STELLAR STRINGS CAMP

July 14-18, 2025

“There’s a Fiddle Inside Your Violin! “ Guest Clinician, Barbara Wood, has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and a PhD in Polymer Science & Engineering from U. of Massachusetts. After working 30 years for DuPont in Delaware, she attended violin repair courses and started a small fiddle company without a physical store. Customizing violins is one of her favorite things and can involve decorated ebony or maple fingerboards, gluing a picture of someone’s dog inside a violin, or finding the right combination of bow and strings for special styles of playing. Taking the violins to bluegrass and folk festivals is another favorite – anyone, old or young, is welcome to try playing the violins.

“How to Play in a Chamber Ensemble” - Adriana Park, Betsy Clark, Ginyoung Park, and Mary Beth McCarrick are the Camarota String Quartet. The Quartet has provided lovely music for weddings and other special events throughout the Delaware Valley. The quartet’s repertoire consists of selections ranging from early Baroque and Classical, to contemporary pieces.

New Age Electric Violinist & Composer - Caryn Lin is a classically trained violinist who has evolved into an innovative electric violinist & composer. She has been experimenting with sound effects & electronics since 1987. Her music, is often described as magical & mesmerizing, like light traveling thru a prism. It is the transcendent marriage between melody & atmosphere. The Cherry Hill, NJ native studied with Philadelphia Orchestra's Larry Grika, & went on to earn a bachelor's degree in violin performance from Northwestern University. After graduation she studied for a brief period in Germany with violin virtuoso Suzanne Lautenbacher.
Caryn's unique music is created by using sound effects made for electric guitar, live looping, & her own pre recorded tracks. The intergalactic sounds & enchanting melodies inspire your imagination & nurture your soul. She has recently stepped into the realm of sound healing, bringing sound vibrations that are without parallel.

“Discover the Urhu” - Lingchin LiaoViolin, Suzuki, Early Childhood Music | M.M. and Professional Studies in Violin Performance, Temple University; B.M. Music Education and Violin Performance, National Taiwan Normal University. Studied violin with Helen Kwalwasser and Cindy Campetti. Additional training: Suzuki violin book 1-5, 7-8 and Gordon Institute for Music Learning Theory.
Orchestral experience: Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra, Taipei City Symphony Orchestra. At Darlington Arts Center, teaches violin private lessons onsite and runs the Outreach Suzuki Violin Program in Chester PA. Also, holds positions as part time strings faculty at The Independence School in Newark DE and The Music School of Delaware.

Kristin Nelson is an educator, strings teacher, violinist and clarinetist. She holds a B.M. in Music Education from West Chester University and is working towards her Master’s in Music Education.

She is currently the orchestra director for Upper Darby High School. Additionally, she performs with the Rose Tree Pops, the Pennsylvania Symphonic Winds, and studies violin with Cindy Campetti of Havertown, PA. In her free time she enjoys attending concerts, swimming, hiking, and reading.

Ms. Nelson has extensive experience in working with elementary level students as well. In fact, she has been part of our Musicman Camp staff since 2017. We are so excited to have her lead this new program! She believes in giving students opportunities that will inspire them to become lifelong musicians.

For young string orchestra players grades 5th - 8th

Must have 2 years of experience: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass.

Dates: July 14-18, 2025

Hours: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Location: St. Laurence Catholic Church - 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Camp Fees: In District - $225.00. Out of District - $299.00

Registration will close on June 27, 2025

All tuition payments are due on June 27, 2025.

Campers must provide own lunch.

Lingchin Liao Violin, Suzuki, Early Childhood Music | M.M. and Professional Studies in Violin Performance, Temple University; B.M. Music Education and Violin Performance, National Taiwan Normal University. Studied violin with Helen Kwalwasser and Cindy Campetti. Additional training: Suzuki violin book 1-5, 7-8 and Gordon Institute for Music Learning Theory.
Orchestral experience: Haddonfield Symphony Orchestra, Taipei City Symphony Orchestra. At Darlington Arts Center, teaches violin private lessons onsite and runs the Outreach Suzuki Violin Program in Chester PA. Also, holds positions as part time strings faculty at The Independence School in Newark DE and The Music School of Delaware.

Glenn Fischbach is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Orlando Cole and William Stokking. Following his graduation, Mr. Fischbach spent six seasons as principal cellist of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra. Now living in Philadelphia, Mr. Fischbach is active both as a teacher and performer. He maintains a private teaching studio at his home in Drexel Hill and has served as acting principal cellist with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia while performing regularly as a substitute musician with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Riley McGowan graduated from West Chester University in 2020 with degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. While at WCU, she sat as Principal Viola for the Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Riley teaches middle school orchestra in the West Chester Area School District. In addition to teaching, Riley performs with the Chester County Pops Orchestra. In her free time, Riley enjoys hiking, kayaking, and playing Mario Kart with her wife.