ANNE CHERCHALI
Anne Cherchali, French violinist and cellist grew up in a musical and multicultural family. She started taking violin lessons at age 6. She began the cello in her early teens, when her high school orchestra teacher gave her an old cello that the school was going to discard, and encouraged her to learn this instrument as well. Anne later graduated from the National Conservatory of Music of Nancy, France, with honors in Violin Performance, Cello Performance and Chamber Music, while pursuing a Masters Degree in Economics, Actuarial Science and Statistics at the same time. During her college years, she entered some international music competitions and attended numerous master classes and summer programs such as the Nice International Music Academy, the Guerande International Festival and the International Mirecourt Strings Academy. Before moving to the US, Anne worked as a freelance artist and played in a number of European orchestras including the Lille National Orchestra, the Geneva Symphony (Switzerland), the Ile-De-France National Orchestra and the Paris Opera Orchestra.
An avid chamber music player, she also participated in a variety of quartet and trio recitals in Europe. Now a busy mother, Anne spends most of her time these days taking care of her family and working as a consultant and actuary. In her spare time, she maintains a small studio of hand-picked string students, and teaches violin and cello at the Beverly Vista Middle School. Two of Anne’s children are members of the Westside Youth Orchestra, and because of Anne’s rich background in music, the orchestras’ director invited her to join the artist faculty and help coach the cello section on Wednesday rehearsals. In addition to being a musician, Anne loves photography, hiking, skiing, cycling and spending time with her family.
SASHA CHANDLER
Violinist Sasha Chandler is a performance and recording artist based in Los Angeles. Sasha attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and received her degree in Music Performance from the University of Oregon. Sasha has studied chamber music with noted musicians including Lawrence Dutton, Roger Tapping, David Salness, Mark Sokol, Jodi Levitz, the Miami Trio, and the Cavani String Quartet. Sasha has played with ensembles such as the Eugene Symphony (in the role of Assistant Principal Second Violin), the Oregon Symphony, Opera Santa Barbara, and the San Bernardino Symphony, performing with artists such as Yo Yo Ma, Gustavo Dudamel, ABBA, Itzhak Perlman, and John Williams. Sasha has over twenty years of teaching and coaching experience.
SARAH WILKINSON
Violist Sarah Wilkinson, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, began playing the violin at a young age and switched to the viola as her primary instrument at age 11 after becoming enthralled with the warm sound and timbre of the instrument. She is a member of the American Youth Symphony and has played with the Downey Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Thornton Symphony Orchestra, and the Lamont Symphony Orchestra. Sarah is also an active chamber musician and his given recent recitals with various ensembles at venues such as the Huntington Garden and ESMoA Art Museum. In past summers, Sarah has enjoyed participating in the Aspen Music Festival and School, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival, and InterHarmony International Music Festival in Italy. In addition to her career as a performer, Sarah enjoys teaching viola and violin at 88 Keys Music Academy and the Santa Monica Conservatory of Music, as well as her own private studio. She is also an artist faculty member of the Westside Youth Orchestra in Culver City. Sarah received her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the University of Denver, where she studied with Basil Vendryes and graduated Cum Laude in 2019. Sarah received her Master of Music degree and Graduate Certificate in viola performance at the University of Southern California, where she studied under Karen Dreyfus and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
DAVID RAMIREZ
David Ramirez, a Salvadoran-American fluƟst, studied under the tutelage of Heather Clark at California State University of Northridge (CSUN) and Catherine Ransom-Karoly at the University of Southern California (USC). During his studies at USC, David performed as a soloist in Narong Prangcheron’s “Absence of Time” Concerto with the USC Chamber Orchestra under the direcƟon of renowned conductor Carl St. Clair. The recording of this performance has been featured on KUSC. David is an acƟve and sought out performer with renowned ensembles such as The Downey Symphony, Whiƫer Regional Symphony, San Luis Obispo Symphony, Golden State Pops Orchestra, and Opera de Tijuana, and The SolCal Chamber Ensemble in which he co-founded. Most recently, David has been invited to become a member of Swarmius, an ensemble based in San Diego, CA, that brings forward modern music such as the premier of a new opera enƟtled ‘El Colibri Magico’. SolCal Chamber Ensemble, which David co-founded.
As an educator, David is conƟnuously advocaƟng for, developing, and strengthening the performing art community throughout the greater LA area. He is a strong believer in diversity, inclusion and providing high-quality musical educaƟon to underserved communiƟes. These values are evident in his work as a Resident Teaching ArƟst at the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA), as the winds and brass coach at Westside Youth Orchestra, and as a Flute Specialty Instructor in the Santa Clarita Unified School District. David also works at the largest flute dealer and repair shop on the west coast, Flutacious!, where he finds joy in helping each performer find their perfect flute. In his leisure Ɵme, David enjoys spending quality Ɵme with his family, his beloved dog Eliseo, hiking, and playing soccer.
