CABARET THEATRE on the campus of the College of the Florida Keys A Quartet Plays featuring Southernmost String Quartet February 21, 2025
R E A L E S TAT E S E RV IC E S 12 05 Trum a n Av en ue, Ke y West, F Lor ida 330 40 | 30 5- 29 2- 22 44 TRUM ANA NDCOMPA NY.COM | bestof ke y west re n tal s. com
Female Composers and Songwriters Irie Monte returns to the Cabaret Theatre to lead the Southernmost String Quartet in another captivating performance. This year’s program shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked works of groundbreaking female composers throughout history, alongside music from today’s most influential female songwriters. Enjoy pieces by Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, and Florence Price, as well as songs from Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and many more! Irie will be joined by Stephanie Jaimes, Michelle Sanchez, and Paola Nierez to form the Southernmost String Quartet—an all-female ensemble of extraordinary musicians bringing these legendary works to life. Join us for an unforgettable evening of beautiful music and the stories behind the incredible women of the past and present— composers and performers who have paved the way for future generations, inspiring and empowering the young women of today.
Irie Monte is a classically trained violinist and educator living in Key West. Growing up in New York, she studied violin with Setsuko Nagata, of the New York Philharmonic. Inspired to pursue a career as a music teacher and performer, Irie went on to study music education at New York University. While at NYU, Irie performed in many ensembles including chamber ensembles and full symphony orchestras. During her time in New York city, Irie performed regularly with the highly acclaimed New York Repertory Orchestra. Since graduating from NYU with a Bachelors in Music, Irie has found a new home in Key West. She has been working to build a community of local string players and is devoted to her students of all ages. She has played at venues such as Tennessee Williams Theater, The Studios of Key West and Waterfront Playhouse. MICHELLE SANCHEZ - - - VIOLA Ms. Sanchez started pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance in 2009 under the tutelage of Michael Klotz. Throughout her college career, Ms Sanchez has had the opportunity to play for many renowned conductors such as David Effron, James Judd and Grzegorz Nowak. In addition, she has performed with Sherill Milnes, Ross Harbaugh and the late Ida Haendel. Ms Sanchez has also participated in master classes with James Ehnes, Michael Tree, Richard O’Niell, Roberto Diaz and Yizhak Schotten. Ms. Sanchez also had the privilege of joining the South Shore Orchestra for their China Tour 2016-2017. In 2016, Ms. Sanchez became a founding member of the Versa String Quartet. The quartet performed at various venues in South Florida and raised funds for the 2017 disasters in Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Versa String Quartet premiered a work by composer Maureen Reyes Lavastida, Chains 2016. Ms. Sanchez completed her Masters Degree at Florida International University in Viola Performance in 2016 and continues to work professionally with Orchestras in the Miami area. Since 2020, Ms. Sanchez has performed with Miami Lyric Opera for their productions of La Traviata and Carmen as well as their Gala Concert in 2022 with many talented local artists. In 2022, she also joined the New Canon Chamber Collective for their American Soul concert featuring soloists Angela Brown and Stephen Salters. The New Canon Chamber collective is committed to social justice by creating an artistic platform that truly prioritizes building community through the classical music arts and genuinely reflects the rich cultural landscape of South Florida. Ms. Sanchez is currently performing in the Alhambra Orchestra’s 22-23 Season which provides accessible and meaningful music programming to audiences in the Miami Community. Furthermore, Ms. Sanchez has done extensive work as a teacher, maintaining a private studio for viola and violin. She is also the Director of Marketing and Program Management at the Greater Miami Youth Symphony (GMYS) of which she is also an Alumni. Ms Sanchez works closely with professional staff and teaching artists to create a rigorous and valuable learning experience for over 400 young musicians a year ranging from 5-18 years old with a variety of levels and abilities. In addition, she uses her creative artistic skills in creating promotional materials to use on social media. Ms Sanchez uses her position at GMYS to positively influence the next generation of musicians. Ms. Sanchez is a passionate musician who loves to write, make music and all things Disney.
Stephanie Jaimes is a classically-rooted contemporary cellist based in Miami who has performed alongside big-name artists. She is the founder of the event company Miami Vice Music, previously the Director of Events for the Washington Avenue Business Improvement District, and currently serves as the Director of Education and Outreach for Orchestra Miami. As a performer, she continues to challenge the traditional role of the cello in an ensemble. Stephanie has graced concert halls and stadiums, sharing the stage with top artists such as Björk, Andrea Bocelli, Shakira’s 2020 Super Bowl Halftime show, The Eagles, Jennifer Lopez, Foreigner, Kygo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Disturbed, Wyclef, and il Volo. An advocate for contemporary cello performance, Stephanie is paving the way for percussive cello playing known as “Chopping.” She has taken classes with influential figures in the contemporary string world, including Mike Block, Casey Driessen, Natalie Haas, and Ben Sollee. Stephanie now serves as Assistant Faculty for The Mike Block String Camp held each summer in Vero Beach. Stephanie is a regular presenter for Go Compose North America and miami’s Compositum Musicae Novae, both organizations that promote educate on contemporary compositions and extended techniques. In 2022, Stephanie joined the Miami Girls Rock Camp as a string specialist and band coach, teaching young girls how to compose original music in a traditional rock band setting. Stephanie’s first love is classical music. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Cello Performance from Florida International University, where she studied with both Javier Arias and Jason Calloway. She served as a Teaching Assistant during her studies at FIU, and was awarded with a stipend and full tuition covered during her time there. PAOLA NIEREZ - - - VIOLIN Paola Nierez, began her musical studies in 1998 within the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestra of Venezuela. During those years Paola was part of various symphonic orchestras in Venezuela as a row violinist such as the Symphonic Orchestra Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, and other groups of different musical genres such as Big Band Jazz Simón Bolívar (2019-2021), among others. Paola completed her studies in Music and Popular Singing from UNEARTE, Venezuela in 2018, since then she has participated in different cultural projects performing music from Operas, Zarzuelas, classical, symphonic, popular, and jazz repertoire as a singer and violinist. Paola recently moved to Key West where she continues her path as a musician performing at weddings and events in the Keys.
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