Brittany Cotto, Director and Violin/Viola
Brittany Cotto is the Owner and Director of Pacific Coast Strings.
Brittany's professional experience includes an electric range. She has recorded and performed with some of the most iconic names in the business including Alicia Keys, Barbara Tucker, Bobby McFerrin, Burt Bacharach, David Foster, Diddy, Erick Morillo, Frank Ocean, Jennifer Hudson, John Williams, Joshua Bell, Julie Andrews, Kamasi Washington, LeAnn Rimes, Mary J. Blige, Nicki Minaj, Paul Anka, Pink Martini, PJ Morton, Quincy Jones, Richard Marx, Seth McFarlane, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Tori Kelly, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Tyrese, Yoshiki and Yo-Yo Ma.
Her television credits include appearances on American Idol, American Music Awards, BET Awards, DirecTV "Richard Marx and Friends", Entourage, Glee, MTV Unplugged, "A Mary Christmas" Mary J. Blige's Christmas Special, NBC "New Years Eve with Carson Daly", and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She has recoded soundtracks for FOX's American Dad, HBO's "Undisputed Truth: A Mike Tyson Story", and many movie trailers for Paramount Pictures.
Brittany has traveled the world extensively to perform for clients and venues including Chevy, Coachella, The Emmys, Google, Hollywood Bowl, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, LA Auto Show, LA Fashion Week, LA Opera, LA Philharmonic, MAC Cosmetics, Metro PCS, Neiman Marcus, Pandora, Patek Phillipe, Playboy Jazz Festival, Porsche, Rémy Martin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Samsung, Toyota, and Vogue.
Brittany holds her Bachelor's of Music: Violin Performance from Indiana University Jacob's School of Music. She has also studied at the Henry Mancini Institute and Aspen School of Music and Festival.
Her signature style combines virtuosity from her Classical training with an ability to improvise, a taste for simplicity and a love of all styles of music. As a 5-string electric violinist, Brittany performs with many rock bands, DJs, and as a member of an electric string ensemble, Bella Electric Strings. She plays on a Yamaha EV-205 and Mark Wood Viper. Brittany currently resides in Los Angeles.
Leah Metzler, Cello
Leah Metzler enjoys versatile career performing / recording multiple genres of music on acoustic, electric, and baroque cello, as well as on the viola da gamba. As the daughter of a violin maker father and violinist mother, Leah was surrounded by music at a very young age as she was practically raised in her families' violin shop in Los Angeles where she discovered her passion for the cello at the age of four. Leah went on to earn her B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and received her M.M. from San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Not only has Leah performed on such diverse stages as Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden to Coachella, and other venues throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia, her work can be heard on the scores of numerous movies, television series, albums, and commercials. In her two most recent TV appearances, Leah can be seen performing with Jeff Lynne, Ed Sheeran, and Electric Light Orchestra at the Grammys and with Tyler, The Creator on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She has had the pleasure to work with artists such as Alan Silvestri, Andrea Bocelli, Brian Wilson, Danny Elfman, David Foster, Eagles, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, and The Wu Tang Clan and Yoshiki of X Japan.
Bonnie Brooksbank, Violin/Piano/Vocals
Bonnie Brooksbank was recognized from an early age as a prodigious talent and performer. Her first performance with the orchestra was at age 11 as winner of the Las Vegas CSN Piano Concerto Competition. After placing first in many competitions including the Silver State Competition for both piano and violin and a prizewinner in the National Baldwin Piano Competition, Ms. Brooksbank has soloed and performed with numerous orchestras. As a graduate of the University of Southern California, Ms. Brooksbank studied piano, violin, and voice. In addition to her classical endeavors, Ms. Brooksbank has appeared as the on-screen violinist and pianist for seasons 2-6 of the Fox television show Glee. As a singer and songwriter, Ms. Brooksbank currently performs throughout the Los Angeles area and is a featured singer and writer for many dance tracks including 'Indie Anna Jones' under Steve Aoki's music label Dim Mak Records and the track "I'm Shooting for You' featured in Sony's NAB F3 Sizzle Reel.
