Pinchas Zukerman, Violin
Jessica Linnebach, Violin
Jethro Marks, Viola
Ashan Pillai, Viola
Amanda Forsyth, Cello

A prodigious talent recognized worldwide for his artistry, Pinchas Zukerman has been an inspiration to young musicians throughout his adult life.  In a continuing effort to motivate future generations of musicians through education and outreach, the renowned artist teamed up with four protégés to form the Zukerman ChamberPlayers during the 2002/2003 season. The ensemble appears regularly at the most prestigious summer festivals throughout the United States, including the Ravinia, Aspen, Tanglewood and Santa Fe Chamber Music festivals.  Overseas appearances have included London’s BBC Proms, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Schleswig-Holstein, Verbier and Barcelona.  Despite limited availability with tour dates restricted to summers and isolated weeks during the main season, they have already performed more than 50 concerts and recorded four CDs. In August 2007, the Zukerman ChamberPlayers made their first-ever visit to South America for an eight concert tour, followed by appearances at Switzerland’s Montreux Festival, the Enescu Festival in Bucharest, Romania, and the 10th Jewish Summer Festival in Budapest.  Additional highlights of the 2007/2008 season included the ensemble’s return to New York’s 92nd Street Y for a three concert series with guest artists focusing on works by Mendelssohn, and debuts in Miami, Puerto Rico, La Jolla and Las Vegas.
Pinchas Zukerman embarks on his tenth season as Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, and also conducts numerous international orchestras including the Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Colorado symphony orchestras, in addition to concerto appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Cincinnati Symphony and many other orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic.  He conducts and plays concerti with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra both in Italy and on the orchestra’s North American Tour. Born in Tel Aviv in 1948, Pinchas Zukerman began studying at age eight with Ilona Feher. With the guidance of Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals, as well as the support of the America Israel and Helena Rubenstein Foundations, he came to America in 1962 to study with Ivan Galamian on scholarship at The Juilliard School of Music. In 1967 he won First Prize in the 25th Leventritt Competition, setting the stage for his solo career.  He has held numerous artistic positions, including Music Director of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In October 2002 he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City.  His extensive discography contains over 100 titles and has earned 21 Grammy nominations and two awards: Best Chamber Music Performance in 1980 and Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra in 1981.
Young Canadian violinist Jessica Linnebach has entranced audiences on three continents with her depth of interpretation and artistry. Since her debut at the age of seven, Jessica Linnebach has appeared with leading orchestras across North America including those of Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. In 2000 she was guest soloist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman on their historic tour of the Middle East and Europe, and joined the NAC Orchestra at the beginning of the 2003/2004 season.  She plays on a ca. 1700 Taft Stradivarius violin loaned by the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank.
Violist Jethro Marks has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Europe and Canada, and is a frequent collaborator with many artists and ensembles. He has performed at numerous music festivals, including Mostly Mozart, Ravinia, Santa Fe and the Zukerman Summer Festival. Additional New York appearances include the String Seminar as well as the Jupiter and Lyric Chamber Music Societies. He has been heard on the stages of Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall, performing with many American and European artists.
Sri Lankan-born British violist Ashan Pillai has enjoyed a flourishing international career as a chamber musician, soloist and teacher. A winner of numerous prizes at international competitions, he has recorded widely and performed with many leading orchestras, including premieres by such significant contemporary composers as Krystof Penderecki, Wolfgang Rhim and Gavin Bryars. He was assistant principal violist with the English Chamber Orchestra from 1994 to 1999 and is currently principal violist in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and professor of viola at the Conservatoire Superior of Barcelona.
Canadian Juno Award-winning Amanda Forsyth is considered one of North America’s most dynamic cellists. Her intense richness of tone, remarkable technique and exceptional musicality combine to enthrall audiences and critics alike. In 1999 Amanda Forsyth became principal cellist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, where she appears regularly as soloist and in chamber ensembles. She is recognized as an eminent recitalist, soloist and chamber musician appearing with leading orchestras in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. As a recording artist she appears on the Fanfare, Marquis, Pro Arte and CBC labels