The Astralis Chamber Ensemble is an innovative and dynamic ensemble performing with much acclaim across the globe. Through creative programming and presentations on the works performed in a small ensemble setting, Astralis aims to make classical music more accessible and for audiences to make a lasting connection to the music and performers. Astralis includes an assortment of musicians to cover a broad range of repertoire and ensemble combinations to fit each type of performance. These award-winning musicians represent decades of experience across many of the world’s major venues and notable concert series. With instrument pairings that are unique worldwide, the ensemble expands the repertoire available through yearly commissions and arrangements. Astralis aims to support the development of the arts through new compositions and reach communities of all backgrounds through music.
Kris Marshall is principal trumpet with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and has built an active career performing with multiple orchestras across the state of Florida, including the Jacksonville Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Venice Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, and The Florida Orchestra. Marshall has been a featured soloist with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra on many occasions and with the Fifth Avenue Chamber Orchestra in Naples, Florida. As a founding member of the Astralis Chamber Ensemble, he presents several chamber recital tours each year and participates in commission projects to increase the chamber repertoire for trumpet. He won first prize in the Florida Orchestra Young Artist Competition and was later selected to attend the Chautauqua Institution Summer Music Festival where he studied with Chuck Berginc, principal trumpet with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra. Other significant instructors include Robert Smith, principal trumpet with The Florida Orchestra, and Ed Cord, former principal trumpet with the Israel Philharmonic and Utah Symphony. Marshall pursued degrees in trumpet performance at Florida State University, Indiana University, and the University of South Florida.
Venezuelan/American violinist and violist Paul Aguilar joined the Houston Symphony viola section in 2024. He has won top prizes at the Banff, Bordeaux, Fischoff, Melbourne, Wigmore Hall, and Manhattan International chamber music competitions as well as the Grand Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He has appeared in concert across North America and Europe, some highlights including Carnegie Hall, the Ravinia Festival, ChamberFest Cleveland, La Jolla Summerfest, Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, the Heidelberg String Quartet Festival, and the Emilia-Romagna Festival. His chamber music collaborators include artists such as James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, Lawrence Power, Paul Watkins, and Jon Kimura Parker. He has studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Rice University, the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía School in Madrid, and the University of Music and Performing Arts, in Vienna. His primary influences have been Jaime Laredo, Si-Yan Li, Gunter Pichler, and Gerhard Schulz. In addition to traveling and performing, Paul enjoys sharing music with his family, at his church, and throughout his community. Paul plays on a very fine violin and viola that were commissioned from master luthier Kevin Lee.
One of North America’s premiere emerging harpists, Rachel Lee O’Brien (neé Hall) is in high demand nationwide. The 2019 Gold Medal winner of the Houston Symphony Orchestra’s Ima Hogg Competition, O’Brien has appeared as soloist with the Houston Symphony, members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the National Repertory Orchestra, and the Cleveland Institute of Music Symphony. Praised for her “fluid technique…and expressive musicality,” (The Chestnut Hill), O'Brien is a winner of Astral Artists’ 2017 National Auditions and is a core member of the Astralis Chamber Ensemble. O'Brien is an inspiring leader for young musicians, having authored the book, “Purpose in Practice: 26 Rules for the Practicing Musician,” along with a corresponding practice journal. She also maintains a private studio comprised of students both local and worldwide, and serves a significant following on Instagram, with more than 40,000 followers. O’Brien received Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music under Yolanda Kondonassis. When not performing, Rachel Lee O’Brien may be found with her husband, Jeremy, and their son in Roanoke, Virginia, a small valley nestled in the heart of Appalachia.
Atlanta native, Caroline Owen has played in venues across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, including the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (New York) and the Wiener Saal and Solitär at the Mozarteum (Salzburg, Austria). Owen was the winner of the Florida MTNA Young Artist Competition and a semifinalist in the 14th International Mozart Competition Salzburg and International Keyboard Odyssiad. She also won the 2018 Pro-Mozart Society of Atlanta Competition, from which she received a scholarship to study at the Salzburg Mozarteum. Owen has performed at festivals including PianoFest in the Hamptons, PianoTexas, Atlantic Music Festival, and the Prague Piano Festival, and she has worked with distinguished artists such as Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Richard Goode, Ursula Oppens, and Pascal Rogé. Owen is also committed to promoting new music. She performed as soloist with the Orlando Contemporary Chamber Orchestra in its 2021 and 2023 seasons, and her background in dance has fostered unique multidisciplinary collaborations with composer, Badie Khaleghian. Owen earned her Doctorate of Music in piano performance from Florida State University and is now based in Atlanta where she serves as an Artist Affiliate at Emory University and Co-Director of the Decatur Fine Arts Academy. To learn more, visit www.carolineowenpiano.com.
Visit the Astralis Chamber Ensemble at www.astralisensemble.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Massey's debut album, The Elements, has been described as
“beautiful and enchanting, the performances on this CD are magical!” by Jeanne Baxtresser, former principal flute of the New York Philharmonic. All of the works selected relate to the elements of earth, water, wind, and fire. CDs can be purchased by emailing [email protected]. |
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