2021 – 2022 String Project Faculty
Dr. Laurie Scott
String Project Director
Laurie Scott is Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she serves as the director of The University of Texas String Project and the Musical Lives string program at UT Elementary School. Previous to this appointment, Dr. Scott served as professor of violin and viola and director of music education studies at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. As a university professor she has received both the Teaching Excellence Award from the School of Music and from the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. A former middle and high school orchestra director, she now mentors young professionals toward successful lives as string educators. In every facet of her teaching Dr. Scott serves as an advocate for inclusive and diverse music classrooms, adult music learners, and access to quality music instruction for all children. She is a registered teacher trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas and continues to maintain a private violin studio and works weekly with the students in the Musical Lives orchestra program at UT Elementary School. Her former students have become exemplary string educators, professional studio and symphony musicians, and passionate arts advocates. She is co-author with William Dick of the books Mastery for Strings, Level I and II, and From the Stage to the Studio: How Fine Performers become Great Teachers, is co-authored with Cornelia Watkins. Laurie Scott along with William Dick and Winifred Crock, are the co-authors of Learning Together: Sequential Repertoire for Solo Strings or String Ensembles and received a Creating Learning Community award from the SAA for their work related to Suzuki in the Schools. In 2020, Dr. Scott was recognized by alumni as one of the “Texas Ten” most influential and inspiring professors at UT Austin.
Dr. Ruben Balboa
Assistant Director and Program Coordinator
Dr. Ruben Balboa III is an educator and violist in Austin, Texas. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Texas State University and Assistant Director/Coordinator of the award-winning University of Texas String Project. Previously, he was the Instructional Assistant Professor of Viola at Illinois State University and Acting Director/Master Teacher of the Illinois State String Project.
Dr. Balboa has also served on faculty at Austin Soundwaves, Austin Chamber Music Center, Austin Youth Orchestra, Texas State String Project, and Longhorn String Camp. Additionally, he maintains a diverse private studio of violin and viola students, which includes novice and advanced young learners, avocational adults, and students with learning challenges. Dr. Balboa has made it his mission to prioritize the development of young musicians as much as possible, especially those in areas where quality music education programs are not readily available. He continues this work as a board member of the American Viola Society, serving on both the Education Committee and the Access, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.
Beyond his work as an educator, Dr. Balboa has a multifaceted career as a performer and enjoys working with a variety of musical ensembles. He has performed with The Dallas Opera, Austin Camerata, Abilene Philharmonic, Celtic Thunder, Evanescence, Il Divo, Las Colinas Symphony, Lindsey Sterling, Mid-Texas Symphony, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, among many others. In 2017, Dr. Balboa was invited to perform at the Festival of the Orchestras hosted by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, where he performed Astor Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango.
He enjoys an active chamber music career. From 2014-2016, he performed with the Bancroft String Quartet, an elite graduate ensemble at the University of North Texas, which placed as semi-finalists in the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and Festival. Dr. Balboa was a founding member of the Favola String Quartet, which won both the Grand Prize and First Place awards at the 2020 Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Other recent chamber performances have included collaborations with Anton Nel, Sandy Yamamoto, and the Miró Quartet. Dr. Balboa also enjoys presenting recitals of works for viola, voice, and piano with his wife, Dr. Samantha Balboa. This unique ensemble led him to write his doctoral research entitled: “Musical Poetry: An Examination of Works and Texts by Charles Martin Loeffler and Paul Verlaine for Viola, Voice, and Piano”. In June 2021, the pair were invited to present a program of lesser-known works for this instrumentation at the American Viola Society Festival.
Dr. Balboa earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas, Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and Bachelor of Music degree at Texas State University.
Rey Rodriguez
Guitar Coordinator
Laura Aldana, cello
Cellist Laura Vanessa Aldana is a native of Bogota, Colombia. She started her music education at the age of 6 at the Bogota Foundation Youth Symphony Orchestra.
In 2009 she joined the Pre Conservatory program at the National University of Colombia where she studied with Diego Garcia. She was awarded full scholarship during the eight years that she studied there. For four years she was part of the Youth Orchestra of the conservatory, where she was the principal of the cello section. In 2016, Laura moved to the United States to join the Pre-Conservatory Program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School where she studied with Professor Tanya Remenikova at the University of Minnesota.
