The Musicians

Merrilee Elliott, flute

Merrilee Elliott enjoys a varied career as a flutist. In addition to playing second flute in the Lexington Philharmonic, she performs regularly throughout Kentucky and surrounding states with the Ashland Trio (flute, viola, cello), the Jefferson Duo (flute and harp), the Lexington Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet, and the Chinook Winds. In August of each year, she performs as second flutist with the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra in Door County, Wisconsin.

Ms. Elliott is in demand as a soloist, a freelance flutist and teaches flute at Transylvania University, Asbury University, and in her private studio.

Ned Farrar, viola

Ned Farrar's formative musical training was received at home and in the church choir under the direction of his father, Howard Farrar. Violin teachers that he has studied with include John Dalley, Helen Kwalwasser, Charles Avsharian and Francis Bundra. Mr. Farrar studied at the University of Michigan and the University of Kentucky where he received the Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees.

Mr. Farrar has been active in the musical community of Lexington, Kentucky since 1967. As a singer he has performed with the University of Kentucky opera , University Collegium, Christ Church (Episcopal) Choir of Men and Boys and is a founding member of the Lexington Chamber Chorale. He joined the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra as a violinist in 1967. He has performed as violist in the LeMay String Quartet, the Lexington String Quartet and the Lexington Philharmonic String Quartet. Mr. Farrar has been the violist in the Ashland Trio since 1986.

In 1996, Ned Farrar resumed his public school teaching career in the Fayette County public schools. During the summer months, Mr. Farrar can oftentimes be found performing with several of his talented elementary school string students at the Farmer's Market in downtown Lexington.

Ned Farrar, Merrilee Elliott, & Clyde Beavers

Clyde Beavers, cello

Clyde Beavers is a graduate of The Juilliard School, receiving the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees under the tutelage of renowned cellist Harvey Shapiro. He received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Kentucky.

Beavers, a resident of Lexington, Kentucky, is Adjunct Professor of violoncello at Asbury University and Transylvania University. He serves as the Assistant Principal cellist of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. Chamber music ensembles in which he performs include the Ashland Trio, the Beavers-Cooper Duo and the Beavers-Kiekenapp Duo. In 1997, with the encouragement and assistance of several friends, he founded, and is co-director of, the one week summer music camp Festival of Strings.

He has recorded Marcel Dupré's Sonata in A minor, Op. 60 for cello and organ, the Trio, Op. 55 for violin, cello and organ and the Quartet, Op. 52 for violin, viola, cello and organ on the Naxos label.

Clyde Beavers performs on a cello made by the American maker, Timothy J. Jansma. He frequently collaborates with pianist David Cooper in the Bluegrass area. In addition to his work in music, he enjoys growing, showing and hybridizing roses.