A quick note on biographies...
Writing about yourself is hard! So, students in our high school program learn to write biographies through writing about each other. Each biography below is written by someone else in the group after an interview and multiple rounds of drafts, peer review, and revisions.
Gilbert Town Fiddlers | 2023-2024
High School
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Front Row (L to R)
Katelyn Stowe, cello Katie Dancho, cello Hallie Brinton, violin Caden Rencher, cello Charlie Pabst, cello |
Middle Row (L to R)
Grace Mollenhauer, violin Ariane Nannega, violin Oceana Anders, viola Sarah Jester, violin Tamy Brown, violin Madeline Thompson, violin Junho Park, violin Lenore Carey, viola |
Back Row (L to R)
Jenet Cole, violin Bella Giauque, violin Arianne Rencher, violin Kiyana Ghersini, violin Carsten Werner, viola Carlos Gamez, violin Kayden Karis, violin Hannah Buresh, violin Gabe Allen, violin Jameson Parker, violin Brendan Schaefer, bass |
Middle School
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Front Row (L to R)
Audrey, cello Serena, violin Willy, violin Chloe, cello |
Middle Row (L to R)
Jillian, violin Mallory, violin Natalie, violin Rylee, violin Olivia, viola Brenna, violin |
Back Row (L to R)
Roselynn, bass Elliot, viola Layla, viola Tanner, violin Maddie, viola Reegan, bass |
Gilbert Town Fiddlers | 2023-2024 | High School Biographies
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GABRIEL ALLEN, age 18, is an enthusiastic and talented senior at McClintock High School who is in his third year in GTF. He has been playing/fiddling for eight years, takes private lessons with Taylor Morris, has been in both Regionals and All-State Orchestra, was in TCMI for one year, and founded the McClintock HS fiddle club. Anyone who knows Gabe, knows that he is a dedicated friend and student, who brings good vibes everywhere he goes! When Gabe isn’t tearing it up on the violin, he likes playing video games, skating and being “a reader at heart.” Gabe’s greatest ambition in life is to become…Taylor Morris. Buuuuut, if that doesn’t work out, his alternative plan is to attend college with a major in violin performance. Gabe enjoys a wide variety of music from the classical era of Mozart, to the electric instruments and big hair of 80s Rock. We love having Gabe’s and his friendly and creative personality in GTF! With the power of friendship (and tacos), Gabe is ready to conquer the world!
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Written by: Bella Giauque
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Extremely talented 15-year-old OCEANA ANDERS plays the viola in Gilbert High’s Chamber Orchestra. She has been a violist for 5 years and is thriving in her first year as a member of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers. During her free time, Oceana loves spending her time diving into the world of fantasy literature and bonding with her precious dog, P-Nut. When she’s not outside playing soccer with her younger sister, you can most definitely catch her casting interviews and taking pictures for her school’s yearbook. A fun fact about Oceana is that she is one of the most generous members of our community; she’s a Girl Scout! After revamping an entire garden at a retirement home, she absolutely deserved the Silver Award she received for her wonderful acts of service. When she’s not playing classical music or fiddle tunes, Oceana is jamming out to Taylor Swift’s iconic albums Red or Speak Now (Taylor’s Version, of course). She is an extreme fan of history and even wishes to be a history teacher once she reaches adulthood. It’s no surprise to anyone that this is her dream job; she can tell you just about everything that happened during the French Revolution. If you’re ever lucky enough to run into Oceana, be sure to take her to the beach or Big Bear California if you want to have the time of your life!
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Written by: Tamy Brown
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HALLIE BRINTON, an amazing fiddle player, is in her senior year at Gilbert High School. Now in her 4th and final year with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, she has been playing the violin for 9 years. In addition to teaching private violin lessons, Hallie also lobes to sing and play ukulele. When she’s not playing music, Hallie is an amazing seamstress and works at Perfect Fit Alterations. Some of her favorite things are Mac and Cheese, pop icon Taylor Swift, her dog Horace, pickles, and Chick-fil-a. After graduation, Hallie will attend ASU and has dreams of one day become a mental health therapist.
