MEET THE PLAYERS
The Carolina String Society performs a large collection of classical music, vintage
favorites as well as modern pop selections.
Each member of the Carolina String Society has 18+ years of training and experience,
ensuring the utmost quality and professionalism.
Lindsay Stipe is a freelance cellist and teacher based in Durham, NC. She currently serves on the faculty of Kidznotes, a music for social change program that provides free after-school music education to kids in Durham and Raleigh, NC.
After completing a BM at UNC Chapel Hill and studying chamber music performance in Vienna, Austria, Lindsay earned her Master’s degree in cello performance as cellist of the UMass Graduate String Quartet and teaching assistant to Astrid Schween, soon-to-be cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet. She served as principal cellist of both UNC and UMass Symphony orchestras and has performed with a range of ensembles from pickup chamber orchestras in New England to the Faculty Chamber Music Series at Interlochen Arts Camp to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In addition to teaching and performing, Lindsay has also enjoyed recording for several North Carolina bands, including Lost In The Trees whose album “A Church That Fits Our Needs” was featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered. She lives in downtown Durham with her husband (Mike) and two labs (Baker and Phoebe).
Lindsay Stipe - Cello
Autumn Brand has been playing music since the age of 4, and started playing violin at the age of 9. She teaches violin at Quarter Note Music in Apex, NC.
Autumn is a first-place national award-winning composer of the MENC’s young composers competition, and is a hub of creativity on her instrument. She studied Music Composition at Central Washington University after joining the Orange County HS of the Art advanced instrumental music program where she performed for the OC Chamber Ensemble, String Ensemble, and performed with the IMSO under the baton of Christopher Russell. She has played in countless honors orchestras, string orchestras, symphony orchestras, string quartets, trios, and duos. She currently plays violin for the Raleigh Civic Chamber Ensemble, as well as the Raleigh Civic Symphony.
Aside from playing classical music, Autumn is very active in the North Carolina music scene. She plays in four local bands ranging from pop/rock to Americana/bluegrass. She writes, arranges, records, and performs all of her parts. She is heavily involved in the rock/pop/indie music scene in Raleigh, NC, and frequently provides session work in and out of the studio for local artists. She currently performs with Season & Snare, New Reveille, Modern Chorus, and Saints Apollo.
Autumn Brand -
Violin
Amaree Davis -
Violin
"I cannot remember a time in my life not playing the violin. It is literally an extension of who I am. Music is in my heart and soul."
Amaree began taking violin lessons at the age of 3 at Lenior Rhyne University under the instruction of the reputable Paula Zimmerman. She's lost count, but having played weddings and events since the age of 8, it's in the hundreds. Amaree has been a member of multiple orchestras and symphonies, including the esteemed Western Piedmont Symphony. She has also played for numerous churches, and is currently on the worship team at Hope Community Church. Amaree has also performed and recorded with several local musicians and bands across the state. Although she was classically trained, she loves playing today's most popular music, and even giving the most traditional music a modern, edgy twist.
Kaitlin Grady -
Cello
COMING SOON
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Kelly Kiel -
Viola
COMING SOON
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Brant Johnson -
Viola
Brant Johnson is a Microbiologist and freelance violist for numerous musical ensembles around the Triangle.
He is currently the principal violist of the Raleigh Civic Symphony and Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra.
He completed his undergraduate studies at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC with degrees in Biological Sciences and Viola Performance. During his time at NC State, he studied under Katie Wyatt (now Executive director of Kidznotes in Durham, NC), Anton Jivaev (Principal violist of the North Carolina Symphony, now at the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra), and Christopher Fischer (Assistant principal of the North Carolina Symphony). In addition to his role in the Raleigh Civic Symphony and Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra, Brant has performed solo and in numerous duos, trios, quartets, and small chamber ensembles throughout the Triad and Triangle.
Brant is a doctoral candidate in Microbiology at North Carolina State University, and will be receiving his PhD in May 2016. He lives with his wife, Kiersten, his daughter, Genevieve, and Golden Retriever, Link, in Raleigh, NC.