The Cassatt String Quartet — clockwise from top, Michiko Oshima, Nicole Johnson, Jennifer Leshnower and Muneko Otani — will be holding a week-long program on chamber music at various educational campuses in Odessa. The classes are open to all teachers and students in the Permian Basin area. (Courtesy photo)

According to Lynda L.Ciolek, spokesperson for the Quartet, the program — which is sponsored by the Ector County Independent School District's Education Foundation — continues work begun by the Cassatt String Quartet in November 2007.

“Members of the Cassatt String Quartet — Muneko Otani, violin; Jennifer Leshnower, violin; Michiko Oshima, viola; and Nicole Johnson, cello — will instruct junior high and high school string students,” said Ciolek. “Jan Mayfield, Odessa High School orchestra director, spearheaded this project with her colleague, Todd Berridge, Permian High School’s orchestra director.

“The Cassatt String Quartet will offer student quartet coaching, master classes in which the Quartet will hear and critique students performing their pieces. That includes demonstrations by the quartet of proper communication, interpretation and performance technique, as well as open rehearsals and concert performances.”

Set for Sunday through Jan. 31 at various locations in Odessa, Ciolek said the program is open to all Permian Basin students and teachers.

“Teachers and students from Permian and Odessa High Schools, ECISD, MISD, Odessa College, Midland College, UTPB and other communities in the Permian Basin are welcome to attend any educational and performance events,” said Ciolek. “All events are free to the public.”

Ciolek said the program will kick off Sunday with a special master program from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the 2260 Mesa Building on the campus of the University of Texas at the Permian Basin (UTPB).

“Members of the Quartet will conduct a master-class with the video andaudio aspects broadcast via the streaming server on campus,” said Ciolek. “The master-class will include an interactive question and answer session for students from other campuses. It is free and open to the public.”

For more information on the program, contact Iris Foster at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jan Mayfield at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it