BIOS

ERIN COSBY, VIOLIN

Erin Cosby has been playing the violin since the age of four and performing since she was thirteen. Her training includes participating in numerous solo competitions while in high school. In college, Erin performed solos with and was concertmaster of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Orchestra. She was also an active chamber musician, most notably as the violinist with the St. Cecilia Trio who represented the entire mid-west region of the country at the Music Teachers National Association Competition in Los Angeles, California.

After graduating from college, Erin settled in Omaha where she teaches around thirty violin students. Erin is an active performer in the Omaha and Lincoln areas. She has performed with Mannheim Steamroller, Josh Groban, Michael Buble', The Priests, Gladys Knight, Weird Al, The Irish Tenors, David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, Cypress Hill and Rod Stewart among others. She also regularly performs with the Lincoln Symphony and Omaha Symphony. In addition to Metropolitan String Quartet, Erin performs often as a solist.

ROSE RYDBERG, VIOLIN

Rose Rydberg holds both a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she studied violin with Ruth Meints and Judy Wise. As a violinist, Rose performs with the Metropolitan String Quartet and has appeared with Orchestra Omaha, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, UNO Chamber Orchestra, PART, and The Rose Theater.

Since 2008, Rose has been dedicated to music education in the Omaha Public Schools and currently serves as Orchestra Director at Central High School. In addition to her work in the classroom, she serves as Conductor of Youth Concert Strings with the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras.

As a clinician, coach, guest conductor, and adjudicator, Rose works with schools and music organizations throughout the region. She has served as a guest conductor for the Omaha Public Schools All-City Music Festival and the Council Bluffs All-City Music Festival.

AXELLE VERBOON, VIOLA

Axelle Verboon started playing piano when she was 8 and added viola at the age of 15. She earned her degree in music education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. After teaching elementary orchestra for six years in the Omaha Public Schools, she now works in the finance department of the district.

Axelle is the violist for Metropolitan String quartet and plays regularly for her church. She has performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, University of Nebraska at Omaha Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, Billy McGuigan, and teaches private viola and piano lessons. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing with her dog Winifred.

MINDY ZIMMERMAN, CELLO

With over 20 years professional experience, Mindy Zimmerman has performed for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Buble, Billy McGuigan, The Omaha Community Playhouse, The Rose Theater, Ralston Community Theater, Chanticleer Theater, Bellevue Little Theater, PART, Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, and is principal cellist for the Metropolitan String Quartet.

As a clinician and adjudicator, she has worked with the Music For All Honors Orchestra of America, Nebraska Music Educators All-State Orchestra, Omaha Music Teachers Association, Millard Public Schools, and UNO String Olympics. During the day, Mindy is the Director of Orchestras at Omaha South High School, where she has been teaching since 2001. She is currently the Director of Orchestral Affairs for the Nebraska Music Educators Association.

Mindy earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha where studied cello under Dr. David Low. She also has 30 master degree hours in History and studied in London in 2008.