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Written by: Madeline Thompson
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The Gilbert Town Fiddlers are thrilled to have violinist TAMY BROWN join us for her debut year! A senior at Gilbert High School, Tamy’s seven years of playing experience make it easy to see why she is such a talented violinist. She's a member of her school's top orchestra and has been a member of the East Valley Youth Symphony for two years. When she’s not playing the violin, Tamy can be found participating in lots of extracurriculars including the National Honors Society, being the Vice President of her school's Orchestra Council, IB Club, and her job at SwimHaus. Tamy also goes above and beyond at school, taking IB courses, some of the hardest classes at her school. In her free time, Tamy can often be found ice and roller skating, making bracelets, playing video games, reading, and playing the guitar. She is also found hanging out with her younger sister Isa, and dog Finley, who is a mini Aussie. She also loves listening to music, with her favorite singers being Laufey, a cellist turned modern jazz singer, and Kali Uchis, a RNB singer whose songs use Spanish and English in her lyrics. After she graduates high school, Tamy hopes to stay in state for college and pursue a degree in either business or finances. Some last fun facts about Tamy are that her favorite color is pink, her favorite TV shows are Breaking Bad and Shark Tank, and her favorite food is pasta. We are so excited to have fun loving, kind hearted, Tamy for her first and final year of GTF!
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Written by: Oceana Anders
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HANNAH BURESH builds an impressive and extensive musical upbringing as a junior at Desert Mountain High School. She has been playing violin for eight years and exploring fiddling for four. Always looking for more opportunities to perform, Hannah often plays for her church and seeks out fiddling gigs with her friends. This makes sense, because she loves to help others feel included, in conversation, music, or otherwise. She is also very fluent in playing guitar, viola, and ukelele - if you need a partner for any musical performance, Hannah is the one to ask! In addition to her impressive musical career, Hannah stays involved in school and extracurriculars through Club Volleyball, Advanced Placement Student Association, and other activities. High-achieving and extremely successful, Hannah is now the Head Athletic Trainer Assistant at DMHS and maintains a top GPA; she has even been invited to conferences for medicine hosted by Ivy League schools! As caring as she is hardworking, Hannah aspires to be a mom and loves helping others, hence her ambition to be a trauma surgeon for the Marine Corps. Despite her high academic standings, Hannah knows how to throw a mean party and bond with friends over her favorite musicians, including jazz fiddler Jeremy Kittel and country singer Morgan Waller. On a free weekend, she enjoys watching or reading comedic romances with a warm cup of coffee. Some of her favorites include A Walk to Remember, Twilight, and the Keepers of the Lost Cities series.
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Written by: Arianne Rencher
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Meet LENORE CAREY! She is the next big musician who wants to leave her mark on the world of music production. Lenore is a 15-year-old sophomore who is currently homeschooled. She partakes in a bit of self-study and online courses. Although this is her first year in Gilbert Town Fiddlers Lenore is already leaving quite an impression! Lenore is also gifted with many musical talents. Not only has Lenore played viola for 2 years, she has 4 years of violin, 5 years with guitar, 2.5 years of piano, and the skills to play recorder on top. She sets her sights higher as she wishes to learn the harp, along with any other instrument she comes across.
Lenore is a woman of many talents and interests: she has big wishes to achieve and she's working extremely hard to achieve them. Lenore goes to East Valley Institute of Technology for Radio and Audio production. Lenore also hosts her own radio show (88.7 The Pulse, KVIT-FM) where she DJs between songs or entertains with conversation. Outside of GTF, Lenore enjoys solving difficult puzzles and creating a variety of different music. Lenore loves working with animals while showing her purebred dogs, volunteering at local animal shelters, and breeding her very own guinea pigs (which she has won many awards for). Overall Lenore is someone who will leave a lasting impact on you, and someone you wish you could always talk to more. |
Written by: Carsten Werner
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The always energetic JENET SCOTT COLE, a senior from Casteel High School in Chandler, is now in her third year at GTF! With thirteen years of violin under her belt, she currently studies under GTF’s own Taylor Morris. In addition to the violin, Jenet is also skilled in the piano, the ukulele, and is in her school’s top choir. She enjoys listening to popular musicians such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. Beyond music, Jenet is also an excellent artist in paints and drawings. We all love to see everything that she puts out. In a group, Jenet often takes the lead, guiding us all along on her fun and thrilling ways. Jenet is a wonderfully exciting person, and everyone at GTF looks forward to seeing what she’ll do in her final year.
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Written by: Junho Park
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KATIE DANCHO is a brilliant, 17-year-old musician and dedicated senior at Hamilton High School. Cultivating a passion for music from a young age, she has pursued playing the cello for the past seven years, with four of those years studying under the guidance of her private teacher, Chris Rice. Alongside her commitment to piano for over a decade, Katie has showcased her talents by successfully auditioning and performing at her Region’s Orchestra Festival for the past two years.
