The musicians of Apollo’s Fire are early music artists drawn from an international pool of period-instrument specialists. Gathering in Cleveland from across North America and Europe, these musicians share a common artistic vision, shaped by Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell’s commitment to baroque music as a form of emotional communication. Ms. Sorrell invites musicians according to the specialized repertoire and instrumentation of each program. Many of these artists have been playing with Apollo’s Fire for nearly 20 years, but some of them appear only in program(s) that correspond to their instrument and/or specialty.
2022-2023 Season Roster
Musicians are listed in alphabetical order within their section category.
Core players are listed in Bold.
*Young Artist Apprentice
**Founding member
Alan Choo, Assistant Artistic Director & Concertmaster
Alan holds a Doctorate in baroque violin from Case Western Reserve University and a Master’s from the Peabody Conservatory. He is also Founder and Artistic Director of Red Dot Baroque, Singapore’s first professional period ensemble.
Olivier Brault, Principal Guest Concertmaster
A native of Montreal, Olivier holds a doctorate in baroque violin from the University of Montreal, and can be heard on over 60 CD recordings. He serves on the faculty of McGill University as baroque violin teacher.
Susanna Perry Gilmore, Associate Concertmaster
Susanna enjoys a multifaceted career as solo artist, chamber musician, and is currently the concertmaster of the Omaha Symphony. She holds degrees from Oxford University (UK) and the New England Conservatory.
Emi Tanabe, principal
Emi is a native of Japan and enjoys a diverse career performing on baroque violin as well as multicultural and jazz programs, at home in Chicago and around the country.
Chloe Fedor
Evan Few
Andrew Fouts
Carrie Krause
Chiara Stauffer
**Miho Hashizume
*Maya Johnson
Min-Young Kim
Allison Monroe
Holly Piccoli
VIOLA
Nicole Divall, principal
A native of Australia, Nicole is in demand a chamber music festivals around the U.S. As a member of the renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra for 16 years, she has performed at the major concert halls of Europe, Asia, and North America.
Yael Senamaud-Cohen
Evan Few
Kristen Linfante
Elizabeth Holzman Hagen
CELLO & VIOLA DA GAMBA
**René Schiffer, principal
A native of Holland, René was a protégé of the great Anner Bylsma, and can be heard on over 50 recordings. He holds Soloist Diplomas with honors in both modern and baroque cello and serves on the faculty of the Cleveland Institute of Music.
Rebecca Landell Reed
Mimé Yamahiro Brinkmann
Kivie Cahn-Lipman
Anna Steinhoff
CONTRABASS
Sue Yelanjian, principal
Sue is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and CIM, and performs frequently with Tafelmusik in Toronto.
Tracey Rowell
J. Tracey Mortimore
**Kathie Stewart, principal traverso
Kathie Stewart enjoys a varied career as one of the country’s leading baroque flutists and specialists in traditional Irish flute performance. She teaches baroque flute at Indiana University, and has toured internationally.
Daphna Mor, principal recorder & ney
Amy Guitry
OBOE
Debra Nagy, principal
Debra is one of North America’s leading period oboists and is also the artistic director of Les Délices.
Kathryn Montoya
BASSOON
Stephanie Corwin
CORNETTO
Kiri Tollaksen
Alexandra Opsahl
TRUMPET
Steven Marquardt
Perry Sutton
SACKBUT
Greg Ingles
Erik Schmalz
Mack Ramsey
TIMPANI
Matthew Bassett
Luke Rinderknecht
PERCUSSION
Rex Benincasa
Anthony Taddeo
PLUCKED INSTRUMENTS
William Simms, theorbo, guitar
Brian Kay, lute, guitar, oud
Anna O’Connell, harps
ORGAN
Peter Bennett
HAMMERED DULCIMER
Tina Bergmann
KEYBOARDS
**Jeannette Sorrell, harpsichord
Peter Bennett, organ