Candlelit Sonatas in the Cellar

Details:

Doors to the Barrel Room open at 4:00 PM for dinner and beverage service. Dinner service will only be available from 4:00-6:00PM, before the music begins. Beverage service will be available throughout the whole evening.

Enjoy a glass of Champagne upon arrival (21& over)

Artists will perform from 6:00-8:00 PM

About the artists:

Ryan Walsh is a consummate artist, seamlessly blending his passions for music and wine into a harmonious symphony of experiences. As principal oboist with the American Pops Orchestra and a seasoned, Grammy-winning studio musician, Ryan has graced stages worldwide. From performances with prestigious ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and the Baltimore Symphony, illustrious Broadway productions including Les Misérables and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and the soundtracks of several major movies, including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, West Side Story, Disney's Noelle, and The Good Liar, his artistry transcends boundaries, captivating audiences with his soulful renditions and impeccable technique. Yet, Ryan's journey isn't confined to concert halls; it extends into the realm of wine.

Drawing from his formative years working in a quaint bistro and immersing himself in the intricate world of wine, Ryan's palate became as refined as his musical sensibilities. His journey into the realm of wine was marked by dedication and achievement, earning him a WSET certification and honing his focus on palate development and food pairing. With a commitment to making wine knowledge accessible to all and removing barriers of snobbery, Ryan crafts tasting experiences that are both educational and enjoyable. From his studies under esteemed sommeliers to his hands-on exploration of vineyards across the globe, Ryan's expertise enriches his tastings, inviting participants to embark on a journey of discovery through the world of wine. Through On The Nose Tastings, he orchestrates unforgettable sensory journeys, guiding enthusiasts through the nuances of varietals and the art of pairing, blending the elegance of music with the complexity of wine in a delightful fusion of artistry and indulgence.

Violinist Viet Block enjoys sharing the gift of music with people from all walks of life, especially those who cannot easily get to the concert hall. She has performed for senior communities throughout Oregon and volunteered over 100 hours at the Portland V.A. Hospital. Viet serves as the assistant concertmaster of the Oregon East Symphony, and regularly substitutes with the Boise Philharmonic and Yakima Symphony Orchestra. Recent honors include first place in the Grande Ronde Symphony Association’s 2019 Concerto-Aria Competition, and orchestral performances with notable soloists such as Anne Akiko Myers, Alexander Markov, Orli Shaham, and others. Block has also played for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Newport Symphony Orchestra, McCall SummerFest Orchestra, Astoria Festival Orchestra, Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Portland Choir and Orchestra, Portland Civic Orchestra, and Stumptown Stages production of A Christmas Carol: The Musical.

Beyond the standard repertoire, Block can be heard on numerous
albums and recording projects, such as such as Jacob Miller’s (NBC’s “The
Voice” 2020) singles “Cut My Teeth” & “St. Mary’s Gospel Choir” from his
album This New Home, Stelth Ulvang’s (The Lumineers) solo album And as Always;
The Infinite Cosmos, Joe Kye’s album Migrants, and Cody ChesnuTT’s live studio
session of his song “Chips Down (In No Landfill)” for NPR Music. An advocate of
new music, she has performed works for Cascadia Composers (a chapter of the
National Association of Composers, USA) and premiered Horse Notations, a
chamber work by Raven Chacon.

Viet also finds fulfillment in teaching, and is delighted to
engage with students through the Oregon East Symphony’s string education
programs and her private studio. Block’s own studies began at the age of six,
as a pupil of Ruth Petrasso. Other commendable teachers include Carol Sindell,
protégé to the great violinists of the 20th century (Jascha Heifetz, Josef
Gingold, Ivan Galamian); Dr. Tomas Cotik, critically acclaimed soloist and
Naxos recording artist; Adam LaMotte; and cellist Hamilton Cheifetz, mentor and
chamber music coach. Viet earned a Master’s degree in performance from Portland
State University’s College of the Arts, School of Music in 2018, as a recipient
of the David E. Wedge Music Scholarship.

Residing in the Pacific Northwest, cellist and conductor Zach
Banks carries a desire to explore music in its many forms both on stage as a
performer, and as an educator.

As a classically trained cellist, he has performed with the Oregon
East Symphony, the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Choir
& Orchestra, the United States Youth Ensemble European Tour, and in
numerous regional chamber music festivals. Outside of the concert hall, he has
performed in bluegrass-inspired folk bands, with ARCO PDX, recorded at NPR
Music, performed at notable music festivals like Northwest String Summit and
MusicFest NW, and he has performed and recorded with numerous independent
artists like Father John Misty, Cody Chesnutt, Nick Jaina, and Stelth Ulvang
(of The Lumineers).

Since 2018, Banks has been the music director and conductor for
the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra where he programs classical, educational,
and pops programs. Banks is deeply committed to music education, and since 2018
he has served as the conductor for the Oregon East Symphony Youth Orchestra.
His first experiences in conducting took place at Portland State University as
the assistant conductor under the direction of Dr. Ken Selden.

Outside of performance, Banks maintains a private studio of cello
students, and he serves as the director of the Oregon East Symphony’s “Playing
For Keeps” education programming initiative. This initiative engages K-12
students in rural Eastern Oregon through multi-faceted programming including
large ensembles, chamber ensembles, and other mentorship programs.

Banks received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in cello
performance at Portland State University under the tutelage of Hamilton
Cheifetz.

As an avid collaborator, soloist, and pedagogue, Madison Helton-Brown is passionate about a holistic and inclusive approach to music making. Ms.Helton has enjoyed performing at venues across the United States and Europe, from the Aspen Music Festival to Carnegie Hall. As a soloist, Ms. Helton has received prizes at the Des Moines Women’s Club, MTNA Young Artist Competitions, and the Northwestern University Viola Prize Competition. Her dream is to be able to continue to make music with her friends and contribute to the evolution of the music industry. Madison is the recipient of a Bachelors of Viola Performance from Iowa State University, and a Masters of Music from Northwestern University Bienen School of Music. She spends her free time reading, painting, cooking, and getting lost in nature with her friends and family.

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