The Tomodachi Quartet will bring an afternoon of distinguished musicianship to the Gualala Arts Center on Sunday, October 11, at 4 p.m., as part of the Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series. The ensemble—violinists Cordula Merks and Mayumi Hiraga Wyrick, violist Amy Hiraga, cellist Peter Wyrick and joining them pianist Audrey Vardanega —unites five acclaimed performers whose careers span major orchestras, international festivals, and celebrated chamber ensembles.
Amy Hiraga’s illustrious career as a violinist is marked by her tenure with prestigious orchestras and ensembles. Her journey from the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra to the San Francisco Symphony showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft. With performances across a spectrum of renowned chamber music festivals such as Chamber Music West, Santa Fe Chamber Music, Caramoor, Bard and Olympic and collaborations with eminent ensembles, such as St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, Partita and Chelsea Ensembles, Hiraga has established herself as a prominent figure in the classical music scene. Her education under distinguished mentors Emanuel Zetlin and Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School, further underscores her deep-rooted passion for music, which continues to resonate in her performances and recordings.
Mayumi Hiraga Wyrick is a violinist recently appointed to the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. She has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, New Jersey Symphony, San Francisco Opera, and San Francisco Symphony. Mayumi studied at the New England Conservatory and has participated in prestigious festivals like Aspen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Kneisel Hall. She furthered her studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam under Vera Beths and Anner Bylsma. As a chamber musician, she has performed at the 92nd Street Y, Gualala Arts Center, and with the MHW Quartet across the Bay Area.
Peter Wyrick’s distinguished career as a cellist is marked by his long-standing association with the San Francisco Symphony, where he has served as Associate Principal Cello since 1999, and a rich history of performances and collaborations. His early start at the age of eight at Juilliard School set the stage for a life dedicated to music, leading to solo appearances with numerous orchestras and partnerships with celebrated musicians. His recordings and chamber music endeavors have garnered critical acclaim, further solidifying his reputation in the classical music world.
Cordula Merks, violin, has served as concertmaster with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra since 2015. Previously she was assistant concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony, and concertmaster of Germany’s Essen Philharmonic, Bochum Symphony, and Bergisch Symphony Orchestra.
Audrey Vardanega is an acclaimed American pianist and arts entrepreneur whose playing has been praised for its eloquence, authority, and expressive power. Born in 1995 and raised in Oakland, she has performed widely across the United States, Europe, and China, appearing at major venues and festivals including Merkin Hall, Hangzhou Grand Theater, Princeton University Concerts, Tippet Rise Arts Center, Ravinia, Festival Napa Valley, and the Valley of the Moon Music Festival. She began piano studies at age six and trained for more than a decade at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, later working with distinguished teachers such as Seymour Lipkin, Christopher Elton, Victor Rosenbaum, and Richard Goode.
Tickets are $35 in advance and +$5 on the day of the concert, available at Gualala Arts, the Dolphin Gallery, and online at GualalaArts.org.
Program
Mozart – Piano Concerto K 414 (piano quintet)
Janecek – Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters”
Dvarak – Quartet No 12. “American”