Our Team
Mable Lecrone
Violinist | Director of Communications
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A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, violinist and composer Mable Lecrone began her musical journey at age seven. She earned her bachelor's degree in Violin Performance and Music Composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and her master's degree in Violin Performance from Lynn Conservatory. Her teachers include Timothy Lees and Carol Cole as well as composers Ellen Harrison, Michael Friday and Douglas Knehans.
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An avid chamber musician, Mable was previously a member of the Antigone Quartet and the Aurora Quartet, performing across the United States and Europe. This included residencies at SIFest, Musica Le Mans, the Ascent International Chamber Music Festival, and, most recently, performing with the Puerto Rican Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny on his “Most Wanted” North American Tour. She has worked with members of the Cleveland, Emerson, and Miro Quartets, along with soloists and chamber musicians including Sterling Elliot, Saeunn Thorsteindottir, Amit Even-Tov, Alan Rafferty, and Chauncy Patterson.
She has been a part of world premieres by composers Patrick Wickliffe, Isaac Creager, and, most recently, Ethan Soledad, performing the broadcast premiere of his work, “Lavender Among Thorns” on WGUC, as the winning work of the Antigone Quartet's inaugural call for scores. Her accolades include prize winner in the Lyric Chamber Music Competition and the American Virtuoso International Competition, as well as a finalist in the Glass City Chamber Music Competition.
In her free time, Mable enjoys traveling and recently completed her first solo trip to eight national parks. She also loves rock climbing and crocheting.
Contact Mable: mable@cincinnatistringproject.org
Shannon Mustard
Violinist | Director of Operations
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Shannon Mustard is a violinist and music educator from the northeast of Scotland. She is pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Professor Timothy Lees, and serves as his graduate teaching assistant. Shannon holds a Master’s degree from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory.
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Shannon is an active member of the Cincinnati freelance scene, performing regularly with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Lima Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Ohio Valley Symphony. She was a fellow at the National Repertory Orchestra during its 2022 season and has previously performed with ensembles including the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, and the 5th Wave Collective.
A passionate advocate for folk music, Shannon integrates traditional repertoire into her performances and teaching. She served on the faculty of the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and performs as the Atlantic Harmony folk duo with her husband, cellist Joe Kovac. Aside from violin, Shannon enjoys spending time with her newly adopted rescue dog, Melody.
Contact Shannon: shannon@cincinnatistringproject.org
Jenny Gaffney
Violist | Director of Education
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Jenny Gaffney is an avid violist and educator, performing and teaching throughout the midwest. Growing up in Cincinnati, Jenny began playing viola in the fourth grade. She later studied with members of the Cincinnati Symphony before earning her Bachelor’s and a Performance Diploma at Indiana University under the tutelage of Edward Gazouleas and Li-Kuo Chang.
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As a chamber musician, Jenny has worked with the Pacifica Quartet, Cavani Quartet, and the Ariel Quartet. Jenny has spent multiple summers studying chamber music at the Cincinnati Young Artists program and the Encore Chamber Music Institute. These experiences have developed a deep love of chamber music and an insatiable desire to learn more. As an orchestral musician, Jenny regularly performs with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra.
An enthusiastic educator, Jenny spent two years as a teacher at the Fairview Violin Project, a program teaching violin classes in an elementary school in Bloomington, Indiana. Jenny also spent a year teaching students in the Dominican Republic over Zoom through the IU Distance Teaching Learning Lab. She strongly believes music education should be easily accessible to all.
Jenny is proud to say she started on the viola! When she is not playing her instrument, she enjoys being outside, extending her 570 day Duolingo Streak, and walking other people’s dogs.
Contact Jenny: jenny@cincinnatistringproject.org
Nat Chaitkin
Cellist | Executive Director
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Nat Chaitkin enjoys a wide-ranging career as a cellist, teacher, and advocate for concert music. He has made several appearances as a soloist with orchestra, including a performance of the Schumann Concerto, which the Washington Post praised for its “engaging flair and commitment.” He has played recitals broadcast on Radio Canada and Chicago’s WFMT, as well as at the National Gallery of Art and the Banff Centre. He has recorded for Albany Records.
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Nat grew up in New York City and graduated from the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School. He received degrees in music and American History at the University of Michigan, and a doctorate at the University of Maryland. His cello teachers included Ardyth Alton, Jeffrey Solow, Nina deVeritch, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Evelyn Elsing and David Soyer. He also studied at the Tanglewood and Salzburg Festivals.
After college, Nat moved to Washington, DC and became a member of the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra. He also taught at Georgetown University and became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He later taught at Michigan State University and was a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony. Nat is currently a member of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra.
In 2012, Nat was awarded the City of Cincinnati’s Artist Ambassador Fellowship, giving him the opportunity to reach underserved audiences by presenting his innovative program, Bach and Boombox, in public spaces around the city, including community centers, libraries and offices.
Contact Nat: nat@cincinnatistringproject.org
Hollie Greenwood
Bass Instructor
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Hollie Greenwood is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she studied with Rachel Calin to receive her Master’s degree. She is now an active freelance musician in the Midwest and a passionate educator of all things strings but especially the double bass!
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As an administrator, Hollie is the Learning Programs Coordinator at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Chief Operations Officer at Through the Staff, an organization that provides free lessons virtually to students all across the country.
As a performer, Hollie has played with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra as their principal bass. She is also an avid new music supporter. To date, Hollie has given the world premiere of 4 new solo bass and chamber works with both New Downbeat and Bass Players for Black Composers at the International Society of Bassists Convention in 2023.
A fun fact about Hollie is that her first instrument was the violin and she still loves playing fiddle music today!
Contact Hollie: hollie@cincinnatistringproject.org