Tara Minaev – Flute
Tara has always had the pleasure of calling Edmonton her home. Growing up, she loved listening to her Grandfather play the piano which fueled her desire to become a musician. In 2017, Tara completed her Bachelor of Music with Distinction at the University of Alberta, focusing on flute performance. She has been a member of the UofA Orchestra, UofA Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the Edmonton Youth Orchestra. Since graduating, Tara has participated in multiple orchestral and jazz community ensembles. When Tara is not enveloped in Bach Cello Suite recordings, she can be found tuning pianos, playing video games, or hanging out with dogs at Waggytails, the doggy daycare where she is employed.
Christine O’Neil – Piano
Born and raised in Edmonton, Christine O’Neil studied a variety of classical, modern, and jazz music through the esteemed Conservatory Canada program in her youth. In her 11 years of study, she received two scholarships to attend programs that educated young musicians in the ways of accompaniment and duets. Christine also achieved several grades of First Class Honors with Distinction in both practical and theory examinations. She was privileged to work for Eastminister Presbyterian Church in Edmonton for several years as the Church Organist. Christine loved performing classic hymns with the congregation.
Currently Christine has taken up a position at Skye’s School of Music in Calgary teaching piano. When she isn’t teaching, she is composing her own pieces and collecting vintage English china. Her inspirations when writing are a combination of classical waltzes and modern videogame music. Being quite fond of the romantic era of music, she can be often heard playing a selection of Chopin pieces. However, let it be known that she is proficient in the baroque stylings as well. Her favorite piece is Pavane Pour Une Enfante Defunte (Maurice Ravel, 1899) which she plays often in memory of her late Grandmother. Christine also enjoys a variety of classic rock and “Indie Folk” music.