About Us
Delmar Pettys, Violin
Delmar Pettys brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and musical leadership to the Lyric Strings of Dallas. He is a highly respected and admired musical icon in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, recognized for his position as Principal Second Violin of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1986-2009 and in countless local concerts, events and recordings outside of the DSO.
He earned degrees from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he studied with Oscar Shumsky and Joseph Fuchs, and chamber music training with the Juilliard String Quartet. He joined the Lenox String Quartet for ten years, leading the ensemble on tours and recordings. Other chamber music experience includes founder of the Evansville Chamber Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Evansville Chamber Players, and member of The Chicago Ensemble.
Previous orchestral experience included the Casals Festival Orchestra (1965), Concertmaster of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra - Indiana (1977-96), acting Concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony (1976-77) and Acting Concertmaster of the Dallas Opera (2009-10). He was a charter member, concertmaster, and frequent soloist with the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, Colorado. He has been Concertmaster of the Eugene Oregon Opera since 2012.
Between 1969 and 2000, Delmar has held teaching positions at Grinnell College, State University of New York–Binghamton, University of Evansville, University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, and Baylor University.
In his leisure time, he enjoys golf, traveling, and fine wine.
Delmar Pettys brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge and musical leadership to the Lyric Strings of Dallas. He is a highly respected and admired musical icon in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, recognized for his position as Principal Second Violin of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1986-2009 and in countless local concerts, events and recordings outside of the DSO.
He earned degrees from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he studied with Oscar Shumsky and Joseph Fuchs, and chamber music training with the Juilliard String Quartet. He joined the Lenox String Quartet for ten years, leading the ensemble on tours and recordings. Other chamber music experience includes founder of the Evansville Chamber Orchestra, Artistic Director of the Evansville Chamber Players, and member of The Chicago Ensemble.
Previous orchestral experience included the Casals Festival Orchestra (1965), Concertmaster of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra - Indiana (1977-96), acting Concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony (1976-77) and Acting Concertmaster of the Dallas Opera (2009-10). He was a charter member, concertmaster, and frequent soloist with the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, Colorado. He has been Concertmaster of the Eugene Oregon Opera since 2012.
Between 1969 and 2000, Delmar has held teaching positions at Grinnell College, State University of New York–Binghamton, University of Evansville, University of North Texas, Texas Christian University, and Baylor University.
In his leisure time, he enjoys golf, traveling, and fine wine.
Veronica Gan, Violin
A native of Arlington, Texas, Veronica (Roni) Gan began to study violin at the age of 10 and studied at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas under Paul Landefeld. She completed her Undergraduate degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston Massachusetts under the guidance of Michele Auclair (New England Conservatory/ The Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris) and then moved to Chicago to study and assist the famous violin/viola duo, Roland and Almita Vamos of Northwestern University.
Roni has recently performed with groups such as "Gladys Knight and the Pips", the "Fifth Dimension", "Queensryche", Clay Aiken, Kirk Franklin, Peter Gabriel, "Il Divo", and Josh Groban. She has also recorded under Ropeadope Records (2009, 2012) which included recording for the Grammy Award Winning group, "Snarky Puppy" in their album "Ground UP" in Brooklyn, New York. She is a collaborator with the up and coming group "The Colours". In November of 2012, Ms. Gan began to work with Cirque Musica to perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.
As an orchestral musician, Roni has also performed with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the East Texas Symphony, the Abilene Philharmonic, and the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
She enjoys physical activities such as running, swimming, and aerial silks. Roni has a broad spectrum of interests including photography, web design, and writing.
A native of Arlington, Texas, Veronica (Roni) Gan began to study violin at the age of 10 and studied at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas under Paul Landefeld. She completed her Undergraduate degree at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston Massachusetts under the guidance of Michele Auclair (New England Conservatory/ The Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris) and then moved to Chicago to study and assist the famous violin/viola duo, Roland and Almita Vamos of Northwestern University.
Roni has recently performed with groups such as "Gladys Knight and the Pips", the "Fifth Dimension", "Queensryche", Clay Aiken, Kirk Franklin, Peter Gabriel, "Il Divo", and Josh Groban. She has also recorded under Ropeadope Records (2009, 2012) which included recording for the Grammy Award Winning group, "Snarky Puppy" in their album "Ground UP" in Brooklyn, New York. She is a collaborator with the up and coming group "The Colours". In November of 2012, Ms. Gan began to work with Cirque Musica to perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.
