Trillium takes you on a journey inside the music, connecting your heart to the heart of the music. With beautiful and expressive performances through formal recitals and intimate house concerts, Trillium is revitalizing the chamber scene in the region. As both teachers and veteran performers, Trillium also participates in educational outreach programs to impart a deeper understanding of the music through hands on experiences.
OUR MUSICIANS: Alison Maerker Garner received her BM in violin performance from Indiana University (1986) where she studied with Josef Gingold and Paul Biss; her MS is from the University of Tennessee (1993) in music education, interrelated arts and child development with piano as her instrument. In addition to Trillium Ms. Garner toured as violin and piano soloist for the Knoxville Suzuki Talent Education Association tour group from 1970-1978 including performing for President Carter in Kennedy Center, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki twice, soloing at Carnegie Hall, and to South America in 1970 and 1972. She was violinist for the Evansville Indiana Symphony and Owensboro Kentucky Orchestras from 1984-1986, a tenured member of the Sacramento Symphony from 1986-1990, Irish fiddler for Red-Haired Mary 2003-2011, and currently is Baroque violinist in the Knoxville Early Music Project. Holding certification in Suzuki, Orff and Kodàly, Ms. Garner currently coordinates Studio2—a music program for children and has directed and/or was a clinician for workshops in Folk Music, Suzuki Piano, Suzuki Strings, Musical Minds and Chamber Music from 1992-present. In 2016 she co-founded the Knoxville Area Suzuki Cooperative serving Suzuki teachers and families in the east Tennessee region. Ms. Garner is author of the Musical Minds series for young string and keyboard students, nurturing sensory perception and audiation through aesthetic understanding. In addition to her three CDs, she has been a guest speaker at TMTNA, ASTA, SAA, and Guild to share her Musical Minds curriculum. Her published articles are published in the Music Educator's Journal, American String Teacher's Association Journal, Clavier Companion, Kodàly Envoy, American Suzuki Journal, and Teaching Music.
Alicia Randisi-Hooker, cellist has performed extensively in a rich variety of settings, from the Knoxville Symphony to the Philly Pops orchestras, and in many chamber ensembles. She has studied in Germany with members of the renown Alban Berg Quartet, and performed concerts in Italy, France, Germany, and across the United States. As a noted Suzuki cello teacher, her private cello students have won awards and scholarships both nationally and internationally. She has served on the faculties of Centenary College of Louisiana, Maryville College, The Academy of Community Music in Philadelphia, Temple University's Community Music School, and the Settlement Music School. She has enjoyed teaching and making presentations at workshops, music camps, and Suzuki Institutes across the country.
Robert Bonham, pianist, is Professor Emeritus from Maryville College in eastern Tennessee. A recipient of the Maryville College Outstanding Teacher Award, he taught piano and courses that ranged from world music and art history to experiential courses focused on enhancing creativity and wellness. He first studied music at the international Woodstock School in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of India and earned degrees in piano from Phillips University and Kansas University. His Ph.D. in Comparative Arts is from Ohio University. He is a founding member of the faculty of the Keyboard Wellness Seminar (now in the 17th year devoted to sustaining and promoting the insights of Dorothy Taubman). He presents a variety of workshops nationally to enhance wellness and performance and also enjoys leading groups exploring the culture and religions of India.