About Us - Aurora String Quartet - Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota Professional Musicians for Wedding Corporate and Party Music

Aurora String Quartet

Celebrating it's 20th anniversary in 2009, the Aurora String Quartet continues to be in demand in the Minneapolis/St. Paul and surrounding areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin for weddings, parties, and special occasions. The quartet has produced several concerts over the years at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church (Minneapolis), University Club (St. Paul), and the St. Paul College Club. The quartet has also been featured on Minnesota Public Radio's "The Morning Show" as well as a television documentary on new composers for local cable channel #8 - produced by Da Camera Music.

Other Aurora String Quartet performances include many Zonta International fund raising events benefiting the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, several performances for the special Titanic exhibit at the St. Paul Science Museum, a special reception for ballet star Mikhail Barishnikov, and appearances with Nachito Herrera in the Gala Latin Music Showcase benefiting WAMSO and Casa de Esperanza at Orchestra Hall.

Theresa Elliott, violin

is currently a member of the baroque period orchestras, the Lyra Concert; the chamber ensemble Music St. Croix, and a longtime member of the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. She also plays quite regularly with the Chanhassen Dinner Theatore Orchestra, and more recently with productions at the Guthrie and Ordway. She has been a guest musician on MPR's "A Prairie Home Companion" radio show, and other organizations she as performed with include; The Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis, The Bach Society of Minnesota, Vox Corda, The Arius Chamber Music Society, Philomusica Chamber Orchestra, The Minneapolis Chamber Symphony, and the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra.

Julia Bartsch, violin

has performed with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony, Philomusica Chamber Orchestra, and the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis. Ms. Bartsch has appeared as soloist with the St. Paul Jewish Community Center Orchestra and pursues a very active teaching career.

Mark Anderson, viola

earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Music degrees in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. He is presently the Director of the Intermediate Orchestra Program in the St. Louis Park Public School District. He is also a member of the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra and serves as the orchestra's music librarian. In addition, Mark has been a member of the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and served as principal violist with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra. Other organization that Mark has performed with include the Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Philomusica Chamber Orchestra, Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, and the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Joseph Englund, cello

A native of St. Paul, Joseph Englund received his B.A. in Music from Hamline University and his M.M. in cello performance from Northwestern University in Chicago. After two seasons with the Colorado Philharmonic, Mr. Englund returned to the Twin Cities where he currently teaches privately. He plays regularly with the Minnesota
Opera, the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, the Guthrie Theatre, and has played with the Philomusica Chamber Orchestra.