As an orchestral musician, Roni has also performed with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the East Texas Symphony, the Abilene Philharmonic, and the Plano Symphony Orchestra.
She enjoys physical activities such as running, swimming, and aerial silks. Roni has a broad spectrum of interests including photography, web design, and writing.
Yvonne Ciminiello, Viola
Yvonne Ciminiello, born in Austin, Texas, grew up in San Antonio in a musical family. She began her violin studies at age 3 with her father. Her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts was earned at Southern Methodist University in Viola Performance studying violin with Ronald Neal, viola with Ellen Rose and chamber music with Lev Aronson. Yvonne continued her viola studies at the University of Michigan with Donald McInnes and Yizhah Shotten, earning a Masters in Music degree. While in Michigan, Yvonne played principal viola in the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra under the renowned conductor Gustav Meir. Additionally she was member of the UM Graduate String Quartet where she studied chamber music with Jeffery Solow and Martin Katz. Yvonne also served as principal viola in the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra. She performed extensively with the Ann Arbor Chamber Players, Detroit Contemporary Ensemble, New Arts Chamber Players, and East Lansing Symphony. Yvonne furthered her studies attending the Banff Music Festival where she studied with Karen Tuttle.
Yvonne toured Argentina in 1989, where she performed at the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires, Museo Estevez of Rosario, and Teatro Municipal of Necochea. Yvonne remained in Buenos Aires for several years where she performed in the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Banco Mayo Camarata, and Los Solistas Argentinas Sextet.
Returning to the United States in 1991, Yvonne joined the Forth Worth Symphony for one season. She then played regularly with Dallas Opera Orchestra and the Nana Strolling Strings. Yvonne now has a full studio of excellent violin and viola students in the Plano area. She has two very creative sons, Thomas (student at California Institute of Fine Arts) and David (8th-grader who enjoys computer programming). Yvonne enjoys yoga, meditation, and gardening. She loves creative activities, which include painting glass and stone. She also takes old stringed instruments and repurposes them into works of art. Something most people don’t know about Yvonne is that she is a ‘snake whisper’. Having owned many small to medium snakes, Yvonne understands and communicates well with these remarkable reptiles. Internet researching is a favorite past time, as she continues to pursue her goal to be an outstanding teacher and mentor to young musicians.
Yvonne Ciminiello, born in Austin, Texas, grew up in San Antonio in a musical family. She began her violin studies at age 3 with her father. Her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts was earned at Southern Methodist University in Viola Performance studying violin with Ronald Neal, viola with Ellen Rose and chamber music with Lev Aronson. Yvonne continued her viola studies at the University of Michigan with Donald McInnes and Yizhah Shotten, earning a Masters in Music degree. While in Michigan, Yvonne played principal viola in the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra under the renowned conductor Gustav Meir. Additionally she was member of the UM Graduate String Quartet where she studied chamber music with Jeffery Solow and Martin Katz. Yvonne also served as principal viola in the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra. She performed extensively with the Ann Arbor Chamber Players, Detroit Contemporary Ensemble, New Arts Chamber Players, and East Lansing Symphony. Yvonne furthered her studies attending the Banff Music Festival where she studied with Karen Tuttle.
Yvonne toured Argentina in 1989, where she performed at the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires, Museo Estevez of Rosario, and Teatro Municipal of Necochea. Yvonne remained in Buenos Aires for several years where she performed in the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, Banco Mayo Camarata, and Los Solistas Argentinas Sextet.
Returning to the United States in 1991, Yvonne joined the Forth Worth Symphony for one season. She then played regularly with Dallas Opera Orchestra and the Nana Strolling Strings. Yvonne now has a full studio of excellent violin and viola students in the Plano area. She has two very creative sons, Thomas (student at California Institute of Fine Arts) and David (8th-grader who enjoys computer programming). Yvonne enjoys yoga, meditation, and gardening. She loves creative activities, which include painting glass and stone. She also takes old stringed instruments and repurposes them into works of art. Something most people don’t know about Yvonne is that she is a ‘snake whisper’. Having owned many small to medium snakes, Yvonne understands and communicates well with these remarkable reptiles. Internet researching is a favorite past time, as she continues to pursue her goal to be an outstanding teacher and mentor to young musicians.
