duo, a collaboration that extends beyond concert venues, to wedding ceremonies and community performances.
Sarah Nichols, Viola
Sarah Nichols, originally from Albany New York, is a violist living in Cincinnati, Ohio. She began playing viola in elementary school, through her public school music program. Sarah chose the viola simply because it was the only string instrument she hadn’t heard of; despite the many viola jokes she has endured, she maintains that she made the right choice.
Recently winning a job with the Lexington Philharmonic in Kentucky, Sarah is beginning her position as Section Violist in the 2025-2026 season. In addition to her appointment in Lexington, Sarah is an active substitute in several regional and full-time orchestras throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. She also plays with City Six Strings, mainly in the Cincinnati-Dayton area, where she has the pleasure of performing at weddings with her friends.
In the summers of 2024 and 2025, Sarah played in the viola section of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. A festival orchestra for young musicians, Sarah feels grateful for the experience and connections gained during her time there. Performing on an intense schedule of over 18 concerts in 8 weeks, Sarah solidified her love of orchestral viola playing and repertoire. The beautiful mountain views, great friends, and lots of time outside were just added perks.
In 2025, Sarah graduated with a Masters in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where she received a full-tuition scholarship to study with Dr. Catharine Carroll Lees. In pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree, Sarah studied first at Ithaca College before ultimately graduating from Baldwin Wallace University. In 2020, Sarah took a gap year due to the coronavirus pandemic, during which time she met Lembi Veskimets. After only a few weeks of lessons, Sarah made the decision to transfer to Baldwin Wallace to study with Professor Veskimets full-time. Although transferring schools halfway through undergrad was challenging, it allowed for Sarah to meet and make music with more wonderful people that she could have if she had stayed in one place.
In 2024, Sarah played in a masterclass for Beth Guterman Chu, Principal Violist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. This masterclass was offered as a part of CCM’s Celebration of Nobuko Imai, which included masterclasses by notable violists and a performance by Ms. Imai. At the Ohio Viola Society’s flagship event, Ohio Viola Day, Sarah performed in the mainstage masterclass in 2023. She played for Daniel Foster, Principal Violist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Other notable masterclasses include performances for Stanley Konopka of the Cleveland Orchestra, Jessica Bodner of the Parker Quartet, and the Warp Trio.
As she pens this bio, Sarah is sitting at the kitchen table with her roommate’s cat, Toast, in her lap. One of her favorite pastimes is sitting around the table with friends and family, engaging in lively discussion with a healthy dose of joking around. In her less than copious spare time, Sarah also loves to cook, read, and bask in the sunshine.
Recently winning a job with the Lexington Philharmonic in Kentucky, Sarah is beginning her position as Section Violist in the 2025-2026 season. In addition to her appointment in Lexington, Sarah is an active substitute in several regional and full-time orchestras throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. She also plays with City Six Strings, mainly in the Cincinnati-Dayton area, where she has the pleasure of performing at weddings with her friends.
In the summers of 2024 and 2025, Sarah played in the viola section of the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. A festival orchestra for young musicians, Sarah feels grateful for the experience and connections gained during her time there. Performing on an intense schedule of over 18 concerts in 8 weeks, Sarah solidified her love of orchestral viola playing and repertoire. The beautiful mountain views, great friends, and lots of time outside were just added perks.
In 2025, Sarah graduated with a Masters in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where she received a full-tuition scholarship to study with Dr. Catharine Carroll Lees. In pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree, Sarah studied first at Ithaca College before ultimately graduating from Baldwin Wallace University. In 2020, Sarah took a gap year due to the coronavirus pandemic, during which time she met Lembi Veskimets. After only a few weeks of lessons, Sarah made the decision to transfer to Baldwin Wallace to study with Professor Veskimets full-time. Although transferring schools halfway through undergrad was challenging, it allowed for Sarah to meet and make music with more wonderful people that she could have if she had stayed in one place.
In 2024, Sarah played in a masterclass for Beth Guterman Chu, Principal Violist of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. This masterclass was offered as a part of CCM’s Celebration of Nobuko Imai, which included masterclasses by notable violists and a performance by Ms. Imai. At the Ohio Viola Society’s flagship event, Ohio Viola Day, Sarah performed in the mainstage masterclass in 2023. She played for Daniel Foster, Principal Violist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Other notable masterclasses include performances for Stanley Konopka of the Cleveland Orchestra, Jessica Bodner of the Parker Quartet, and the Warp Trio.
As she pens this bio, Sarah is sitting at the kitchen table with her roommate’s cat, Toast, in her lap. One of her favorite pastimes is sitting around the table with friends and family, engaging in lively discussion with a healthy dose of joking around. In her less than copious spare time, Sarah also loves to cook, read, and bask in the sunshine.
Skylar Hansen, Violin
Skylar Hansen is an active orchestral violinist and chamber musician based out of Cincinnati, OH. She has performed in various notable orchestras including the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Eastern Festival Faculty Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and National Orchestral Institute. Additionally, she is passionate about historical performance and was granted the Instrumental Scholar position in the prestigious group, The Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas in 2022. Skylar has also enjoyed performing internationally, receiving the Melick-Hart Instrumentalist Award at the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival. Along with performing in ensembles, she has enjoyed performing in masterclasses for Nathan Cole, Marc Ravetti, Jennifer Ross, Amy Oshiro-Morales, along with members of the Nashville Symphony. As a member of the Genese Quartet, she maintains a varied career in chamber music, having traveled nationally and working with notable quartets like the Calidore Quartet.
Ms. Hansen received her Bachelor’s Degree at Belmont University studying with Alison Gooding-Hoffman. She received her Master’s Degree at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Lees, former concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
When she is not performing, Skylar is passionate about educating and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats.
Ms. Hansen received her Bachelor’s Degree at Belmont University studying with Alison Gooding-Hoffman. She received her Master’s Degree at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Lees, former concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
When she is not performing, Skylar is passionate about educating and spending time with her friends, family, and two cats.
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