Peter Frajola, Associate Concertmaster of the Oregon Symphony, joined the symphony in 1984. He attended the University of Oregon for two years on the Ruth Close Scholarship, and was a Murdock Scholar at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he received his B.M. Peter went on to become the assistant concertmaster of the Louisville Orchestra and the co-concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony before returning to Oregon in 1984. He also has played in the Eugene, Marin and San Francisco Opera orchestras. Peter has been the concertmaster of the Ernest Bloch Music Festival since 1994. As a soloist, Peter has performed with the Knoxville Symphony, San Francisco Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, Central Oregon Symphony, the Ernest Bloch Music Festival, the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, and numerous appearances with the Oregon Symphony.
Naomi LaViolette on piano, guitar and vocals
with Peter Frajola on violin, guitar and ukulele
Portland, Oregon-based songwriter, pianist, and vocalist Naomi LaViolette has found her niche amongst retro-style grooves, cool jazz, and classical arrangements. Naomi’s smooth vocals are remniscent of Norah Jones’ sultry blues and the ambience of Sarah McLachlan, and her wide-ranging keyboard sounds evoke both the funky rhythms of Billy Preston and classic folk-rock of Carole King. Naomi has released four records, most recently Live at The Old Church with Members of the Oregon Symphony, released February 2019. Her roots are deep in classical music—she has a master’s degree in classical piano performance—but she has also immersed herself in jazz standards, folk songs, soul, pop, and gospel. Her original music has received great reviews and critical acclaim from media and she has performed at esteemed venues and festivals including the Portland Jazz Festival, The Doug Fir Lounge, and The Bite of Oregon. She has been the pianist for the Oregon Repertory Singers since 2004.