The Elkins Duo: Article on new position as String Ensemble Director

http://www.thereddingpilot.com/4473/youth-orchestra-has-new-conductor-this-season/

Dedicated Music Educators

Both Justin and Marija are devoted music educators. They were both on the faculty at the Talent Education Suzuki School in Norwalk, CT where Justin was the head of the cello department and Marija was a member of the piano faculty. As they feel very strongly that all children should have the opportunity to receive great musical training, they have also both taught extensively in the past through the K.E.Y.S. Kids Empowered By Your Support program, a non-profit organization that sends professional musicians and teachers into Bridgeport Public School to teach students one on one and in groups during the school day. They have performed in numerous house concerts throughout the area to raise money to help fund this program. Justin is also the orchestra director at Trumbull High School, and teaches theory there as well, taught 4th grade strings at South Elementary School in New Canaan, and is now the director of the String Ensemble for the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra.

About the Artists:

Cellist Justin Elkins, a Wyoming native, began playing the cello in the fourth grade. Justin completed his junior and senior years of high school at the prestegious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. He went on to complete his Bachelor's and Master's degree in cello performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where he studied with distinguished professor of cello Alan Harris. Upon graduation, Justin has had an active musical career. In addition to his performances in the Elkins Duo, he has also served as cellist of the North Dakota String Quartet and performed solo concertos with the Cloud Peak Symphony of Wyoming and the Missouri Valley Chamber Orchestra of North Dakota. He is also a regular performer in the Norwalk Symphony, and has also performed with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony.

Pianist Marija Krstevska Elkins, a native of the Republic of Macedonia, began her musical training in the second grade. A winner of numerous awards in her own country, Marija attended the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy her junior year in high school. Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in piano performance in her home country, Marija went on to recieve her Master's degree in piano performance in the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH, where she studied with renowned piano professor Eugene Pridonoff. A participant at numerous worldwide piano festivals, including ones in Belgium and Prauge, Marija has also performed solo concertos twice with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra. Marija is also an active chamber musician and teacher.