Members of Kalistos Chamber Orchestra

Sasha Callahan, violin [founding member]
A native of Portland, OR, Ms. Callahan received her Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from Rice University and her Masters of Music from Boston University. Her principal teachers include Lucia Lin, Sergiu Luca, Denes Zsigmondy, and Carol Sindell. As part of a west coast concert tour as the Corbett Duo, Ms. Callahan was featured with cellist Sara Stalnaker on Lewis and Clark College 2002 Emerging Artists series.  She has performed with the Corigliano Quartet in concerts and broadcasts in Minneapolis, Chicago, Utah, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa and has been featured on recitals at the Mozarteum in Austria, the Leopold Auer Academy in Hungary, the American Academy of Arts and Letters in NYC and additional solo and duo recitals in NY, San Jose, Portland, Houston and Seattle, as well as across New England.  In 2002 Ms. Callahan attended the Tanglewood Music Center as the Edward G. Shufro fellow, and was further recognized with the David Gritz Award.  She can also be heard as a member of the Portland, Indian Hill and Hingham Symphonies and with New Music Ensemble Boston, the Cantata Singers and the Hingham Symphony Chamber Players. In addition to an active performing schedule, Ms. Callahan also teaches violin and chamber music at the Brookline Music School.

Leo Eguchi, cello [founding member]
A native of Michigan, Mr. Eguchi began his cello studies at the age of twelve with Eva Ell and Louis Potter Jr., renowned author of "The Art of Cello Playing." He received Bachelor's degrees with honors in Physics and Cello Performance at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, where he studied cello with Anthony Elliott. He next completed a Masters degree under the famous pedagogue, George Neikrug, at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, where he was recognized with the string department award for excellence. Mr. Eguchi has performed in masterclasses for such cello giants as Janos Starker, David Soyer, Stephen Kates, Ronald Leonard, Andres Diaz and David Geber, plus worked first hand with composers William Bolcom, Bright Sheng, George Crumb, Lukas Foss, Joan Tower and Michael Daugherty to name a few. Mr. Eguchi maintains a very busy and multi-faceted performance schedule including recent chamber music appearances in Moscow, Russia and across the U.S. as a member of the newly founded Lunaire String Quartet ("Quite a Quartet" says Newark's The Star-Ledger). Mr. Eguchi holds the principal position of the New Bedford Symphony, is a member of the Portland Symphony and also performs regularly with most of New England's leading Orchestras. Additionally, Mr. Eguchi loves to perform with more intimate chamber ensembles such as the Kalistos Chamber Orchestra (which he co-founded) and the Arioso Chamber Players as well contemporary music groups such as Brave New Works, the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and ALEA III, with which he recently gave the world premiere performance of Lucas Foss' piano trio, Lament for John, with pianist/composer Martin Amlin and world renowned violinist Peter Zazofsky.

Andrew Eng, violin [founding member]

Born and raised in Canada, Andrew Eng has emerged as a multi-faceted concert artist, performing with many orchestras including the Toronto Symphony.  Andrew's enthusiasm for chamber music reflects his natural passion for collaboration, and he has worked with musicians such as Eugene Drucker, Philip Setzer, Jaime Loredo, Victor Rosenbaum, Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Emmanuel Borok, Regis Pasquier, Peter Slowik, and members of the Penderecki, St. Lawrence, Mendelssohn, Orion, Brentano, Emerson and Juilliard string quartets.  In 1998 Andrew received the A.R.C.T. Performer's Diploma, achieving Honors with Distinction from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.   In May 2003, Andrew completed his undergraduate diploma at the Longy School of Music.   He continues to attend Longy, working towards a Master's degree in Modern American Music, studying Jazz violin and viola with Peter Cassino.  Mr. Eng has studied with many violin teachers, including Zvi Zeitlin, Charles Castleman, and Laura Bossert, whom he continues to study with at Longy.   Andrew has spent time studying and performing at festivals such as the Orford Arts Center, Le Domaine Forget, Killington Music Festival, The Spoletto Festival, Lyricafest, Quartetfest, and the Quartet Program to name a few.   In 2002, he was involved in the creation process of a music festival where "culture meets agriculture".   Symphony in the Barn situated on a farm in Grey County Ontario had a second successful season this past summer. Andrew, as a member of the York String Quartet, has given many fine performances across Canada.   In addition to Andrew's work with chamber ensembles, he enjoys working with composers, performing many works from the twentieth and twenty-first Century.  In his free time, Mr. Eng composes various works for many combinations of ensembles.  His other pursuits include playing Baroque violin or viola, as well as improvising, and playing hockey.

