BIos of our Musicians
Krista Swider
Krista Swider
Krista Swider
(Photo by Bonnie Jordan of Bonnie Jordan Photography) Krista Broadway Swider, violin and viola, has been playing for over 30 years and graduated with a degree in Violin Performance in 2004. Krista performs on both violin and viola around Minneapolis, St Paul, and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. She enjoys playing primarily
(Photo by Bonnie Jordan of Bonnie Jordan Photography) Krista Broadway Swider, violin and viola, has been playing for over 30 years and graduated with a degree in Violin Performance in 2004. Krista performs on both violin and viola around Minneapolis, St Paul, and the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. She enjoys playing primarily for special events with various string quartets, but also concertizes with her husband, Jeremy, and often plays as a church musician for cantatas and masses. She performs in all of the Sonorous Strings Ensembles, and has been managing the group, which she formed, since 2005. Krista teaches violin, viola and chamber music and creates and sells string arrangements of pop songs.
Jeremy Swider
Krista Swider
Krista Swider
Jeremy Swider, violin, is a prolific performer in the Twin Cities and instructor at the MacPhail Center for Music, where he coordinates chamber music ensembles and has taught violin for 21 years. Jeremy has made appearances at the Fridays in the Valley Concert Series with the Broadway-Swider Duo and has performed multiple times on MacPhai
Jeremy Swider, violin, is a prolific performer in the Twin Cities and instructor at the MacPhail Center for Music, where he coordinates chamber music ensembles and has taught violin for 21 years. Jeremy has made appearances at the Fridays in the Valley Concert Series with the Broadway-Swider Duo and has performed multiple times on MacPhail Center for Music’s Spotlight Series. Jeremy is also a regular in the church music scene of the Twin Cities. He can be heard playing with the worship team at Bethel Christian Fellowship and enjoys collaborating with music director David Kozisek at Hamline Church United Methodist in Saint Paul. Jeremy has a Bachelor of Music degree in applied violin and music composition from the University of Houston and a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Minnesota, where he served as one of the concertmasters of the orchestra.
Benjamin Burgdorf
Benjamin Burgdorf
Benjamin Burgdorf
Benjamin Burgdorf, violist, performs extensively in classical, improvisational, and popular contexts. He is a tenured member of the Des Moines Symphony and has performed with numerous orchestras and string quartets. As an improviser and creator, his duo Wormwood explores improvised storytelling and interdisciplinary collaborations. In the
Benjamin Burgdorf, violist, performs extensively in classical, improvisational, and popular contexts. He is a tenured member of the Des Moines Symphony and has performed with numerous orchestras and string quartets. As an improviser and creator, his duo Wormwood explores improvised storytelling and interdisciplinary collaborations. In the pop world, he has shared the stage with Jeremy Messersmith, Dan Wilson, Dessa, and more. Burgdorf also teaches Suzuki strings through his home studio, Maple Strings. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in viola performance from the University of Minnesota and Boston University respectively.
Jacqueline Ultan
Benjamin Burgdorf
Benjamin Burgdorf
Jacqueline Ultan is a singularly creative cellist, composer & improvisor
who’s unique versatility is reflected in the diversity of her many artistic
collaborations. Jacqueline has recorded and collaborated extensively
with a wide array of local and international theater, dance, pop, rock and new music artists. The recipient of a McKnight Per
Jacqueline Ultan is a singularly creative cellist, composer & improvisor
who’s unique versatility is reflected in the diversity of her many artistic
collaborations. Jacqueline has recorded and collaborated extensively
with a wide array of local and international theater, dance, pop, rock and new music artists. The recipient of a McKnight Performing Artist
Fellowship; MacPhail Artist & Commissioning Grants; MRAC’s Next
Step Grant and a State Arts Board Arts Tour MN grant, Ultan is also a
dedicated teacher at MacPhail’s Center for Music, and holds a Masters
Degree in Performance from Yale University.