Members: pianist Lois Shapiro, violinist Bayla Keyes, and cellist Rhonda Rider

Field of Study: Pedagogy and Performance with the Piano Trio

Biographical Information: In residence at Wellesley College since 1999; award-winning musicians formed the ensemble in 1995. Performed the complete cycle of Beethoven piano trios at Wellesley College, 2001-2002. Present concerts as well as lecture-recitals focusing on works by a single composer or a particular culture or period. As part of Wellesley residency, present lectures in classrooms in which American studies, art history, Russian or astronomy is taught, thereby linking the music to the curriculum. Advocates for new music, premiered seven new American works written expressly for them; won commissioning grant from Chamber Music America in 2000 for Lee Hyla to write a piece for the trio, which premiered spring 2002. Other premieres: Andy Vores’ “Dark Mother” (narrated by Phyllis Curtin, performed in FleetBoston Celebrity Series concert April 2000; David Rakowski’s “Attitude Problem” (1996); Ross Bauer’s “Motion” (1998); Richard Cornell’s Piano Trio (1998); Arlene Zallman’s “Triquetra” (1999); James Bolles’ Piano Trio (2000).

Recordings: David Rakowski, “Attitude Problem” and “Hyperblue” on the CRI label.

Website: http://www.triplehelixpianotrio.org

Listen to clips of Triple Helix Piano Trio.

Photo by Susan Wilson