Avalon String Ensemble is a unique musical outfit that features violinist Monika Kastner, guitarist Stephen Parton and 'cellist Bruce Morritt. The three players are also available in different combinations as a duo, ie: guitar and 'cello, 'cello and violin, etc. A guitar and flute duo is also available.

Their repertoire includes works from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary eras. The performances also highlight various traditional and Celtic pieces, as well as some original compositions. In the absence of well-known classical pieces composed specifically for guitar, 'cello and violin (save for a few pieces by Paginini), their arrangements have stemmed from symphonies, string quartets, harpsichord and piano pieces, as well as 'cello sonatas and solo guitar pieces.

Avalon String Ensemble is based out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Monika Kastner, (Violin). Monika’s foray into orchestral performance began with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra, with whom she played violin for five years. In the years to come, she was awarded several Kiwanis music competitions.

Monika played with the McMaster Chamber orchestra while attending McMaster University, and later formed a small chamber group called Montague Strings which performed regularly around the Toronto area. Monika plays in the First Violin section of Symphony Hamilton (and is also a board member).


Stephen Parton, (Guitar) began playing guitar at the age of ten while living in Dundas, Ontario. Further studying brought him to London, Ontario and to Montreal, where he studied classical guitar. In Toronto, Parton also studied Fingerstyle guitar with Canada's premier acoustic guitarist, Don Ross. Classical guitar instructors have included masters Alexander Dunn, Davis Joachim and Norbert Kraft.

Parton has composed for and performed several times with The Vancouver Island Symphony, conducted by Marlin Wolfe. He plays professionally as a session guitarist (live and studio) and teaches classical and acoustic guitar. Stephen performs regularly with his band and as a soloist. To date, his guitar work has graced over a dozen albums. Stephen is the founder and director of the Avalon Music Academy, located in Hamilton, Burlington and Dundas, Ontario.


Bruce Morritt, ('Cello). Bruce started playing cello at age 9, through the public school system, and joined the Niagara Youth Orchestra at age 11. He became principal cellist in his second season and kept the position for six years. During this time he led sectionals and master classes for the lower string section.

Bruce also played for many small chamber orchestras, string ensembles and quartets all throughout the Golden Horseshoe area. He participated in two European tours and traveled across Canada performing in many festivals, from Halifax to Vancouver, as a member of the Niagara Youth Orchestra and/or various chamber ensembles. He is currently performing in small ensembles and as a soloist at various events and festivals in the Hamilton and Niagara areas. He also performed last year with Symphony Hamilton.

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