Beyond her inspiring musical accomplishments, Katie is a rigorous student who values her academic career. She excels with a versatile range of abilities, from her delicate hand-building skills in her beloved ceramics class to pursuing a pilot’s license at ASU. If not immersed in her studies, Katie can be found unleashing her creativity by making jewelry or exploring her makeup artistry. You may also find her enjoying a diverse range of music, from Jeremy Kittel’s captivating jazz and celtic fiddling to The Marias’ ethereal and dreamy indie pop (as long as it’s not country)! She is an absolute delight, radiating genuine kindness that showers all those fortunate enough to be around her. Katie’s love for collaboration, improvisation, and composition shines as she returns for her third and final year with GTF! |
Written by: Sarah Jester
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CARLOS GAMEZ, 18, is an accomplished violinist at Highland High School. He plays for many orchestras and groups such as The Highland High Symphony, Orchestra, The Tetra Chamber Music Institute, and The Gilbert Town Fiddlers(GTF). For the Highland High production of Frozen, he is playing the 2nd violin part in the Pit orchestra. being selected for regionals and all state orchestra. While all that is happening he also takes lessons from Taylor Morris, who is one of the directors of GTF. He has been playing for 6 years, and has been exploring fiddle music- Though he has been playing violin for 2 years, he plays other instruments such as the piano, guitar, and ukulele. He enjoys listening to Her’s, which performs indie music, and is from Liverpool from Liverpool, England.
However, beyond the world of music Carlos loves languages. He knows both Spanish, German, and is in fact the president of the Highland high German club! Showing great admiration for these hobbies, Carlos either wants to become a professional violinist or a translator. He has traveled to various places such as Mexico, California, Chicago, and so much more. He is the oldest of 3 with 2 younger brothers, his favorite color is blue, and his favorite animals are pugs, “because they are adorable.” |
Written by: Ariane Nannega
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This is KIYANA GHERSINI, the most interesting 15-year-old sophomore at Mesquite High School! She is very multitalented when it comes to music, beginning her 6th year of playing the violin, and learning several other instruments including the guitar, bass guitar, bass, viola, and piano. She has also played in a few different ensembles, including her 2nd year in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, the District Honor Orchestra, and Mesquite High’s Jazz Band. She has several achievements such as the Musicianship Award and was rated superior in the Aboda Festival three times. Kiyana, with all of her musical gifts, aspires to go into a musical career as well. She has performed in two different plays, so Broadway is always an option. In addition to all of her musical interests, Kiyana loves to crochet. She also enjoys board games, escape rooms (she is a master of escape!), music, and all different kinds of movies. Kiyana’s music taste is as diverse as she is, including artists such as Breaking Benjamin, Lindsey Stirling, and other rock and pop groups. Kiyana is always open and friendly, making her an amazing person to talk to if you need a friend!
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Written by: Katelyn Stowe
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Jumping onto the scene is violinist BELLA GIAUQUE, who brings fresh and exciting energy to the GTF community. Bella is 16-years old and currently a junior at Highland High School. She has a long history with the violin, having been playing for 13 years! This isn't Bella's first rodeo, however, as she’s been playing fiddle music for just over seven years. Bella has been working with Suzie Collier as her private teacher for just over three years. The skills she has developed with her teacher have led her to win the American Protege Competition, which then led her to play at one of the most prestigious venues ever: Carnegie Hall! She has also participated in the Regional Orchestra festival for the past two years. Bella is also very involved in the United Sound program at Highland; United Sound is a music program that offers playing opportunities and music education to students with special needs, and Bella has been a part in teaching these students. Bella recalls that she played with a famous Brazilian pop star when she was young (although she can't remember who it was). Outside of violin, Bella continues to engage with the fine arts in other ways, such as through dance. Currently, Bella dances at her high school’s dance program, and she’s also in the Rhythmic Dance Company outside of school (she loves to dance to hip hop ,contemporary, and jazz!). Outside of her very musical life, Bella loves to hike, swim, and hassve fun with her five cats, two dogs, and four birds - talk about an animal lover! Some of Bella's favorite artists are Taylor Swift, AJR, and Half-Alive, the latter two of which are popular pop and alternative bands!. GTF is so excited to have Bella join us this year, and her skill and experience will prove to be an inspiring asset to this group!
