Cellist and Ensemble Liaison Tim O'Malley begins his ninth season as a core member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He also frequently performs with Chamber Music Charleston and as co-principal cellist of the Hilton Head Orchestra. He holds a Bachelor's degree in cello performance from Oberlin Conservatory and a Master's degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Besides an active performing career he also has a large studio of cello students of all ages.

A native of Japan, Mayumi Nakamura began studying the violin with her father at the age of nine. By age twelve she was featured soloist on live radio broadcasts with the Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra. Mayumi has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Japan, South Korea and the United States She gave her New York City solo recital debut at Carnegie Recital Hall in 2002. Mayumi earned a Bachelor's degree at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. She received her Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Ariana Bronne. She then earned a Professional Studies Diploma at Mannes College of Music as a student of Todd Phillips (Orion String Quartet). Ms. Nakamura currently resides in Charleston, where she is enjoying an active freelance career performing regularly with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Hilton Head Orchestra, and for various civic functions in the Lowcountry.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Allison Davis was first exposed to the violin at the age of four. Her studies lead her to the University of Kansas, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance under the guidance of Lithuanian-born violinist, Ben Sayevich, former concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony. Following graduation, Ms. Davis completed a year of her Master's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Ms. Davis came to Charleston to be a violinist in the Spoleto Festival Orchestra and decided to make it her new home. Her current musical endeavors include recording projects, an extended run of the Off-Broadway hit I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at the historic Dock Street Theater, and, of course, appearances with the Signature Players.

Nonoko Okada started her violin training at the age of six in her native Japan. She received her Bachelor's degree in violin performance from the Mannes College of Music and later received her Master's degree from the Juilliard School in New York City. She has performed recitals throughout Japan as well as New York. She has also participated in Spoleto Festival USA, the Cape May Music Festival, the Bowdoin Summer Music Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts and Festival Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy. As an orchestral player and chamber musician, Ms. Okada has appeared at Avery Fisher Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Juilliard Theater at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and Symphony Space in New York City. Formerly a member of the Hartford Syphony Orchestra, Ms. Okada begins her fourth season as a core violinist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

A native of Charleston, Ashley Dew received her Bachelor's of Music degree in flute performance from the University of Kansas. Among her teachers are Jeanne Baxtresser, Nestor Herszbaum and John Bolton. She has participated in the Brevard Music Festival and has played with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and maintains a large flute studio in Charleston.

Julie grew up in Florence, South Carolina. She began her musical education at Florida State University, then transferred to Winthrop College in Rock Hill to study under Phil Thompson. She received a Bachelor of Music Performance degree as well as a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1990 and was awarded the prestigious Presser Music Scholarship the same year. She continued her graduate studies at Winthrop and received her Master of Music in 1993. Mrs. Mathias was the 1988 winner of the South Carolina MTNA Young Artist Competition, as well as second runner up in the Southern Division Finals held in Richmond, Virginia. She has been a public school music educator for the past thirteen years. She currently teaches elementary music at Sullivan's Island Elementary School and resides on Daniel Island with her husband and two daughters.

A native of Philadelphia, violinist Rachel Crozier Lever began studying the violin at a young age. Rachel pursued her violin studies at the most competitive music school in the world, the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied with Stephen Clapp. Besides playing and touring regularly as a core member of the Manhattan Virtuosi and the Wild Ginger Philharmonic and Chamber Players, she taught as many as thirty young violin students weekly! Since coming to Charleston Rachel has been playing frequently with the Charleston Symphony. Rachel has also pursued another avenue of violin playing - the Irish fiddle. She studied fiddling with Brendan Callahan and in 2000 Rachel was the grand prize winner of the Celtic Classic Fiddling Competition.

A native of Portland, Oregon, cellist Ellen Moryl has performed in solo and chamber music recitals throughout the United States. Besides her cello work she has also directed Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival since 1979. The Piccolo Spoleto Festival presents some 700 events in 17 days. The festival offers visual arts exhibits, classical music, blues, jazz, dance, theater, poetry readings, children's activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film. She performs as a part time member of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as well as in numerous chamber ensemble performances throughout the greater Charleston area.

Signature Players contracts with many other classical musicians residing in the greater Charleston, SC Area. These associate musicians are members of the Charleston or Savannah Symphonies or local freelance musicians. This not only allows for scheduling flexibility, but also lends to greater instrumental versatility. Upon request, Signature Players is able to provide various size string and wind ensembles. Please inquire.