Richie Diaz is a flutist from Abilene, Texas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music performance in flute at Hardin-Simmons University. He is currently studying at MSU to receive his master of music degree in music performance. In 2018, Diaz received the Outstanding Soloist award at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. During his time at Hardin-Simmons Diaz was a private lesson instructor for the Abilene Independent School District while also holding the co-principal spot of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene. While studying at Hardin-Simmons, Diaz has traveled and performed with the “World Famous” Cowboy Band, marching in the 2020 Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as the 2022 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Diaz has studied under Alex Carpenter (Hardin-Simmons), Richard Sherman (MSU), and Hannah Hammel Maser (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), as well as taken lessons from Melissa Suhr (University of Houston), Kathrine Kemmler (Louisiana State University), and Terri Sundberg (University of North Texas).

Astrophysicist and harpist Katelynn Ehlert is originally from Sturgis, Michigan, and is currently a fifth-year undergraduate student at MSU. She us pursuing her bachelor or art degree in music and bachelor of science degree in astrophysics. Ehlert is currently working as a research assistant at MSU for the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, where she works towards furthering the study of neutrinos. Prior to this, she spent two years working on the ATLAS upgrade for CERN at MSU. Ehlert is also an active advocate for women and minorities in STEM as has served as the president of the MSU chapter of the Society of Women in Space Exploration for the last four years. An experienced orchestral and solo musician, Ehlert has had the opportunity to work with the Symphony of the Lakes, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Livington Symphony Orchestra, and various MSU ensembles. She was also the a finalist for the MASTA Elizabeth E.H. Green Solo Competition in 2023. Ehlert also has experience as a music educator. She is currently an instructor for the Capitol Harp Ensemble, and has been the instructor at the Sturgis High School Orchestra Camp for five years. On top of this, she is currently the vice president of the West Michigan Harp Chapter. Throughout her 12 years as a harpist, Ehlert has studied with many accomplished members of the harp community, including Chen-Yu Huang, Elzbieta Szmyt, Jan Jennings, Molly Grettenberger, and Stephanie Gustafson. Ehlert is currently furthering her studies at MSU with Cheryl-Losey Feder as her primary educator.

Canadian violist Meagan Turner is in demand throughout North America and Australia. Turner has served as principal violist of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Centre Orchestra, and Juilliard Orchestras, and regularly performs with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. An active chamber musician, she has attended the Ravinia Steans Music Institute and has been a guest artist at Tippet Rise, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival, and guest principal violist with Sydney’s Omega Ensemble. Turner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Pine and Virtu Foundation career grants, and was recently named one of Canada’s “Hottest Musicians Under 30” by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). From 2018-2020, she held a young artists’ residency at Carnegie Hall. Turner completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and her master’s degree at The Juilliard School as a full scholarship student. She is currently pursuing a doctor of musical arts degree with Eric Nowlin at MSU.