Avalon String Ensemble is a unique musical outfit that features violinist Jenn Tufgar, guitarist Stephen Parton and 'cellist Trina Nadeau. The three players are also available in different combinations as a duo, ie: guitar and 'cello, 'cello and violin, etc.

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.

Trina Nadeau ~ Cello Trina Nadeau grew up in a musical family, being nurtured to grow in piano and cello. She studied with Nancy Wharton from the KW Symphony, and went to Eastwood Collegiate for the enriched arts package program. Trina played with the KW Youth Symphony and started playing for weddings and events in a quartet called Sixteen Strings. She later joined the KW Chamber Orchestra, and then pursued music at Mohawk College in the Applied Music Program, studying under Marcia Moffet from the Hamilton Symphony. Being surrounded by jazz and more popular music ensembles in this program, Trina branched out and embraced a more alternative side to her cello. Joining the band Ophelia Syndrome, she was soon playing shows throughout Southern Ontario. She also began teaching at the Merriam School of Music. Since this time Trina has joined two more groups, a Celtic/World/Folk music group called, Quest for the Past, and a popular music group called, The Colour Tasters. Trina continues to play as a freelance musician for weddings and events. She also continues to teach music privately. She loves her incredibly busy music filled life, juggling 3 groups, orchestra, events, and everything else that she does is music to her ears.

Jennifer Tufgar ~ Violin Jennifer began playing the violin at age 4 under Linda Judiesch. Years of hard work, perseverance and much parental support have earned her countless music awards including the Cheryl Anne Faley Memorial Award from the Hamilton Board of Education (1998), and several awards at the Hamilton Kiwanis Music Festival. Jennifer has also won many awards at fiddle contests around Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including First Place in the Shelbourne Open Fiddle Competition, and First Place in the Open Class at Saskatchewan. As a classical violinist and violist, Jennifer has played with the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra for five years, and currently plays with Symphony Hamilton.

Stephen Parton ~ Guitar Born in Jonquière, Québec, Steve began playing guitar at the age of ten years 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 on guitar several times as a soloist with the Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra and is scheuled to perform Vivaldi's Lute Concerto in D-major with the Dundas Valley Orchestra in January 2011. He still plays professionally as a session guitarist (live and studio), in the Avalon String Ensemble, and as a soloist. Steve's guitar work has graced over a dozen albums. Steve's website is www.partonmusic.com Steve is the owner of Avalon Music Academy (www.avalonmusic.ca)

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