VIOLIN
Sarah Whitnah
I have been playing with Sphere since 2014. The most rewarding part of Sphere for me is that every new arrangement I do is a unique project, and I get the privilege of hearing it come to life and performed by musicians for who I have the utmost respect. I have a 3yr old Red-Dapple-Piebald dachshund named Banjo. My hobbies outside of Sphere include paddleboarding, baking, hiking, and general adventuring! More information about Sarah at: www.sarahwhitnah.com
Nina Fronjian
I have been playing with Sphere since 2014. For me, the connection we have with our audience, whether at a concert or outreach event, is a very rewarding part of playing with Sphere. Because of this connection, I find myself picturing how listeners will respond to all the different pieces we perform during the preparation process and that makes it feel that much more special. When I’m not playing music, I love spending time with my cats, plants, and the outdoors.
Emily Lewis
I have played with Sphere since 2011, the very first concert! Playing with Sphere is special for me because I love all the people I get to play unique and challenging music with! A hobby outside of music that I’ve been working on for a while now is sewing my own clothes, as well as embroidery. We (Dave Short and I) do have a pet cat named Bailey. He is a grumpy 18-yr-old cat with lots of personality!
Sarah Cranor
I have played with Sphere since 2018! One of my favorite things with Sphere is our outreach events: outreach with Sphere means we meet people in their spaces, and we get to interact in a unique way. I think it’s a powerful reminder that music transcends boundaries- and challenges and delights us regardless of setting. In the other side of my professional life I play the baroque violin and approach music from the lens of of historical performance. Outside of music, I’ve become really interested in pushing my comfort boundaries in long-distance running: I’ll run a 100 mile trail race in Arizona this fall!
Brune Macary
I started playing with Sphere in 2018. Sphere outreaches are very powerful because we reach an audience who would not otherwise be able to come to our concerts. Somehow the experience is more raw, and interactive. One of my favorite experiences was playing at the University of Colorado Anschutz for cancer patients. It is an immediate reward to see people lighten up, and get a reprieve from their routine. I decided to pursue a music career after I moved to the United States to study violin performance. My most influential teacher is Stephane Tran Gnoc, a french teacher whom I followed to the US to study with. I did several Summer camps with him in France and ended up doing my Bachelor's degree in performance with him. He gave me confidence as a performer, and encouraged me to express my personality through my playing. Most of the groups I play with are baroque ensembles, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Boulder Bach Festival. I love playing baroque music because it is a smaller ensemble, (a tight knit group of the same musicians, rather like Sphere) there is great energy between the players, and opportunities to shine :) A couple years ago I started writing my own songs and made 2 music videos. When I am not playing music, I enjoy backcountry skiing, backpacking and traveling with my 3 year old daughter and partner. We usually spend half of our Summers in France and Europe visiting family. Learn more about Brune at: https://www.instagram.com/ brunemsounds/
Evan De Long
I have played with Sphere for 1 full season (since 2021). I can't pick just one favorite Sphere piece to play, since I'm rather new to the group, I don't feel like I can answer this one quite yet! But I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've played so far with Sphere. It's exciting to play such a wide variety of music at every concert and I find the large chamber music aspect, with generally each of us being on our own part, to be one of the most exciting things about the music we play! The outreach component to Sphere Ensemble makes this group very special, and my experience doing an outreach event for students at El Sistema was rewarding. It was wonderful to perform for an enthusiastic audience of kids who were in the process of learning to play string instruments, and also, the kids got to perform one piece with us, which was awesome! Outreach performances also feel special for me, because my first experience listening to string instruments was at an outreach concert I attended as a kid, and is what sparked my interest in music! In addition to Sphere ensemble, I am principal 2nd violin for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, hold a section position with Boulder Philharmonic, and play as a substitute violinist for the Colorado Symphony and Opera Colorado. I also play piano, and work as a collaborative pianist for students at the University of Denver, as well as for Suzuki programs around the metro area. I also have a large teaching studio of both violin and piano students. Probably the most exciting job I had was in the summer of 2019, when I performed on a cruise ship as part of a program called Lincoln Center Stage. I played in a string quintet, and over the course of 4 months, performed about 20 different programs regularly during my contract. The musical component was super exciting, but also, I got lucky to be on an extremely exciting itinerary through Northern Europe! I got to visit over 10 countries in that region, my favorites being Norway and Iceland.
Veronica Sawarynski
I’ve been playing with Sphere since 2014. What I enjoy most about playing with Sphere is getting to play interesting music with great musicians, and to push my playing beyond the more Classical/traditional style. I find the connections we make as musicians, and with audiences, the most rewarding part of playing for Sphere. Outside of playing and teaching music, I enjoy watching my son play soccer, cheering for my daughter at swim meets, and spending as much time with family as I can. One surprising thing about me might be that I’m an identical twin.
