Hello! I am Mandy, a cellist in Jamestown, NY. I began my career as a violinist. Unfortunately, I broke my left hand in music school. This drastically changed my career path as you can imagine. I ended up with a master's degree in counseling, which affords me the luxury of time to pursue my musical endeavors. I played the violin for 25 years. Then, 10 years ago I picked up the cello and have not looked back. 

Cello was the instrument I was first drawn to. It was instantly grounding and lovely to me. Unfortuntely, due to limited resources I was pushed towards the violin. They were simply easier to acquire with limited means. I have resumed study as an adult with modern cellist, Bryan Eckenrode, and Baroque cellist, Phoebe Carrai. I regularly attend workshops such as the Bach Cello Suites Workshop, The Breathing Bow Workshop (with Ruth Phillips), and Baroque Cello Bootcamp. I perform regularly with the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra. I also sub for area chamber groups including the Olean Chamber Society. 

I live in a small city where classical music once flourished. It has been a dream of mine to reintegrate Baroque and Classical music into the community of Jamestown at a professional level. Just over a year ago I started the Chadakoin Chamber Ensemble with my co-director Katie Ferrie (violist). We were able to achieve non-profit status as an organization by the end of 2022. We have a home base at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, possessing the most beautiful sound space in Jamestown. In just one year we have directed and performed in 8 concerts. We recruit musicians to fit programming for each individual concert. While Katie and I feel most at home in the Baroque Era, we dabble in modern and rock music as well. Katie enjoys arranging musical especially for our group. We have received enourmous encouragement and support within our community. Our concerts are very well attended by community members and continues to grow. We may have to find a new venue in the near future!

On top of regularly scheduled concerts, we have smaller gigs and events as trios and duos in the community as well. Recently, we held a fundraiser for an individual that needs a service dog. Once again, the community was so supportive. 

I am so proud of the musicians I get to perform with, and all of the hard work that we are putting into the Chadakoin Chamber Ensemble. I want to see this established group grow and to become a staple in our community.