Sky Island Quartet Performers
Kristen Olson
Kristen is a diverse violinist with years of solo, orchestral, and chamber music playing. She began playing the violin at the age of 10. Kristen’s early teachers included Rachel Bower, Melodie Gardner, and Jack Ashton. While in high school, Kristen participated in the Young Artist Chamber Players, and the Salt Lake Youth Chamber Society, where she discovered her love for chamber music. She got her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Utah where she studied with Lynnette Stewart and Gerald Elias.
Kristen earned her Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder where her teacher was Margaret Gutierrez. While at CU Boulder, Kristen formed the Hexum Quartet. The Hexum Quartet received coachings and guidance from the Takacs Quartet and attended the Evolution of the String Quartet program in Banff Canada where they studied with the Parker, Eybler, and JACK quartets. Kristen completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Utah under the guidance of Hasse Borup, Ralph Matson, and Kasia Sokol-Borup. While in her doctorate, Kristen was a member of the Graduate String Quartet and was concertmaster of the Utah Philharmonia.
Kristen has attended many orchestral and chamber music festivals in the states and internationally. She has attended the Meadowmount School of Music where she studied with Ivan Zenaty. The Pacific Region International Summer Music Association, studying with Herbert Greenberg and Jasper Wood. The Banff: Evolution of the String Quartet. The Saarburg International Music Festival. And Orvieto Musica where she was coached by Alessandro Cervo.
These experiences cemented her love of collaboration with other musicians. Kristen has always taught while performing. She has years of private teaching experience, as well as teaching and coaching orchestras and chamber groups.
Kristen currently studies with Ralph Matson. In addition to practicing and performing on the violin, Kristen likes to spend time outdoors, read, embroider, spend time with friends, family, and her two cats.
Nicole Walton
Nicole Walton is a classical violinist from Salt Lake City, Utah, who began her violin studies at the age of four. Her exceptional musical talent allowed her to train with some of the finest teachers in the region and earned her acceptance to Interlochen Arts Academy, one of the nation’s premier fine arts high schools. Throughout her high school and university years, Nicole was awarded numerous scholarships in recognition of her outstanding achievements.
In 2017, Nicole graduated Summa Cum Laude from Utah Valley University with bachelor’s degrees in both violin performance and commercial music. While at UVU, she studied under Dr. Donna Fairbanks and was a member of the university’s prestigious Honors Quartet, performing at exclusive VIP events and functions. Her other influential teachers include Rebecca McFaul (of the Fry Street Quartet), Leonard Brause, Paul Sommers, Julia Bushkova, Jack Ashton, and Debbie Moench. Nicole has held significant orchestral positions such as Concertmistress, Assistant Concertmaster, and Principal Second, and has performed with esteemed ensembles, including the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she collaborated with world-renowned artists like Andres Watts. In 2015, she was invited to perform in the string section for Christian Howes’ concert at the national ASTA convention. Currently, Nicole is also a member of the Black & White String Quartet.
Nicole resides in Orem, Utah, with her husband and their three children. She also enjoys competing with her dog in agility, Fast CAT, and rally events, where they have earned various titles and placements.
Ryan Teynor
Ryan Teynor (viola) began his life as a musician in first grade, taking piano lessons from a neighbor. A year later he added violin lessons, and soon after that he also joined a choir. In seventh grade his school orchestra teacher asked for violinists to volunteer to switch to viola; Ryan raised his hand, and viola has been his focus ever since.
Ryan earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance from Hunter College in New York City, where he studied with Jessica Thompson, and continued his studies after graduation with Jean Dane.
His performing experience includes chamber music, recording sessions for film and television, orchestral concerts, opera, musicals, ballet, and solo appearances in Singapore and Berlin. Ryan is also an active teacher, having over twenty years of experience giving private lessons. His classroom teaching experience includes work for Riverton Music, Canyons School District, Wasatch Waldorf Charter School, and a two-year stint as Head of Strings at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, NY.
For more information or to contact Ryan directly please visit his website: www.ryanteynor.com
Tamra Baca
Tamra Baca, a versatile cellist based in Salt Lake City, Utah, has built a dynamic career as both a performer and educator. She began her cello studies at age 12 under the guidance of renowned teachers, including Anne Francis, Alan Harris, Amy Leung, John Eckstein, and Avi Friedlander. Tamra holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in performance from Utah State University and a Master’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in performance from the University of Utah. Her musical journey also includes attending prestigious programs such as the Aspen Music Festival, Apple Hill Chamber Music Workshop, and the Minot State University Workshop for Strings, Winds, and Piano, experiences that enriched her artistry and broadened her musical perspective.
As an accomplished performer, Tamra is the owner and cellist of the Black & White String Quartet, cellist of the Chrome Street Quartet, and a founding member of the Sky Island Quartet. She regularly collaborates with ensembles like the Salt Lake Symphony, Antelope Chamber Players and the West Jordan Symphony showcasing her versatility and passion for ensemble playing. Tamra balances her performance career with teaching, combining her expertise with a commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians.
Tamra is also a freelance web developer and designer and enjoys crafting in her spare time.
