about us.



Mile High String Quartet was established in 2014 by classically trained and experienced musicians based in Denver, CO. Our members have performed with ensembles such as the MSU Denver Symphony Orchestra, various MSU and independent chamber ensembles, the Front Range Youth Symphony, Centennial Philharmonic, Jefferson Symphony, Lonetree Symphony, Golden Chamber Orchestra, Parker Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Steamboat Symphony, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Symphony in the Vail Valley, Tree-O and Cirque du Soleil's "Cirque Dreams."



ELIZABETH HARRIS



VIOLIN



Elizabeth Harris began learning the violin at the age of nine and has played with a variety of orchestras throughout her life. In addition to the violin Elizabeth has also studied the cello and has performed with both instruments in a variety of hired and volunteer events. Though greatly self-taught she was presented with the National High School Orchestra Award and has also studied with Bradly Watson of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth served as the principal second violinist in the Metropolitan State University of Denver Symphony Orchestra for three years. She now teaches private violin lessons, is the first violinist and co-owner and co-business manager of the Mile High String Quartet and is a freelance violinist performing in many local community orchestras and private events. ​Elizabeth works for the National Park Service and has earned a Bachelor's in Literature from Metropolitan State University, a Master's in Professional Creative Fiction Writing from the University of Denver, and is currently pursuing a certificate from the University of California Berkeley in Technical Communications.



LAN VO



VIOLIN



Lan Vo grew up in the State of Washington where he started playing violin and viola at the age of three. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor's of Science in Human/Child Development and Family Studies and continued on to Denver Seminary with a Masters in Counseling. Lan is currently a violist/violinist in the Jefferson Symphony, the Denver Pops Orchestra and serves as second violin in the Mile High String Quartet. He has been concertmaster of the Golden Chamber Orchestra and has assisted in other orchestras including the Lakewood Symphony, Aurora Symphony, Lonetree Symphony, Metropolitan State University of Denver Symphony and the Valley Symphony. He is also frequently invited to play solo and other various chamber groups throughout Colorado. Lan is currently studying under Brad Watson, a violinist with the Colorado Symphony. Lan is known for his passion for music and the way he is able to express it through his execution and performance.



KAREN LAUFFER



VIOLA



Karen Lauffer, a native of Maryland, has been performing in various Colorado-based ensembles for the past decade. She has performed in groups ranging from chamber orchestras (University of Colorado, Boulder) to rock bands (Delilah's Revenge) as well as performance art groups that play mounted in trees (Tree-o). Karen moved to Colorado to attend graduate school at the University of Colorado, Boulder where she received a Master's Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy. Before moving out west, she played viola with the York Symphony Orchestra and Shippensburg Festival Orchestra in Pennsylvania while studying for her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at the York College of Pennsylvania. As a member of the York Symphony Orchestra, Karen accompanied world-renowned guest artists such as Josha Bell, Nadia Solerno-Sonnenburg and Christopher Riley. In addition to performing and writing music, Lauffer runs a Suzuki music school in Westminster, CO. Karen is also a founding member of the experimental bluegrass group Tree-O and has played in Cirque du Soleil's "Cirque Dreams" Denver tour.



CHANDRIKA PREM



CELLO



Chandrika Prem has been playing cello for over 25 years. She earned a Bachelor’s of Music in Cello Performance in May of 2016 from Metropolitan State University of Denver, and continues to study under Dr. Charles Lee. Prem teaches private cello, violin, and beginning music lessons with a successful studio of over 30 students; is the co-owner/business manager and cellist for the Mile High String Quartet; plays with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra; and contracts freelance projects in all genres of music and theater. She has also played cello and sang with many local bands in genres including blues, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, experimental electronic, and indie rock.


Prem believes that music has the ability to change people’s lives, especially the process of playing music. She believes that every person, no matter what age, can benefit from learning to play an instrument and that doing so will reflect positively in their everyday life. Her love of teaching is reflected in her enthusiasm and dedication toward her students.



JULIANNA DESIATO



VIOLA



Julianna grew up in Colorado, and began playing viola as a fifth grader. Throughout her time in school, she played in Ralston Valley's most advanced orchestra, played in three pit orchestras for the school musicals, was selected for Jefferson All County Orchestra multiple times and her senior year, was selected for Colorado All State Orchestra where she was principal viola in the Philharmonic Group. She played with the Front Range Youth Symphony for five years and was principal violist there as well. Julianna is now a student at Colorado School of Mines (CSM) studying Engineering Physics, and plays viola in the CSM Symphony Orchestra, the CSM String Quartet, and the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra.



GABRIELLE VANDRIL



VIOLIN



Gabrielle started playing violin at age eight. In 2015, she graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's Degree in music performance. During her time at ISU, she performed frequently in small chamber groups and in the college symphony, and taught group orchestra classes for the String Project program. With a background in anatomy and physiology and various movement modalities, she sees music making as a vehicle to explore the many ways we can express ourselves through movement. She is currently studying the specific physical components of playing a stringed instrument in hopes to contribute to the growing demand for musicians’ wellness. Gabrielle lives in Denver, Colorado, where she works in craft beer and occasionally makes an appearance with the Mile High String Quartet.



PLACES WE'VE PLAYED



Boulder Dinner Theater
Brookdale Senior Living Lakewood
Denver Botanic Gardens
Governor's Residence at Boettcher Mansion
Lakewood Heritage Center Amphitheater
Larkspur Events and Dining
Lioncrest Manor
Meadow Creek Lodge and Even Center



Moose Lodge at Crooked Creek
Mt. Vernon Country Club
Piney River Ranch
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
The Lodge at Breckenridge
The Manor House at Ken Caryl Ranch
The University Club
Willow Ridge Manor



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Est.2014



Music for all of life's occasions



MILE HIGH STRING QUARTET