The City of Lakeway Arts Committee proudly presents the Travis Chamber Players in a Sunday Afternoon Concert on Feb. 7 at the Lakeway Activity Center from 2-4 p.m.

The trio of international performers include Annette Eicker, cello, Jephta Bernstein, violin, and Andrew Grainger, piano. They will entertain with classical and romantic music in solo, as duos and in trio. One will not want to miss the opportunity to hear this outstanding group.
Eicker was born in North Carolina, but raised in Germany from the age of six. She studied both cello and piano at the University of Music in Dortmund, Germany, where she received diplomas in orchestral musicianship and teaching. She continued to study extensively with two very notable and reputable cellists, Boris Pergamenschikov and Janos Starker.
During her studies, Eicker signed her first contract as principal cellist with the Orchestra of the Theater Lüneburg. After three years she became a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Freiburg, where she was employed for seventeen years.
She also performed as a chamber musician in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland.
In 2007, Eicker moved to Austin, where she teaches both cello and piano. She also performs with Austin’s finest musicians and is building a career as a chamber musician.
Violin and music always a part of Bernstein life. She began violin studies at age five and piano at age nine. While still in high school, Bernstein was a member of the Fort Collins Symphony, Loveland Chamber Orchestra, and the String Quartet Con Brio. Further musical training led to Oberlin College and Conservatory, and a Bachelor of Music degree, continuing on to a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music studying with Ani Kavafian. Remaining in New York City for eight years Bernstein performed chamber and orchestral music, performing with the American Symphony Orchestra, Seacliff Chamber Players, Paragon Ragtime Orchestra as concertmaster, Philharmonia Virtuosi (the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s resident orchestra), the Village Light Opera as well as many Broadway productions. Always valuing teaching and education, ernstein taught at the Brooklyn School of Music, started an outreach program in disadvantaged neighborhood public schools in Brooklyn, and maintained a private teaching studio.
Moving to Florida in 1997, Bernstein performed with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra of Fort Myers, Palm Beach Opera as assistant principal, Palm Beach Pops, Atlantic Classical Orchestra and the Palm Beach Chamber Players as a principal member. As a member of the faculty at Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach Atlantic University Summer Program, as an artist in residence at the Dreyfoos Performing Arts High School in West Palm Beach, and in private teaching studios in Vero Beach and West Palm Beach, Bernstein continued her love of teaching.
Additionally, from 1992-99, Bernstein performed, and was assistant to artistic director, Ida Kavafian, in both the Bravo! Colorado Music Festival and Music From Angel Fire Chamber Music Festival. She also attended the Aspen Music Festival, Spoleto Music Festival, Fountaine Bleau Chamber Music Festival, and Colorado Music Festival.
Settling in Austin with husband, Brad, and their two children in 2005, she freelances regularly in the Austin area, is Director of CHAMPS (Chamber Music in Public Schools), and teaches privately.
Grainger was born in London, England and started playing the piano at the age of seven. He did his undergraduate degree at Surrey University, England, majoring in piano performance and studying with Martin Hughes.
He subsequently studied with both Richard Mapp and Jocelyn Abbott in London, and completed his diploma from the Royal College of Music. Several years later, after becoming increasingly interested in composing, he completed his Masters degree in composition at Kingston University.
Grainger has performed all around the United Kingdom and Europe in various guises.
— Janet Wright