Laura Aldana has been awarded full scholarships to attend a number of Music festivals including the Intentional Cello Institute at St. Olaf College (2017-2018), Bravo! Summer String Music Camp held at Shattuck School (2017), the 2016 Esmeraldas International Music festival (Ecuador), among others. She won Honorable Mention at the Thursday musical competition, she played as one of the finalist of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Association (YPSCA) held by the Minnesota Orchestra and she was awarded a special music grant by the Schubert Club Organization.
Laura will continue her music studies with Prof. Bion Tsang at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. Laura has performed in master classes for Emmanuel Feldman, Mark Kosower, Kurt Baldwin, Bruce Uchimura, Silver Ainomae, Anthony Ross, Peter Schmidt, Francisco Vila, Horacio Contreras, among others.
Emma Funderburk, viola
Emma started her musical career on the violin when she was nine years old in Santa Monica, CA. After playing in orchestras in public schools and taking private lessons, Emma decided to make the switch to the viola when she was fifteen. Emma then went on to study music education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she graduated in 2017. After graduation, she started teaching middle school orchestra, guitar, mariachi, music production and music appreciation in Colorado Springs, CO, where she saw a wide range of diverse learners as she built a strong music program. In an effort to further her education, Emma has decided to return to school at the University of Texas at Austin where she will earn her master’s degree in Music and Human Learning by the end of 2023.
Alyse French, double bass
Alyse French is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated from Plano East Senior High School in 2019, where she participated in the school orchestra and All-Region orchestras. In high school, Alyse participated in a program called United Sound, in which she taught special needs students how to play string instruments. Alyse now studies in the studio of Joel Braun at UT and has performed in the University Orchestra. Alyse hopes to give students the experiences they need to enjoy performing and making music. In her free time, Alyse likes to read and listen to music.
Mengya Tian, guitar
Mengya Tian is a Chinese guitarist and educator currently living and performing in the United States. Tian has been a passionate advocate for the classical guitar since beginning her studies at 7 years old. As an educator, Tian is currently teaching as a Guitar Outreach Clinician for D‘Addario Music where she has the unique opportunity to educate students that are interested in classical guitar. Tian has been a prize winner in many international guitar competitions. In 2019, Tian was awarded 1st prize at the 18th Texas Guitar Competition in Dallas. Before moving to the states, other notable prizes include: Hangzhou International Guitar Festival China, the Changsha International Guitar Festival in China and the Instrumental Concerto Competition at the School of Music at Suzhou University. In addition to her performances in China, Tian has performed throughout the United States at various festivals and events. Tian is also an active chamber music performer and in 2017 performed the “Fantasía para un gentilhombre” by Joaquin Rodrigo in Poly Concert Hall with the Suzhou Orchestra in China. Tian earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Suzhou University in China, and her Masters degree at The University of Texas at Austin, where she currently is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts. She is currently under the tutelage of Adam Holzman.
Christine Le, viola
David Saccardi, double bass
David Saccardi is a PhD student in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches in the UT String Project in addition to his doctoral studies and research. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education and a Bachelors in Double Bass Performance from Colorado State University, and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He is an active adjudicator and clinician, having worked with orchestras in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Michigan, and Texas, as well as presenting at the state MEA conferences in Colorado and Wyoming. He has also been published in the journal of the American String Teachers Association.
Prior to coming to Texas, David taught middle school and high school orchestra in Loveland, Colorado, where during his tenure, the program grew to over 300 students and received numerous awards and Superior marks at state contest. Additionally, the orchestras from Loveland High School were recognized at the state level for both their academic achievements by the Colorado High School Activities Association, and for their excellence in musical theatre performance for the pit orchestra’s production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
David has been an avid performer and teacher of the double bass for nearly twenty years. Before moving to Austin, David performed with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, the Greeley Philharmonic, the Steamboat Springs Symphony Orchestra, and served as Principal Double Bass of the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Symphony Orchestra. He has also trained numerous young bassists, many of whom have been selected as Colorado Allstate Principal Bassist, and others still who have received scholarships to pursue musical study at the university level.
David lives in Austin with his wife, Claire, and their Golden Retriever, Harper. Together, they enjoy traveling, cooking, being dog parents, being outdoors, and tacos. Mostly tacos.
