The Conductors
Simon Maurer
Music Director
Simon Maurer grew up in Switzerland in a family of six children, all of whom became professional musicians. He is a professional musician performing chamber music and solo repertoire throughout the eastern United States, Europe and China. A founding member of Gabriel Chamber Ensemble, he has performed with the ensemble for over 24 years and is artistic director at their concert series in Schuylkill County, PA. He is also a member of the Trio Clavino and the Ravel Trio. In addition to performing with a variety of orchestras, he finds time to teach violin, viola, cello and bass in his two private studios, one in rural Schuylkill County, one in Lancaster, PA.
For more information about Simon, click here.
Dana Allaband
Assistant Conductor
A native of Minersville, Pennsylvania, Dana Allaband studied under Simon Maurer, Sylvia Ahramjian, James Stern and Arnold Steinhardt and has received degrees from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and University of Maryland. Dana has concertized in Venezuela, Romania, Cameroon, Carnegie Hall and various universities across the country. She is principal second violinist of Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, has served as concertmaster with Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Kennett Symphony and Anthracite Philharmonic and performs as an orchestral musician with Reading Symphony and Baltimore Symphony.
As an active chamber musician, Dana has performed as second violinist with Elysian Camerata and is currently violinist with the Monteverde String Quartet and Mill Race Collective, and has most recently become a member of the Gabriel Chamber Ensemble. Expressing her interest in various genres of music, Dana has performed rock music with Rachel Barton Pine and tango music with Trifilio Tango. She regularly appears as first violinist with Philadelphia singer/songwriter Andrew Lipke and the Azrael String Quartet and is also the violinist with One Alternative.
Mrs. Allaband is the recipient of the 2016 LLMEA Private Teacher Award. She coaches chamber music each summer at the Bear Crossing Chamber Music String Camp and Vermont Music and Arts at Lyndon State College, VT.
For more information about Dana, click here.