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Written by: Gabriel Allen
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We are delighted to introduce the incredible violinist SARAH JESTER, a junior at Basha High School, to her first year in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers! Sarah has been playing classical violin for five years, with experience in solo, chamber, and full orchestra work. She first took lessons with GTF alumna Olivia Breen, and for the past 2.5 years she has been learning from Taylor Morris. Since last year, she has participated in Tetra String Quartets, and she applies that experience to her school orchestra, forming quartets with her friends and performing in the orchestra concerts. Additionally, she has been accompanying her school’s choir on the violin since her sophomore year. Sarah contributes to her orchestra as the council’s Media Historian, attending all musical events at school and doing photography for the Basha Orchestra Instagram page. Last year she proudly earned her spot at the Regional Orchestra Festival for the first time! For Sarah, “music is everything.” While she makes a quiet first impression, you’ll find Sarah to be a kindhearted girl who is always caring for her peers. In her free time, she enjoys driving around town with her friends or spending time with her army of pets: three cats, three dogs, and a snake! She has exciting plans to double major in violin performance and computer science. Sarah has already made an incredible impact in GTF with her fresh musical ideas and her warm character, and we can’t wait to work with her more!
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Written by: Katie Dancho
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There are few people like the talented KAYDEN KARIS, currently a senior at Highland High School. Although only 17-years-old, this 4-year member of the Gilbert Town Fiddlers has been playing the violin and fiddling for eight years. Kayden is involved in his school orchestra and has advanced through Tier II of the Arizona Music Educators Association Solo & Ensemble Competition two years in a row. Don’t be fooled, however; his musical abilities don't stop there. He is a skilled beatboxer and will make anyone jealous with his groovy kazoo voodoo.
Many would say Kayden’s hobbies make him a refined individual. He is a member of a D&D group, loves action movies, is a fan of LEGO, and has extensive experience with his favorite video game, Smash Bros. Of note is his impressive array of favorite music genres. A self-proclaimed “Swiftie”, you can find everything from classical and fiddle to rap and hip hop on his playlists. Kayden’s most impressive accomplishment, however, might be his friendly smile and positive attitude towards everyone he meets. Kayden prioritizes his education and is a jack of all trades. Although his favorite subject is English, he is accomplished in all areas, having earned a spot on the honor roll every consecutive year since the fourth grade, and is a prominent member of his school’s Japan Club. After graduating, his love for music will drive him to explore the world of music production, where he hopes to become an audio engineer for live events. Not surprising because, for Kayden, “music is life.” |
Written by: Caden Rencher
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The Gilbert Town Fiddlers are welcoming back GRACE MOLLENHAUER for her fourth and final year! This 17-year-old sociable and energetic senior from Highland High School began her violin journey 11 years ago, with Heidi Wright as her teacher. Her love of fiddling began in middle school when she saw GTF performing during one of their school tours. In addition to fiddling, she enjoys other forms of music as well, particularly classical music, and is a part of her school orchestra and choir as well. Her favorite musical group to listen to is the folk string quartet “The Fretless”.
Outside of her music life, Grace enjoys gardening and acting, and is interested in nursing and architecture. One of her favorite activities is reading and writing, and she even attended a writing camp for two years. She is very creative, and is always thinking of new ideas that she could add to a book. She loves her large family which consists of her parents, 5 younger siblings, and two dogs. She is also talented academically, and is a member of NHS and a Golden Scholar, which is a recognition in her district for top grades.. After high school, Grace plans to put this hard work to good use by studying forensic science and joining the FBI. |
Written by: Charlie Pabst
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ARIANE NANNENGA, a remarkable and versatile young violinist, is embarking on an exhilarating musical journey as she explores a new style of violin playing in her first year with the Gilbert Town Fiddlers! Currently a freshman at Gilbert High School, she is not only excited to experience her first year as a high schooler and fiddler, but is also looking forward to see what the next few years have in store for her. Ariane holds a position within the Symphony Orchestra at her high school, participates in a church ensemble, and was selected to be part of the esteemed District Honor Orchestra during the 2023 school year. Having played for five years, Ariane currently studies violin with Christy Porter, who has helped her expand her artistic horizons. Ariane's classical musical background has fueled her curiosity to explore the world of fiddle music, allowing her to develop a dynamic and diverse musical palette.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Ariane finds comfort in contemporary artists such as Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Nicki Minaj. Their music resonates deeply with her and serves as a creative influence in her own musical endeavors. Ariane also loves listening to 90s rock in her free time, jamming out to bands from this decade whenever she wants. Looking ahead, Ariane envisions a future as a jeweler, aspiring to establish her own jewelry business. In addition to her musical talents and entrepreneurial aspirations, Ariane's life is adorned with intriguing facets. She has had the opportunity to experience the beauty of France, nurturing her adventurous spirit. Furthermore, Ariane possesses the remarkable gift of 20/20 vision, enhancing her ability to perceive the world with clarity and precision. Looking forward to her first year here in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, she is excited to see what the next few years have in store for her! |
Written by: Carlos Gamez
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CHARLIE PABST is an incredible cello player and has played enthusiastically for twelve years. He’s a 16-year-old junior at McClintock High School, and learning from his private teacher Wesley Skinner. He’s been a part of his school's orchestra, Phoenix Youth Symphony, and even pit orchestra for two musicals: The Addams Family and Spongebob. He is super eager to play in GTF this year and is very curious about how things work. Charlie loves to play club volleyball, but he also participated in McClintock's clubs of golf, chess club, and dive for sports. After high school, Charlie said he'd like to be an engineer.