Mary Evans
I have been playing with Sphere since 2021, and the most rewarding parts of the experience have been the relationships. The musicians of Sphere ensemble have an incredible and unique relationship with one another, with the music we play, and with our audience, whether at our regular concerts or our outreach events. These connections are at the heart of what I love about my career in music. When I’m not working, I spend most of my time cooking, reading, or knitting. I make a mean Thanksgiving dinner (it’s my favorite holiday), and if you are a regular Sphere attendee you may have seen me wearing an item of clothing I made myself.
Autumn Pepper
This is my second year playing with the Sphere Ensemble and it’s my absolute favorite group! My favorite Sphere piece that we’ve played so far has been Dave Short’s arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody because of how much fun it is! The piece is so dynamic and expressive and takes you on a journey that can make you feel so many emotions. One of my favorite aspects of Sphere is the outreach component. Making music, for me, is about connection. Through music, we seek artistic expression and when we share that with others, we create a bond of the human experience. Especially when we share our music with audiences who would be unlikely to stumble upon us, it gives me a sense of hope and purpose. My favorite outreach was when we visited a juvenile detention facility. The students there responded so positively to our music and their level of interest and engagement made me feel like I was doing something really healthy for them. It’s the best feeling to help and uplift people! While Sphere is my ensemble of choice, I also play with the Greeley Philharmonic full-time and have made appearances in most of the regional orchestras of the region. I also teach a studio of about 30 private violin and viola students! My students keep me busy and let me realize my vision of encouraging others to find their joy through music. I have a unique violin origin story: I owe it to Celine Dion and her song “To Love You More!” I come from a non-musician household but I was determined to get as good as I could be on the instrument from a young age. A few non-musical tidbits about me: I have a pet rabbit named Hubble, and I like exploring new things and going on adventures! (...One of the reasons Sphere feels like home.) Learn more about Autumn at: https://autumnpepper.wordpress.com/
Andrew Giordano
I'm pretty sure that my first concert with Sphere was in January 2019, so that would make this my 4th season playing with Sphere. My favorite Sphere piece to play is a tie between Beethoven's 7th Symphony and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Beethoven 7 is one of my favorite symphonies, and I thought that Sphere's arrangement worked really well for strings. Playing the Gershwin last season was a highlight for me because the audience seemed to really respond to it. In the original version for solo piano and orchestra, I was always envious of the pianist getting to play all the impressive flourishes and super high notes, so it was fun to get to play the piano part transcribed for strings! Performing out in the community, especially for the underserved, is one of the most important things I do as a musician. My favorite aspect of this is seeing organic reactions from the audience. I can't tell you how many times I've been amazed by an audience member's emotional response to a piece that Sphere has performed during an outreach event. I moved from Colorado to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in August 2022 to join the Beo String Quartet. The group is known for pushing the boundaries of what a string quartet is capable of, and we perform standard classical, contemporary, and crossover music. Although I love playing in Beo, I definitely miss Colorado and am happy to be back playing with Sphere! I am married to Nathália Kato, who is a fantastic collaborative pianist (I'm not biased at all), and we're expecting our baby to be born in July! I am also the proud papa of my cocker spaniel named Bella, who is now 15 years old and is in great health for her age. Read more: http://www.beostringquartet.com
VIOLA
Alex Vittal
I have played with Sphere since the second ever concert, back in 2011. My favorite Sphere piece to play is so hard to choose! I love Rhapsody in Blue because it is so iconic and has so many contrasting sections. I also really enjoyed Reena Esmail's Teen Murti because it had such interesting sounds and rhythms, and it is a lot of fun to recreate the energy and sounds of the pop songs we have done from various arrangers and time periods. Thoughts on Sphere's outreach programs: Everyone deserves to have good opportunities in life, an outlet for emotions, and the ability to have joyful and cathartic experiences with live music and art. While we do not have the capacity to provide meals or shelter, it feels good to know that by getting out in the community to share what we do in Sphere Ensemble with our neighbors, we are able to provide the conditions for powerful music-inspired emotions to flow, and perhaps catalyze positive changes for people. Performing our arrangement of Bach's Chaconne in the bone marrow transplant and oncology units of the University of Colorado Hospital at Anschutz back in 2019 was a particularly moving experience for me. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in music when I played Stravinsky's Petrouchka at a summer program in Idyllwild, California the summer before my senior year in high school. That music was so thrilling to learn, and the students came from all over the world, and the setting was beautiful. It was such an inspiration to have that experience and to visualize myself doing music as a career. Locally, I also play in Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Steamboat Symphony Orchestra, Zero Hour tango orchestra, and Highlands Square Ensemble. My most exciting musical experience was when I had the honor of conducting Yo-Yo Ma performing Bach's Air on G with students from El Sistema Colorado in a free community concert in August 2018! Outside of music… I've been baking sourdough bread for 6 years now, I have been a runner since elementary school, I enjoy skate skiing, and I am super interested in history. I love so many books, in particular anything by Ursula K. Le Guin. Recently, I really enjoyed André Alexis' Quincunx books, and Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet series.
