LORIE KIRKELL

Cello

Lorie Kirkell is an acclaimed American cellist, who has developed a glowing career on the West Coast as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber music player. After her studies on the East Coast with distinguished cellists Raya Garbousova and Bernard Greenhouse, she earned a Master of Arts degree in Music at the University of California San Diego. She has appeared as principal cellist with orchestras for the Bolshoi Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.

Ms. Kirkell has performed at the Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Broadway San Diego for National Touring Musical Theater productions, Civic Theater and with many other music organizations such as the San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera. She is the Director of the Novellus Ensemble and performs with Caprice Strings and Innocenti Strings.

Ms. Kirkell has also performed with Smokey Robinson, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Peter Cetera, Luis Miguel, the Moody Blues, Donna Summer, Dionne Warwick, and others. Ms. Kirkell has been a member of the Grossmont College Music Department Faculty since 2002.

Heidi Yenney

Violinist

Heidi Yenney was raised in Palo Alto, California, where she was introduced to the world of chamber music at an early age as a member of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with distinction in performance, from the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Dorothy Delay.
 
During her years in Boston, she freelanced as both a chamber and orchestral musician. She was a founding member of the New England String Quartet, which had dual residences at both University of Massachusetts Boston and Amherst. The NESQ represented the state of Massachusetts through Young Audiences of America, toured throughout the East Coast and California, and summered with residencies at Tanglewood and Norfolk Music Festivals. They also collaborated with many well-known musicians; most notably clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, jazz pianist Fred Hersch and cellists Colin Carr and Yo-Yo Ma.
 
In addition to her performing life in Boston, Heidi held a post as a faculty member at the prestigious Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where she taught private violin and general music, conducted a chamber orchestra, and coached chamber music. She was also a member of the faculty’s Essex String Quartet.
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Heidi’s passion for music and composers is inspiring. As she puts it: “There are several composers that I really enjoy for different reasons. Schumann is natural and passionate, Brahms is soothing and romantic, Bach is pure and spiritual, Mozart is optimistic and full of life, Beethoven is crafted to perfection and gets you in the gut…” She also loves performing contemporary classical music and feels it brings a new, fresh perspective to her performances of the older compositions.

Erdis Maxhelaku

Violist

Erdis Maxhelaku started playing cello at the age of seven in his home country of Albania. He continued his musical education in Albania to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Cello Performance in Tirania.  

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Erdis’ passion for music has led him not only to different countries but also on a musical journey embracing many types of genres; rock, pop, indie, flamenco, metal, and more. He is a sought recording artist in San Diego, writes and performs his own music, and teaches private lessons.

His performing expertise extends beyond the cello to include electric bass, acoustic and electric guitar. Erdis collaborates with many local musicians, utilizing his multi-faceted performing, improvisation, writing, and recording skills.