Quintet!

Jeremy Mao, Violin

One of the more handsome Asians in America, Jeremy Mao has been studying the violin since the age of seven. His playing has been hailed as "Whimsical with a touch of spinach". A two year participant in the Iowa All-State Festival Orchestra, Jeremy vows to cut off the heads of this years judges. Receiving lessons as a young boy, Mr. Mao first studied with Des Moines area violinist Julie Hixson. He later transferred to the studio of Jim Brauninger. Currently he studies with local violinist and Des Moines Symphony member, Linda Swanson. During the summer of 2000 Mr. Mao was invited to study the violin at the prestigious Interlochen Fine Arts Camp. Mr. Mao is a member of the Valley High School String Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Electric Ensemble. He also performs regularly with his quartet. Currently Mr. Mao is serving as concertmaster of the VHS orchestra for the 2003-2004 season.

Katie Allen, Piano

Ms. Allen is currently enjoying her senior year at Valley High School. Next year she plans to attend the University of Iowa as a piano major. She will study there on full scholarship. Ms. Allen performs regularly soloist in the Des Moines area.
Enthusiastically received by audiences from all over the world, Ms. Allen is rapidly making a name for herself on the international piano scene. During the summer of 2003, she was invited to study piano with Dr. Soo Lee at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL as part of the National High School Music Institute. While there, she made her debut playing the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor at Lutkin Hall.
Highly sought after as an accompanist, Ms. Allen has performed with numerous soloists in the Des Moines area as well as at Northwestern University. Recently Ms. Allen was named as one of the two 2003 All-State Choir Accompanists. She also performs regularly in a piano quintet.
Currently Ms. Allen studies with Dr. Chiu-Ling Lin, chair of the Drake University music department. Ms. Allen also maintains a large private studio in the Des Moines area.
Ms. Allen is also a prominent violinist in the Des Moines area. She performs with the Valley High School Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, and Electric Group. She also plays regularly with her quartet. During the summer of 2002, Ms. Allen was invited to study the violin with David Hayes and Stacia Spencer at Northwestern University.
During the summer of 2004 she plans to tour Italy with the VHS orchestra.

Kimiko Glynn, Cello

Back by popular demand, Kimiko Glynn returned to playing cello in 2002. She was happily received by the Grammy Award winning VHS Orchestra where she serves as the section leader. Kimiko Glynn has been playing for a short six years in her career but in that time her playing is described as like "whoa". Ms. Glynn is very well known for her singing abilities as a mezzo in the Des Moines area where she regularly performs at several churches, weddings, and recitals. She has also performed at the famous Tanglewood Institute and Spoleto, Italy where she gained amazing reviews. She plans to perform in New York this summer (if they can afford her). Afterwards, she plans on continuing her music by attending a wonderful music school in Oberlin or Chicago. Ms. Glynn studies voice with Ms. Gloria Olson, who is a legend in the Italian area, and cello with Ms. Michelle Senger, a prevalent cello player in the DMSO. She would like to thank her family, God, teachers, and all her fans for their on going support. Much love to the homeys.

Chris Riha, Viola

Chris Riha, began to study the viola at a young age. His musical ability is matched only by his numerous academic accomplishments.
In 2000, Mr. Riha was asked to play a solo with the West Des Moines Junior High Orchestra for a national competition in Kansas City, Missouri. That year, the orchestra won the contest by a significant margin, thanks in part to his performance.
Upon entering high school, Mr. Riha's career began to take off. He was accepted as part of the prestigious Iowa Youth Symphony, and was asked to play with a select local orchestra for the 2001 Valley High School Masterworks Concert. During the same season, he was once again to play a solo with the orchestra. Mr. Riha was also selected to play in the Meyer Chamber Orchestra, a prestigious group under the direction of Des Moines violinist, Cheryl Kutscher. Currently, Mr. Riha serves as the co-principal of the Valley Orchestra's viola section, a position he has held since January 2002.
Mr. Riha was accepted into the prestigious Iowa All-State Orchestra for three consecutive years, where he sat third chair. The Iowa All-State Orchestra accepts only the top one percent of Iowa musicians, making it the most selective orchestra in the midwest.
In 2003, Mr. Riha performed in the State Solo and Ensemble festival. He recieved a division I or "Superior" rating, the highest one may receive.
During the summer of 2002, Mr. Riha attended the National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. where he served as principal violist for three weeks. He was invited to perform as a soloist for the Evening of Strings recital at the prestigious Lutkin Hall.
In 2002, Mr. Riha won the Iowa Youth Symphony Concerto Competition and made his debut as a concerto soloist with the Iowa Youth Symphony. He was honored again when selected as one of the top 15 soloists in Iowa for his performance in the Des Moines Symphony Young Artist Competition.
Mr. Riha views the Trout Quintet as the most talented group of musicians that he has worked with throughout his entire career.

Blake Hinson, Bass

Smells funny...