Canta Bella Strings
a classically trained string quartet providing
elegant music for your wedding or other special event
a classically trained string quartet providing
elegant music for your wedding or other special event
Canta Bella Strings
Meet the Musicians
Ruthie Pilgrim, violinist with Canta Bella Strings, has enjoyed performing at weddings and special events throughout the Carolinas since 2002. Ruthie is a registered Suzuki violin teacher and operates a violin studio from her home. From 2002-2010, she performed with the Foothills Philharmonic Orchestra, where she served as Principal 2nd Violinist for several seasons. In 2007-2008, Ruthie taught in the Greenville Symphony Orchestra's String Academy at Alexander Elementary School, a program designed to give underprivileged children the opportunity to enrich their lives through learning a stringed instrument. Ruthie studied violin with Mrs. Joan Mulfinger at Bob Jones University and with Jerrie Lucktenberg at the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts.
Jen Gerber plays violin and viola with Canta Bella Strings. She currently teaches Suzuki violin classes and private lessons at Piano Central Music Studios in Greenville, SC. Jen assists in the music program at her church, where she organizes the special music for worship services. Jen graduated from Bob Jones University in 2009 with a degree in string pedagogy. While a student at Bob Jones University, Jen studied with Jay-Martin Pinner. Jen enjoys hiking the mountain trails in her home state of Colorado, but enjoys life in the sunny south as well.
Jessica Stephenson plays viola and violin with Canta Bella Strings. She has recently rejoined the Foothills Philharmonic for their 2010-2011 season and performed with them from 2000-2006. She has taught private violin and viola lessons for 11 years. While living in the Charlotte area from 2006-2010 she was a member of the Charlotte Civic Orchestra, performed with CPCC's opera orchestra, and the Union Symphony. Jessica attended Jacksonville University where she studied with Dr. Aaron Krosnick and played with the Stienhaus Quartet. Jessica has also studied with Leonard Schranze, Joyce Miller, and Dr. Gary Robinson. She has also participated in Master Classes with Joel Krosnick, Charles Castleman, the Kandinsky Trio, the Cavani Quartet, and the Julliard Quartet. She resides in Mauldin with her two children.
Julie Moore is a mother of three and the cellist in Canta Bella Strings. She is a registered Suzuki cello teacher, and teaches at Jim Clinton's Violin Studio in Taylors. Julie also incorporates the cello into traditional West African music, which she performs with master musician Tasana Camara. Julie has played with Foothills Philharmonic. At Roanoke College she studied performance and chamber music under Alan Weinstein of the Kandinsky Trio. In the 90's, Julie attended the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, and was first-stand cellist, and a soloist with Greenville County Youth Orchestra. Julie loves seeing all the different parts of the Upstate as she travels from town to town performing with Canta Bella Strings!