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Since 1992, the
Crystal String Quartet has been performing throughout the Texas Panhandle,
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas. Founded by four friends who desired more
opportunities to perform chamber music, the original members were Melvin
Harrison and Dawn Davis, violins, Camille Day Nies, viola and Robert Haraden,
'cello. The group performed for Amarillo Symphony patrons, NPR
fundraisers, weddings, receptions and parties, and began a "caroling"
series during the Christmas holidays for friends and families. As
time went on,
Robert's sister Mary Margaret Haraden took over on first violin, and
Mary Ann Ellis, violin and Troy Smith, 'cello were brought aboard.
Since the quartet's inception, Melvin, Dawn, Mary Margaret and Troy have
all relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area (a mere six-hour commute!) and
perform with groups in that area. Current members of the
group include Pam Landis, Violin I, and Christina Davison, Cello, along
with Mary Ann and Camille. As the only
regularly rehearsing quartet of it's kind in the area, the CSQ is committed
to bringing quality and enthusiasm to each performance, and has continued
to delight audiences throughout the region.
Allow us to introduce ourselves...
Click on any photo
below to send an email!
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Pam Landis
Violin I
Pam has spent her entire adult life involved
in music as a professional musician, violin instructor and
fiddler. She formally joins the CSQ in 2004 after being
a regular sub with the group. Pam's musical experience
includes playing first violin with the Amarillo Symphony for
over twenty years, Randel Chamber Orchestra
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Mary Ann Ellis
Violin II
Mary Ann joined
the CSQ as
2nd violinist in 1999. She has played violin with the Amarillo Symphony
since 1984, and also plays with the Randel Chamber Orchestra,
a reduced ensemble sponsored by the Symphony. She is a regular
performer with the Amarillo Little Theatre orchestra and is
continually a part of church orchestras and many other community
groups. Mary Ann received her bachelor's degree (1989) in
music therapy from West Texas A & M where she studied violin
with Dawn Harms, and earned her Masters in Speech-Language
Pathology from Texas Woman’s University (1999). She works
as both a music therapist and a speech -language pathologist
for the Amarillo Independent School District. Mary Ann’s husband,
Mike, is a local band director and principal horn in the Amarillo
Symphony. Mary Ann and Mike have one brilliant
daughter, Casey..
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Camille Day
Nies
Viola
The
founding member of the CSQ, Camille has performed with the
Amarillo Symphony since 1984, and showcases the viola in the
Amarillo Symphony's String Family and Music Makes a
Difference school education programs. She has also played with the
Rockford Symphony, Philharmonia New Mexico and the Symphony
of the Southwest, as well as many other regional and community
ensembles. Also a vocalist, she has appeared with the Amarillo
Opera in many roles and was twice featured as Prince Orlofski
in Die Fledermaus. Camille has performed as soprano soloist
in the Mozart Requiem and Haydn Lord Nelson Mass and has been
featured as a vocal soloist with the Amarillo Symphony. She
is an alumna of the outdoor musical "TEXAS".
Camille received her Bachelor of Music Business degree (1990)
and Master of Vocal Performance degree (1999) from West Texas
A&M University in Canyon. A member of the Suzuki
Association of the Americas, Camille coordinates the Suzuki
String Program at Amarillo College, teaches private
students aged 3 to 17 along with group violin and viola
classes, quartet, and a parent course. As a faculty member at
the college, she Music
Appreciation lecture and online courses. Her husband, Andy, a Principal with River Road ISD,
have one daughter, Mackenzie, and one son, Will.
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Christina
Davison
'Cello
Christina Davison has been involved with music for as long
as she can remember, having started piano lessons at 4 years
old. When given the opportunity to learn a stringed
instrument in grade school, she chose the violin first, and
then added cello as a senior in High School. Christina has
attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, West Texas State
University in Canyon, and the St. Louis Conservatory and
School for the Arts (CASA) in St. Louis, Missouri. A member
of the Amarillo Symphony since 1983, Christina has
participated in many local musical offerings, including the
Amarillo Opera, The Nutcracker, and numerous church
performances and private events. She also appeared with the
Trans-Siberian Orchestra each year from 2001 – 2005.
Christina has recently joined the Suzuki String program at
Amarillo College as a cello and violin instructor. Christina
married her wonderful husband Gerald in February 2000, and
they have two beautiful children, Ian and Ileah, who are
both enrolled in the Suzuki String program.”..
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