Molly Rogers, Violin/Viola
Molly Rogers was born and raised in the beautiful city of Frankfort, Kentucky. She has extensive training including time in the Czech Republic, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and summer festivals such as Meadowmount and Tanglewood. Although she is a classically trained violinist, violist, and vocalist, her music is infused with a folk, bluegrass, and jazz performance style stemming from her Kentucky roots where she learned to let loose her improvisational skills.
Molly appeared on NPR as a young violinist on the radio program "From the Top" and demonstrated technique / music history on a video toolkit developed by PBS. She has performed all over the world in over 25 different countries and has shared the stage, worked with, or recorded for a wide range of artists including Adele, Andrea Bocelli, David Foster, Journey, Kamasi Washington, Kendrick Lamar, Pentatonix, Portugal.The Man, and Yoshiki of X Japan. Molly's television credits include the Grammy Awards, MTV movie awards, the ESPY Awards, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. She recently returned from an international tour as a solo violinist with Hans Zimmer for his show, "Hans Zimmer Live".
Jane Ferruzzo, Harp
Dr. Jane G. Ferruzzo is a professional harpist and music educator originally from Berlin, Germany who currently lives and works in California.
Jane has performed and recorded works worldwide with such artists as Randy Newman, Snoop Dog, Nate Dogg, Sir Simon Rattle, James Tormé , Brian Wilson, Shelley Berg, Lamont Dozier and Nathan Pacheco. Jane has also recorded for multiple soundtracks and movies in Berlin and Los Angeles and has appeared as a featured musician on TV with Nathan Pacheco in his “Live PBS Special” that has been airing on PBS TV channels since August 2012. Jane has acted as principal harpist for many professional ensembles such as the Sibelius Orchestra, the Desert Symphony, the Echo Ensemble, Oriana Choir, Cantori Domino and Antelope Valley Symphony.
Andrea Whitt, Fiddle/Viola/Steel Guitar
Andrea Whitt is an exceptionally versatile violist, arranger and composer. While studying classical music in college, her passion for jazz and improvisation began while performing in a Brazilian jazz ensemble and studying intensely under top jazz pedagogues. Andrea received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in viola performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Currently, Andrea is a member of Shania Twain’s band, performing on viola and fiddle. When Andrea is not on tour, she performs regularly with rock bands in Los Angeles, performs with the String Chix, works as a studio musician, and instructs students in classical and other creative string genres.
Andrea has performed with other artists including Stevie Wonder, Deep Purple, Hunter Hayes, Far East Movement, Harry Connick Jr., Cee-Lo Green, One Republic, John Legend, Kelly Rowland, and Natalie Cole. She has appeared on the Ellen Degeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, ACM Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Latin Grammys, The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and a featured role as a violist on national commercials.
Kinga Bacik, Cello
Kinga Bacik is active studio musician, solo and chamber cellist based in the greater Los Angeles area.
She holds a Graduate Diploma in Cello Performance from Boston University and Master’s Degree in Cello Performance and Education from Fr. Chopin University of Music.
As an artist and independent visionary, Kinga lives her life for what she sees to be her destiny in musical performances. She draws her ideas and inspirations from what she loves most, travels and music. Kinga has had a privilege to share the stage/ record for top artists in Europe and the U.S. The Foo Fighters, Sting, Randy Newman, Greg Kurstin, Freya Ridings, Camila Cabello, Daniel Cesar, Alan Parsons, Adam Blackstone, Amine, Rex Orange County, 6lack, Iration, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli, Yo-Yo-Ma, Maxim Vengerov, K. Penderecki…. She has performed with East Coast Scoring, Polish Radio Symphony, Sinfonia Iuventus Orchestra, Boston Opera Collaborative and the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. She collaborates with several studios in Los Angeles recording for movies, tv shows and private clients: The Capitol Records, Sony Music, Warner Brothers, East West Studios and Record Plant etc..
