The ACC String Quartet will be performing a live stream concert on Thursday, July 29, 2021 7:30pm in the Recital Hall on the newly renovated Highland Campus. Watch the live stream!
The ACC String Quartet is a diverse group of musicians whose goals are to perform chamber ensemble repertoire. Formed in the 2021, the members consist of academic and continuing education students who are dedicated to the artistry of string performance.
The repertoire includes:
Divertimento in F Major – KV.138…………………………………………. Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart
Love’s Greeting “Salut d’Amour” Op.12…………………………………………………………..Edward Elgar
“American” String Quartet in F Major Op. 96 No. 12 mvt.1………………………. Antonin Dvorak
Our string quartet includes:
Violin I Bethany Wharton
Violin II Tanner Hoyt
Viola Lydia Wharton
Cello Mika Syms
Bethany Wharton is a native of Austin and who has lived here her entire life. She earned her Associates Degree in Nursing from Austin Community College and now works at Seton Medical Center where she specializes in medical-surgical.
Music has always been an important part of her life. Bethany began playing the violin when she was 9 years old. She has always enjoyed making music with others and has participated in various quartets and orchestras throughout middle school and high school.
However, due to her focus in college, she had to step away from music until she discovered Austin Community College’s new instrumental music program. She enrolled as a Continuing Education student and started playing Viola with the String Quartet in Spring of 2021. This summer, she has taken the role of the Principal Violin in the String Quartet.
Bethany has had “a lot of fun rehearsing with the quartet” and “working with Dr. Lo”. She hopes you will enjoy the first live-streamed concert at ACC!
Mika Syms is a native of Austin and will be a member of the senior class at LC Anderson High School this fall. Mika began playing the cello at the age of 11 and continues to be active as a member of the LC Anderson High School Orchestra as well as participation with the Austin Soundwaves, a non-profit youth organization dedicated to the education of string musicians.
Mika joined the String Quartet in the summer of 2021 and has made a huge impact on the chamber group from the start. Her enthusiasm and passion for chamber repertoire makes her an ideal member of the group.
Mika currently studies with Frank Jenkins, and intends to study Music Education in college.
Tanner Hoyt is a native of Alexandria, Louisiana and moved to Austin to study with Contemporary Jazz Guitarist and Austin Community College’s Jazz Guitar and Combo teacher Jacob Wise.
Tanner began his musical career in the in middle school where joined the string program, hoping to become a guitarist and while learning how to play violin. His musical career thrived as the concert master of his high school orchestra. He continued to expand his experience through local youth orchestras in Louisiana.
At the age of 21, Tanner moved to Austin to pursue jazz guitar and began performing with jazz fusion and hip-hop groups. Tanner hopes to continue his tutelage with Jacob Wise and his playing career after he graduates from Austin Community College.
Lydia Wharton
Lydia Wharton was born and raised in Austin and is currently an undergraduate student at The University of Texas at Austin. She started her education at Austin Community College in 2017 and transferred to the University of Texas majoring in Physics.
Lydia began playing viola at the age of 12 and was a member of the Austin Youth Orchestra. In her spare time, Lydia enjoys playing the guitar and Reddit lurking and learning theoretical physics, “as normal people do”.
Lydia joined the Austin Community College String Quartet in the summer of 2021 and is a valuable member of chamber ensemble program.