FÍORA ENSEMBLE 

In this dynamic era, it is imperative for artists to create novel expressions

that capture the essence of music. Collaborating with diverse perspectives

and unique gifts, they contribute to the continuing evolution of the craft,

echoing John Keats' timeless words: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty."

It is upon this pillar that the Fíora Ensemble formed, striving to bring

tangible beauty to audiences throughout the Twin Cities. Taken from the

Irish-Gaelic word Fíor, meaning real, true or genuine, the ensemble aspires

to provide meaningful, expressive, and moving experiences for all

audiences.

Formed in 2024 by original members Anne Ainomaë, Heidi Amundson,

Jane Cords-O’Hara, and Elise Meichels Parker, the group seeks to be a

collaborative haven for additional local artists. The four principal players

have a wealth of experience from all genres and styles of music ranging

from classical chamber music to Broadway musicals, and have worked with

local, national, and international ensembles. They have performed at such

noted venues as Orchestra Hall, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts,

the Guthrie, Northrop Auditorium, and Carnegie Hall.

“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” – Auguste Rodin

Anne Ainomäe (viola) was born and raised in Estonia. She is an avid chamber musician. Before moving to the USA, Anne was a member of Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and founding member of Prezioso String Quartet, which has won numerous prizes in Europe, and recorded works of Schulhoff, Vasks, Webern and Rääts. Anne has worked with Estonian National Symphony, Nordic Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony; and is a regular performer with St Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Minnesota Opera Orchestra, Englewood Arts Chamber music series in Colorado, and Cabrillo New Music Festival in Santa Cruz, CA. Since 2019, Anne has been a viola and chamber music professor at Augsburg University. Ms Ainomae has studied at Sibelius Academy, Tallinn Academy of Music and Theatre and University of Denver Lamont School of Music.

Violinist Elise Meichels Parker has an active freelance career as an orchestral performer, chamber musician, recording artist and studio teacher. The Star Tribune has described her playing as “soulful,” while the Pioneer Press wrote “Elise Parker wrings pure beauty from her violin.” Locally, Elise has performed with the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Fever’s Candlelight Concerts, STRINGenius, Children’s Theatre Company, VocalEssence, LOFT recital, Ladyslipper Ensemble, American Composers Forum, An Opera Theatre, and dozens of touring popular artists, amongst others. Since 2010, Elise has been a teacher for the Augsburg University Suzuki Talent Education Program, a nationally and internationally recognized program. She also visits dozens of Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools giving classroom demonstrations, all-school orchestral performances, and conducting high school orchestra sectionals. She has been adjunct faculty at Augsburg University since 2019. A native of Minneapolis, Elise earned her master’s degree from Rice University as a recipient of the Distinguished Fellowship of Violin Award with Kathleen Winkler. She has also studied privately with Vartan Manoogian, Maseo Kawasaki, Naoko Tanaka, and Nancy Lokken. Elise plays on a Gasparo da Salò composite violin, whose back and ribs were made in 1580 in Brescia, Italy. (Da Salò is sometimes credited as the co-inventor of the modern violin.)

Heidi Amundson enjoys an eclectic freelance career here in the Twin Cities. She began studies on piano at age 5 and violin at 10 and has enjoyed studying with teachers such as Doris Preucil, James Maurer, Yumi HwangWilliams, Cho Liang Lin, and Sally O’Reilly. As a core member of Minnesota Opera Orchestra, she has enjoyed playing many wonderful productions. Throughout the years she has played a wide variety of genres with groups ranging from the Minnesota Orchestra and Houston Ballet to Mannheim Steamroller and Kanye West. She has had the pleasure of playing Summer chamber music at both the Grand Teton Music Festival and Alexandria Festival. When not performing, she can be found at her home with husband Brit and six children. She enjoys homeschooling, gardening, reading, baking bread, and Brazilian embroidery. She holds degrees from The University of Denver and Rice University.

Based in Minneapolis, MN, Jane Cords-O’Hara is a freelance cellist. She is a member of The Knights and Ladyslipper Ensemble. She has performed, toured and recorded with many other ensembles including St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, MN Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Orchestra of St Luke’s, Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Da Capo Chamber Players, SONYC, Chamber Music Society of MN and A Far Cry. Equally comfortable in many styles, Jane has played a large amount of new and spectral music, as well playing baroque cello, and has played with Lyra Baroque, Bach Society of Minnesota, Wolfgang Ensemble and continuo at Bach Roots Festival in St Matthew Passion. She is a frequent performer at Candlelight Concerts at various venues in the Twin Cities. As a longtime member of the Grammy nominated chamber collective The Knights, Jane has played at festivals such as Tanglewood, Ravinia, Ojai, Stillwater and Caramoor, as well as internationally in Germany, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Ireland and at the Canary Islands Music Festival. Jane studied at the RNCM with Hannah Roberts and at Mannes College with Tim Eddy. She made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in 2006 as a winner of Artist's International competition. She is a devoted teacher and has a private studio as well as being on faculty at Augsburg University.