Benjamin Burgdorf performs extensively in classical, improvisational, and popular contexts. He is a tenured member of the Des Moines Symphony and has performed with numerous orchestras and string quartets. As an improviser and creator, his duo Wormwood explores improvised storytelling and interdisciplinary collaborations. In the pop world, he has shared the stage with Jeremy Messersmith, Dan Wilson, Dessa, and more. Burgdorf also teaches Suzuki strings through his home studio, Maple Strings. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in viola performance from the University of Minnesota and Boston University respectively.

Erin Brooker-Miller is a Classical and Irish harpist. Principal Harpist of the Des Moines Symphony since 2017, Erin has performed with the orchestra as a concerto soloist twice. She has performed with orchestras across the country including the Chicago Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, and Nashville Opera, among others. Erin won several awards in traditional Irish music competitions in solo harp, duo, trio, and Grúpaí Cheoil categories at regional and All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoils. She holds degrees in harp performance from the University of Illinois and Indiana University and will graduate with an MBA from Marquette University in 2024. In addition to performing, she is the Festival Director of the New Hampshire Music Festival.

Hannah Peterson is Principal Flute of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, plays piccolo in the Des Moines Symphony and has previously held positions with Orchestra Iowa and the Duluth Superior Symphony. She performs regularly as a substitute musician in orchestras across the Midwest, including Minnesota Orchestra’s recent recording of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. In 2018 she was awarded first prize in the Upper Midwest Flute Association Young Artist Competition. Ms. Peterson appears frequently in recital as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the Midwest and has served as a teaching artist through Minnesota Public Radio's Classnotes Artist program, in addition to over a decade of private teaching.