KRISTI ROSTAD SHADE
Kristi Shade began her harp studies at the age of 2. She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami, where she studied with Valerie von Pechy Whitcup and her Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Susan Jolles. An active performer, Kristi plays regularly with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas and Ensemble 212. She has performed throughout New York and Miami with the Florida Philharmonic, the Albany Symphony, the New England Ensemble, and on Broadway in The Apple Tree and Gypsy. Mrs. Shade teaches privately as well as at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College Program.

MAUREEN O'BRIEN
Maureen O'Brien received a B.A. in Music Performance and French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied under Stephanie Jutt and Laura Barron and was active in both the university symphonies and choirs. In 2002, Maureen spent a semester in southern France where she studied flute at the Conservatoire National de Région de Montpellier and took courses at Université Paul Valéry. A resident of New York City since 2003, Maureen began her career in arts management at the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and is now the Director of Development for Midori & Friends, an arts education organization. In her musical life, Maureen serves as principal flute for the Astoria Symphony and is a member of the East Side Five wind quintet.

DUO DOLCE
Mrs. Shade and Ms. O'Brien were recently featured as soloists with the Astoria Symphony in a performance of Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp.