​Cordula Merks, violin

Violinist Cordula Merks is the Concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and Professor of Violin at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Previous positions include First Assistant concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony and concertmaster of Germany's Essen Philharmonic, Bochum Symphony and Bergische Symphony. She has also served as guest concertmaster for many orchestras, including the Houston Symphony, American Ballet Theater, Dresden Philharmonic, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Portuguese National Opera. When not playing in the orchestra, Cordula enjoys playing as a soloist and as a chamber musician and has performed in the US, Israel, Mexico, and all over Europe.

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Cordula was born in Germany and spent her childhood in Holland. She started playing the violin at the age of 6 and was accepted to study at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague at the age of 12. Her teachers have included Theodora Geraets, Jaring Walta, Shmuel Ashkenasi, and Herman Krebbers, and she holds degrees from the Amsterdam Conservatory and Northern Illinois University.

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Ms. Merks has won prizes at all Dutch national competitions, at various concerto competitions and at several international competitions, including the International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria. Cordula is married to contrabassoonist Mike Gamburg, and together they have two daughters, Mia, and Emmie.

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Mayumi Hiraga, violin

Violinist Mayumi Hiraga Wyrick is a newly appointed member of the San Francisco Ballet orchestra and she regularly appears with many Bay Area ensembles including San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony and Marin Symphony. Mayumi completed her undergraduate studies at the New England Conservatory and participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and Kneisel Hall. She received her Master’s degree from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Her principal teachers have included Vera Beths, Anner Bylsma, Lucy Chapman and Axel Strauss.

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Amy Hiraga, viola

Amy Hiraga’s illustrious career as a violinist is marked by her tenure with prestigious orchestras and ensembles. Her journey from the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra to the San Francisco Symphony showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft. With performances across a spectrum of renowned chamber music festivals such as Chamber Music West, Santa Fe Chamber Music, Caramoor, Bard and Olympic and collaborations with eminent ensembles, such as St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble, Partita and Chelsea Ensembles, Hiraga has established herself as a prominent figure in the classical music scene. Her education under distinguished mentors Emanuel Zetlin and Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School,

further underscores her deep-rooted passion for music, which continues to resonate in her performances and recordings.

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Peter Wyrick, cello

Peter Wyrick’s distinguished career as a cellist is marked by his long-standing association with the San Francisco Symphony, where he has served as Associate Principal Cello since 1999. His early start at the age of eight at the Juilliard School set the stage for a life dedicated to music, leading to solo appearances with numerous orchestras and partnerships with celebrated musicians. Peter was a member of the acclaimed Ridge String Quartet whose recording of the Dvorak Piano Quintets with pianist Rudolf Firkusny on the RCA label won the French Diapason d'Or and was nominated for the 1993 Grammy Award for the Best Chamber Music Performance. His recordings include the cello sonatas of Gabriel Faure with pianist Earl Wild for dell'Arte Records as well as performances for Stereophile and Arabesque labels.