BELFAST — On Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m., Belfast Chamber Music presents its inaugural spring concert at the Unitarian Universalist Church, at 37 Miller Street, in Belfast.

The free program, inspired by the coming of spring, features classical solos, duos, and trios by composers such as Mozart, Hoffmeister, and Dvorak. Additionally, the program highlights lesser-known twentieth century composer Quincy Porter and living composer Shulamit Ran. Local performers Philipp Elssner, violin/viola, and Hannah Morris, flute, are joined by guest artist Olena Kaspersky, violin, in presenting this concert of engaging music accessible to both classical music fans and newcomers.

Elssner is a violinist, violist, and music theorist currently based in Midcoast Maine. He received his MA from McGill University, where he studied violin with Jinjoo Cho. Previously, he received his BM from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Jaime Laredo and Jan Sloman. Elssner has been a part of summer performances in Bayside, Belfast, Camden, and Rockland. He has also performed at music festivals around the country, including at Encore Chamber Music, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival. Elssner has recently been appointed as the new violinist of Maine’s renowned DaPonte String Quartet, who he will join in June of this year.

Morris is a flutist, dancer, and early childhood music teacher also based in Midcoast Maine. Her work is to create a container for musicians of all ages to develop a relationship with music, sound, movement, and play that allows for a lifetime of growth and exploration. Morris is a graduate of Ithaca College with a degree in Music Education, K-12. In addition to her work in Belfast area daycares and a private instrumental studio around the Northeast, Morris enjoys playing flute with the Penobscot Bay Orchestra.

L.A. native Olena Kaspersky received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where she studied violin with Lina Bahn. She has held principal positions in such ensembles as the Colburn Chamber Orchestra and American Youth Symphony, and has been concertmaster of the USC Symphony and the Colburn Youth Orchestra. During her time at USC, Kaspersky won the USC Solo Bach Competition in the undergraduate category and the USC Ofiesh Quartet Competition with the Gateway Quartet, with which she also performed at the Rencontres franco-américaines de Musique de Chambre in Missillac, France. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at McGill University under the tutelage of Violaine Melançon. 

This free concert celebrates the beginning of Belfast’s first local chamber music concert series. The goal of Belfast Chamber Music is to give a platform to local musicians and invited guests, in order to provide the community with regular access to live classical music. Free-will donations are accepted and will go towards the performers and the production of future concerts in the Belfast area.