About
I started playing violin at age four, before I learned to read. I have spent my life studying how artists engage in their process and practice.
I believe music has the power to change hearts and minds and is a common language humans use to drive emotion and meaning of a story.
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Collaborating on creative work can be a vulnerable process, which is why working with someone you trust and connect with is so vital.
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As a performer, composer and producer, here's some of what I bring to the creative process:
TECHNIQUE & EXPRESSION
TEAM & TALENT
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30+ years performing internationally
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Graduate of the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory
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Technical skills to hear and execute extremely detailed intonation, phrasing, and articulation decisions
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Music theory knowledge to compose meaningful arrangements in multiple genres
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Passion for new music and extended techniques to create non-traditional textural and atmospheric gestures
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Listen to samples of past work
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Ability to quickly contract and schedule additional talent for different ensemble arrangements
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Access to many of the principal and solo performers of the Bay Area
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Prioritize working with femme, minority and ally artists
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Offer all contracted artists fair industry recording rates
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All talent is familiar with multi-genre performing and studio recording and multi-layer tracking
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Read their bios here
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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10+ years project management contracting
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Previous clients include Susan Stryker (Emmy-award film director and trans historian) and Tim Collins (former manager of the rock band Aerosmith)
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Clean and efficient file organization, naming and exporting practices
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Seamless and compassionate communication and organization from start to finish
SAFE SPACE & DIVERSITY
RVS is a queer POC woman owned company that recognizes that less than 2% of the audio industry identifies as non-male. We recognize the creative process can be deeply vulnerable and personal and are committed to providing safe collaboration spaces, scholarships and discounts for minority artists. Contact us for more details.
The Studio
Capturing the depth and resonance of a string instrument is a constantly revolving art form perfected by experience and curiosity - here's a little about my studio set up.
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS
AEA 84 Ribbon Mic, Telefunken FT11 Condensor, EV RE 20, AKG451, Rhode M5 Stereo Pair, WA-73 EQ preamp, True Systems P2 high fidelity stereo preamp, and a UA Apollo Interface.
Depending on the project, I also offer multiple mic options with both close and room mic set-ups - especially helpful for mixing larger string sections.
THE INSTRUMENTS
I perform on an instrument built in Pittsburgh in 1949 by the violin maker B. F. Phillips. For multiple string tracking I also use a second acoustic instrument in order to vary tone and texture. Electric violin set-up available on request.
FAQs
WHAT IF I NEED MORE THAN ONE TRACK?
Some projects call for epic orchestral string sections while others benefit from a more intimate string quartet or string bed. For multiple layers of string tracking, I record using different instruments to vary and enrich the tone and timber and more authentically imitate a "section" sound. Contact us to discuss your ideas!
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DO YOU OFFER STRING-DRIVEN SCORES FOR VIDEO CONTENT?
Yes! Contact us for a free quote!
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WHAT IS YOUR TURN AROUND TIME?
Depending on the project, I am usually able to track violin parts 1-3 business days after receiving initial tracks. I am also able to accommodate tighter turn arounds for a small rush fee.
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WHAT ARE THE PRICE RANGES FOR THESE TYPES OF PROJECTS?
I recognize creatives work on limited budgets and will work with you to figure out the most affordable options! In general, single violin tracks prices start at $200 per 3-4 minute song, which depending on the project, might include original arrangements, studio time, project management, file exporting and (1) minor revision. For string quartets, prices vary depending on whether a full quartet or individually tracked instruments are preferred. Larger orchestral projects vary depending on the difficulty of the music and arrangement needed. Scholarships and discounts are offered to minority artists - contact us for more info.
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DO YOU OFFER SYNCH LICENSING FOR YOUR WORK?
Yes! Get in touch for inquiries!
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WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
You will receive an invoice for every project which can be paid via creditcard or PayPal. You can also send payment via Venmo @rogueviolin or via checks paid to Rogue Violin Studios LLC.
Meet the Team
SAMANTHA BOUNKEUA
Founder | Violinist | Composer | Producer
Samantha Bounkeua is a recipient of the California Arts Council Emerging Individual Artist Fellowship for 2023 and specializes in cross-media collaborations that amplify queer/femme voices that often explore themes of mental-health and social activism. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Samantha has performed internationally as a guest artist with the Southern Arizona Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble, Britten-Pears New Music Festival, Festival de Opera San Luis, the Rogue Theatre and the Re-Presence Artist Residency at Stanford University (2022). She is a recipient of multiple grants from the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona as well as the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County and in 2020, Samantha was the 2nd place finalist in the competitive University of Arizona FORGE Business Accelerator. She has been commissioned to write music for the Binational Encuentro (an event about the female migratory experience), ChamberLab, LuftBassoon, Hawkins Dance Company and more. Her work has featured in the International Meg Quigley Vivaldi Bassoon Symposium, Kerala Short Film Festival, Breaking Ground Contemporary Dance Festival, and more.
