Virtual Happy Hour Artists, November 2020

Vicki Boeckman (Nov 6, 13 & 20) has been performing and teaching since the 1980s. She is embracing the new virtual world with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a sense of awe, finding it to be positive and rewarding amidst the challenges we are all facing. Pre-pandemic she was an internationally acclaimed performing and recording artist who traveled all over the US and to many other countries to perform and teach. Vicki resided in Denmark from 1981-2004 and had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the
finest musicians of the day including Jaap ter Linden, John Holloway, René Jacobs, Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Pedro Memelsdorf and Markus Zahnhausen. Her Danish recorder trio Wood’N’Flutes had a fantastic 15-year run performing all over Europe and working with contemporary composers in addition to doing children’s theater. She was an adjunct professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen for 12 years and taught at the Ishøj Municipal School of Music for 23 years. Many of those students
are now professionals, performing and teaching in conservatories in Denmark and around Europe.
Locally Vicki has been a featured soloist with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Portland Baroque Orchestra, The Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Medieval Women’s Choir, Gallery Concerts, Philharmonia Northwest Orchestra, and the Skagit Symphony. She is currently music director for the Seattle Recorder Society, co-director for the Recorder Orchestra of Puget Sound (ROPS), and Artistic Director for the Port Townsend Early Music Workshop. She dearly hopes that these organizations can withstand the challenges of separation and continue to thrive.

Selina Chu (Nov 6 & 20) has a special place in her heart for all types of ensemble playing, from duo-piano recitals to dance collaboration.  She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington, and her Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  A nationally certified member of Music Teachers National Association, Selina has maintained an independent piano studio in Issaquah since 1998.

Violinist Angie Kam (Nov 20) is an established teacher and performer in the Seattle area. In addition to maintaining a violin studio of over 30 students, Angie plays with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Symphony, North Corner Chamber Chamber Orchestra, and the Tacoma City Ballet. Angie has performed with Idina Menzel, Il Divo, Michael Buble, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra; she is also an active studio-recording musician. Angie holds a Bachelor in Violin Performance from the University of Oregon, and a Master in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory. In her spare time, Angie enjoys hiking, yoga, and fuzzy animals.

Joan Lundquist (Nov 6, 13 & 20) has served as a collaborative pianist for Seattle area musicians and organizations for 30 years.  Since moving to the area from Humboldt State University in northern California, where she was staff accompanist, Joan has worked with the Northwest Boychoir, Seattle Choral Company, has taught at Seattle University and Northwest University, and has worked with several area private music teachers.  Currently, Ms. Lundquist is the Pianist/Organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in downtown Seattle and rehearsal accompanist for the Seattle Choral Company.

Ann Rackl (Nov 6 & 20)  violinist, is the former assistant concertmaster of Philharmonia Northwest chamber orchestra, where she has been a member since 1976. She holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Montana, and has studied violin with Emanuel Zetlin and Martin Friedmann in Seattle. Formerly a private violin instructor, these days she especially enjoys playing chamber music.

Emily Riesser’s (Nov 13) diverse experience encompasses opera, oratorio, theatre, and new works. Recent highlights include soloist in Bach’s Wedding Cantata, BWV 202 (several venues), Frasquita in Carmen (Kitsap Opera), Soprano in Silverbells Carolers, Ensemble in Sister Act (Tacoma Musical Playhouse). Favorite experiences include opera roles: Iphigenie in Gluck’s Iphigenie en Tauride (Seattle Opera Guild), Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata (Kitsap Opera), Tamiri in Mozart’s Il Re Pastore, Sarah in John Duffy’s and Joyce Carol Oates’ Black Water (both OffCenter Opera), and soprano chorus roles at Seattle Opera; soloing in Bach cantatas with Baroque specialists of St Stephen’s Evensong Cantatas; and Shakespeare roles with Greenstage.

An outstanding member of the Northwest Musical community for over 20 years, Regina Thomas (Nov 20) has performed with a variety of companies including Kitsap Opera, Willamette Concert Opera, Bellevue Opera, Puget Sound Concert Opera, Seattle Opera and the Seattle Opera Guild.  Currently, LMC’s Chair of Concerts and Artistic Director of Puget Sound Concert Opera, Regina has served as Seattle Opera Guild’s VP of Education and is a past President of LMC. Favorite operatic roles include Adriana Lecouvreur, Suor Angelica, Tosca and Judith (Bluebeard’s Castle).  Concert work includes Schumann’s Frauenleibe und-leben, Elgar’s Sea Pictures and Wagner’s Wesendonck-Lieder, soprano solos in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Fauré Requiem and Berio’s Folk Songs for voice and chamber ensemble.