What's New

EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD Chris Franke recently purchased this copy of a 1707 Stradivari. Chris, who began playing at age 5 is a student of Lisa-Beth Lambert of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In his young career, Chris has already won many awards and competitions including the Arlington and Fairfax Symphony Concerto Competitions. He was a finalist in the National Symphony Concerto Competition and was awarded a National Symphony Orchestra Fellowship. In the fall, Chris will attend the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying violin with David Updegraff. Chris comes from a musical family. His father Phil and mother Sue are both stationed at the White House as members of the Marine Corps Orchestra.

CONGRATULATIONS to Kerry Van Laanen, who recently purchased a Forma B Stradivari model cello by Christopher Germain. Kerry is a Washington area free-lance cellist who performs with the Baltimore Opera and the Washington Chamber Symphony at the Kennedy Center. Kerry is married to bassist Ed Malaga.

"I just love this cello...it's absolutely beautiful!" Kerry said. Thanks, Kerry! I hope that you enjoy the new cello and that it helps you in the expression of your art