Cello
Maclean Pachkowski
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Cellist Maclean Pachkowski started playing the cello at the young age of 3, under the teaching of John Kadz at the Mount Royal Conservatory in Calgary Alberta Canada. Entering the Academy program for gifted young musicians, Mr. Pachkowski’s career as a cellist started with local recitals and performances in festivals. He also has passed the Grade 8 piano exam of RCM. Recently he has been awarded the top prize in the Canadian Music Competition for strings, performed as a soloist at numerous events including: The Feast of Sound and Song and Kiwanis stars of the festival. Mr. Pachkowski has been a provincial winner at the Alberta music festival and has been a guest CD recording artist with Kings Choir as well as playing on the soundtrack for the award winning documentary film “The Drop box.”
Venturing out into the Musical world as principal cellist of the Calgary Youth Orchestra, he has toured Germany, Austria, and Spain. Studying abroad, Maclean graduated from the EAMA music academy in Paris, where he studied alongside faculty from Julliard school of music and the Paris Conservatory. He currently studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the instruction of Jennifer Culp. Praised for his sound and colorful interpretations, Mr. Pachkowski has attracted many with his playing. In his time off Maclean enjoys mountaineering with his dog, fly-fishing, and playing Hockey. |
Stephanie Li
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Stephanie Li is an Australian cellist whose passion for music has led her all over the world. She began playing the cello when she was nine years old, and just a year later she won First Prize in her age division at the Gold Coast Eisteddford. Stephanie was selected to perform as featured soloist with the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra when she was twelve. She achieved a Distinction as Associate of Music in 2010, and a year later was awarded her Licentiate of Music from the Australian Music Examinations Board. In 2016, she graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with a Bachelor of Music Honours degree and recently graduated with a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
As a performer, composer, and arranger, Stephanie’s music experience ranges from early Renaissance music to contemporary pop and classical. She has toured with the Royal Northern College of Music session orchestra abroad, performed as principal cellist of various college symphony orchestras, arranged music for cello ensembles, and improvised on stage. Stephanie is also experienced playing on Baroque and modern instruments and bows. Her teaching draws from her wide range of performing experiences, and she enjoys inspiring and encouraging her students to discover their passions for music. Outside of music, Stephanie enjoys food and being outside! Last season, she played as catcher for one of the SF Social Softball teams and you can see her around San Francisco on weekends, sampling the many restaurants the city has to offer. |
Dan Chang
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Dan Chang started playing cello at the age of 9, under the teaching of Rebecca Sjogren at a local music studio. He played piano a few years prior to the cello. Dan has a hidden talent that he was born with called, perfect pitch. His first performance was playing in a school talent show when he was in Grade 4. In 2006, Dan began studying with Alexander Badalov, whom he studied with for over 8 years. His career continued to grow as he played in group recitals, festivals and high school orchestra.
When Dan was in college, he studied cello at Sonoma State and UC Santa Cruz. His teachers included, Judiyaba, Saeunn Thorsteindottir and Vanessa Ruotolo. Dan played in orchestras, chamber music groups and opera productions. In 2016 at UCSC, Dan auditioned for the concerto competition with Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations on a Main Theme. Dan graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2017 with a B.M. in Music Performance in cello and with a cum laude honors. Dan continues his music career today by performing in multiple orchestras including Oakland Civic Orchestra, Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra, Solano Symphony Orchestra. Dan is also a freelance musician which he performs in theater productions, chamber music groups, private events and weddings. When Dan is not performing music, he likes to spend time cooking, riding his bike, hanging out with family. |
Abigail Monroe
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Abigail Monroe is a performer and educator, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at
the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in cello performance under the instruction of Jennifer Culp. She has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and large ensemble musician in venues across the United States. As a San Francisco resident, Abigail performs frequently throughout the entirety of the Bay Area as both a classical cellist and vocalist. She has served as both Principal cellist and Assistant Principal cellist of the SFCM Orchestra, as well as the Miami Summer Music Festival Symphony Orchestra. In the vocal world, she is currently an active member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. She has served as a choral soloist on multiple occasions in pieces ranging from Vivaldi’s Magnificat to the works of living composers. As the winner of the Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition, a competition for New Mexico based artists, in 2019, Abigail was also featured as cello soloist performing Sir Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the New Mexico Philharmonic. |