The Ensemble

Alexandra Berndt, bassoon • Bethany Gonella, Flute • Susan Miranda, oboe

Weily Grina-Shay, clarinet • Allison Akins, horn

Chione [kiōn] noun:

1. Goddess of winter winds

2. Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet comprised of innovative and cross-disciplinary women.

Short Ensemble Bio

Chione is a Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet comprised of innovative and cross-disciplinary women. The unique and evolving medium provides an outlet to explore and create new sounds while redefining and rediscovering lesser known music. Chione is committed to collaborating with professionals of all genres and creative outlets, with particular interests in commissioning new pieces and performing works by women artists. Throughout each endeavor, Chione aims to reach a wide range of audiences with the hopes of inspiring contemporary and aspiring artists as well as supporters of the arts.

Since Chione’s inception, the ensemble has performed live on Classical Minnesota Public Radio, they have performed as pop-up classical artists representing Classical MPR at the 2017 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Beer Dabbler as well as the Current’s 2018 Rock the Cradle event.  Chione will hold their 3nd annual quINTENS!VE Chamber Music Camp in August, working with middle and high school students through coaching and performing chamber music.  Chione performs numerous self-presented performances throughout the year in venues such as the Schubert Club, Macphail Center for Music, Icehouse Minneapolis, Can Can Wonderland and the Woman’s Club.  In March of 2018 Chione made their debut as Courtroom Concert Artists at the Schubert Club, performing a concert of works written solely by women. Throughout the 2018-2019 school year Chione has had the pleasure of performing their “Story Time with Chione” program with elementary schools throughout Minnesota as Classical Minnesota Public Radio Class Notes Artists.

Long Ensemble Bio

Chione is a Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet comprised of innovative and cross-disciplinary women. The unique and evolving medium provides an outlet to explore and create new sounds while redefining and rediscovering lesser known music. Chione is committed to collaborating with professionals of all genres and creative outlets, with particular interests in commissioning new pieces and performing works by women artists. The ensemble presents engaging educational programs to students of all ages with a particular focus on equal educational opportuniites.  Throughout each endeavor, Chione aims to reach a wide range of audiences with the hopes of inspiring contemporary and aspiring artists as well as supporters of the arts.

Chione’s commitment to the discovery, exploration, and performance of works by diverse composers has been illustrated since the group’s inception.  Chione Quintet was formed in October of 2016 in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Described by composer Abbie Betinis as “a local “core” chamber ensemble” the group has quickly become the premiere wind quintet of the Midwest. Chione is comprised of innovative and cross-disciplinary women. The unique and evolving medium provides an outlet to explore and create new sounds while redefining and rediscovering lesser known music.

Each of the group’s programs has included at least one piece by a female composer, and the members continue to search for and program under-performed works by women and composers of color.  One recent development was the composition of a piece specifically for Chione. Female composer Lynn Blake John worked with the quintet to compose Expedition, which was premiered on August 2, 2018.  Future projects include a call for submission of scores written by women, as well as an application for grants that will fund the commission of new works by female composers.

The ensemble has been and continues to be passionate about community outreach and education.  In the spring of 2018, Chione completed a three-month, 35-location tour of libraries in underserved SE Minnesota communities.  This project, funded by a grant from the MN State Arts Board provided with sponsorship by the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, brought a program of musical stories to hundreds of Minnesota families.  Chione has also been chosen as a 2018-2019 Minnesota Public Radio Class Notes Artist. Beginning in October, 2018, the quintet has travelled to over a dozen area elementary schools to present a brand new program of educational musical stories.  In October of 2019 the group will travel to the Iron Range Region of Minnesota performing a narrated musical story about Paka’a, a little boy from Hawaii, written by Jon Magnussen.

Establishing quINTENS!VE Chamber Music Camp in 2017, Chione’s members teach a 5 day chamber music day camp for middle and high school students in locations throughout the Twin Cities. In 2019 the camp will make it’s home in West St. Paul, MN. This day camp aims to expose participants to works and modes of performance that they might not otherwise experience.  Activities include seminars and classes led by Chione members including a course on entrepreneurship, individual lessons for all students, chamber group rehearsals and coachings, and a final performance to the public.  Enrollment in quINTENS!VE has increased exponentially over the camp’s two seasons, due in part to the availability to students of scholarship funds. Future plans include the expansion of the scholarship fund, as well as the establishment of an adult chamber music day camp. Chione was featured in the Fall 2018 issue of Chamber Music Magazine for their efforts and success in the growth of quINTENS!VE.

Current members of Chione include Bethany Gonella (flute), Susan Miranda (oboe), Weily Grina-Shay (clarinet), Allison Akins (horn), and Alexandra Berndy (bassoon).

Chione continues to remain self managed, contact Chione Quintet at [email protected] for booking.

For program information and our complete repertoire, click here.

“These five have absolutely stolen my heart. Exquisite... That Bethany, wow.” -Paula Soneral, biology professor, avid flutist