LEAH ASHER
Violinist | Violist | Composer
Violinist/violist, composer, and visual artist Leah Asher is an avid performer of contemporary music and creator of new artistic works. Leah has been a member of The Rhythm Method string quartet, an innovative ensemble of composer-performers, since 2016. A sought after performer and collaborator, Leah can be found performing as a regular guest with New York-based ensembles such as International Contemporary Ensemble, Talea Ensemble, and S.E.M. Ensemble. She is also the co-creator of Meaningless Work, an interdisciplinary performance collaboration with Nicolee Kuester. Leah maintains an international career with performances presented by the Lucerne Festival, Lake George Music Festival, Omaha One Festival, MATA Festival, TriBeCA New Music, Festspillene i Nord Norge, Music Mondays, and Codes d’accès. Leah has equally enjoyed performing at such celebrated venues as The Wiener Musikverein, Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Miller Theatre, and the KKL Lucerne, as well as smaller, more intimate venues such as The Owl Music Parlor, Kimaira, Echoraum, the cell theatre, Konsthall C, and JACK. Leah has been featured as a concerto soloist with the Arctic Philharmonic Sinfonietta and Oberlin’s Contemporary Music Ensemble. Leah formerly served as solo violist of the Arctic Philharmonic Sinfonietta and co-principal viola of the Arctic Philharmonic. As a guest artist and educator, Leah has given performances and worked with students at universities including Rice University, New York University, Bowling Green State University, Zurich University for Art and Music, Arkansas State University, Tulane University, Peabody Conservatory, Hunter College, Brown University, and Youngstown State University. In the summers, she holds faculty positions at Point Counterpoint, the Composers Conference, and Lake George Music Festival Composer’s Institute. As a composer, Leah has been commissioned by several ensembles, including andPlay, Chartreuse, Periapsis, NorthArc Percussion Group, The Great Learning Orchestra, Du.0, and solo artists such as Meaghan Burke, Tristan McKay, and Jennifer Torrence. Recent releases include Leah’s solo album ‘Retreat into Afters’ (SCRIPTS Records), and The Rhythm Method’s self-titled debut album (Gold Bolus Recordings). Leah joined the faculty of Manhattan School of Music as of 2022. Leah completed her undergraduate degrees at Oberlin College and Conservatory, studying violin with Gregory Fulkerson and studio art primarily with John Pearson. As a recipient of the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship, she completed her Master’s in Contemporary Performance at Manhattan School of Music with Curtis Macomber, then continued studies at UCSD under the tutelage of János Négyesy.
KRISTIN GARBEFF
Cellist
Kristin is an active freelance musician and has performed throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas with the Monterey Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, West Bay Opera, New Music Works, Espressivo, and the Hidden Valley String Orchestra. She is an avid chamber musician, playing with the piano trio, Nisene Ensemble. Kristin is also active in the popular music scene. She has collaborated with various groups in the San Francisco Bay Area including indie band Blue Rabbit, Kenny Shick, Jenn Grinels, and the Thriving Artists organization. Kristin received her Master of Music degree from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA where she studied with Dr. Terry King. She studied chamber music with Kathleen Lenski, Victor Rosenbaum, and Roger Tapping, and jazz improvisation with pianist Peter Cassino. In addition to performing, Kristin maintains a teaching studio at her home in Scotts Valley, CA.
SHANNON D'ANTONIO
Violinist | Violist
Shannon Delaney D’Antonio, violin, began her musical studies in Northern Virginia at the age of 5. She moved to California to attend Stanford University, where she received a B.A. degree in Violin Performance. Shannon is an active chamber musician in the Santa Cruz and Monterey areas. She is the concertmaster of Espressivo Orchestra, and performs regularly with Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra, Santa Cruz New Music Works, the Santa Cruz Chorale, the Santa Cruz Symphony, Musical Soulmates, and the Santa Cruz Opera Project. Shannon also holds an M.A. degree in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and works as an intervention teacher at Westlake Elementary in Santa Cruz. She lives with her family in Soquel, CA.
STANLEY POPLIN
Double bassist
Stan has been performing jazz and classical music in the Monterey and greater San Francisco Bay areas for the past fifty years. He is a founding member of the New Music Works Ensemble, and has performed with many symphony orchestras, including the Cabrillo Music Festival, Monterey Symphony and Opera Parallele.  Between1990-95, while living in Norway, he recorded and toured throughout the country. Mr. Poplin has made many recordings of jazz, blues and classical music. He retired from a teaching position at UC Santa Cruz at the end of 2021 where he was a Lecturer - Double bass and Director of Small Jazz Ensembles. He continues to maintain a private teaching studio. While preforming in various classical music settings, Stan is focusing on self expression through the development of his presentation of works for unaccompanied double bass and other varied projects.
RUSSELL RONNEBAUM
Pianist | Composer | Arranger
Russell Ronnebaum holds a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Kansas as well as a Masters Degree in collaborative piano from the University of Arizona. 
Russell leads an active performance and composition schedule, specializing in composing music that tells stories. He provides musical direction and composes original scores for productions at The Rogue Theatre in Tucson, AZ, and Rogue Radio, a radio play series produced in partnership with Arizona Public Media, NPR 89.1 FM. As a pianist, Russell often performs with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and various ensembles and choirs in the greater Tucson area. Russell made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, performing the music of Dan Forrest. 
Recordings, videos, sheet music, and upcoming concert dates can be found at www.RRonnebaum.com