Kelly Jozwiak, Violin
Kiara Ana
Kiara Ana is a classically-trained violist, violinist and singer based in Los Angeles. She travels frequently for performances and can currently be seen on tour with Adele. When she’s not on the road, Kiara keeps her schedule full with studio sessions, live performances with bands and solo artists and teaching students.
Kiara was part of the “Glee Band” for Season Six of “Glee,” and appears as a featured musician on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Emmy Award-winning show, “Hit RECord on TV” for the live music video of “Veil of Night” (Season 2, Episode 1: The Dark). Kiara has recorded for movie soundtracks including the opening track “Float” written by Bleu and sung by K.T. Tunstall for Disney’s “Tinkerbell and the Legend of the Neverbeast.”
Kiara has performed live with many artists including Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, David Foster, Josh Groban, Yoshiki, X-Japan, Bleu, Alexz Johnson, Morgan Karr, Ty Taylor, Shoshana Bean, Rumer Willis, Adam Pascal, Marco Antonio Solis, Alex Wong, Bob Schneider, The Dolls, Falls, Robert Davi, Deanna Martin, Shahkar, Andy Madadian, KamyR, Air Traffic Controller and Vinnie Ferra.
She has toured nationally with Adele, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Bleu, Air Traffic Controller and Vinnie Ferra and internationally with Ariana Grande and the Japanese sensation, Yoshiki. Kiara has performed in arenas and concert halls in Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Kiara studied with Kathryn Lockwood of the Lark Quartet through high school and Michelle LaCourse during college as well as guest teachers at various international festivals. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from Boston University’s School of Music.
Kiara endorses Planet Waves, F-Pedals, D’addario, The Realist Violin, The Realist Pickup and Mark Wood’s Viper Violin.
Chrysanthe Tan
As a professional violinist and composer, Chrysanthe Tan has worked with artists like Alicia Keys, Paul Anka, Ariana Grande, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Jennifer Hudson, ZZ Ward, Marco Antonio Solís, Marc Anthony, Cheyenne, and Dumbfoundead, and has appeared on TV shows like Glee and 1600 Penn. Her original compositions have appeared in numerous films and projects, including Rabbit Tailor, Eleanor Rigby — which premiered at Cannes in 2013 — and "BT and the Search for New Sound,” featuring composer/technologist BT and his ambient music production app, Muse. Chrysanthe performs widely as both a classical and pop violinist and violist, and her specialties include improvisation, performing contemporary repertoire, and creating collaborative cross-métier pieces. She recently completed her debut album of minimalist cinematic music called Stories.
Reiko Nakano
Reiko Nakano is more than a performing violinist, she is also a creative musician who is expanding the role of the violin in music. She has successfully transferred a range of music from other cultures and instruments, and has demonstrated great talent in choosing her source and creating new work for the violin. Reiko Nakano is an exciting personality of new violinist generation.
Born in Tokyo in 1983, Reiko Nakano begain playing the violin at the age of 3. She studied classical music until the age of eighteen. At 18, Reiko’s interest in different style of music was determined her to go to Berklee College of Music, in Boston USA, to study contemporary music. Though she is as accomplished violinist in the classical tradition, her study at Berklee was in the field of Jazz and world music. In her study she successfully proved her exceptional soloist talent in many areas of music performance and production.
Combining virtuosity with unique musical personality, Reiko has been involved in multitude of performances while still a student. She has worked with numerous artists including John Williams, Elton John, Steven Tyler, P. Diddy, Rihanna, Kelly Klarkson, Snoop Dogg, Ariana Grande, Nikki Minaj, Michael Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Dave Grusin, Charlie Haden, Kenny Barron, Dianna Reeves, Gary Burton, Donna McElroy, Richard Evans, among others.
Judy Kang
Taiwanese-American cellist and pianist, Judy Kang, launched her career with a performance for world-renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, when he visited her hometown of Taipei, Taiwan as a part of his Worldwide Master Tour.