Alice Lee, Cello
Alice (Jeong-A) Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea. She began playing piano at the age of 6. At the age of 9, she was deeply inspired by the sound of the cello, and at the age of 10, this inspiration turned into a love of the cello when she began to learn the instrument. She was accepted into and graduated from the Seoul Music and Art High School–the most prestigious music high school in Korea. After completing her Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance in South Korea, she earned her Artist's Diploma at the Vancouver Music Academy in Canada. Mrs. Lee then attended the University of North Texas, where she received her Masters of Music (MM), and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Cello Performance, studying under Eugene Osadchy.
Her passion for chamber music is evident in her playing and has had many international experiences, performing in various string quartets. While in South Korea, she was a member of the Euphonia String Quartet that performed in Seoul. She also toured Taiwan and Korea with the Kyung-won String Chamber Group, recording a CD. While in Vancouver, Canada, she won First Place in the Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition and the CDMF Performing Arts Festival as a member of the String Quartet. Mrs. Lee was also the recipient of the Liberace Scholarship while pursuing her graduate studies at the University of North Texas. As a member of the Liberace Graduate String Quartet, she performed throughout Texas representing the University of North Texas.
Over the years, she has continued to perform professionally at various events and venues. She has played with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and also performed alongside the following famous artists: Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Yoyo Ma, and pop artist Kanye West. Her cello playing can be heard on recordings of famous K-pop (Korean pop music) artists, Seung Hwan Lee and Jun Seoun Kim. Recently, her cello solos were played on the national and international broadcasts of the Insight for Living radio program and she was a featured musician on the Insight for Living website in October 2013.
Currently, she is a member of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and has performed with many professional orchestras over the years in the DFW area, including Plano Symphony, East Texas Symphony, Lewisville Lake Symphony, Irving Symphony, Abilene Symphony Orchestra; in Canada with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra); in South Korea with the Royal Symphony Orchestra and New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she is the Principal Cellist at the Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where she frequently appears as a soloist.
Presently, Alice Lee has her own cello studio in Denton, Texas where she teaches a number of talented young musicians who have won chairs of UIL regional orchestras, UIL state orchestras, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO). Alice Lee resides with her husband, daughter and son in Denton, Texas.
Alice (Jeong-A) Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea. She began playing piano at the age of 6. At the age of 9, she was deeply inspired by the sound of the cello, and at the age of 10, this inspiration turned into a love of the cello when she began to learn the instrument. She was accepted into and graduated from the Seoul Music and Art High School–the most prestigious music high school in Korea. After completing her Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance in South Korea, she earned her Artist's Diploma at the Vancouver Music Academy in Canada. Mrs. Lee then attended the University of North Texas, where she received her Masters of Music (MM), and Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Cello Performance, studying under Eugene Osadchy.
Her passion for chamber music is evident in her playing and has had many international experiences, performing in various string quartets. While in South Korea, she was a member of the Euphonia String Quartet that performed in Seoul. She also toured Taiwan and Korea with the Kyung-won String Chamber Group, recording a CD. While in Vancouver, Canada, she won First Place in the Elsje de Ridder Armstrong Chamber Music Competition and the CDMF Performing Arts Festival as a member of the String Quartet. Mrs. Lee was also the recipient of the Liberace Scholarship while pursuing her graduate studies at the University of North Texas. As a member of the Liberace Graduate String Quartet, she performed throughout Texas representing the University of North Texas.
Over the years, she has continued to perform professionally at various events and venues. She has played with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and also performed alongside the following famous artists: Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Yoyo Ma, and pop artist Kanye West. Her cello playing can be heard on recordings of famous K-pop (Korean pop music) artists, Seung Hwan Lee and Jun Seoun Kim. Recently, her cello solos were played on the national and international broadcasts of the Insight for Living radio program and she was a featured musician on the Insight for Living website in October 2013.
Currently, she is a member of the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and has performed with many professional orchestras over the years in the DFW area, including Plano Symphony, East Texas Symphony, Lewisville Lake Symphony, Irving Symphony, Abilene Symphony Orchestra; in Canada with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Island Symphony Orchestra); in South Korea with the Royal Symphony Orchestra and New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she is the Principal Cellist at the Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, where she frequently appears as a soloist.
Presently, Alice Lee has her own cello studio in Denton, Texas where she teaches a number of talented young musicians who have won chairs of UIL regional orchestras, UIL state orchestras, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (GDYO). Alice Lee resides with her husband, daughter and son in Denton, Texas.