Allyson Stibbards
I have been playing with Sphere since the spring of 2022. Alex's arrangement of "About Damn Time" by Lizzo is one of my favorites so far. His arrangements are always so fun to play because he writes great sound effects and everyone gets to have a unique and fun part. Outreach with Sphere is one of the reasons I enjoy playing with Sphere so much. The first concert I played with the ensemble, the outreach was at El Sistema Colorado. I immediately loved what I saw at the program and contacted them to see if there was any way I could be involved. I have been teaching group lessons there ever since and it has been incredibly meaningful work to me. Outside of playing classical music, I enjoy playing Irish/Scottish music, ice hockey, camping, backpacking, and hiking with my dog, Ryder. Learn more about Allyson at: https://www.allysonviola.com/
Aimée McAnulty
This is my second concert with Sphere! I am loving playing arrangements by fellow violist Alex Vittal! They are usually arrangements of popular music that I don't get to play too often so it ends up making my time with Sphere even more memorable! Connecting with our community through music is one of the most rewarding parts of any musical group. With Sphere, I was grateful to visit a juvenile detention center in Denver. It was emotional and inspiring. I am the violist of the Ivalas Quartet, we are currently based in New York City and studying with the Juilliard String Quartet while we are in residency as the Graduate String Quartet at the Juilliard School. The Takacs Quartet, Erika Eckert, Geraldine Walthers, and Yizhak Schotten have been incredible mentors in the past few years, I am very fortunate to have met such amazing players. Outside of music I am a fairly determined baker and aspiring runner...those two things go well together! I also enjoy hiking and backpacking when the weather is nice! I am excited and grateful to be playing on a beautiful instrument on loan from the Juilliard Colletion. It is a viola made by the Italian maker Giovanni Grancino in 1699. Learn more about Aimée at: Ivalasquartet.com
Aniel Cabán
I've been playing with Sphere since its very first concert back in 2011! What I enjoy most about playing with Sphere is the camaraderie between all of the members. We work hard, but it also feels like a family, and we have a lot of fun playing together. Outside of music, I enjoy traveling, going to the theater, and going on walks around my Capitol Hill/Cheesman Park neighborhood.
CELLO
Jake Saunders
My first concert with Sphere Ensemble was September 2019. What makes playing with Sphere such a special experience is the people. The community that orbits Sphere is truly incredible, both on stage and off! It's such a privilege to contribute to it. I do have hobbies outside of music! I enjoy gardening and I'm getting into climbing and trail running. Currently reading "Landmarks" by Robert Macfarlane and would recommend it. I also have hobbies inside music, like improvising and arranging music for cello quartet. My favorite thing to do in Denver is play music with Sphere Ensemble. My musical inspirations are many and tend to evolve, but recently I've been listening to Nina Simone, Dirty Projectors, Brad Mehldau, and Japanese Breakfast.
Joseph Howe
I have been playing with Sphere since 2017. Playing with Sphere is special for me because I love exploring unfamiliar repertoire with people that I love playing with. My favorite things to do in Denver are to go to the botanic gardens, the zoo, and the library with my one-year-old son!
Dave Short
I have been playing with Sphere since the very first concert in 2011! I think Sphere is special because it's unafraid to cross boundaries. We get to play all the music, in all the genres. It's never boring, and we always get to find something new. My current musical spirit animal is Caroline Shaw and her ability to freeze a moment in time in music. My physical spirit animal, Bailey, is an 18 year-old grumpus-cat, who sits on my back when my lap is off-limits during practice sessions. I am a studier of board games and my cooking style is jazz, because I don't follow recipes, but do know how to riff on a form.
