-
Ave Maria 2:110:00/2:11
CHANAH AMBUTER, harp
"I first heard the harp as an impressionable toddler and have been in love with it ever since!
Since starting harp lessons at the age of 11, I've continued to follow that passion throughout my studies at The Juilliard School: Precollege Division, The University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois culminating with my Masters of Music in Harp Performance and Literature degree. I perform frequently in the greater Metro-Detroit area, and past clients have included the DIA, the Metro-Detroit Chorale, the University of Michigan, and more!
My primary event harp, newly purchased in November 2017, is made by the prestigious Italian manufacturer "Salvi." Their luxurious, luminous sound and masterful craftsmanship led to a custom commission from the Royal British Family to make the official harp for The Prince of Wales.
My own primary event harp is a lovely Gilded "Iris" (Limited Edition) in rosewood and 24-carat gold, and a luxurious, vibrant, world-class sound.
I have worked to cultivate a full, romantic sound to entrance and dazzle my audience. In the relatively recent past, music for the harp has bloomed into a diverse and flamboyant range of styles, and I love to explore the musical possibilities they present!
My repertoire includes Classical, Celtic, Modern pop, Golden Oldies, Broadway, Jazz, Disney/Soundtrack, Holiday & Religious, Therapy/Garden-inspiration, and World Cultural music."
You can contact Chanah at: ceaharps@gmail.com
Website: www.themichiganharpist.com
![](http://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/314390/b9bb6ea7b2b95c66d7ebdf1032062aac93756dc2/original/untitled-design-13.png/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIixbMzAwLG51bGwseyJ3aXRob3V0RW5sYXJnZW1lbnQiOnRydWUsImZpdCI6Im91dHNpZGUifV1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png)
![](http://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/314390/33cd469966f48de1ab73d098bca60bd3631d853e/original/johnsonpatrick-lso-headshot-quality.jpg/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIiw1MDBdLFsibWF4Il0sWyJ3ZSJdXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg)
Patrick K. Johnson, piano
I maintain an active performance schedule as a pianist in a variety of settings, including solo, chamber, and orchestral. I am principal pianist for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Previously, I also served as principal pianist of the Michigan Philharmonic in metro Detroit for 15 years, where I appeared as featured soloist on several occasions. I worked as a church music director for 20 years and have played for hundreds of ceremonies, including weddings, funerals, and other special events.
My portable instrument is a Roland FP-90 digital piano, which I chose because of how faithfully it reproduces the sound and touch of a grand piano. I’m also happy to play a venue’s own instrument.
I’m a faculty member of the Michigan State University College of Music where I teach courses in music theory and piano literature. In 2018, I received the Dortha J. and John D. Withrow Award for Excellence in Teaching from the MSU College of Music.
I’m a graduate of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and hold degrees in piano performance and music theory.
You can contact Patrick at: pkjpiano@gmail.com
![](http://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/314390/4e1195668f7387f81422da4e0fe64715b6e568f6/original/image000000-2.jpg/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIiw0NjFdLFsibWF4Il0sWyJ3ZSJdXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg)
MICHELLE KULWICKI, Cello
Michelle Kulwicki holds degrees in cello performance from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance, as well as DePaul University. She is an avid chamber and orchestral musician and has most recently performed with the Ann Arbor Symphony, as assistant principal cellist of the Lansing Symphony, and as the principal cellist of Chicago's Porchlight Musical Theater Company.
She also performs across the state as part of the White Pines String Quartet--a position that has taken her from Detroit's Fox and Fisher Theaters, to Mackinac Island's Fort Holmes and even to the fifty yard line of the University of Michigan football stadium (Go Blue!)
You can contact Michelle at:
white.pines.entertainment@gmail.com
Website: https://www.whitepinesentertainment.com/
![](http://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/314390/b9bb6ea7b2b95c66d7ebdf1032062aac93756dc2/original/untitled-design-13.png/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIixbMzAwLG51bGwseyJ3aXRob3V0RW5sYXJnZW1lbnQiOnRydWUsImZpdCI6Im91dHNpZGUifV1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.png)
JUSTIN UMBARGER, piano
Justin Umbarger is currently the Director of Sacred Music at St. Mary Catholic Church & School in Royal Oak, Michigan. In this capacity he cares for the musical life of the parish community, namely, conducting the Schola Cantorum, Youth Choir, Seasonal Choirs, and instrumentalists in addition to providing music for all liturgies. Justin has performed and conducted ensembles throughout the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy; including two trips to Rome and the Vatican for the Pueri Cantores International Congress.
Justin has also taught choral and instrumental music in metro Detroit in the public school system as well as community ensembles. In addition to St. Mary, he keeps an active freelance performance schedule that ranges from liturgical music (both traditional and contemporary) to community theater, weddings, and accompanying. He holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting and has served on both local and national boards with the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
You can contact Justin at: jumbarger@st-mary.org
![](http://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/314390/6ab6d1bf12239f358626ddbca7ac7c1510ea8b4c/original/1.jpeg/!!/b%3AW1sicmVzaXplIiw1MDBdLFsibWF4Il0sWyJ3ZSJdXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg)