Artistic Director Margret Gries, has pursued a career in early music that includes both academic research and professional performance. She has been a founding member of many early music ensembles in the Pacific Northwest, including Portland Baroque Orchestra, La Capriole and Ensemble Con Spirito. Gries is known for her expertise as a harpsichordist and organist, and as an instructor of early string instrumental technique. For over thirty years Dr. Gries has been a recitalist and teacher, valued for leading discussions on performance questions as they relate to broader cultural and philosophical issues. She also serves as conductor and music director of the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra in Ashland.


Doug Sears started with the clarinet 57 years ago, then had his head turned right around as a freshman choral singer in college by performing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo as well as his madrigals, and medieval music under Karl Kohn, performing at the L.A County Museum of Art and the Ojai Festival. He has been studying the cornetto since the year 2000, benefitting from occasional lessons with Bruce Dickey.