May 21, 2025 7:30 PM
Madison Symphony Orchestra Hunt String Quartet
Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 7:30pm
Paran Amirinazari, Violin
Hillary Hempel, Violin
Jennifer Paulson, Viola
Trace Johnson, Cello
The Hunt Quartet of the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Up Close and Musical® program is excited to present this recital! Up Close and Musical brings the power and beauty of classical music into the classrooms of elementary schools throughout Dane County. The curriculum is guided by the Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance model and academic standards for music, bringing the Hunt Quartet into six schools four times each year. Individual quartet members visit separate classrooms to conduct exciting and interactive lessons that send students on a hunt for the concepts of melody, rhythm, expression, and form.
Paran Amirinazari received a Doctorate Degree from UW-Madison and is a founding member and Artistic Director of the Willy Street Chamber Players. She is a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s first violin section and Concertmaster of the Middleton Community Orchestra. She also studied at the University of Nevada-Reno and the New England Conservatory of Music. Outside of the classical music world she has collaborated with various rock bands and has toured with Ian Anderson (from Jethro Tull), Larkin Grimm, and Beat Circus.
Hillary Hempel is a member of Madison Symphony Orchestra second violin section and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Prior to joining MSO and WCO, Hillary was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Hillary studied at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and with Almita Vamos at Northwestern University where she received her master’s degree. She enjoys playing in both orchestras and playing chamber music. When Hillary is not playing the violin, she enjoys running, hiking, and spending time outdoors in any season.
Jennifer Paulson is a member of the viola section of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and has held positions in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Green Bay Symphony, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. She holds degrees in viola and jazz performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Northwestern University, and Augustana College. Paulson is a member of several contemporary music groups based in Chicago and plays locally with bluegrass band. Jen is also an accomplished player of the Japanese koto.
Trace Johnson is a member of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra cello sections and has appeared as a chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral musician in a wide variety of ensembles and settings around the world. Trace received his Bachelor of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Master’s of Music from Lynn Conservatory.
