Meet the Members of Simply Strings:
Violinist: Jennifer Vanhook, a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma has been playing the violin for almost 30 years and performing throughout the North Texas area for over 10 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in music and master’s degree in education from Austin College in Sherman, Texas under violinist Dr. Timothy Cutler. She has performed with the Sherman Symphony, Southern Arizona Symphony and is currently the lead string player for the Dallas Praise Orchestra. Jennifer lives with her husband and son in McKinney, Texas.
Violist: Karina Flores Lindsey is a native of Houston, Texas where she learned to play the viola at the age of 12. By the age of 18, Karina had performed with the Greater Houston Youth Orchestra, Stratford HS Symphony, Houston Youth Symphony, and the Texas All State Symphony. During these years, Karina also traveled all over with Stratford Symphony to perform at world festivals in Austria, Germany, Atlanta, Mississippi, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and New York. Karina continued her viola performance at Baylor University for two years and then finished her degree at the University of North Texas. She studied viola with Dr. Katherine Steely and Dr. Susan Dubois. She furthered her education and recieved a Master's from Concordia University in Austin, TX. As an adult, Karina has performed with the Las Colinas Symphony, Garland Symphony, and numerous quartets and small ensembles in the North Texas area. Karina enjoys performing with Simply Strings around North Texas. Karina lives with her husband and son in Little Elm, TX.
Cellist: Lindsey Titus has been playing the cello for fifteen years. She went to Baylor University where she played in the Baylor Symphony under the direction of Mr. Steven Heyde and studied cello with Dr. Gary Hardie for four years. Lindsey performed in many different quartets during her time at Baylor, but her favorite quartet experience was playing with the Baylor Jazz String Quartet for two years under the direction of Mr. Alex Parker. During her time as cellist for the Jazz Quartet, they worked together to make a recording. While at Baylor, Lindsey spent many weekends contracting, arranging music and performing for weddings. She has also performed for major University events such as “After Dark” and “Sing.” Lindsey also played the cello and the bass guitar in a band called The WiNTERS. They won second place in battle of the bands, and recorded two songs on the debut album series the “Baylor Rising Artists Network.” Lindsey also played cello for a band called Tell Me Bravely. She graduated from Baylor Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Music Education in December 2007.
Lindsey Titus has played in the Waco Symphony and is currently playing with the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving. She also occasionally plays for the Dallas Praise Orchestra, and subs for other string quartets. She loves music, and loves playing her instrument.
Violinist: Lauren Hartin received her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. In the 4 years since then she has been directing orchestras and performing in the North Texas area. While at Texas she studied violin with Brian Lewis, