ON SALE WINTER '26
The Governor's Chamber Music Series has been presenting classical chamber music concerts for over two decades at the Governor's Mansion in Olympia and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Judith Cohen, Pianist and Artistic Director, is passionate about bringing inspiring and varied chamber music programs to audiences while featuring some of the finest musicians of the Pacific Northwest Region. Few cities in the world are as closely associated with music as Vienna. Over centuries the Austrian capital developed into a centre of musical innovation, performance, and patronage. Some of the most influential composers in Western history lived and worked here, shaping musical traditions that continue to influence musicians and audiences today. Frank Schubert composed some of the most beautiful songs in German ever written, as well as music for violin, cello and string quartet and even piano sonatas! He tragically died at age 31 yet his output was staggering. The beloved composer Joseph Haydn's symphonies and chamber works established the Viennese classical style that influenced generations of composers. And of course the brilliant 19th century composer Johannes Brahms gifted us with bountiful chamber music, piano works and symphonies. Even though he was German, the cultural and musical life in Vienna shaped his compositions. Our concert will feature a variety of ensembles; Duo, Trio and Quartet that will showcase three of these wonderful composers' most delightful works.
Pianist Judith Cohen is a Steinway Artist known for her expressive solo and chamber music performances across the United States and abroad. She has appeared in recital in Hungary, Mexico, Italy, and throughout the U.S., earning praise for her musicianship and stage presence. Cohen is the co-founder and Artistic Director of The Governor’s Chamber Music Series in Olympia, Washington, and pianist of the acclaimed TangleTown Trio.
Violinist Brittany Breeden has been a member of the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera Orchestra since 2015. An active soloist and chamber musician, she has performed with orchestras and festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond, including the Bainbridge Island Symphony, Saratoga Orchestra, Wenatchee Symphony, Tanglewood, Spoleto, Vail, and Banff festivals. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Breeden grew up performing with her family, the internationally acclaimed Magical Strings.
Violinist Olivia Chew, a native of Long Island, joined the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in 2020 after being a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for six seasons. Prior to that, she served as assistant principal viola in the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and was a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. An active chamber musician, she is a frequent guest artist with the Lakes Area Music Festival
in Brainerd, Minnesota, the Society for Chamber Music Rochester in Rochester, New York, and the Rock Creek Trio in Baltimore, Maryland. She has studied at Indiana University with Stephen Wyrczynski and at the Manhattan School of Music with Karen Dreyfu
Cellist Eric Han, Korean-born Canadian, has been a member of the Seattle Symphony since 2013. Han made his concerto debut with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14. Following his debut, he had many engagements with Toronto Sinfonietta, Toronto Chamber Players and Boston’s Symphony by the Sea. As a guest artist and Artist in Residence, Han has participated at various festivals, including the Moritzburg Festival, La Jolla SummerFest, Music@Menlo and Sarasota Music Festival, among others. Han studied with David Hetherington at the Glenn Gould School and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Colburn School of Music under the tutelage of Ronald Leonard. Han is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Peter Wiley and Carter Brey. Han plays on a cello made by Frank Ravatin on generous loan to him by the Maestro Foundation.