About Us
Yellowstone String Quartet
6
Stephen Cepeda
Violin
Stephan Cepeda has appeared as soloist with the HSO on several occasions, including performances of violin concertos by Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Korngold, Britten, and Tchaikovsky. Performing with Maestro Scott, Mr. Cepeda appeared as soloist with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra on multiple occasions, and a performance the Lamont Symphony Orchestra at Denver University. In the summer of 2009, he completed a tour throughout Southeast Asia performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, including a recital at the United States Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam. Mr. Cepeda is a founding member of the award-winning Meritage String Quartet, which was featured on Emmy award winning television series 11th and Grant on PBS. Beginning his studies at the age of five with Daniel Reinker, Mr. Cepeda has studied with some of the nation’s finest violinists, including Stephanie Sant’ Ambriogio, and Julius Schulman. While attending University of Houston’s Moores School of Music studied with renowned violinist Andrzej Grabiec. A passion for teaching, Mr. Cepeda was an Adjunct Professor at Montana State University, and maintains an active violin studio in Helena.
Christine Sherlock
viola
Christine Sherlock performs as principal violist of the Great Falls Symphony and their resident ensemble, the Cascade Quartet, as well as associate principal violist of the Helena Symphony. Originally from Florida, Christine Sherlock earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music studying with renowned pedagogues Jeffrey Irvine and Lynne Ramsey. She has also studied with Caroline Coade at the University of Michigan, where she became an avid performer of new music, then later studying with Honggang Li, violist of the Shanghai Quartet. Sherlock was a viola section member of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, the Erie Chamber Orchestra, the Youngstown Symphony, Warren Philharmonic, the Ohio Valley Symphony, Cleveland Opera Theatre, and Opera Circle. She has been a core musician of many groups including the New England Symphonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, Opera Italiana, Montclair Orchestra, and St. Peter’s by the Sea. Sherlock has participated in many festivals and competitions, including the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition (2017), Mimir Chamber Music Festival, LAMP (Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance), and the Mendelssohn Festival in Hamburg, Germany.
Isabelle
Violin
Originally from CO, Isabelle graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where she studied with Cornelia Heard and received a BM in violin performance and biology. While at Vanderbilt, she was the first-violinist of a quartet selected to participate in the Vanderbilt Summer Musique Académie in Aix-en-Provence, France. Isabelle has also participated in the Credo Chamber Music Festival in Oberlin, OH, the Quartet Program in Fredonia, NY, and the Heifetz Institute in Wolfsboro, NH. For the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Isabelle served as a section violinist with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, CO. She placed as a semi-finalist for the New World Symphony . 2016-2017 season and performed across Spain with the Universal Music Symphony Orchestra on tour with the singer Miguel Rios. Isabelle currently resides in Bozeman, MT, with her husband, and plays with the Second String Orchestra, Bozeman Symphony, and Helena Symphony. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, running, and swimming.
Carlton Colby
Cello
Born in Utah, Carlton began cello lessons at an early age, studying with Drs. Carey and Elliott Cheney, and later with Pegsoon Whang and John Sharp, Principal Cello of the Chicago Symphony. He completed his bachelor’s with Honors from the University of Utah and master’s degree from Roosevelt University CCPA Music Conservatory. Carlton has played in ensembles across several major North American concert halls and has performed in masterclasses led by notable orchestral cellists such as Mark Kosower, Richard Hirschl, and Dane Johansen. Before his appointment as Assistant Principal Cello with the Helena Symphony in 2022, Carlton served as principal cello for the Roosevelt University CCPA Music Conservatory Orchestra and the Utah Philharmonia. In 2021, he was selected as first desk cello for the National Repertory Orchestra and selected as an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. Upon joining the Helena Symphony as Assistant Principal Cello, Carlton relocated to Helena with his partner Emma and their three dogs Ember, Saffy, and Mika. Since then, they have embraced the vibrant community and natural beauty of Helena and the wider Mountain West region.