Kang’s reputation earned her a full scholarship at the USC Thornton School of Music, where she became the first musician in USC history to earn a double degree in both cello and piano performance.
Kang is now the resident cellist for Celine Dion. She has become an active performer throughout the U.S. and Asia. Kang’s musical collaborations range from classical, orchestral, chamber music, pop music, as well as TV commercials, video game music and movie recordings.
Kang has performed under the baton of John Williams and has shared the stage with the likes of Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Demi Lovato, Michael McDonald, Sarah McLachlan, Florence and the Machine, Carly Rae Jepsen, Andrea Bocelli and Earth Wind & Fire. Judy has also performed with world-renowned cellists Mischa Maisky, Steven Isserlis, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Lynn Harrell.
Kang often appears on camera as a virtuoso cellist for Access Hollywood, ABC's Good Morning America, Latin Grammys Award and Fox Television’s hit shows “GLEE” and “The GLEE Project.”
Shannon Canchola
Shannon Canchola-Limon is a versatile flute performer who has performed all around the state and the country in a variety of different ensembles of different styles including The Redlands Symphony, the California philharmonic, Kaleidoscope orchestra, the U.S. Chinese Artists Association Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Sinfonietta and the Beverly Hills Philharmonic Orchestra and Center Stage Opera Company (Principal Flute). She has performed most notably at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Redlands Bowl, the Avalon Theater for the L.A. Music Awards, the California Theater, Zipper Hall, the NAMM show in Anaheim, the Madrid Theatre, the Kodak Theatre and many other venues.
Shanon has recorded and performed with many iconic musicians including Grammy Nominated Michel Weir, jazz trumpeter Carl Saunders, multiple award-winning pianist David Osborne and Iranian Pop Artist Arefkia, and YouTube sensations Iranian Pop Star Mansour Bahat Beraghsam, cellist Tina Guo and violinist Taylor Davis. Shannon has many commercial music credits for both recording and performing including being a member of World of War Craft Composer Jason Hayes’ Video Game tribute band Critical Hit. She has also recorded for many films including award-winning short film "Amusia" and has also worked performing directly with Nintendo Company for their 50th anniversary of Super Mario.
Shannon has performed numerous solo and small ensemble concerts with her all female chamber ensemble "Trio Focoso" at Cal State San Bernardino, Fullerton City College, Pasadena City College, Cypress College, Classics at the Merc. in Temecula, Laguna Beach Live! concert series and many more. She is also the Cal State Northridge Concerto Competition winner for 2016 with a winning performance in December of 2016.
Shannon is currently obtaining her MM in flute performance at Cal State Northridge. In addition to performing Shannon also teaches privately, holds weekly flute master classes with numerous high schools, and is an official adjudicator for Music Teachers Association of California and for the San Diego Flute Guild Festival.
Daria Sarraf
Daria Sarraf is a Los-Angeles-based professional harpist. She received her Bachelor of Music in Harp Performancefrom University of Southern California with the merit-based Olive Juliet Hedges Endowed Music Scholarship. She studied with the esteemed JoAnn Turovsky before and during her tenure at USC. As an orchestral harpist, Daria has performed under the batons of conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Peter Oundjian, James Conlon, Carl St. Clair, Daniel Hege, and Larry Rachleff.
Daria won the Concerto Competition of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and performed Debussy’s Danses Sacrée et Profane harp concerto at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. She has attended the Music Academy of the West festival as principal harpist for two seasons. She attended this festival of eight weeks under the “2010 Mericos Foundation Endowed Full Scholarship.”
In supplement to her education and experience as a Los Angeles harpist, Daria has appeared as a harpist for several episodes of seasons 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the television show “GLEE” (Fox). She hasperformed as a harpist on the television show “Modern Family” (ABC) for a live featured recording. She has performed as the onscreen harpist for "Gangster Squad," a Warner Brothers film. She has also been featured on top 40 band Capital Cities' music video and short for their song “Kangaroo Court.”
