Rhapsody Quintet Announces New Member

Rhapsody Quintet is pleased to announce that Halifax-based clarinetist Eileen Walsh is joining the group, effective immediately.   Eileen replaces Dominic Desautels who joined the group in 2013.  Eileen joins Cellist Shimon Walt, Pianist Diana Torbert, violinist Jennifer Jones and Double Bassist David Langstroth.
 
“Eileen is a great player and a great friend,” said cellist Shimon Walt.  “We had three great years with Dominic, and we’ll miss him, but having had the opportunity to work with two such wonderful clarinet players is amazing.  We have worked with Eileen in the past, and she is a great addition to the ensemble,” said Walt.
 
Eileen Walsh has held the position of Second Clarinet and Bass Clarinet with Symphony Nova Scotia since October 2007. Formerly the Associate Principal and E-flat Clarinet with the South Bend Symphony, Eileen earned her Master of Music degree and Performer Diploma from Indiana University in the studio of Eli Eban, and her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of British Columbia in the studio of Wesley Foster.  Eileen’s love of chamber music has led to the co-founding of the Fifth Wind Woodwind quintet and the Jollimore Trio.  Eileen is currently on faculty at Dalhousie and Acadia Universities, and she lives in Halifax with her husband, flutist Jack Chen, and their two young boys.  Other pursuits include performing on period instruments, and a two-year term as Associate Instructor of Music Theory at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
 
Rhapsody Quintet has released six recordings to date and is one of Nova Scotia’s most versatile performing ensembles.  Their music making has taken them from Broadway to women’s prison, with performances for Royalty, stadium fundraisers, and symphony audiences.   For more information on upcoming performances, or to listen to Rhapsody’s music, please visit www.rhapsodyquintet.com, or find them on Facebook and Twitter.
 
Next up for Rhapsody is a free performance at the Public Gardens Bandstand on the Halifax Natal Day weekend, Saturday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m.