The Linden String Quartet specializes in providing elegant musical accompaniment for weddings and events in the Twin Cities area. Our professional musicians are skilled in performing a wide range of musical genres, from classical to contemporary, ensuring that we can cater to your specific preferences.
Claire Belisle
Claire Belisle is a violinist with a degree in music and religion from St. Olaf College, where she served as the concertmaster of the St. Olaf Orchestra for two years. Based in Minnesota her whole life, Claire is a dedicated violin teacher and a versatile performer, equally at home playing orchestral works, classic quartets, and pop covers. Claire has performed with touring groups at the Xcel Energy Center including Michael Buble and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Becca Jackelen
Becca is a freelance musician in the Twin Cities with a degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is a founding member of the Linden String Quartet and has played in several pit orchestras across the Twin Cities, including Minnetonka Theater, Old Log Theater, Theater301, and Lyric Arts.
Sophia Butler
Sophia Butler (viola) holds degrees in music and teaching from St. Olaf College, and the University of Alaska Southeast. She has performed at taught with El Sistema inspired JAMM (Juneau Alaska Music Matters), as well as Fulbright Malaysia. Since 2018, Sophia has been teaching band, orchestra, and jazz at South High School in Minneapolis. In 2023, she completed an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute.
In addition to teaching, Sophia performs often as a violinist and violist in the Twin Cities area. She performs with Rogue Tango and Mill City Caravan and has experience playing other folk and jazz genres. She also performs regularly as a member of the Linden Hills String Quartet, and in several pit orchestras throughout the metro area.
Sarah Gingerich
Sarah Gingerich (cello) is an active freelance musician in the Twin Cities metro area. She performs regularly with the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, local theater companies such as Minnetonka Theater and Theatre301, and is a founding member and cellist in the Linden String Quartet (lindenstringquartet.com). A graduate of St. Olaf College, Sarah received a bachelor of music degree in cello performance and studied with Anna Clift, David Carter, Stephen Feldman, and Melita Hungsinger. As a student, she toured with the St. Olaf Orchestra throughout 26 states, Spain, Morocco, and China, and in a string ensemble with the St. Olaf Choir at halls such as Severance Hall (Cleveland, Ohio), Mechanics Hall (Worcester, MA), Verizon Hall (Philadelphia, PA), and Carnegie Hall (New York, NY).
Sarah currently serves as the assistant director of project management for music organizations at St. Olaf College, where she coordinates concerts, events, and domestic and international tours for the college’s music ensembles. Previous roles included working in operations at the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and coordinating the International Cello Institute.