The Amante Strings Quartet

Violinist Michelle Stewart studied in NYC at the Performing Arts High School (FAME School) ; at Mannes College of Music and at the Manhattan School of Music where she earned her BFA. Michelle was the winner of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society competition and has performed at Alice Tully Hall,Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall.Michelle is not only a classically trained violinist,but has also performed in concerts with such artists as James Taylor,Ray Charles,Dionne Warwick,and Richie Havens,to mention just a few. She is currently a member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.

Ryan Hall is a classically trained freelance musician who has performed regularly with various orchestras and chamber ensembles, including Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, Newburgh Symphony, Hudson Opera Theatre, Overlook Trio and Woodstock Quartet. Currently he performs with Amante Quartet and has been a member of the renaissance group Sol Sonata for the last few years. Mr. Hall has recorded extensively with such artists as Sunny Day Real Estate, Professor Louis and the Cromatix, and Juliana Hatfield. He appeared in the 1994 film The Road to Wellville starring Anthony Hopkins.

Gregory Phillips

received his bachelors and masters degree from the Crane Dept. of Music, State University at Potsdam in 1965 and 1972, respectively. His first teaching position was in the Ramapo Central School District (Suffern, NY) where he instituted an orchestra program in 1965. Retiring in June of 1999 allowed Greg and his wife Carol to relocate in Cornwall, NY where again, he started a new string program in the Cornwall Central School District. Working only part time, he has room for the cello section of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and various chamber ensembles. Chamber music remains a favorite pastime, especially performing with the Amante String Quartet. Other hobbies include boating, auto restoration, antiquating and totally spoiling the new grandson born in June of 2002.