Ivan Arras, intern
Ivan Arras is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies with an emphasis in violin under the direction of Professor Brian Lewis. He began his studies at the age of seven here in Austin, Texas. He has been a part of CHAMPS, Austin Chamber Music Center, Austin Youth Orchestra, and All region Orchestra.
Ivan hopes to inspire the younger generation as he was inspired growing up. He aspires to become a Violin teacher and wants his students to know that playing an instrument is something that requires love and determination. In his free time, Ivan enjoys watching shows/ movies, especially the scary ones, and trying out new food.
Hanson Yong, double bass
Hanson Yong is a first year Music Studies major pursuing his Bachelor’s at the University of Texas at Austin. In high school, Hanson played in the Plano Senior High School Chamber Orchestra, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and was a four time TMEA All Region and All State orchestra member. More recently, Hanson was a part of the UT University Orchestra and UT Symphony Orchestra. He studied double bass under David Odegaard, Gudrun Raschen, DaXun Zhang and is continuing his studies with Joel Braun.
Hanson’s goal in teaching is to give students the ability to express themselves through their music and develop an appreciation of music.
In his free time, Hanson enjoys live music, searching for vintage clothes, and rooting for the Boston Celtics.
Jamey Strauss, violin
Jamey Strauss is a violin teacher and a fourth-year Music Studies major at the Butler School of Music. He currently studies with Dr. Sandy Yamamoto, and previously studied with Dr. Paula Bird. Jamey teaches both violin and cello, but loves to play all instruments. In addition to receiving teacher training for Suzuki Violin Book 1, Jamey grew up as a Suzuki student, and graduated all ten books. He was also a student in the UT String Project for 7 years.
Jamey has a background in fiddling as well, appearing on two albums (Lake Travis Fiddlers It’s a Good Day and J.J. Roberson’s Cowboy’s Prayer) and many live shows in the Austin area. Jamey has played with many different swing artists, including Charlie Daniels, Johnny Gimble, Bob Appel, and more.
In his free time, Jamey enjoys watching basketball (and rooting for the Denver Nuggets) as well as spending time with his cat, Marco.
Jen McKeeman, viola
Jennifer McKeeman is pursuing her Masters in Music and Human Learning from the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a Batchelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin where she had the privilege to study viola with Roger Myers and music education with Dr. Laurie Scott and Dr. Robert Duke.
A native Austinite, Jennifer began playing viola in sixth grade in South Austin. She owes her inspiration to become a music teacher to the incredible music directors and private lessons teachers that she had studied with while in public school orchestra. Jennifer has taught privately in the Austin and San Antonio areas since 2010 with a broad range of ages and experience levels. She has had the honor of attending various summer music festivals including the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival, and the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.
Most recently, Jennifer was the Orchestra Director at David Lee “Tex” Hill Middle School in San Antonio, TX for four years. Jennifer started when the school first opened, building the orchestra and fifth grade strings programs from the ground up. The Tex Hill Orchestras have earned consistent UIL Sweepstakes in addition to multiple “Best in Class” and “Overall Outstanding” honors in festivals held in New Braunfels, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
Jennifer is thrilled to be back in her hometown doing what she loves: teaching and studying music. Her philosophy that any child can and should play music with excellence and joy is behind all of her teaching moments. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys writing, seeing live music, and spending time with friends and family.
Alvaro Miranda, cello
Born in 1996 in Huanuco-Peru, Alvaro Miranda is a current cello student at The University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Miranda started his cello studies at the age of fourteen at his home city’s youth symphony orchestra. At the age of eighteen Mr. Miranda was accepted at the National Conservatory of Peru in the preparatory section where he studied with cellist Sammanda Siguenas. Later, he was awarded a scholarship to study at The University of Southern Mississippi under cellist Alexander Russakovsky. Mr. Miranda graduated with his bachelor’s degree in music performance in 2021. Currently, Mr. Miranda is pursuing his master’s in music at the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin where he is under the guidance of cellist Bion Tsang. Mr. Miranda has played with orchestras from Peru as the Symphony Orchestras from the National Conservatory of Peru, the Symphony Orchestra from the International Opera Festival Alejandro Granda, and the Orchestra from the Musical Association Romanza. In the United States, Mr. Miranda has been part of the cello section from the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in Meridian- Mississippi, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra in Jackson Mississippi, and the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony orchestra. Currently, Mr. Miranda is part of the cello section at the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin Symphony Orchestra.
