About the Divisa Ensemble
Since our inaugural concert in 2009, Divisa Ensemble has performed many recitals throughout the South Bay and Peninsula, including appearances in the Fortnightly Music Club concert series and the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Annual Bach Festival. In the 2011-2012 season, Divisa Ensemble is pleased to perform in some new venues, including a concert for the Trinity Chamber Music Series, our first East Bay appearance.
At each performance, Divisa Ensemble presents a variety of music for our instrumentation. Past programs have included a Quintet by the 12-tone Dutch composer Luctor Ponse, an Oboe Quartet by Mozart, and a lively Jitterbug by Peter Schickele. Divisa Ensemble is committed to refining and expanding our repertoire, as well as experimenting with new possibilities for our unique ensemble.
Divisa Ensemble is continuing its role as the Ensemble-in-Residence of the El Camino Youth Symphony. Select student musicians are invited to study with the Ensemble and be special guest performers in a Divisa Ensemble recital. In addition to weekly coaching, Divisa Ensemble leads masterclasses several times each year.
Member Biographies
Adrienne Malley, oboe, is a freelance performer and instructor in the San Francisco Bay Area. She performs with many orchestras in the Bay Area including the San Francisco Symphony and the regional symphony orchestras of Berkeley, Monterey, Napa Valley, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa. In addition to the Divisa Ensemble, Adrienne is also a member of the Avenue Winds woodwind quintet. Adrienne received her BM from the University of Michigan School of Music, and her MM from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. To learn more, visit www.adriennemalley.com.
Stephanie Ng, viola, holds degrees in music from the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco State University. An avid chamber player, she has had the opportunity to perform with the Alexander String Quartet and members of the San Francisco Symphony. She performs with many orchestras around the Bay Area including the Marin, Berkeley, and California Symphonies.
Quelani Penland, violin, holds degrees in music and political science from the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco State University. Quelani is the Concert and Events Manager at Hertz Hall, Department of Music at UC Berkeley, and Orchestra Librarian for the Berkeley Symphony, Vallejo Symphony, and Young People's Symphony Orchestra. As a freelance violinist, Quelani has performed with many ensembles throughout the Bay Area, including the Berkeley Symphony, Mendocino Music Festival Orchestra, and The Bach Quartet Project.
Sara Styles is an active cellist and music educator based in Menlo Park. She works for the El Camino Youth Symphony as their cello coach and Chamber Music Coordinator, is a teacher for Music for Families, and maintains a private studio. She can also be found performing with local symphonies or contracting ensembles for private events. Sara received her MM from San Francisco State University, and her BM from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. To learn more visit Sara at www.sarastylesmusic.com.
Tomiko Tsai is a flute performer and educator in the Bay Area. Tomiko performs often with local ensembles and as a soloist. Tomiko especially enjoys inspiring younger flutists. She maintains a full private teaching studio, directs several flute ensembles, and is a faculty member of the Northern California Flute Camp. Tomiko holds a MM in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California and BS/BA in chemistry and music from the University of Puget Sound. Visit www.tomikoflute.com to learn more.