Our Story
Star City Strings, LLC is a professional performing ensemble and a thriving music lesson studio.
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In the summer of 2016, Star City Strings was founded by two musicians who both studied at Boston University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but not at the same time! Korynne Bolt and Rebecca Vieker effectively switched places, completing different degrees at each school. Once they both found themselves in Lincoln, they decided to collaborate and formed an ensemble that has played in a diverse array of settings. Other members of the ensemble include UNL students and alumni whom Rebecca and Korynne have played with for years. All of our musicians are professional caliber players.
We specialize in a wide repertoire of music, from traditional Classical pieces to arrangements of pop, rock, jazz, and fiddle tunes. Star City Strings has played at a variety of locations for Lincoln’s First Friday festivals, at the Haymarket Farmers’ Market, Indigo Bridge Books, the Burkholder Gallery, and more.
Korynne Bolt's Biography
Korynne Bolt completed a Master's degree in Cello Performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2016. A full-time member of Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra, Korynne also plays as a substitute in the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Rangbrook Ensemble, and Omaha Symphony Orchestra. Korynne currently runs Star City Strings, a performing ensemble and full-time cello lesson studio. She has previously coached chamber groups for the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras.
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In May 2013, Korynne graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Music in String Performance, summa cum laude. For the following year, Korynne studied independently with Peter Howard in St. Paul, Minnesota while freelancing, teaching private lessons, and working at Claire Givens Violins in Minneapolis. Korynne's other previous teachers include Marc Johnson, Karen Buranskas, Carol Ou, Emilie Grondin, and Soo Bae.
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While enrolled at UNL, Korynne studied with Greg Beaver of the Chiara String Quartet. One highlight of her career was performing the Schubert Cello Quintet with the Chiara Quartet in March 2016 as winner of the annual "Play with the Chiaras" competition.
Korynne’s love for chamber music was strongly influenced by experiences at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition in her home town of South Bend. As part of the Fischoff Chamber Music Association’s Mentoring Project, Korynne was named Artist-of-the-Month and led her trio to win the Geoffroy Prize at the 2007 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. During high school, Korynne played in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, earning a spot in the selective Encore Chamber Orchestra. She also performed the Dvorak Concerto with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra in 2007.
Korynne's experience as a TA continued at UNL, where she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for Chamber Music Outreach. As outreach coordinator, she arranged performances for student chamber music ensembles at area venues, including a rehabilitation hospital and assisted living facilities. Korynne's expertise in facilitating concerts began as a senior at BU, when she initiated and presented the Boston Strong Benefit Concert, a fundraiser for the victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. She coordinated volunteers to perform and staff a three-hour program of music, including a 12-member cello ensemble. The concert took place at the Old South Church on Boylston St. (next to the marathon finish line) on May 4, 2013, and collected donations of nearly $1000 for the Boston OneFund.
In addition to musical endeavors, Korynne enjoys hiking, ice skating, and cycling. She played hockey in high school and intramural frisbee in college. Every June, Korynne participates in the Great Cycle Challenge, an annual fundraiser that has raised millions of dollars for the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Korynne lives in Lincoln with her husband, Seth.
In subsequent years, Korynne pursued chamber music through full scholarships to the Manchester Music Festival and UNL Chamber Music Institute. Korynne has also participated in Credo Chamber Music and Vianden International Music Festivals. Korynne filled the role of Festival Fellow at the Bowdoin International Music Festival for the summers of 2012 and 2013. As a Fellow, Korynne assisted her private teacher, Peter Howard, with administrative work, provided additional instruction for studio members, and performed on numerous "Artists of Tomorrow" concerts. As evidenced by her three-time participation in the program’s annual Gamper Festival of New Music, Korynne is dedicated to pioneering new music. In college, Korynne premiered several solo cello works by colleague composers and has performed in BU’s new music ensemble, Time’s Arrow.
After two years as a double major in music and philosophy at a private liberal arts college in Massachusetts, Korynne transferred to Boston University, where she completed coursework in musicology and music theory in addition to her performance degree. While studying at BU, Korynne became a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and was named the 2012 Presser Scholar. A National Merit Finalist in high school, Korynne won second prize in the Ayn Rand National Essay Contest, and she earned top marks on several AP exams. Korynne worked as a Teaching Assistant for philosophy and interdisciplinary courses at Gordon College and has earned national awards in French, Latin, and writing.
