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'Good music with good friends': Viridian Strings forges musical friendships in Traverse City

Kyle Stachnik, Karisa Chiu and Joseph Skerik of Viridian Strings.
Kyle Stachnik, Karisa Chiu and Joseph Skerik of Viridian Strings.

Viridian Strings members Kyle Stachnik, Karisa Chiu and Joseph Skerik discuss their upcoming concert, “Interwoven Voices,” featuring Beethoven and new chamber music highlights in Traverse City.

Musicians Joe Skerik and Kyle Stachnik first crossed paths in the 2010s when they were students at Interlochen Arts Academy. These days, they collaborate with other talented string players in their dynamic ensemble called Viridian Strings.

With them this time is violinist Karisa Chiu joining the group for their upcoming northern Michigan recital and reception in Traverse City.

"When I was in high school, I joined the Music Institute of Chicago Academy," says Karisa Chiu. "I think that's the core essence of why I still love chamber music to this day and why I'm so thankful to be here with [Viridian Strings] to make good music with good friends."

Together as a trio, Kyle Stachnik, Karisa Chiu and Joe Skerik interviewed with IPR's Nancy Deneen and performed music in Studio A by Jean Francaix and Bela Bartok.

You can hear them live this Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. for their program "Beethoven and Beyond" in Traverse City at The Alluvion.

Music Performed in Studio A

Jean Francaix, String Trio, III, Andante

Bela Bartok, "44 Duos for Two Violins," No. 35: Ruthenian Dance

Michael Culler engineered this edition of Studio A.

Scott Clemens is IPR's digital content producer. Classical IPR's Nancy Deneen hosted this episode of Studio A.

Scott Clemens is Classical IPR's Digital Content Producer and host of Afternoon Classical.