Chamber Music with Guitar

Melissa Bausley

cello

Melissa Bausley began her cello journey early in life and has played more than 20 years. She has a passion for music and specializes in helping others foster their passion by teaching lessons to aspiring students using the Suzuki Method. Melissa earned her advanced level teaching certificate from the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2022 and loves implementing Suzuki methodologies to engage students. She is currently part of Orchestra Collective of Orange County and participates in online music competitions, showcases and performing around Orange County, with The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky with the Tustin Ballet for Christmas being her most recent performance. Beyond her instrument you can find her hiking, spending time at the beach or reading her favorite books in her free time.

Alexandra Grabarchuk

mezzo-soprano

Dr. Alexandra Grabarchuk is a Ukrainian-born conductor and musicologist. Alex is the Director of Choral Activities at Whittier College, as well as Co-Director of Music & Fine Arts at Claremont United Church of Christ. She previously held the post of Visiting Assistant Professor of Choral Direction & Musicology at Earlham College, and has had teaching positions at UCLA, Chapman University, Chaffey College, Mt. SAC, and the Claremont University Consortium. She has also served as co-conducting chair and administrative facilitator of the Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles (C3LA). When Alex is not conducting or teaching, she sings as one-half of duo GuitAria, next to Los Angeles guitarist Peter Yates.

Steve Thachuk

classical guitar

Steven Thachuk is known as a unique and versatile guitarist who challenges classification. Performing works from J.S. Bach and Toru Takemitsu to John Lennon and Radiohead, he challenges the nature of the instrument’s repertoire and boundaries. Playing traditional classical guitar, electric guitar, and a steel string instrument, he has appeared in recital, as a chamber musician, and soloist with orchestra throughout North America and Europe. His playing has drawn critical acclaim.  The Westfalen Post in Germany has commented that after his concerts “the audience remains in the seats for a long time, saddened that the concert has ended”  and the Nordeste in Mexico has called Thachuk “a master of interpretation and artistry” 

He has contributed to several projects recently. He has recorded premieres of contemporary and experimental works for electric guitar and soprano on Voices of the Pearl Vol. 3, and recorded the guitar parts for the Orchestral Concept Album Atlantis by Nadeem Majdalany. Additionally, he recorded the electric guitar parts for a production of the Missy Mazoli chamber Opera Songs from the Underground. Thachuk also works with his brother, Bradley Thachuk in the arranging, orchestration and production of concerts for rock musicians and orchestra, including albums and tours or shows Steve Hackett, as well as Dave mason, and Tributes to the Tragically Hip and the Grateful Dead. He continues his touring as a classical guitarist, focusing mainly on contemporary works and newly written music for guitar. Thachuk has also recently worked as a composer for Black Valley Films in Los Angeles, and continues to play in bands around town in the Los Angeles area. 

Steven Thachuk pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, and continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he completed his doctoral degree.

Thachuk is a member of the Meyer/Thachuk Guitar Duo and also performs with flutist Sarah Wass. He has toured and  performed with eclectic acoustic guitar groups with such guitarists as Julian Coryell (Leonard Cohen, Jewel, Alanis Morissette) and Jeff Young (Megadeth). Thachuk has released two CDs, Evocacion, with the Meyer/Thachuk Guitar Duo, and Currents,  a solo recital CD of 20th century guitar works. 

Steven Thachuk is a BMI composer and lives in Los Angeles.