About Our Musicians

Cynthia Drexler (Director, Violin, Viola, and Viola-Cello), earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and later completed her Masters Degree in Viola Performance from Colorado State University (CSU). Cynthia has performed with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and was a tenured member of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. She also performed with several regional orchestras in Colorado and Wyoming.

Christof Richter, Violin I, obtained both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in violin performance from the Peabody Institute where he studied with the renowned violinist Charles Libove. After further studies at the Konservatorium der Stadt Wien in Austria, he participated in the Taos Chamber Music Festival, the New England Bach Festival, and the Institut für Musik und Kirche, in Bressanone, Italy. He performed regularly with the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Opera Lafayette, and the Delaware and Harrisburg Symphonies. Christof regularly returns to his native Colombia for chamber music performances and to run the Early Music Festival of Barichara.

Daniela Pierson, Violin II & Viola, was principle violist of Tempesta di Mare for over ten years and has performed on violin or viola with many early music ensembles, including New Trinity Baroque, Early Music New York, Harmonious Blacksmith, Clarion Music Society, New York Collegium, La Rocinante, and Washington Cathedral Baroque Orchestra. She has appeared at the Magnolia Baroque and Newburyport Festivals, Festival Internacional de Música Barroca de Barichara, and as a guest artist with Chatham Baroque. Daniela loves sharing music with others through teaching as well as performing. She directed a youth orchestra for twelve years and maintains a teaching studio of young violinists, both online and in-person.

When Daniela and Christof aren’t performing and teaching, they are planting fruit trees, feeding their ducks, and rebuilding an old cabin in the beautiful hills of East Tennessee.