Romantic Strings by Candlelight ~ Friday Apr 17, 2026, 7 pm, Doors Open 5pm

World-class cellist Michal Palzewicz brings his friends Abigail Wilensky, Katie Wasko, and Kris Yenney from the Fellowship of the Strings Quartet to seduce you with romantic music. Magical original soundscapes, lush classical pieces, Nordic folk tunes, themes from movie soundtracks, and sweet popular arrangements will delight your senses. From solo cello to duets and the full string quartet sound experience, you'll be sure to enjoy a beautiful diversity of dynamics and musical passions, all in the glow of candlelight.

Dinner available between 5 and 7. Concert starts at 7 pm. Come early to purchase and enjoy food and wine. Hosted by the fabulous Paschal Winery, 541-535-7957.

Michal Palzewicz

Michal Palzewicz has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, both as a soloist and ensemble player. He has performed to great acclaim at prestigious venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in NYC and Wigmore Hall in England. Michal was the founding member of the Elsner String Quartet, which earned him the Saunderson Award at the 52nd Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition and was the winner of the Young Concert Artists Auditions in Leipzig. Michal attended Warsaw Conservatory of Music in Poland and then The Manhattan School of Music where his quartet received full scholarships as well as artist-in-residence status. His teachers and mentors include the members of the Amadeus String Quartet, David Soyer, Michael Tree, Hugh Maguire, Robert Mann, Pinchas Zuckerman, and Isidore Cohen. Presently Michal teaches cello at Southern Oregon University. Michal has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, including the Juneau Symphony Orchestra and the Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed in numerous productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and many other theatres throughout the United States. Michal was thrilled to participate in Mary Zimmerman’s production of The White Snake which originated at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and went on to tour the U.S. as well as China.

Currently, Michal performs both as a solo artist (cello, violin and viola da gamba) and with two ensemble projects: Michal Palzewicz Trio – with Daniel Sherrill (guitar) and Reed Bentley (percussion); and Duo Jetté – with Pat O’Scannell (viola da gamba). The Michal Palzewicz Trio was part of the new OSF production of Much Ado About Nothing, both as performers and collaborative composers. Michal’s recordings, featuring passionate, lyrical, soaring cello lines and relaxing harmonies, can be found at music.palzewicz.com, where they are available for download or as a subscription.

Abigail Wilensky

Abigail Wilensky is a professional violinist local to the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon. She loves playing chamber music, and is excited to be part of a new strings project called the Fellowship of the Strings. She will be performing in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's production of Come From Away this year, and served as Concertmaster in their 2025 production of Into the Woods. She has served as Assistant Concertmaster and Principal Second Violin with the Rogue Valley Symphony, as well as Capellmeister and soloist with the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra. She enjoys collaborating with the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers on both violin and viola, and has served as concertmaster performing large Choral Masterworks with the Rogue Valley Chorale. She believes in the philosophy of Dr. Shin'Ichi Suzuki that all children can learn an instrument to a high level if given the proper environment, and works with kids and their families teaching violin with the Suzuki Method. She also enjoys playing many styles of music with local bands, including Tango, Romani and Bluegrass.

Katie Wasko

Katie has played the violin since she was a 5 year old girl growing up in the Twin Cities. She graduated in 2018 and has a degree in Music Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has been a tenured violinist at the Anchorage Symphony since 2015, and is currently holding the position of Assistant Principal Second Violin. Katie has enjoyed being the concert master of multiple organizations including the Anchorage Bowl Chamber Orchestra, UAA Sinfonia, Anchorage Civic Orchestra, and Kenai Peninsula Orchestra. She also enjoys performing with her folk band, the Shake City String Band, folk duo Skrimshaw, as well as many other groups in Alaska and the lower 48. In her spare time, Katie enjoys creating art, cooking, hanging out with her dog, and exploring the Alaskan wilderness. She is a brand new resident of Ashland, and would love to meet new people and perform more music.

Kris Yenney

Kris Yenney, M.M. ~ cellist, conductor, presenter, composer, educator ~ completed her Master of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and continued post-graduate studies the Juilliard School (NY), the Tanglewood Institute, the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Chisti Sabri School of Classical Indian Music (Jaipur, India). As Director and senior chamber music workshop faculty for the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestras, Kris mentored many aspiring musicians, conducted PACO on the Elizabethan Stage (OSF) touring in Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Leipzig. A sought-after free-lance player, Kris was a founding member of the cutting-edge Left Coast Chamber Ensemble of San Francisco, and has served as principal cellist for West Bay Opera, Espressivo, Midsummer Mozart, Schola Cantorum and TheaterWorks orchestras. She plays and sings with the popular Celtic and Early Music Trio, “Broceliande,” currently celebrating 26 of togetherness. Kris’s cello (and voice) can be heard on numerous recordings ranging in styles from Classical to Celtic to Jazz.

https://cellosopher.com

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Michal Palzewicz