Justin Lader, viola
Justin Lader is a graduate student pursuing the PhD program in Music in Human Learning at UT Austin. Mr. Lader holds a Master’s Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Oregon and received his Bachelor’s of Music from the Oberlin Conservatory. His principal teachers have been Leslie Straka, Peter Slowik, Karen Ritscher, and Roger Chase. Besides expertise in classical music, he is a specialist in Middle-Eastern improvisation, Celtic fiddle, and electronic music.
Mr. Lader began teaching private lessons in 2008 while completing his studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He served as orchestra department coordinator and faculty instructor at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts – Community Music School from 2009-2017, teaching both violin and viola. From 2010-2016 Mr. Lader served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching private lessons, coaching chamber music and group classes at the University of Oregon’s Community Music Institute and Suzuki Strings Program. From 2013-2014 Mr. Lader taught world music at the The Village School, a Public Charter School inspired by Waldorf Education, in Eugene, Oregon. From 2014 to 2019 he conducted the strings program at the Eugene Waldorf School. In 2015 he created, directed, and taught at The Shedd Institutes Chamber Strings camp. The summer of 2016 he taught and directed The Shedd’s Chamber Music Camp, in addition to the Beginning Strings Camp. Also in the summer of 2016, he was also a guest instructor at the Off The Hook Arts Summer Music Workshop in Fort Collins, Colorado.
As a freelance artist Mr. Lader regularly performs throughout the West Coast with renowned Celtic Harper, David Helfand. The duo performs original and traditional music that is influenced by Middle Eastern, Celtic, and Indian styles. Together with David Helfand, the duo has released three albums, “Through the Portal,” “From a Distant Time: Inspirations from the Celtic Lands,’ and “After the Rain.”
Other collaborative projects include recording and performing with Jake McNeillie and Company, This Patch of Sky, We Have A Ghost, and Albert Howell. Additionally, Mr. Lader performs outreach work with CardioStart International, offering live concerts to support the organization’s mission in providing free heart surgeries in developing countries.
Gerald Liu, viola
After hearing a rendition of Passacaglia by Handel-Halvorsen, Gerald switched to the viola from the violin at the age of 14 and hasn’t looked back since. An avid orchestra and chamber musician, Gerald has been a participant and fellow of the Montecito and Round Top music festivals, winning the latter’s Chamber music competition. He also has taken lessons with many world-leading violists including James Dunham, Donald McInnes, Lila Brown, Paul Coletti, Erika Eckert, Ivo-Jan Van Der Werff, among others.
Gerald’s primary teachers include Yong Chun Li, Suzanne LeFevre, Wayne Brooks, and currently Roger Myers. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Physics in 2016, he worked as a real estate agent and as a private lesson teacher to over 30 students. As of 2020, he is pursuing a Master of Music in Viola Performance at the University of Texas. He hopes to enrich the grand tradition of viola playing through chamber music and teaching.
Josh Liu, violin
Josh Liu is a junior attending the University of Texas at Austin studying with Brian Lewis. Born in Shanghai, China, Josh started the violin at the age of 5 and later immigrated to the United States. He graduated from the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, South Carolina. His past teachers include Joanne Cohen, Dianne Pinner, and Wanzhen Li. Josh appeared as a soloist with the Greenville County Youth Orchestra, played the national anthem at the FRC robotics competition in Myrtle Beach, and debuted with The Georgia Symphony. In past summers, Josh was a member of Summer Music Institute, Castleman Quartet Program, NYO-China, and Garth Newel Music Center. He was an alumni of National YoungArts. He attended Parker String Quartet’s chamber day festival, Robert McDuffie’s Labor day festival, and New York String Orchestra Seminar. His other passions include teaching and composing.
Kevin Hulipas, viola/violin
Kevin Hulipas is a violist from Houston, Texas. Passionate in music education he’s made an effort to teach and engage with his musical community froman early age in his music education. From teaching lessons after school since middle school, performing in ensembles across the state and country, and participating in summer classical music festivals, making music and sharing it with others is what impassions him. He’s studied with Sheldon Person and Roger Myers. Other than music, Kevin also enjoys cooking, exercising, and writing.
