We know classical music is often deeply influenced by the mightiness of nature, but how connected can these two worlds be? Close your eyes and imagine the sounds of chamber music swirling with raptors' calls. Well, that is what Birds of a Feather is all about.
The night will be paired with music inspired by birds performed by the Excelsior Quintet. Come for an evening of Mozart, Lennon, and tuneful squawking. This is not to be missed!
Jenny Papka, Wildlife Educator
Jenny has a Bachelor's degree with honors from UC Davis in Environmental Interpretation. She has been involved with wildlife since 1988, first at the Lindsay Museum for 13 years and currently with Native Bird Connections for 24 years. She is an advisor for the Mt Diablo Peregrine Team and the Kestrel Campaign in the Mt Diablo region. Jenny has working experience with most California native wildlife and over 30 species of raptors. She received the William Penn Mott Jr. Environmental Award from the Orinda Association in 2009.
Calvin Murasaki, Violin
Calvin is the Music Director of the Mission Dolores Academy’s String Instruction Program, the String Faculty of the Stella Maris Catholic Academy, and the Crowden Music Center, and maintains a private studio in San Francisco. He performed with the Salem College Faculty Piano Quintet, served as concertmaster in local orchestras, and performed in Jazz, Americana, Latin/Salsa, Middle Eastern, Blues, Rock, and Cajun bands. He is featured on 5 Grammy Award Winning albums and performs with the Country Music Hall of Fame, Patrick Haggerty, and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders.
Michele Winter, Violin
Michele Winter taught violin and viola in Northeastern England and San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from San Francisco State University and a Master’s in the Kodály Approach to Music Education from Holy Names University. She has conducted festival orchestras in Northern California and Hawaii and presented sessions at regional, state, and national conferences. Michele and her husband are long-time members of the Dunsmuir Scottish Dancers, a Bay Area performance team that showcases Scottish social and solo dance forms.
Merle Rabine, Viola
Merle Rabine is a retired attorney who served as Chair of the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. He has played viola with Symphony Parnassus, a community orchestra, since 2003. In 2018, he played Waffles in the production of Uncle Vanya at the Cutting Ball Theater. Cutting Ball survived his performance but unfortunately did not survive the pandemic.
Stephen Gerard, Cello
Stephen started playing cello in 3rd grade, taking lessons with his great uncle in Los Angeles, where he grew up. Stephen has always maintained an avid interest in chamber music. He has played string quartets throughout medical school and his medical residency at UCSF and continued to play regularly ever since. Stephen is one of four cellists in Multi-celli, a local cello quartet. He also provided instrumental support on his cello in the music ensemble at services with his Jewish Community over the past 20 years. Stephen is always eager to engage in unique opportunities to share his passion for string music ensembles.
Joseph Taylor, Double Bass
Double bassist Joseph Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree and teaching credentials from SF State University. He has been as a music teacher and department head at Galileo High School in San Francisco for 26 years. He retired in 2020 and now spends much of his time pursuing his three passions: Playing bass, riding his bike, and birding. He has played bass with the Symphony Parnassus since 2007. He rode his bicycle to L.A. two times as a participant in the AIDS/Lifecycle charity bike ride. In April, he celebrated his 30th wedding anniversary by traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, where he added 175 new species to his life list.
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