Lianna Elmore - Violin

Lianna Elmore has established herself as a formidable performer and educator, harnessing her strong roots in the Fresno music community. Coming from a musical family, she began studying violin at age 5 with her mother, Cynthia Stuart and went on to study with her aunt, Claudia Shiuh, principal violist of the Fresno Philharmonic. Through college Ms. Elmore has worked under the mentorship of Jassen Todorov and Dr. Limor Toren-Immerman, and has participated in master classes with Guillaume Sutre, Corey Cerovsek, Vadim Gluzman, and Rachael Barton Pine among other artists. She spent a year studying chamber music with the Alexander String Quartet at San Francisco State University and earned her B.A. and M.A. in violin performance at Fresno State where she acted as concertmaster of the orchestra from 2015-2016 and helped found the Fresno State New Music Ensemble.

Throughout her education Ms. Elmore has earned various accolades, including first prize in the 2011 Hildred Minich competition, first prize in the 2012 ASTA Regional Solo competition, and second prize in the 2017 Bell T. Ritchie competition. In 2013 she was selected to be the featured soloist in the Orpheus concert series, “The Next Generation”, at the inaugural concert.

As a professional, Lianna has built a career in chamber music, orchestral music, and music education. She has been a member of the Fresno chamber music group, Moment Musical, since 2012. She recently won a seat in the Fresno Philharmonic first violin section in 2017 and plays with other orchestras in California such as the Sequoia Symphony and King’s Symphony. She has also expanded her experience to other musical genres, often performing with her eclectic gypsy rock band, Before Perils. Ms. Elmore enjoys teaching in many different arenas. She has a growing private studio, is the coordinator and head instructor for the Accent on Access Violin Program, coaches for the Youth Orchestras of Fresno, and acts as a string tech for Clovis East High School, Clovis West High School, Reyburn Intermediate, and Kastner Intermediate.

Erin Adams - Violin

Erin Adams has performed as a violinist throughout California with the Stockton Symphony, Pro Arte Symphony Orchestra, Townsend Opera Players, and the Fresno Philharmonic. She has served as Concertmaster of the Sequoia Symphony and California Opera, and in principal positions with the St. John's Chamber Orchestra and Fresno Grand Opera. Ms. Adams performs chamber music programs regularly and is a founding member of the Tower Quartet. She has performed on various stages including Carnegie Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, Walt Disney Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.

Ms. Adams received both her Bachelor’s and Graduate degrees with the distinction of Magna Cum Laude from Fresno State University, studying violin performance under the mentorship of Dr. Limor Toren-Immerman. She has performed for and with some of the music worlds' preeminent performers and pedagogues, including Vadim Gluzman, Paul Kantor, Rachel Barton Pine, Guillaume Sutré, Grigory Kalinovsky, Leor Maltinski, and Federico Agostini.
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From 2011-2014 Ms. Adams was instrumental in developing and implementing the Fresno-based Accent on Access after school violin program based on the El Sistema method. She currently maintains a private studio of 25 violin and viola students, and is a founding member of the Camerata Academy of Fresno along with colleagues Yuliya Hess, Kelvin Diaz Inoa, and Matthew Smoke. Many of Ms. Adams’ students hold principal chairs in their school orchestras as well as in the Youth Orchestras of Fresno and FOOSA, and have had the opportunity to perform in festivals, recitals, and master classes throughout the country

Matthew Smoke - Viola

Matthew Smoke, a native of Fresno, California, is a highly accomplished violist. With a diverse range of experiences spanning orchestral, chamber, educational, and solo performances, Matthew has established himself as a prominent figure in the classical music community. 

During his formative years, Matthew's musical journey began with remarkable achievements. He earned principal positions in esteemed ensembles such as the FMCMEA Honor Orchestra, CODA All-State Orchestra, and the Youth Orchestras of Fresno. He also had the honor of receiving a Command Performance award in the CMEA Solo/Ensemble festival during his high school years. 

Continuing his pursuit of musical excellence, Matthew is currently pursuing his Bachelors degree at California State University, Fresno. He studies under the guidance of Dr. Limor Toren-Immerman while having previously studied with Michael Chang. 

Matthew's orchestral contributions are noteworthy. He serves as the Principal violist of the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra and is a regular section substitute for the Fresno Philharmonic. Notably, he has even assumed the role of substitute Assistant Principal with the Fresno Philharmonic. Additionally, Matthew holds the position of Principal in the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his leadership and musicality in the orchestral setting. 

Passionate about chamber music, Matthew is a founding member of The Tower Quartet. This vibrant string quartet focuses on enriching the community through captivating chamber music performances. They have performed and premiered over 10 new compositions, including commissions, by living composers residing in the central valley including Dr. Bryce Cannell, Dr. Benjamin Boone, and Dr. Kenneth Froelich among others.  They have engaged in educational outreach programs in Fresno, Clovis, Auberry, and even Philadelphia. In 2020, The Tower Quartet had the privilege of collaborating with the Alexander String Quartet at the Yehudi Menuhin Chamber Music Seminar and Festival. Matthew's expertise extends to coaching young string quartets, nurturing the next generation of chamber musicians. As a chamber musician, Matthew has had the privilege to share the stage with internationally renowned artists such as Hatem Nadim, Rei Hotoda, Dr. Limor Toren-Immerman, and Erika Raum among others.  

As an educator, Matthew shares his knowledge and passion with aspiring musicians. He serves as the University High School Strings Coach and Half-Day Faculty for the FOOSA summer festival. Additionally, he maintains a private studio of young students, guiding and inspiring them to develop their musical abilities. 

Emma Hill - Cello

Emma Hill is an accomplished cellist who has a rich experience as a chamber musician and orchestral player. Raised in Fresno, she began taking cello lessons at age 9 and has been a student of Dr. Thomas Loewenheim since middle school. She was a member of the Youth Orchestras of Fresno and Fresno Madera Counties Music Educators Association Honor Orchestras, winning principal positions in both. After graduating from Clovis West in 2016, Emma attended Rice University for one year as an Earth Science major before transferring to Fresno State to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music performance.

Ms. Hill has participated in many festivals including Domaine Forget de Charlevoix, Borromeo, Cremona International Music Academy, Sierra Academy of Music in Mammoth Lakes, California, Cello | Fresno International Cello Festival, Music in the Mountains in Durango, Colorado, and the Fresno Opera and Orchestra Summer Academy. She has performed in masterclasses for the Alexander String Quartet, Brinton Smith, Johannes Moser, Philippe Muller, Emilio Colón, Mark Kosower, Csaba Onczay, Lynn Harrell, and more. Ms. Hill has won numerous awards, including the local Fresno ASTA competition in 2018 and 2020, and the senior division of the California ASTA 2018 State Solo Competition. She made her solo debut with orchestra performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 as winner of the 2018-2019 Fresno State Concerto Competition.

An active chamber musician, Ms. Hill played with the Fresno State Piano Quartet and was appointed cellist of the Tower Quartet in December 2022. As an orchestral player, she has served as principal cellist of the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs with the Fresno Philharmonic and Sequoia Symphony. She has been teaching privately since 2019 and has been a cello coach at University High School, Clovis North, and Clovis East. Ms. Hill graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fresno State in May 2021 and earned her master’s degree in cello performance from Fresno State in May 2023. She has been Professor of Cello at Fresno City College since August 2023.