Sapphire Woodwind Quintet, Quintet

Biography

Sapphire Woodwind Quintet has been entertaining audiences with eclectic programs since 2004. Sapphire has performed on concert series all over the Chicagoland area, including Mostly Music Chicago, the Nineteenth Century Club, and the Noontime Concerts at the University of Chicago. The quintet is honored to join the roster of musicians on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series.

The group members, Kim Sopata (flute), Somerlie DePasquale (oboe), Anna Najoom (clarinet), Ann Dufek (bassoon), and Lisa Taylor (horn), are graduates of such well-known music institutions as Northwestern University, the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and the New England Conservatory, and are currently active freelance musicians. They have played with prestigious symphony orchestras around the country, including Chicago, Baltimore, Annapolis, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Elgin, and Ars Viva.

The members of Sapphire are dedicated music educators and teach in schools as well as maintaining private studios. The quintet was invited by jazz musician Orbert Davis to join his Discover Music: Discover Life program, which is dedicated to giving all students access to the arts and brings high-quality programs to needy schools. The quintet has enjoyed “planting the seeds” for another generation of live music enthusiasts in classrooms all over Chicago.

Sapphire Woodwind Quintet is known for its original programming that includes Klezmer music, folk songs from North and South America, arrangements of jazz standards, and pieces showcasing ethnic instruments. Sapphire is committed to expanding the quintet repertoire and is involved in ongoing projects with composers to bring new works to the public. Their goal is to surprise audiences with fresh music and share the joy of live music with their listeners.