Chris Younghoon Kim, conductor [founding member]
Conductor Chris Younghoon Kim has a broad repertoire in instrumental and choral works and is particularly active in promoting new music. He holds a Bachelor of Music in music education and oboe performance from Northwestern University, a Master of Music in orchestral conducting from the University of Michigan, and has also studied composition. He has continued his conducting studies in master classes with Neeme Jarvi, Jorma Panula, Martyn Brabbins, Gunther Schuller, Gerhard Markson, Joseph Gifford, and Kenneth Kiesler. Kim serves as Artistic Director of Brave New Works, a vibrant ensemble of ten musicians dedicated to performing new compositions, and is the conductor and a founding member of the Kalistos Chamber Orchestra, which is based in Boston. He has also been active as a conductor with the Boston-based Firebird Ensemble. Before coming to Cornell University in 2004 he taught at Tufts University, served as resident conductor of the Mozart Society Orchestra at Harvard University, and was Assistant Conductor for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.  At Cornell University Chris Kim conducts the Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra, and teaches conducting. He works closely with the students in the D.M.A. program in composition, assisting them in presenting their new works in concert. He is also a member of Ensemble X, a professional chamber ensemble based in Ithaca that includes faculty members from both Cornell and Ithaca College.

Adda Kridler, violin [founding member]
As an active solo and chamber musician, Ms. Kridler has been performing extensively since she began the violin at the age of three. She received her bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Harvard University, and is currently pursuing a master's of music at the New England Conservatory. Her principal teachers include James Buswell, Gregory Fulkerson and Roland and Almita Vamos, and she has studied chamber music with many world?renowned musicians including Robert Levin, Daniel Stepner, Robert MacDonald and members of the Takacs and Chicago string quartets. She has played solo recitals in Boston, Oberlin and her native Coshocton, Ohio, and also played on a recital with Laurence Lesser in NEC's Jordan Hall. An avid performer of contemporary music, Ms. Kridler is a member of theCallithumpian Consort at NEC and has also performed with NEC's
Contemporary Ensemble.

Bradley Ottesen, viola [founding member]
began his musical life at the Preucil School of Music in Iowa city, IA, studying for 11 years with William Preucil, Sr.  He attended Northwestern University where he studied with Peter Slowik.  He holds a Master's degree from New England Conservatory where he studied with James Dunham.  He was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for two seasons.  During the summer he participated in Madeline Island Chamber Music, Musicorda String Program, and the International Music Arts Institute in Fryeburg, Maine.  In 2002, he received a fellowship from the Tanglewood Music Center.  He currently lives, teaches and performs in the Boston area.

Brian Perry, bass [founding member]
Originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Brian Perry began playing the double bass at age 12 through the Putnam City public school strings program. After winning the grand prize in the Buttram String Competition, he went on to study with renowned bassist and pedagogue Jeff Bradetich at the University of North Texas. While at the University of North Texas, Brian was a winner in the 2002 U.N.T. Concerto Competition and received many awards including Best Undergraduate String Student 2001. Brian has participated in the Eastern, Kent/Blossom, and Pacific Music Festivals as well as the National Repertory Orchestra and National Orchestral Institute.  Most recently, Brian was accepted as a fellow at the 2002 Tanglewood Music Center.  Before coming to Boston in August 2002, Brian was a member of the Dallas Opera Orchestra and perf! ormed with many other leading Dallas/Ft. Worth area orchestras including the Ft. Worth Symphony, Richardson Symphony and the Dallas Chamber Orchestra.  In addition, he has performed with both the Cleveland and Boston Symphony Orchestras.  Brian is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in double bass performance at Boston University as a student of Edwin Barker. 

