Larissa Freier, violin
Larissa Freier earned her Bachelor of Music (BM) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees from the University of Puget Sound, where she studied violin performance with Professor Maria Sampen. Upon graduation, Larissa taught private violin lessons in Gig Harbor for several years, before switching to a career in public education. Over the years, she has had the honor of being a featured soloist with the Poulsbo Symphony Orchestra and the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra. Larissa currently resides in Tacoma and teaches fourth grade in Federal Way. In her spare time, Larissa enjoys playing in the first violin section of the Rainier Symphony.
Tom Walworth, cello
Tom Walworth teaches string orchestra , guitar, and Mariachi at Thomas Jefferson High School in Federal Way, Washington. In addition to his duties as bass section leader for NWRS (charter member) he has been principal cellist for Rainier Symphony since 2003, and serves as a cello coach for the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association. He has studied cello with Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel (University of Puget Sound), Hamilton Cheifetz (Portland State University) and performed in a masterclass for the late Janos Starker (Indiana University at Bloomington). He studied voice with Sue Hinshaw (Longview) and the late Dr. Thomas Goleeke (University of Puget Sound). Mr. Walworth is a published composer of choral works and enjoys arranging music for string groups in the Pacific Northwest, including his role as composer-in-residence for the Central Washington University Cello Celebration.