Courtney Nenn, Violin

Courtney Nenn, who started playing piano when she was five, began her violin career at age six, when she stole her 4-year-old brother’s violin so she could participate in a Saturday morning Suzuki Marathon Play-In. Growing up in the American Suzuki Talent Education Center in Stevens Point, she studied with Jennifer Burton, David Becker, and Kyoko Fuller. After high school Courtney furthered her music studies with José Despujols during her AFS year abroad to Portugal.

Over the years Courtney has participated in numerous ensembles and attended many music camps including the Pine Mountain Music Festival and the American Suzuki Institute. At the ASI she has received Suzuki teacher training. During her free time Courtney enjoys traveling, dancing, cooking, and speaking foreign languages. She is currently pursuing degrees in Spanish, Music, and Teaching English as a Second Language at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Jill Schultz, Violin

Jill's biography is coming soon...

Amber Garbe, Viola

Amber began playing the viola in elementary school and immediately fell in love with the rich, royal sound it offered. Joining many ensembles, including the Central State Chamber Orchestra and Wisconsin Honors Orchestra, Amber's favorite ensemble soon became the quartet. Amber began studying quartet repertoire in high school with David Becker as coach and attended the Madeline Island Chamber Music Camp, where she studied quartet repertoire with Norman Carol, Gene Purdue, and Mary West. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Amber continued studying in a quartet coached by Perry Karp.

Amber is currently principal violist in the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Symphony Orchestra and UWSP Chamber Orchestra, as well as a member of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Amber has studied solo works with Dee Martz, Sally Chisholm, Lewis Rosove, Joanne Martin, and Michael Heaney. Amber received further ensemble training with Steve Bjella, Mark Bjork, Carey Cheney, Elliott Cheney, Terry Durbin, and Elizabeth Stuen-Walker.

Heather June Kamikawa, Viola

Heather June Kamikawa began playing the viola at age 11 in the Kenosha, Wisconsin public schools. She knew she wanted to keep playing viola as an adult and also had a passion for teaching. After playing in the Wisconsin State Honors Orchestra, Milwaukee Youth Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, UW-Parkside String Orchestra, Zion Community Orchestra, and in several student string quartets, she went on to UW-Stevens Point to earn an instrumental music education degree.

Heather is currently student-teaching in the Stevens Point area and is the viola teacher for the Prairie Oaks Conservatory in Stevens Point, WI. Heather enjoys playing in chamber ensembles and orchestral settings. She is a member of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and was principal viola of the UW-Stevens Point Symphony Orchestra for four years.

Dale J. Carlson, Cello

Dale began playing the cello at age six. He was trained in the Suzuki Method in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and studied cello privately with Lawrence Leviton, Patricia D'Ercole, and Kathleen Francesci. While growing up, Dale attended many American Suzuki Institute summer music camps in Stevens Point, studying with Rodney Farrar, Terry Durbin, Carol Tarr, Lewis Rosove, Carey Cheney, Scott Walker, Carol Ourada, Richard Mooney, and many others.

While attending public school, Dale performed in orchestras and symphonies on a daily basis and competed at both the state and local levels in chamber orchestras, string quartets, trios, duos, and as a soloist. While attending the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he studied cello privately and also performed in duos, trios, quartets, studio groups, the university orchestra, and the Marshfield Symphony Orchestra. While in college, Dale performed in numerous ensembles under the instruction of Steve Bjella, Catalin Rotaru, Paul Doebler, and Charles Goan.

Since graduating from college in 2001, Dale has performed with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra in Appleton, the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra in Stevens Point, and the Wausau Symphony Orchestra. He loves performing in small chamber ensembles, which is why he has performed with and managed The Wisconsin String Quartet since 1995. This group performs beautiful classical music for wedding ceremonies, wedding cocktail hours, wedding dinners, banquets and private parties.

Besides performing, Dale shares his love of music with others by giving private cello lessons throughout Wisconsin. Dale teaches students in a wide variety of ages and ability levels. If you or your child are interested in taking cello lessons, click here for more information.

Although music is one of Dale's greatest passions, it is not his career. He is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor, District Supervisor, and has been a Financial Advisor with Waddell & Reed, Inc. since 2001. He primarily works with clients in his home state of Wisconsin. He specializes in comprehensive personal financial planning for newlyweds and people of all ages who have important financial goals to plan for.