Garrick Woods cello Daniela Mineva piano
Garrick Woods comes from a family of professional musicians and studied music extensively from his earliest years. While cello remains his primary instrument, he plays trombone, bass, sings and conducts. Garrick holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Arizona and completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Utah. He has studied with several cellists of note including Jànos Starker.
As a performer, Dr. Woods delivers emotionally stirring performances with understanding of a variety of styles. He regularly performed as a member of the Tucson Symphony, as a substitute for the Utah and Hawaii Symphonies and now serves as principal cello of the Eureka Symphony. Garrick also performed as a studio musician on many television, game, and film soundtracks. He currently holds the title of Assistant Professor at Humboldt State University, teaching cello and bass, and directs the Humboldt Symphony. Woods has played bass with the Festival Strings since year One.
Daniela Mineva is hailed by critics as a "vibrant and expressive performer who could steal the show in every concert" (New York Times). She has appeared at some of the most prestigious venues in Bulgaria, USA, China, Italy, France, Greece, Russia, Germany, and Costa Rica. Dr. Mineva has commissioned and premiered works by both young and established composers. A devoted teacher, she gives master classes throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Born in Bulgaria, Daniela began piano lessons at the age of five with her mother. She graduated from Sofia Music Academy with a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance and Choral Conducting. She holds degrees and certificates in Piano Performance and the Outstanding Graduate Diploma from the University of North Texas, Northwestern University and the Eastman School of Music. She has worked closely with Emmanuel Ax, Pamela Frank, Paul Badura-Skoda. A dedicated educator, she is currently Piano Professor at Humboldt State University, Director of the North Coast Piano Festival and Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop. Daniela judges many national and international competitions.
Most recently, she has performed at the Beijing Concert Hall, Renmin Festival, Beijing, China and the Fortuna Concert Series.