About
Ivy Chamber Strings
Ivy Chamber Strings, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, is committed to providing high quality orchestral training and guidance to Orange County young music players from 6 to 17 years old.
In April 2022, under the leadership of our conductor, Mr. Brandon Miller, Ivy Chamber Strings participated in the National-wide Heritage Festival Orchestra Competition organized by WorldStrides and received the Gold Award, Adjudicator Award, Outstanding Orchestra Award, and four individual player Maestro Awards.
On April 8th, 2023, we were invited to perform on the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, New York, and received unanimous praise from four national-level judges.
We are dedicated to providing young musicians with more professional performance opportunities, which not only enhance their skills in a friendly and supportive environment, but also greatly expand their horizons. We are looking forward to another wonderful and rewarding season.
Brandon Miller
Conductor
Brandon Miller has possessed a passion for drums and percussion for almost as long as he can remember. Born in Long Beach, California, Mr. Miller spent the better part of his youth growing up in Chino Hills. Beginning drums at age twelve in junior high, he went on to be a member of the prestigious Ayala High School drum line, as well as drummer for the jazz band. After graduating, he began his formal percussion training with Robert Slack (principal percussionist, Pacific Symphony) after enrolling as a Music Major at Fullerton College.
After two years at Fullerton College, Mr. Miller transferred to Chapman University where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. He then began working as a freelance percussionist and educator, teaching percussion and jazz at several southern California schools including Marina High School, Edison High School and Laguna Hills High School. In 2009, he was accepted into the CSU Fullerton graduate program where he completed his Master of Music degree, with a focus in Jazz Studies. After completing the graduate program, he was accepted into the credential program at CSU Fullerton where he would obtain his teaching credential in May 2013.
Carmen Marquez
BEGINNER STRINGS CLASS & STRING ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR
Mexican Violinist and Conductor Carmen Márquez is an Arts Educator, Arts Administrator, and LBGTQ+ Mentee of the Tent Organization in partnership with Sony Music. Ms. Márquez is an arts advocate residing in Orange County - she believes in promoting equity and diversity in the arts. Most recently, she was a finalist for the 2021 Sphinx LEAD Fellowship. She currently works for Pacific Symphony’s Santa Ana Strings as an Instructor and Program Coordinator.