Leah Zeger
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, violinist and vocalist Leah Zeger comes from a family of professional symphony musicians. She attended the University of Texas at Austin where she double-majored in opera and violin. At 19 years of age, whilst earning her degrees, she won a tenured position in the 1st violin section of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and established herself as a prominent jazz singer/violinist in the Austin jazz scene with her own quartet. While in Austin, she dueled with Charlie Daniels and appeared on Austin City Limits with both Pearl Jam and Willie Nelson, and headlined the Austin Jazz Festival with her own band, Leah and the Moonlighters.
In 2010, Zeger moved to Los Angeles and became a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In the last few years, she has performed as a soloist with Miley Cyrus, Ceelo Green, Annie Lennox, Stevie Wonder, and Electric Light Orchestra. In 2014 , she recorded and produced her second album, "Pour Moi" and produced and starred in her first major music video "The Man I Love”.
Leah is perfect for any event, whether it be singing with a vintage band for a 1920’s speak-easy themed party, soloing with a classical ensemble, singing Edith Piaf songs with a gypsy jazz band, or rocking out on her electric Yamaha violin with a dj.
Desiree Hazley
Desiree Hazley is a native to Los Angeles, CA. She began studying the violin at the age of five. She has had opportunities to travel through music performance to Russia, Finland, England, Iceland, France, Austria, Italy, Germany, and South Korea. She received her Bachelors of Violin Performance from Azusa Pacific University and is currently going to Cal Arts for her Masters in Violin Performance. In the summer of 2014, she was chosen to be the first violinist of a string septet on the Yoshiki Classical World Tour, that featured ten countries in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Currently, she works as a freelance musician and performs at weddings, shows, musicals, and concerts. She most recently performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival this past June with her previous residency, For the Record Live: Baz Luhrmann. She has also appeared on TV shows including the Bachelorette, with Andy Grammer, and the last season of Glee.
Sarah Greene
Sarah Greene burst onto the LA scene when she started her Master of Music degree at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California after her 2014 graduation from the prestigious Eastman School of Music. In a few short months Sarah found herself in demand by top artists performing and recording with them in venues such as Carnagie Hall, Dolby Theater, Paramount Studios, and Walk Disney Concert Hall.
No stranger to the stage, Sarah's concert and studio recording credits include performance and appearance on the ABC Television Special "Disneyland 60th Anniversary Special" with Idina Menzel; the ABC TV shows "The Fosters" and "Glee"; featured performance with the DJ TyDi opening for Steve Aoki and Afrojack at the Hollywood Palladium; Sailor Moon Orchestra. She currently is a member of the Silicon Beach Philharmonic and has previously been a member of the Debut Orchestra of the Young Musicians Foundation and several others in the LA area.
Eliza James
Eliza James is well-versed in many styles of music including classical, pop, country, hip-hop, blues, rock and Persian/middle-eastern.
She performs regularly with artists such as Burt Bacharach, Paul Anka, Shakira, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Pink, Daft Punk, Kanye West, P. Diddy, Taylor Hicks, Harry Connick Jr, Bernadette Peters, Billy Idol, 3 Doors Down, Andrea Bocelli, Chris Botti, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall and The Calling.
She has performed on multiple occasions at the Grammys, the American Music Awards, the Academy Awards, the BET Awards, American Idol, the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the Sundance Film Festival.
Eliza’s extensive early classical training with teachers such as Brian Lewis, Maurice Sklar and Dorothy DeLay has given her a deep appreciation for music education and she continues to be an active member of the teaching community, encouraging other young artists to pursue their goals and musical aspirations.
Ginny Luke
Ginny Luke is a prominent 23-year old violinist and singer. Born into a musical family, she began her musical career at age three, beginning training in classical violin and piano in Vilseck, Germany. After moving back to the US, she began training in acting and dance. Ginny debuted on violin as a soloist with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony at age 14 and at Carnegie Hall at age 16. At 19, she recorded and toured with Grammy Award winning artist Meat Loaf and became a member of Meat Loafʼs band The Neverland Express.