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Written by: Grace Moellenhauer
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JUNHO PARK, 17, is currently a senior at Desert Vista High School. This will be their 11th year playing violin and they are excited for their first year at GTF! Junho has been enjoying acting as concertmaster in their school symphony. Alongside violin, Junho loves to play trumpet in jazz band! When not enjoying music, Junho can be found bird watching as part of their school's ornithology club. After high school Junho plans on studying atmospheric science at Washington University. We are so excited to have Junho in the Gilbert Town Fiddlers this year!
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Written by: Jenet Cole
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The Gilbert Town Fiddlers is proud to have JAMESON PARKER, a 15-year-old violinist and musician from Herberger Young Scholars Academy, for his third year fiddling. He is very accomplished in school and his performance, having played his violin for over 12 years, in addition to piano for 9 years! Some of his favorite artists and songs include Bach’s Prelude in D Major for unaccompanied cello, Starset (Hard Rock Band), Kody West, and various other rock and classical bands. In addition to taking math and business classes from ASU, he enjoys competing in the Science Bowl, National Trivia Competition, and American Math Competition to learn more all the time. His final aspiration however is to get into a top school like Oxford and study abroad to become an economist. Jameson Parker is hard working, genius-level in mathematics, creative, fun-loving, and gifted in violin playing. The Gilbert Town Fiddlers are fortunate to have him playing this year!
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Written by: Brendan Schaefer
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Meet ARI RENCHER, a 13-year-old freshman at Red Mountain High School, whose passion for the fiddle is as impressive as her diverse musical talents. With five years of violin experience, she added fiddle to her repertoire last year, mentored by Taylor Morris for a year and a half. Ari's musical prowess extends to the viola, piano, harp, ukulele, and guitar. Ari had the opportunity to perform as a key member of the Junior Honors Fiddlers Orchestra in Mesa, she captivated audiences with her melodies as a part of this major ensemble. Beyond music, she's a dedicated dancer at Ballet Etudes, exploring jazz and contemporary ballet as a life long pupil of the physical art. Intriguingly, Ari combines her artistic flair with a keen interest in biomedical sciences. In her free time, Ari seamlessly transitions between dance and fiddle, embracing high-energy activities like biking. As if it wasn’t already enough, she's also a skilled dessert chef. Her favorite books include Percy Jackson, Kingdom Keepers, and Ergon. Looking ahead, Ari envisions a future studying engineering at either BYU or ASU, blending her scientific and creative passions into a harmonious symphony of success.
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Written by: Hannah Buresh
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Please give a warm welcome to 16-year-old CADEN RENCHER! He is a junior from Red Mountain High with nine years of cello knowledge, which only gets better courtesy of his private teacher Melanie Yarger, and two years of fiddle expertise. He has even admitted to dabbling in a little piano. The music world became familiar with his talents from his school district’s regional orchestra, successfully performing for solo and ensemble, and becoming a member of the Mesa Millennial Choirs and Orchestra. In addition to music, Caden is also on his school’s swim team, competing to reel in the trophy for Red Mountain High.
