Sam Stanley
Cello, Piano, and Composition/Theory
Sam Stanley has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance and a minor in music technology from the UNL Glenn Korff School of Music. They studied cello under Dr. Karen Becker, composition under Dr. Greg Simon, and have also studied composition under Dr. Tyler White. They were awarded the Vreeland award in Music Composition by the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing arts in 2021 and received honorable mention for their piece “Black as the Void” in the Sheldon Art Gallery’s art competition: Conversation Black in 2019.
In 2021, Sam was commissioned to write incidental music for the Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s production of Dracula: Mina’s Quest. Sam also enjoys film scoring, and has written music for over 5 short films. They were a fellow at the Cortona Sessions for New music in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Sam is passionate about teaching music, and studied Music Theory Pedagogy under Dr. Gretchen Foley in 2021. They currently teach private piano, cello, and composition lessons at several studios in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Mee-Hwa Roche
Viola, Violin
Mee-Hwa Roche is a performer and teacher based in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2022, Mee-Hwa received a Bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln, studying under Clark Potter. In their time attending UNL, Mee-Hwa participated in orchestra, chamber music, and played as an instrumentalist in five operas. They were also a winner of the 2020-2021 Glenn Korff School of Music Concerto Competition.
A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Mee-Hwa started playing the viola at age eight through the University of Northern Iowa Suzuki School, studying with Ms. Ute Brandenberg and Dr. Julia Bullard. More recently, Mee-Hwa has attended the Brevard Music Center Institute, performed as a substitute in the Lincoln, Omaha, Kearney, and Sioux City Symphony Orchestra viola sections, and is a frequent gig performer. Mee-Hwa also served as co-arranger and performer in Madeline Reddel’s Garden Party concert series in Omaha, Nebraska. Mee-Hwa aims to help students discover and cultivate a love for music, just as their teachers have done for them throughout their journey with the viola.