Classica Chamber Players

Overview

Thirty-five years ago, Classica Chamber Players began as the Hill House Chamber Players, performing Parlor Concerts at the James J. Hill House. We remain devoted to the charm of intimate venues, offering audiences a close encounter with the music.

Julie Ayer, violinist and founder of the Classica Chamber Players (formerly Hill House Chamber Players), was assistant principal second violin with the Minnesota Orchestra for 36 years. She studied violin with world renowned Josef Gingold at Indiana University where she earned a master's degree. Julie is the author of More than Meets the Ear: How Symphony Musicians Made Labor History, published in 2005, and in 2023 she published her second book, Denying the Silence, A Chronicle of Resilience That Saved the World-Renowned Minnesota Orchestra.

Pianist Mary Jo Gothmann enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, soloist, opera coach and organist. She performs frequently with the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and has worked for the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and Minnesota Opera companies. Mary Jo is a sought after chamber music partner, playing with the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota, Colonial Chamber Music Series, Bakken Trio, JOYA in Anoka and Lakes Area Music Festival.

Cellist Sally Dorer is a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra and performs frequently with the Minnesota Orchestra. She has performed extensively with many chamber groups throughout the country, and has been a member of the New Mexico Symphony, the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, and the Florida West Coast Symphony. She has also performed at many summer music festivals, including Tanglewood, Colorado Music Festival, the Banff Centre, and Sarasota Music Festival. Sally studied at the New England Conservatory with Timothy Eddy.