Karen Banos, Violin

First violinist Karen Banos is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and is a founding member of the Rittenhouse String Quartet. Karen performs with the Philly Pops, the Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Ballet. In addition to classical engagements, Karen has played commercially in Atlantic City and on tour with Josh Groban and the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Kenny Rogers, as well as with legends like Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett and Johnny Mathis. Karen is on the faculty of Drexel University and spends her summers in Saratoga, NY performing with the Lake George Opera Festival.

A student of legendary teacher and violinist Jascha Brodsky of the Curtis String Quartet, Karen also credits her commitment to music education in the public schools to her first violin teacher : Eugene Reichenfeld

Walter Choi, Violin

Walter Choi is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, and has been performing with the Rittenhouse Ensembles for over ten years. Walter is a member of the Harrisburg, Reading and Delaware Symphonies

David DiGiacobbe, Flutist

David DiGiacobbe has performed as flutist with the Rittenhouse Quartet and Ensembles since 1996. He also performs as principal flutist of the Harrisburg Symphony and Lancaster Symphony Orchestras. A native of Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Temple University and the Conservatory of Music in Lucca, Italy. His principal teachers include Julius Baker, Renee Siebert and Jeffrey Khaner. As a concerto soloist, Mr. DiGiacobbe has performed concerti by Bach, Mozart, Nielsen, Boulez, Christopher Rouse, and Lowell Liebermann, among others, appearing with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, and on National Television with the Bogotá Philharmonic in Columbia. Mr. DiGiacobbe appears frequently as guest principal flute for the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, The Philly Pops and the Philadelphia Virtuosi. He spends his summers in Austria, as orchestra manager, and principal flutist of the AIMS Festival Orchestra. Since September 2000 he has been flute professor at The College of New Jersey.

Marjorie Goldberg, Viola

Marjorie Goldberg was raised in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music and is a Suzuki Certified instructor. Marjorie is currently a member of the Harrisburg Symphony and the Philly Pops. A devoted educator, Marjorie currently teaches violin, viola and ensembles at Waldron-Mercy Academy as well as private lessons and string methods at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Marjorie has performed with Josh Groban, the Trans Siberian Orchestra as well as countless other headlining stars in Atlantic City and on tour.

Jonathan Fink, Cello

Jonathan Fink was raised in Eugene, Oregon and moved to Philadelphia in 1983 to attend the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts where he studied with Lorne Munroe. Jonathan is assistant principal in the Philly Pops as well as a contracted member of the Reading and Harrisburg Symphonies. In addition to his musical endeavors, no biography of Jonathan would be complete without mentioning his passion for general aviation and humanitarian efforts. As a private pilot he frequently performs "Angel Flights", providing free air transportation on private aircrafts to needy people facing medical challenges or having other compelling human needs.

Susan Lerner , Cello

Susan Lerner received degrees from the Hartt School of Music and Manhattan School of Music. Susan regularly plays for the "Broadway at the Academy" series at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia we well as with a number of regional orchestras including the Classical, Reading and Delaware Symphonies. Susan has been performing with the Rittenhouse Ensembles for fifteen years!