Southwest Ohio
Serving Dayton, Cincinnati, and Northern Kentucky
Whether at the Dayton Art Institute, the Cincinnati Zoo or anywhere in between, we love seeing the delight on the faces of your guests as they take their seats and enjoy the music you carefully selected. As musicians, we love performing of course, but performing a curated set-list that we know has special meaning for our clients is so delightful!
Southwest Ohio Featured Musicians
Pendra founded Viva la Strings in 2008 to provide more paying performance opportunities for local musicians and to offer more access to quality music to our community. Pendra also volunteers with the Wright State University Symphony Orchestra manages the strings for the Worship Orchestra at Fairhaven Church in Centerville, Ohio. Pendra holds a Bachelor of Music from Indiana State University, and is a former member of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra in Terre Haute, IN.
Violin
Pendra Lee Snyder
As a classical musician, JulieAnn has performed internationally in backing orchestras for artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Andy Williams & Marilyn Horne and has won numerous performance awards. Currently she sings with Signs of Life: The Essence of Pink Floyd. She has over 20 years experience as an orchestra director in public schools and is an adjunct professor of Upper String Pedagogy at the University of Dayton. JulieAnn also enjoys her work at Fairhaven Church as the 1st Violinist for the Classics Service quartet.
Julieann Bernard
Violin/Viola/Vocals
Julia Bonfield
Julia is attending Cedarville University as a Music Education Major. While she is still young in her music career, she has compiled an impressive resume' of performances including 24 recitals, 50 concerts, pit orchestras, and various solos/ensembles for churches, weddings, and nursing homes. She plays first violin in the 40 member Cedarville University orchestra, as well as plays weekly with her church, First Baptist Church of Kettering, orchestra and frequently plays special events for Fairhaven Church in Centerville.
Violin
Leslie Dragan
Violist and violinist Leslie Dragan has been a member of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra since 2010. She holds music degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music, achieving a Master’s Degree from the latter. Primary teachers include Lynne Ramsey of the Cleveland Orchestra and John Graham, renowned chamber musician and pedagogue. She has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, New World Symphony, Canton Symphony Orchestra, and Akron Symphony Orchestra.
Violin/Viola
Eugine Fortier
Eugene Fortier’s degree is in Classical Guitar, but Jazz, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass and Country are among his performing genres’. He joined Viva la Strings as both a Soloist and as a member of our Guitar, Violin and Cello Trio ensemble. Whether a Classical acoustic solo guitar evening or an upbeat rocking party scene, Eugene’s versatility brings a level of skill and talent that will impress your guests!
Guitar
Joel Thompson
Joel Thompson received his degree in music performance from Wright State University as a cellist. Shortly after graduation he began an apprenticeship with Linda Shortridge building violas da gamba. From there he moved to Chicago to complete a three year program at the Chicago School of Violin Making. Joel is currently working for the Baroque Violin Shop in Cincinnati, Ohio and has a personal studio for instrument making in progress. In addition to Viva la Strings, Joel plays at Fairhaven Church with the Classics Worship Strings Quartet.
Cello
Meredith Depew
Meredith grew up in Michigan and spent several summers working at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She attended Cedarville University where she received her bachelor’s in music education. After college, she taught at Oakwood City Schools as their orchestra director. She currently stays home with her three boys, while teaching private lessons from her home and playing for Viva la Strings and churches in the area.
Cello
Olivia Guetle
Olivia is a native of Mansfield, OH and, since the very beginning of her career in cello, has always had a passion for ensemble and orchestral playing. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Art in Cello Performance degrees in 2013 from Wittenberg University. Olivia then earned her Master's in Cello Performance from Wright State University in 2015.
Cello