Ginny has played with award-winning artists such as Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Will.I.Am and Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dog, Ricky Martin, Dave Matthews Band, Rihanna songwriter James Fauntleroy, and works frequently as a string arranger and violinist at studios such as SONY, Capitol, and Record Plant.
Yennie Lam
Yennie Lam originally came to Los Angeles in hopes of pursuing a career in playing the violin. However, she didn't want to just play standard music, she wanted to create something that stood out and left an impression. Growing up playing classical most of her life, she also loves other styles of music from around the world. She decided to incorporate her love of other styles with her classical upbringing. Her idea was to take her classical influences and combine them with the contemporary modern genre. She was able to find ways to be able to express her appreciation for music from her background and create a universal connection from the present to ultimately make it the sound of the future.
Through the years,Yennie Lam has gained her reputation as a renowned and well respected Electric Violinist. Known for her ability to play in a variety of contemporary genres such as Pop, Hip Hop, Electronic/House, Trance, Rock, and Lounge, she also has the ability to play a variety of different styles of world cultures such as Persian, Israeli, Armenian, Spanish, and Russian. She has been highly recognized in the Electronic/Pop and Dance scene and has been playing at Clubs and Theaters around the world.
Yennie has graced the runway for Christian Audigier, modeling and performing the violin in style and class nationwide and even performed for the highly regarded Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) in Washington D.C. Yennie has entertained for companies such asTiffany & Company, Herbalife, Asian American Architect & Engineers Association, Microsoft France, Sony Playstation, Ed Hardy Fashion Show, PETA, The Royal Family of Dubai, Porsche, Aston-Martin, Moet Champagne, Kia, Max Mara, Infiniti of Beverly Hills, LinkedIn, DUMA for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, and has worked for hit television series 'My Fair Wedding' with David Tutera, to name a few.
Adrienne Woods
Adrienne grew up in a musical family in a small southern town Florence, South Carolina. She started playing the cello at age four, and was constantly surrounded by classical music. She uprooted herself after attending the University of South Carolina to hone her craft in Los Angeles. As she began to gain accolades for playing with many artists and groups, she also began to explore the roots of her past and upbringing through songwriting. Eventually she realized her dream was to be more than just a performing cellist and recorded her first rock album. The newly released album Day and Night features the debut of her music, vocals, playing several instruments, and arrangements with all original songs. This album, produced by Barrett Yeretsian, is called Day and Night and chronicles her experiences through life and and love in a lush live rock musical experience.
Since being in Los Angeles, Adrienne has played studio work, orchestral works, television shows, and toured with many star artists. She has played on the Tonight show, with Shaggy, Faith Evans, Frankie J, Clay Aiken, Josh Groban, and Michael Buble. She has also been on the American Music Awards with Josh Groban, American Idol with Reuben, BET Awards with The Game, and recorded several music videos including Josh Groban, Kanye West, Rod Stewart. She filmed the Micheal Buble live DVD concert at the Wiltern theater. She also played with Kanye West, on an MTV show, his live tour dates, the Grammys in Los Angeles, Touch the Sky video, and the Ellen Show and his current projects. On American Idol the last four seasons she performed alongside the contestants in the show's house band. She also played with 30 Seconds to Mars live at the Avalon and on the Late late show with Matt Goss. She just finished a tour of the US and Canada with the popular band the Jonas Brothers. She also performed the AMAs with Pink an the CNN tribute to heros with Christina Aguilera. She continues to play with many artists while developing her own music writing and performances as well. She recently also played with Sully Erna on his Avalon tour, the show X factor, and the Tonight show with Graffiti6.
Adrienne plays with many local bands in Los Angeles. She enjoys taking other artist's music to the next level by playing live cello/singing backup vocals, arranging string parts, and recording in studios by reading sheet music or improvising.
Vee Ronna
