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Louisville Musicians
Alisson Reber, Viola
Alisson is a violist, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Louisville. On most weekends, you can find her providing the harmonies (and huskier melodies) for local couples at their weddings. Alisson has enjoyed collaborating with many groups and artists over the years, including live tango milongas with Bourbon Tango, Ben Sollee, Tom Waits tribute groups, Century of Aeroplanes, Abbey Road on the River, Highland Chamber Players, Cave Run Symphony, Killington Music Festival, and The Eagles. She is also a new mom, and a speech-language pathologist.
Dillon Welch, Violin
A Pacific Northwest native, Dillon Welch has been a member of the Louisville Orchestra since February 2023. He has also served as a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic and was a fellow at the New World Symphony. Additionally, he has been a member of the Canton Symphony, the Akron Symphony, the Firelands Symphony, and the Round Rock Symphony, where he served as Concertmaster. He has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Erie Philharmonic, and has spent summers playing with the Britt, Spoleto, and Round Top Festivals, along with the National Repertory Orchestra.
Mr. Welch began playing the violin at the age of five in Olympia, Washington. He later took lessons with Jan and Kent Coleman in the Seattle area, followed by former Seattle Symphony Second Assistant Concertmaster Simon James. He received a Bachelors in Violin Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Brian Lewis. He went on to get a Masters from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with former Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster William Preucil.
In his spare time, Mr. Welch loves reading (especially books by Stephen King), biking around Louisville, and seeing how fast he can do the New York Times Crossword.
Mr. Welch began playing the violin at the age of five in Olympia, Washington. He later took lessons with Jan and Kent Coleman in the Seattle area, followed by former Seattle Symphony Second Assistant Concertmaster Simon James. He received a Bachelors in Violin Performance from the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Brian Lewis. He went on to get a Masters from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with former Cleveland Orchestra Concertmaster William Preucil.
In his spare time, Mr. Welch loves reading (especially books by Stephen King), biking around Louisville, and seeing how fast he can do the New York Times Crossword.
Jonathan Ruckman, Cellist
Jonathan Ruckman, cellist, is an honors graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. After graduation, Mr. Ruckman was appointed Interim Assistant Principal Cellist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). During his time with the LPO, Mr. Ruckman served as Principal and Assistant Principal cellist for numerous performances throughout the New Orleans area, received lifetime tenure, and was elected to the Board of Trustees. Mr. Ruckman is currently a freelance cellist based in Louisville. He has participated in countless performances throughout the Louisville, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans areas, including appearances with the Louisville Orchestra, the Derby City Chamber Orchestra, the Musaica Chamber Ensemble, and the NouLou Chamber players.
Michele Barbosa, Violin
Michele was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and Music Education from the University of Kentucky, as well as a Master’s degree in Music Education from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. She has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician across North America, South America, and Europe.
In Brazil, Michele was an active orchestral musician, performing with several of São Paulo’s leading ensembles, including the Experimental Repertoire Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she participated in renowned international festivals in Brazil, such as the Campos do Jordão International Festival and the Santa Catarina International Festival, and performed in venues throughout the Czech Republic and Italy.
Michele currently serves as the Orchestra Director at the Youth Performing Arts School and as the Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor with the Louisville Youth Orchestra. She also performs regularly with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and other regional orchestras throughout Kentucky, and enjoys playing in chamber groups around Louisville.
In her free time, Michele shares her love of cooking by hosting dinner parties with her friends and her dog, Mushu.
In Brazil, Michele was an active orchestral musician, performing with several of São Paulo’s leading ensembles, including the Experimental Repertoire Orchestra. As a chamber musician, she participated in renowned international festivals in Brazil, such as the Campos do Jordão International Festival and the Santa Catarina International Festival, and performed in venues throughout the Czech Republic and Italy.
Michele currently serves as the Orchestra Director at the Youth Performing Arts School and as the Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor with the Louisville Youth Orchestra. She also performs regularly with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and other regional orchestras throughout Kentucky, and enjoys playing in chamber groups around Louisville.
In her free time, Michele shares her love of cooking by hosting dinner parties with her friends and her dog, Mushu.
Samantha Lamkin, Violin
Samantha Lamkin (b. 2000) is a violinist and teacher in the Louisville area. She has a M.M. with an emphasis in String Pedagogy and a B.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Louisville. She graduated her Bachelor’s as summa cum laude and was elected as a member of Pi Kappa Lambda - a society of musicians that recognize musical excellence and academic achievement. Her previous instructors are Dr. Geoffrey Herd, Kirsten Marshall, Brittany MacWilliams, and Kathie Raymond. She has also taken from Dr. Anna Petrova and Dr. Hannah Hall for piano studies. Samantha began her musical studies at age 5 with piano and age 10 with the violin.
In Samantha’s studies at the University of Louisville, she was a graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Geoffrey Herd. She was the concertmaster of the University Symphony Orchestra and was a member of UofL’s Graduate String Quartet. Samantha has been certified by Suzuki Association of the Americas for Suzuki Violin Books 1-4. In her program, she also took courses on string pedagogy and string literature.
In recent years, Samantha has performed in a masterclass for world-renowned violinist, Jinjoo
Cho. She has travelled with UofL’s University Symphony Orchestra to play with Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic at The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music
Conference. She has twice attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, a nationally renowned music program, as an orchestral violinist. Samantha has also had an opportunity to perform with the Warren Haynes Band + Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience, Youtuber Rob
Landes, and in a music video for the Ark Encounter.
Samantha currently serves as the music librarian assistant at the Louisville Orchestra, private
violin instructor, and a sectional coach at Louisville Male Highschool.
In Samantha’s studies at the University of Louisville, she was a graduate teaching assistant for Dr. Geoffrey Herd. She was the concertmaster of the University Symphony Orchestra and was a member of UofL’s Graduate String Quartet. Samantha has been certified by Suzuki Association of the Americas for Suzuki Violin Books 1-4. In her program, she also took courses on string pedagogy and string literature.
In recent years, Samantha has performed in a masterclass for world-renowned violinist, Jinjoo
Cho. She has travelled with UofL’s University Symphony Orchestra to play with Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic at The Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music
Conference. She has twice attended the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, a nationally renowned music program, as an orchestral violinist. Samantha has also had an opportunity to perform with the Warren Haynes Band + Dreams & Songs Symphonic Experience, Youtuber Rob
Landes, and in a music video for the Ark Encounter.
Samantha currently serves as the music librarian assistant at the Louisville Orchestra, private
violin instructor, and a sectional coach at Louisville Male Highschool.
Sheronda Shorter, Viola
Sheronda Shorter is a Louisville native and accomplished violist with a passion for performance and education. She currently serves as a substitute violist with both the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Lima Symphony Orchestra, and recently began performing at special events through the City Six Strings organization. A dedicated music educator, Sheronda teaches viola, violin, and beginning cello at the Louisville Academy of Music, Music & Arts, and through her own private studio, The West End Viola Studio. Beyond her musical pursuits, she recently stepped into the role of Accounting Manager at the Fund for the Arts, blending her artistic spirit with financial leadership.
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