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Born into a family of musicians in Portland, Maine, violinist Rachel Noyes has taken the classical and contemporary Bay Area music scenes by storm. Fresh off her performance at the Superbowl’s Pre Game Show with Eclecta founder Shaina Evoniuk and the Earth Harp Collective, she answers a few questions for Eclecta.
RachelNoyes-6377
How long have you been playing your instrument?
Since I was 3 years old.
Where did you attend school?
Cleveland Institute of Music, BM; University of Maryland, MM
If you could time travel, what year would you hang out in?
I would go to France in the 1910’s.
Proudest musical moment?
Participating in the Aspen Center for Advanced Quartet Studies as a member of the Chiara Quartet in 1996.
Greatest influence(s) musically?
I’m strongly influenced by Donald Weilerstein and the Cleveland Quartet, the Guarnari quartet in classical modalities, and find inspiration from many others
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A hummingbird.
Guilty pleasure pop song?
“Lovestoned/I Think She Knows” by Justin Timberlake
Other groups you’re involved with?

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Marin Symphony, California Symphony, Synchronicity Strings

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Born and raised in Ashland, Oregon, Shaina Evoniuk founded Eclecta Quartet to give the Bay Area’s most talented female musicians a stage to shine. Here, she answers a few questions about her background, interests, and guilty pleasures.

Shaina Evoniuk, violin
Shaina Evoniuk, violin

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Since i was 5 – a lady doesn’t tell how many years that is.

Where did you attend school?
San Francisco Conservatory of Music

If you could time travel, what year would you hang out in?
1969, not far from the Bay Area!

Proudest musical moment?
Playing an original composition written by one of my favorite humans ever, with 40 of my favorite friends, for a riveted audience 60,000 at the Montreal Jazz Festival.

Greatest influence(s) musically?
In no particular order: Basement Jaxx, Michael Jackson, everything the Metropole Orkest touches, Bjork, Sufjan Stevens, Led Zeppelin, Stéphane Grappelli, Stevie Wonder, and all [good] disco strings

If you were an animal, what would you be?
A white tiger

Guilty pleasure pop song?
Chandelier by Sia

Other groups you’re involved with?
Jazz Mafia, William Close and the Earth Harp Collective, Trio Menage, Magik*Magik Orchestra, Trio Cordas, and many more!