Erin Winemiller, Cello

Erin's classical music training began in the public schools in Puyallup, Washington and through the programs of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. While in high school, Erin served as principal cellist with the Rogers High School Orchestra, principal cellist of the Rainier Symphony, and assistant principal cellist of the Tacoma Youth Symphony. Erin was a finalist in the Washington Music Educators Association State Solo Competition two years in a row and received Second Prize in the Northwest Sinfonietta Youth Concerto Competition. She received coaching from members of the Philadelphia String Quartet while attending the Olympic Music Festival Chamber Music Institute on a talent scholarship. Erin studied individually with David Tonkonogui of the Seattle Symphony and with Hans Jorgen Jensen at Northwestern University.

After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology with Honors from Northwestern she embarked on a career in social services. Erin has worked with people with developmental disabilities and severe mental illness as an employment counselor and case manager, all the while finding opportunities to make music.

Erin has been a member of Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra since 2001 and has subbed with several area orchestras including the Vancouver Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Newport Symphony, Oregon East Symphony, and Walla Walla Symphony. In 2005 Erin received her Masters in Counseling from Portland State University and for the last two years has worked as a mental health therapist.

Currently she divides her time between freelancing, exploring the piano trio repertoire with violinist Jody Morrissette and pianist Nicole Lee, and motherhood. Recently she was awarded a scholarship to study individually with Nancy Ives of the Oregon Symphony through the American Federation of Musicians Local #99 Memorial Scholarship Fund. Erin lives in Gresham with her husband, Dan, and toddler daughter, Mira.