Avanti Trio

Avanti Trio

We are a trio who truly enjoy being together, rehearsing together, and performing together. We are made up of flute, violin and viola. Although there aren't too many pieces written for this combination, we like to make the most of what we have. Currently we are performing the beloved Serenade Op. 25 by Beethoven and the exciting Serenade Op. 141a by Max Reger. 

We have recently discovered and added to our repertoire Trio in G Major by WFE Bach, Suite by Louis Jungmann, Op. 21, Haydn London Trios transcribed for flute, violin and viola, and Trio Concertante by Alexander Possinger. Recent additions for flute, violin and viola are Trio by Endre Szervansky and Table d’Hote by Ferde Grofe. We look forward to finding more musical treasures and performing them for you on future concerts.

Avanti Trio includes Ruth Kasckow on flute, Robert Miskey on violin, and Louise Brown on viola. 

Contact us for more information!

Biographies

Ruth Kasckow

Ruth Kasckow, flutist and flute instructor, performs in orchestras, chamber music ensembles, and solo recitals. Ruth is often a featured performer with numerous chamber music groups at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church Music at Noon series and Glendale Noon Concerts in the area. She played in several orchestras including Burbank Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, Opera a la Carte, and Orquesta mexicana de la juventud, as well as numerous chamber music ensembles.  She maintains a thriving private teaching studio in La Canada where she teaches students of all ages and levels. She recently received the “Finest Music Teacher Award” by the readers of Crescenta Valley Times. As a licensed Andover Educator, she teaches Body Mapping to musicians which is an innovative educational technique that helps musicians improve playing and avoid injury. Ruth wrote The Flute Duet Practice Books and Chinese Folk Song Suite for Flute Quartet and has recorded two solo CD’s: French  Impressions for Flute and German Expressions for Flute.  She performed in master classes with Julius Baker, Jean Pierre Rampal, and Liisa Ruoho, and studied with Bonnie Lake, David Shostac, and Jim Walker. She holds a BA in Music from Goucher College and an MFA in Flute Performance from California Institute of the Arts.  www.flutemuse.com

Robert Miskey

One of Canada's gifted violinists, Robert's solo and recital performances have generated accolades from audiences and critics alike.  Robert has been featured as soloist and recitalist internationally,  and has been frequently heard on C.B.C National Radio.  Most recently, appearances have included the Royal Winnipeg Ballet at Toronto's Sony Centre,  the Musique et Amitié festival in Switzerland and the Banff Festival.  As well as having served as Concertmaster for several of Toronto's orchestras and major musical productions, including Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, Robert has had an extensive orchestral career as a member of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and as Principal Second Violin of the Winnipeg Symphony and Manitoba Chamber Orchestra.  A native of Edmonton, He received his Masters of Music Degree from Indiana University, studying under renowned violinists Franco Gulli and Joseph Gingold.  He furthered his studies at the Banff Centre completing intensive Chamber music training with Zoltan Szekely (Hungarian String Quartet) He has served on the faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music at Toronto. Robert plays an amazing Lorenzo Storioni of Cremona 1792.

Louise Brown

Louise Brown comes from New York State. She began her music study with piano before turning to viola.  She left home to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she received a B.A. in Music and German.  Subsequently she studied music at Northwestern University (earning an M.M.), the Munich Konservatorium,  and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, where she received her D.M.A.  Her teachers included Masao Kawasaki, Martin-Albrecht Rohde, and Anne Mischakoff.  Her training in chamber music included work with the Lasalle Quartet and the Tokyo Quartet. 

Louise has enjoyed playing viola in orchestra; she has performed with the San Francisco Opera Western Opera Theater, the Dayton and Columbus Symphonies, the West Virginia Symphony, and the Munich Sinfonietta, among others. She is especially fond of chamber music, however, and is thrilled to collaborate with her wonderful colleagues in the Avanti Ensemble. 

Louise also teaches violin and viola to students ranging from 5 years old to adults.  She finds it very satisfying to instill a love of music in her students, while at the same time developing the discipline and imagination they can bring to all pursuits in their lives. She continues to research musical pedagogy for the benefit of her students, drawing particularly from the work of Mimi Zweig (Indiana University). 

Her other interests include reading, biking around town, and being active in her church community.  Louise also loves to travel with her husband and 3 adult sons.