Established in 1990 by Holly Gullen Stout, the Nova String Quartet is dedicated to providing the Omaha metro Area with the best variety and quality in string quartet music. From classical masters such as Bach, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven to light jazz, show tunes, tangos and pop, the Nova String Quartet will enhance any special occasion. In addition to managing duties, Holly also arranges music for the quartet.
All members of the NSQ are fully qualified professional musicians, with undergraduate or graduate degrees in music performance. In addition to performing with the Omaha Symphony, each member is a sought-after teacher of his/her instrument.
All members of the NSQ are fully qualified professional musicians, with undergraduate or graduate degrees in music performance. In addition to performing with the Omaha Symphony, each member is a sought-after teacher of his/her instrument.
Holly Gullen Stout
Cellist and founding member of the Nova String Quartet, Holly Gullen Stout has been active as a performer with the Nova String Quartet, Omaha Symphony, and occasionally the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra since 1979. As a music teacher, composer and arranger in the Omaha area, her original compositions for children's orchestras have been performed by the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, Omaha Public Schools and Millard Public Schools. Her arrangements have been performed by the Omaha Symphony as well as many
professional string quartets from all parts of the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Germany. A versatile musician, Mrs. Stout has taught orchestra classes in Millard and in the Omaha Public Schools. As a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. Stout earned her Bachelor of Music Education and later, a Master of Music in cello performance at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
professional string quartets from all parts of the US, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Germany. A versatile musician, Mrs. Stout has taught orchestra classes in Millard and in the Omaha Public Schools. As a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Mrs. Stout earned her Bachelor of Music Education and later, a Master of Music in cello performance at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
Phyllis Duncan
Violinist Phyllis Duncan currently plays in the Omaha Symphony (since 1984). A native of Iowa, Phyllis earned her Bachelor's degree in violin performance and education from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. While trying to decide whether to continue graduate work, she won her first orchestra position with the Shreveport (Louisiana) Symphony. Two years later, in 1984, she won the position in Omaha. Other playing endeavors include the Bedford Springs and Bear Valley Summer Music Festivals, the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Symphony, the Quad-City Symphony (Davenport, Iowa), the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Lincoln Symphony, and taught violin at the University of Nebraska-Omaha School for Strings. She will be appearing with the Ottumwa Symphony in May 2012 as one of four soloists playing the Vivaldi Concerto for 4 violins, in B minor.
Judy Divis
Violist Judy Divis graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Music in violin performance. She taught Suzuki violin through the University of Connecticut and the Central Connecticut State University, specializing in early childhood education. Judy is celebrating her 26th year as a violist with the Omaha Symphony. A member of the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra since 2002, she has also played with Lincoln Symphony, Nebraska Chamber Orchestra, Des Moines Opera, and Opera Omaha.
Currently serving on the faculty at UNO, Judy has previously taught at Brownell-Talbot, Midland Lutheran College, Central Connecticut State University, and through the Office of Continuing Education at the University of Connecticut. She was a string specialist for Omaha Public Schools for many years, and used this position to follow all three of her children on their respective paths through public school. (A spy!)
Transplanted from the East Coast, she loves Omaha, and thinks it’s a great place to raise a family!
Currently serving on the faculty at UNO, Judy has previously taught at Brownell-Talbot, Midland Lutheran College, Central Connecticut State University, and through the Office of Continuing Education at the University of Connecticut. She was a string specialist for Omaha Public Schools for many years, and used this position to follow all three of her children on their respective paths through public school. (A spy!)
Transplanted from the East Coast, she loves Omaha, and thinks it’s a great place to raise a family!
David C. Neely
David C. Neely is associate professor of violin at the UNL School of Music, where he joined the faculty in 1993. Professor Neely also serves as artist/teacher of violin at the Rocky Ridge Summer Music Festival in Estes Park, Colorado. He performed and taught at the 2006 summer Schlern Music Festival in Schlern, Italy.
Mr. Neely received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts and his Bachelor of Music degree from Iowa State University. He has also studied at Indiana University and had post-graduate studies with Peter Marsh. Mr. Neely's teachers include, Peter Marsh, Josef Gingold, and Mahlon Darlington. Prior to his appointment at UNL, Mr. Neely was associate professor of violin/viola at the University of South Dakota and a founding member of the Rawlins Piano Trio. Mr. Neely served as first violinist of the Omega String Quartet at the Lutheran Summer Music Festival from 1989 to 1998.
Professor Neely has performed and given master classes throughout the United States, and has recorded on the Albany Records label. He continues to review violin, viola, and chamber music literature for the American String Teachers Magazine. Mr. Neely has performed as guest concertmaster of the Lincoln Orchestra and as co-concertmaster of the Sioux City Symphony. He has been a member of several orchestras including the South Dakota Symphony, the Baroque Music Festival in Corona del Mar, CA., and currently plays with the Omaha Symphony.
During the summer of 1997, Professor Neely performed and taught throughout Switzerland and Germany. He taught at the Leysin American School, Aiglon College and the University of Maintz. In addition to recital performances at these schools, he also gave recitals at Winterther, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Zurich. Professor Neely also taught and performed at the Sebelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland through the teacher exchange program in 2000.
Mr. Neely received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the California Institute of the Arts and his Bachelor of Music degree from Iowa State University. He has also studied at Indiana University and had post-graduate studies with Peter Marsh. Mr. Neely's teachers include, Peter Marsh, Josef Gingold, and Mahlon Darlington. Prior to his appointment at UNL, Mr. Neely was associate professor of violin/viola at the University of South Dakota and a founding member of the Rawlins Piano Trio. Mr. Neely served as first violinist of the Omega String Quartet at the Lutheran Summer Music Festival from 1989 to 1998.
Professor Neely has performed and given master classes throughout the United States, and has recorded on the Albany Records label. He continues to review violin, viola, and chamber music literature for the American String Teachers Magazine. Mr. Neely has performed as guest concertmaster of the Lincoln Orchestra and as co-concertmaster of the Sioux City Symphony. He has been a member of several orchestras including the South Dakota Symphony, the Baroque Music Festival in Corona del Mar, CA., and currently plays with the Omaha Symphony.
During the summer of 1997, Professor Neely performed and taught throughout Switzerland and Germany. He taught at the Leysin American School, Aiglon College and the University of Maintz. In addition to recital performances at these schools, he also gave recitals at Winterther, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, and Zurich. Professor Neely also taught and performed at the Sebelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland through the teacher exchange program in 2000.
Mary Amador
Another Midwesterner, violinist Mary Amador grew up in a musical family in Moline, Illinois. With both parents teaching music, it was mandatory for Mrs. Amador to play a musical instrument. She chose the violin. After graduating from the University of Iowa in Iowa City (where she met and became friends with Phyllis while playing in a string quartet) she continued her graduate studies in violin performance at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A professional musician since 1981, Mrs. Amador has performed with many orchestras including the San Francisco Opera and Ballet Orchestras, the California, Modesto, Fresno and Santa Rosa Symphonies. After relocating to Nebraska in 1991, she performed for several years with the Omaha Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. Currently Mrs. Amador is, in addition to playing for the Nova String Quartet, following in her parents' footsteps by teaching violin for the Omaha Conservatory of Music as well as directing the Concordia High School Orchestra and the Friedel Jewish Academy string classes which she initiated in 2010. Fortunately for Mrs. Amador’s two young daughters, it is now mandatory for them to choose at least one musical instrument to play.
Nova String Quartet | nsq@novasq.com | 402.334.5737