When Caden finds time in his day, he aspires to be a pilot. Caden is very vocal about his love for planes and he enjoys learning facts about the world, so it’s almost perfect that his interests go hand in hand! When Caden finds time to relax, he enjoys many leisurely activities. For example, you could find him playing a video game such as Minecraft or Lego City Undercover. He also enjoys kicking back and watching Brooklyn 99 or Top Gun Maverick with some lasagna. Or sometimes just some nice classic rock from ACDC, or Bon Jovi allows Caden to relax after a long day. |
Written by: Kayden Karis
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GTF is extremely excited to have BRENDAN SCHAEFER, a 14-year-old freshman at Campo Verde High School, who is a bassist with a passion for music, gaming, and robotics. Having immersed himself in the world of music for several years, Brendan has dedicated himself to mastering the bass, participating in StringPlay string camp every summer since he started learning three years ago. Not only does he excel in bass, but Brendan also showcases his musical prowess on the guitar, tackling complex pieces by Bach and exploring various genres, with the exception of lead guitar- he prefers to play rhythm.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Brendan is a strategic thinker, actively engaging in the Chess Club for half a year and contemplating joining the robotics team to further expand his technological skills and further himself towards his dream job, being a roboticist. Despite his busy schedule, Brendan finds solace in reading and indulging in video games, where he draws inspiration for his creative pursuits. A former viola player, Brendan's dedication to music has earned him the esteemed "Budding Composer" award at StringPlay, the first step towards ambitious composition projects. Currently, he is engrossed in crafting a sprawling multi-part arrangement, incorporating a diverse range of instruments into his arrangement. Brendan's music taste is as diverse as his hobbies, from the melodies of Taylor Swift to the soundtracks of video games (especially Minecraft), reflecting his dynamic personality and diverse interests. Whether he's jamming to a bass sonata or strategizing his next chess move, Brendan Schaefer continues to impress with his boundless creativity and amazing bass riffs. |
Written by: Jameson Parker
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KATELYN STOWE, a 15 year old sophomore at Gilbert Classical Academy, started cello 5 years ago and was already deep into her 10th year of playing piano! This is her first year exploring fiddle and her first year being in GTF! What inspired her to join was the experience and practice of different styles of music. She takes cello and piano lessons from Sarah Langford. Katelyn has many diverse activities in school. She likes to play volleyball and run track because she likes to play athletic sports. She is also on the GCA Student Council, participates in the Future for Doctors club, and has even performed in 7 plays. She has always had an interest in fossils and plans on being an architect. Katelyn loves alternative music, especially her favorite band called 5 Seconds of Summer. GTF is so grateful to welcome Katelyn!
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Written by: Kiyana Ghersini
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MADELINE THOMPSON couldn’t be more ready to join the Gilbert Town Fiddlers high school group this year! A recent GTF middle school program graduate, Madeline has been playing the violin for six years and studies under Rachael Platt. She’s now a sophomore in the Heritage Gateway Orchestra, but playing the violin isn’t the only thing she excels at. The viola and piano are two other instruments she plays. You will often find Madeline in the outdoors, usually hiking and listening to country music. She’s hiked Flat Iron, along with many other tough trails. Madeline is family-oriented and loves her two younger sisters and fish. With hopes to be a lawyer one day, she has the good grades and stacked college credits to get there. We couldn’t be more excited for the talented and ambitious Madeline Thompson to be a part of GTF this year!
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Written by: Hallie Brinton
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Gilbert Town Fiddlers is beyond stoked to announce CARSTEN WERNER’s return for his second year with the ensemble. Gregarious and quick-witted, Carsten is guaranteed to make you smile big. This junior at ASU Prep Digital has been studying the viola with Dr. Jeff Norman for over fourteen years– nearly his entire lifetime! Prior to joining GTF, Carsten participated in Metropolitan Youth Symphony for seven years, where he discovered his affinity for the fiddling tradition. Although he is highly skilled on his instrument, Carsten is deceptively humble and always gives encouragement to everybody around him. When he is not at GTF, he can be found cooking for his family, taking up new sports (ping-pong is one of his favorites), and practicing the guitar. A not-so-secret passion of his is traveling the world: Carsten has explored many countries, but his favorite place to visit is Japan. Carsten would assure you that the most beautiful place in the world is the Japanese countryside, famous for its cherry blossom forests. Despite his light-hearted personality, this goofball takes helping others very seriously. After graduation, Carsten plans on completing his music therapy degree at ASU. Welcome back to Gilbert Town Fiddlers, Carsten!
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Written by: Lenore Carey