Where artistry, tradition, and innovation meet.
The Strings Department at Aurelianus Varro University is acclaimed for its dedication to the highest ideals of string performance. Rooted in the traditions of the great conservatories, our program fosters not only technical mastery but also a deep understanding of musical style, historical context, and interpretive nuance. Students study with renowned artist-teachers who have shaped musical life in major orchestras across the fictional world.
Whether preparing for the concert stage, chamber music collaborations, orchestral careers, or teaching positions, our students benefit from a rich curriculum, an inspiring performance culture, and the mentorship of faculty whose own careers span continents, centuries of repertoire, and a remarkable variety of artistic disciplines.
Title: Professor of Violin & Head of Strings
Email: imarencourt@avu.edu
Office: Mendelssohn Hall, Room 101
Education:
B.M. — Eldamar Conservatory of the Arts
M.M. — Hogsmeade Royal Academy
Ph.D. — University of Aureinth
Dr. Marencourt is internationally celebrated for her radiant tone and poetic phrasing, qualities that have made her a featured soloist with the **Hogsmeade Gewandhaus Orchestra** for more than a decade. Her scholarly work focuses on expressive treatises of the 18th century, and her interpretations of early Romantic repertoire have been praised for combining historical insight with dramatic flair. At AVU, she fosters an environment where students are challenged to cultivate individuality through disciplined refinement of technique and artistry.
Title: Associate Professor of Viola
Email: fthalen@avu.edu
Office: Mendelssohn Hall, Room 102
Education:
B.M. — College of Saint Aveline
M.M. — Telmarin School of Music
Ph.D. — Royal Conservatory of Vesperia
A principal violist with the **Celestian Philharmonic**, Dr. Thalen is admired for his command of coloristic nuance and for the warmth he brings to contemporary and classical repertoire alike. His research explores the evolution of viola pedagogy across fictional musical cultures, and his contributions to chamber music literature include several commissioned works and collaborative recordings. His studio at AVU is known for producing versatile and expressive violists who thrive in varied musical settings.
Title: Professor of Cello
Email: cveyr@avu.edu
Office: Mendelssohn Hall, Room 103
Education:
B.M. — Stonehaven Conservatory
M.M. — University of Nargothrond
Ph.D. — Imperial Academy of Luminara
Dr. Veyr maintains an active career as principal cellist of the **Minas Vale Symphony**, where her interpretations of major concerto repertoire have been celebrated for emotional depth and structural clarity. She is also an advocate for new music, coaching contemporary ensembles and premiering works by emerging composers. Her teaching philosophy weaves technical rigor with introspection, helping students build a deeply personal and sustainable relationship with their instrument.
Title: Lecturer in Double Bass
Email: rhalden@avu.edu
Office: Mendelssohn Hall, Room 104
Education:
B.M. — University of Greyhawk
M.M. — Conservatory of Ironspire
Ph.D. — Arcanum College of Music Studies
Dr. Halden is a long-standing member of the **Sokovia State Opera Orchestra**, known for his resonant, commanding sound and impeccable rhythmic stability. His scholarly work focuses on historical bass-playing techniques and the evolution of orchestral bass writing. His teaching emphasizes ergonomic efficiency and technical refinement, guiding students toward confident, grounded playing across genres.
Title: Professor of Harp
Email: esolmere@avu.edu
Office: Mendelssohn Hall, Room 105
Education:
B.M. — Lyra Academy
M.M. — Caelondia University of the Arts
Ph.D. — Greatwood Institute for Musical Research
A celebrated soloist and principal harpist with the **Eldenridge Festival Orchestra**, Dr. Solmere is known for her luminous timbre and masterful control of musical atmosphere. Her scholarship—focused on harp literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—has contributed to renewed interest in underperformed works. Her teaching inspires students to approach the harp as both a virtuosic and deeply expressive instrument capable of shaping entire musical landscapes.