September 12-14

The String Institute is held on the campus of Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. Young string players will be provided with an opportunity to participate in a range of exciting musical experiences under the guidance of Stetson University faculty artists. It is intended primarily for high-school students; however, talented younger players will be considered. String Institute events include:

• Chamber Orchestra and smaller ensembles
• Master Classes with Stetson Faculty
• University Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal and Chamber Orchestra Concert
• Institute Concert

Suggested Area Hotels

• DeLand Clarion Hotel, 350 E. International Speedway Blvd., 386-738-5200
• DeLand Comfort Inn, 400 E. International Speedway Blvd., 386-736-3100

Instructors

Anthony Hose is conductor of the Stetson University Symphony and Chamber orchestras. He was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London, where he first studied piano, clarinet, double bass and conducting. He is principal conductor of the Welsh Chamber Orchestra and artistic director of the Beaumaris Festival in Wales. He has been a guest conductor with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin Symphony Orchestra, Budapest Symphony Orchestra, Icelandic Opera and Munich Bach Collegium.

Routa Kroumovitch, originally from Riga, Latvia, is professor of Violin. She began her musical studies at the age of 4 and continued study at the Riga Conservatory, the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow and the Universidad de Chile. She has held positions as first violin of the Santiago Chamber Orchestra and concertmistress for both the Chilean Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras. She has performed internationally in China, Israel, Japan and Canada, and continues an active career as soloist and chamber musician.

Jesus Alfonzo is associate professor of Viola and Music History, as creator of the Viola Consort at Stetson University. He earned the Doctor and Master of Performance degrees from Michigan State University, as well as the Post Graduate Diploma from the Juilliard School. Alfonzo was the principal violist of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra for 16 years, performs internationally as a soloist, and has taught viola in the Conservatorio de Musica Simon Bolivar in Venezuela, the University of Musical Studies in Caracas, Colegio Emil Friedman in Venezuela and Jackson Symphony Orchestra School of Music in Michigan.

David Bjella is associate professor of Cello and coordinator of Chamber Music, as well as founder of the Cello Choir at Stetson University. Bjella is also the cellist of the Inman Piano Trio and a member of the Memphis-based IRIS Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Bjella has had an active orchestral career, which includes principal roles with the Orlando Philharmonic and the Florida Symphony Orchestra, as well as section jobs with the Cincinnati, Baltimore and Des Moines Symphony orchestras. Bjella received degrees from Drake University and the Peabody Conservatory of Music.

John Wieland has been the principal bassist with the Jacksonville Symphony since 1989. He has also held the position of principal bass of the Virginia Symphony, the Oklahoma Symphony and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City. Wieland received his degrees at the New School of Music in Philadelphia (now the Esther Boyer College of Music/Temple University).

Cameron Huster is the adjunct professor of Harp at Stetson and the founder of the DeLand Harp Camp. Huster has been a soloist and orchestral musician throughout the United States. Internationally, she performed at the World Harp Congress in Dublin, Ireland. She received her degrees from Florida State University and Mannes College in New York City, and is currently working on completing her Doctorate at the Peabody Institute.