Musicians
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DANIKA STARRHARRT
(LEAD VOX, SONGWRITER-COMPOSER, PIANO) ARIN HENING (BGV's, AUX PERC) MORGAN SMITH (GUITAR) DUANE MATHES (MANDOLIN) DYLAN OLSON (DRUMS, SYNTH) AMELIA CHAPMAN (VIOLIN) AZRAEL SPEKTOR (VIOLIN) MELANIE HENRY (VIOLA) RITA SOLTESZ (CELLO) KYLE LAMBERT (CELLO) SUNNY AHRENS (FLUTE) SUSAN HOHSTADT-VOERMANS (FLUTE) PAUL DARCY (CLARINET) JAYSEN DODGE (CLARINET, BASSOON) BRUCE MILLS (TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN) TRENT GILES (TROMBONE) |
BIOS
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DANIKA STARRHARRT
(LEAD VOCALS, PIANO, COMPOSER) What inspired you to start playing? "When I was a toddler I would sing to flowers and make up words to the tunes my music boxes played. A mostly quiet child, music was just how my heart talked before I knew any rules. I couldn't wait to start piano lessons when I turned 6 and would be allowed to learn music for real. But traditional piano lessons left me feeling frustrated for quite a few years, even though something inside knew there'd be more music for me. It wasn't until I started learning flute and got to play in jazz bands that I realized music was a language I could speak - and even write, not just struggle to read. I started submitting pieces I wrote to the youth symphonies and choirs I was in, and with them being so well received I was soon getting asked to write for other groups. Once the love for music was rekindled, I returned to playing piano, determined to become a master sightreader and improviser! What inspires you to keep playing? "Simply because I know the power of music: it keeps us healthy, souls fed, and brains sharp! 'If you don't, you won't,' I always tell myself -- I run a busy music business which is ironically the biggest thing that ever keeps me from making music, so I have to make a habit of a morning minimum warmup before the day gets away. I don't feel like I've fully woken up each day until I have been faithful to music. Music is also my favorite way to connect with people. It's about listening deeply, and when you're fully in tune, everyone feels harmony in their hearts and you can't help but be friends." Favorite musical accomplishments: "Self-producing 12 albums (7 of which were completely solo, playing orchestra instruments in layers) in my late teens and early 20's... Teaching tons of excellent music students over the past 20 years through camps and classes and lessons... raising a creative, musical child... performing a lot, yes, but my favorite place to perform is hands down in parades on my pink pedal-powered piano (it won 'best vehicle' in Meridian's 2023 Dairy Days parade!)" Non-musical fun fact: I am super inspired by traveling! If too much time goes by and I don't have the time to take a trip anywhere, I'll usually rearrange my furniture for a change of scenery or redo my daily schedule for a change of pace. SIGN UP FOR DANIKA'S PERSONAL MUSIC SHARE NEWSLETTER HERE |
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PAUL DARCY
(CLARINET) What inspired you to start playing? "I was a little kid in the late '60's. My favorite TV show was the Monkees. After each week's episode, I'd run to the little toy drum kit I had and start drumming and singing, "Hey, hey, we're the Monkees!" I loved making music so, a few years later, I jumped at the chance to join band in the 4th grade. I really wanted to play saxophone, but the teacher said it was too large for me and had me try the clarinet. Fell in love with the instrument." What inspires you to keep playing? "Playing music allows me to express myself in a way that I can't with words. It's helped me deal with pain and loss. It helps me to lead a joyful life and share that joy with others." Favorite musical accomplishments: "Playing with the Washington All State Band in high school, playing in a number of pit orchestras for various shows over the years, and playing bass clarinet with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra for 28 years." Non-musical fun fact: "I once won a contest for best cartoon in a local comics paper that published in Boise back in the '90's." |
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BRUCE MILLS
(TRUMPET, FRENCH HORN) What inspired you to start playing? "When I was young I had severe pneumonia and asthma, to the point of hospitalization for several days in a row. The doctors recommended that they find a hobby that made me breathe more, so my parents bought me a trumpet. I was 9 or 10 at the time. Started playing in 5th grade and never looked back." What inspires you to keep playing: "Music surrounds us in practically everything we do, and I love to be one of those who can actually participate in the creation and performance of music. I love almost all styles of music. In High School I was in band, jazz band, choir and madrigal singers. This continued through college, where I received a degree in music education. Although my professional career was in banking, I’ve been playing trumpet in community groups all of my life, including having my own Dixieland band, performing in community bands, orchestras, and college groups. My wife and I also sing together in community choirs and church choirs." Favorite musical accomplishments: "Playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, the Vivaldi Concerto for two trumpets, the Hummel Trumpet Concerto and the Marcello Oboe Concerto with full orchestra. I also played with La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, North Coast Symphony, Southern California Philharmonic, Golden West Pops Band, Serenata Orchestra, Meridian Symphony, Canyon County Symphony, the Brass Band of Treasure Valley, the Treasure Valley Concert Band and am part of the 1st call musicians for the Music Theater of Idaho. I’ve also performed as an actor/singer in several musicals in the Redlands Bowl." Non-musical fun fact: "I was once an elf at Santa’s Village!" |
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TRENT GILES
(TROMBONE) What inspired you to start playing? "I took some piano lessons as a young child and my sister started playing Clarinet in middle school. Clarinet was my first choice but the band director recommended I go with trombone, my second choice, since less people pick trombone. I just said okay and went with it. I’m grateful he was biased as he was a trumpet player and I’ve loved the variety of musical styles I’ve been able to play over time." What inspires you to keep playing? "Nothing matches the rush you get performing with a group of people, all working as a team in perfect harmony, to create something beautiful and inspiring. Even during a part of a song that my part is resting I love to just listen to everyone else and appreciate that I’m a part of it." Favorite musical accomplishment: "Probably when I played with a ska band in front of 3,000 people and got to dance on stage while playing and watching everyone in the audience dancing along." Non-musical fun fact: "I love to do everything I can outside. Riding my Onewheel, off roading, hiking, snowboarding, camping, even setting up a projector to watch a movie outside. My love of being outdoors is why I moved to the Treasure Valley 5 years ago." |
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MELANIE HENRY
(VIOLIN) What inspired you to start playing? "When I was in grade school, I would put on a record of the Brahms violin concerto. Even though I hadn’t started playing viola/violin yet, I would sit in my rocking chair and listen to that record over and over. My parents started me in piano lessons at 8 years old, then at age 10, I was inspired by my 5th grade orchestra teacher to start playing the viola." What inspires you to keep playing? "I had some great teachers who got me involved in orchestras and festivals. Music has been a healing force in my life and I love teaching and sharing it with others." Favorite musical accomplishments: "Earning a degree in piano at the College of Idaho, playing viola in the Boise Philharmonic in High School and College, playing violin/viola in various pit orchestras and currently principal violist for Canyon County Symphony." Non-Musical fun fact: "I have a hobby of keeping tropical fish. I use to breed freshwater angelfish." |
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