Erika Perera, double bass
Venezuelan-Peruvian double bass and conductor. Charismatic, energetic and passionate about music are its main strengths. Since twelve years old she has been part of the internationally known Venezuelan music program, “El Sistema”.
Erika Perera has been member of the double bass section in Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphony Orchestra, The Youth Orchestra of Caracas and Caracas Symphony Orchestra. Her performances with the Youth Orchestra of Caracas includes performances in Norway, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, France, Russia, Belgium, China, Japan and South Korea under baton Dietrich Paredes and Maestro José Antonio Abreu. In addition, he has worked on several occasions under baton by Gustavo Dudamel, Cristhian Vasquez, Diego Matheuz, Rafael Payare, Sung Kwak, Leon Botstein, Cesar Iván Lara and Joshua Dos Santos.
She also has been guest double bass of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra, Anzoategui Philharmonic Orchestra, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra of Peru.
Erika has received master classes by Klaus Stoll (former Berliner Philharmoniker), Edicson Ruiz (Berliner Philharmoniker), Janne Saksala (Berliner Philharmoniker), Waldemar Schwiertz (Gewandhaus Orchestra), Carlos Verenzuela (Simón Bolívar Symphony), Joel Braun (USA) and Marcos Machado (Brazil-USA). In addition, she is an active double bass teacher. She has taught in the Simon Bolivar Conservatory of Music in Caracas and for some “Núcleos” by El Sistema.
Erika began double bass studies with Mylene Zambrano in one of the most important “núcleos” from El Sistema in Venezuela, Caracas (San Agustín). After some years, she began studies with her principal mentor, the internationally world renowned Maestro Félix Petit in the Latin American Double Bass Academy. In 2016 she received her bachelor degree at The University of Arts (UNEARTE) in Caracas, also with Mr. Petit like her principal teacher. She has studied Orchestral conducting with Alejandro Posada in EAFIT – IBERACADEMY, Colombia.
From 2017 to 2021 Erika Perera lived in Perú. She was doble bass professor and music conductor of “Nucleo Enel” and Music conductor The Children symphony Orchestra by Sinfonía por el Perú, musical project founded by famous Peruvian Opera Singer Juan Diego Florez to benefit disadvantaged Children in Peru.
She currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at The University of Texas at Austin with professor Joel Braun.
Melody Lihou, cello
Patricio Lopez, double bass
Roxy Moore, cello
Sarah Uy, violin
Sarah Uy is a violinist pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Studies under Sandy Yamamoto. She began studying the violin when she was five and hasn’t stopped since! Coming from the suburbs of Chicago, she took part in multiple music organizations at school and in the city. In high school, she was in Neuqua Valley’s Chamber Strings, Symphony Orchestra, Musical Pit Orchestra, and Tri-M. In addition, Uy became a Guided Practice Teacher her sophomore year, serving as a private lesson teacher to middle school students in the district. As a senior, Sarah was given the National Senior in Orchestra Award, Outstanding Senior in Music Award, and the Charles Staley Scholarship from her school. She is a four time district ILMEA Region and All-State participant, achieving the Honors level for her junior and senior years. In downtown Chicago, she was a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) for seven years and traveled to Europe twice with the capstone orchestra. She was also involved in CYSO’s Chamber Music program, which included venturing to local Chicago Public Schools and giving presentations for elementary school students with little to no exposure to music programs.
Sarah is passionate about giving students equal opportunities and promoting change through education. She also loves the visual arts, and is looking to pursue a minor in Studio Art during her time at UT. In her free time, Sarah loves to try new musical instruments, do arts and crafts, and spend time with her dog.
Kendall Weaver, viola
Kendall Weaver is a freshman violist at the Butler School of Music, majoring in Music Studies. He graduated from Austin High School in 2021 and participated in All-City Orchestra for 6 straight years as well as competed in Solo UIL for all 4 years of high school, advancing each year to State Level. He has studied Solo work with Eugenie Edmonds and chamber music with Patrice Calixte. He is a member of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra and has completed training in Suzuki ECC and Violin. Aside from studying music, Kendall has enjoyed performing with the Austin High School Quartet for the past few years at various special events throughout the city of Austin. Kendall owes his inspiration to become a music teacher to his middle school and high school orchestra conductors as well as his private lesson teachers. In his free time, Kendall enjoys playing video games and writing his own music.