Dimitar Petkov, viola [founding member]
A Bulgarian violist, Dimitar Petkov moved to Boston from Miami, Florida. He has performed recital and chamber music in Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the United States. Mr. Petkov has served as principal viola with the Southwest Florida Philharmonic, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Spoleto, Italy, and the Bulgarian State Academy Orchestra. Mr. Petkov was first-prize winner in the Bulgarian National Music Competition, and second-prize winner in both the Bulgarian National Music Competition and the Longy School of Music Concerto Competition. In 2002, he graduated from the Longy School of Music with an artist’s diploma. Currently, Mr. Petkov performs with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and serves as principal viola of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, Newton Symphony Orchestra and Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a faculty member of the Power Music School and the Weston public school.

Nikola Takov, violin [founding member]
A Native of Sofia , Bulgaria, Mr. Takov began playing violin at the age of five. He received his Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from Louisiana State University and his Masters of Music from Boston University. His principle teachers include Yuri Mazurkevich, Kevork Mardirossian, Dora Ivanova, and Elmar Oliviera. Mr. Takov has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe in solo, chamber and orchestral settings. Nikola Takov has won competitions and has appeared as a soloist with numerous ensembles in Europe and the United States, as well as performing in numerous master classes including those held by David Cerone, Joseph Silverstein, Camila Wicks, Sergiu Luca, and Charles Castleman. Mr. Takov currently performs with the Portland Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Indian Hill Symphony.

Valya Takov, cello
bio coming soon...

Viktoria Tchertchian, violin [founding member]

Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Ms. Tchertchian began playing violin at the age of five. She received her Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from Lousiana State University in 2001 and is currently completing a Performance Diploma at the Longy School of Music. Her principle teachers include Laura Bossert, Kevork Mardirossian, James Alexander and Dora Ivanova. Ms. Tchertchian has participated in festivals including the Round Top International Music Festival, the Lyrica International Chamber Music Festival, and the Heber Springs Chamber Music Festival. She was a featured soloist with the Plovdiv National Catholic Choir in performances in France, Belgium, Germany, Norway, and the Czech Republic. Ms. Tchertchian’s orchestral experience includes positions in the Baton Rouge Symphony, the Louisiana State Symphony, and the Plovdiv Philharmonic, and she currently performs with the Indian Hill Symphony, the Cape Cod Symphony, and the Plymouth Symphony.


Miwako Yamanaka- Violin (Founding Member)

Ms. Yamanaka is an active solo, chamber, and orchestra musician. Her chamber music performaces have spanned the globe, appearing in Europe, Asia and North America. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Kunitachi School of Music in Tokyo, Japan, and a Masters with Distinction in Violin Performance from Longy School of Music, studying with Ms. Dana Mazurkevich in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
Ms. Yamanaka was born in Tokyo and began playing violin at the age of five   At age 17, she served as a concertmaster for the Junior Phil Harmonic Orchestra for two years, working with world-renowned conductors Kenichiro Kobayashi and Seiji Ozawa.  Other notable performances in Japan include performing at Casals Hall in Tokyo as a winner of the Viola Space 1997in master classes for Julliard String Quartet, and with Samuel Rhodes of the Amadeus Quartet.  
After moving to the U.S, in 2000, Ms. Yamanaka continued to expand musical interest and repertoire.  She is a violinist and rotated concertmaster with the Kalistos Chamber Orchestra, which has been performing in New England area since 2002. Living and studying in the Boston area, Ms. Yamanaka’s orchestral experience is primarily in Greater Boston and New England, at venues such as the the Cape Cod Symphony, Hingham Symphony, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Brockton Symphony Orchestra.  She has also spent time studying and performing at festivals such as International Summer Academy of Mozartaum, Music Suminar Wiener in Austria, Heifetz International Music Institute, Musicordia with full scholarship, and Spoleto Festival USA. Ms. Yamanaka’s principal teachers are Dana Mazurkevich, Amnon Levy, and Antoine Von Dongen.
For example Ms. Yamanaka also contributes here musical talents to charitable causes.  Every year since 2000 has performed for the patients at Hospitals in Tokyo.  Ms. Yamanaka also has a passion for teaching which, began in Japan when she started teaching at Yokota Base Music School in Tokyo at age 17, and is evident in her music workshop experiences at Hill House, Boston, MA.


.