Erin Patterson
I have been playing with Sphere since 2022. I love the personal ownership all sphere musicians take in creating the most rewarding concert experience possible for musicians and audience members alike! The programming is unique and varied and always a great balance of challenging and fun. I enjoy spending my time reading, baking, and getting coffee with friends! I have two rescue dogs, Lilo and Otis, who get me out on a walk every day and make it so there is never a dull moment at home! I love exploring the Denver vegan food scene and going out to eat with my husband, Paul. We actually chose the hospital for the delivery of our son based on the closeness of our favorite restaurants! When I'm not playing with Sphere, I am fortunate to be able to play with local opera companies (Opera Colorado and Central City Opera). I spend a lot of time listening to recordings of my favorite operas (mostly Puccini!) and my cello playing is heavily inspired by the greatest opera singers of the 20th century.
BASS
Kurt Melendy
I have been playing with Sphere since 2021. Sphere is a fun and collaborative ensemble to be able to play with. The high level of musicianship mixed with innovative and invigorating music selections is always a rewarding and memorable experience for me. In fact, when we are offered our contracts at the start of the season, I make sure to prioritize playing with this ensemble! Outside of performing, I enjoy weightlifting and hiking. With a free afternoon, you might find me on Mt. Sanitas! One of my favorite things to do in Denver is attend Colorado Symphony performances. Watching all the musicians collaborate on stage is truly inspiring! I am originally from Michigan and came out to Colorado in 2021 to pursue my Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Forest Greenough
I have been playing with Sphere since 2021. I really love playing with the group, as our repertoire really taps a lot into my past, and bridges the gap between what I do as a professional player and my actual listening tastes. Since I play with most of the other Sphere musicians in “traditional” settings, it is really a treat to get to play in this context where we really get to explore a huge variety of repertoire and pop arrangements. I also am very passionate about the power of music to change peoples lives, and love that a core principle of Sphere is to perform outreach to traditionally underserved communities, with my most personal and meaningful experience being with the Gilliam Youth Services Center, as music was really what “kept me on the path” in my teens. I have a pretty unusual musical background for a “classical” musician, as I spent much of my early days in music school playing heavy alt rock and later metal, then developed my early professional bass career to be about an equal split between jazz and classical. Some unusual things about me are even though I’m a university bass and music theory professor (CSU in Fort Collins), my main music tastes when I’m listening alone are modern progressive metal (Periphery, Tesseract, Leprous, Vola, Ashen, etc.) which is sometimes hard to explain the “why do you listen to that” to people. I’m also a class V whitewater kayaker, former river guide, backcountry snowboarder, and a mountain biker who gets after it, and love reading modern Sci-fi (Liu Cixin’s “three body” trilogy is one of my favorites in recent memory). Besides playing with Sphere and teaching at CSU, I also play with the Fort Collins Symphony, the Steamboat Symphony, Colorado Bach Ensemble, Front Range Chamber Players, and sub with the Colorado Symphony. I’ve been playing music for so long I can’t remember a time when music wasn’t part of my life in some capacity. Sound and timbre have affected me profoundly ever since I was a kid listening to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” wearing headphones and footie pajamas.
CONDUCTOR/VOICE/VIOLIN
Alejandro Gómez Guillén
I first joined Sphere in late 2018, thanks to an invitation from my great friend and violist Alex Vittal. He asked me to come on board as a conductor within Sphere’s unique collaborative model, and I’m now proud to serve as Music Director. One of the things I love most about Sphere is how we blur genre lines, often creating incredible mixes of rhythm, color, and joy. I also value our commitment to bringing music into communities that don’t always have access to it. That outreach is a core part of our mission, and a powerful reminder that music can resonate deeply across boundaries and circumstances. I grew up in a musical household where playing, listening, and talking about music was simply part of daily life. My parents filled our home with everything from Colombian folk music to choral works, and it wasn’t long before I was singing, playing, and eventually conducting. Looking back, I didn’t exactly decide to become a musician—it just became the way I understood the world. That love has since become a career, shaped by generous mentors and collaborators who helped me grow not just as an artist, but as a person. I currently also serve as Director of Orchestras at Arizona State University, where I lead a vibrant community of emerging artists at one of the country’s largest and most dynamic music programs. I’ve had the opportunity to work with orchestras across the U.S. and abroad, including the Omaha, Virginia, Fort Worth, West Texas, and Illinois Symphonies. Whether I’m conducting, playing, or listening, I’m drawn to artists who lead with both passion and generosity—qualities I strive to carry into every rehearsal and performance. Outside of music, I spend time trail running, reading in the social sciences, and seeking out mountains and meals worth sharing. Some of my favorite things include The Lord of the Rings, Love in the Time of Cholera, the color midnight blue, Bach fugues, Ella Fitzgerald, Nils Frahm, Punch Brothers, and the mountains of my beloved Colombia. @alejandromusick | alejandrogomezguillen.com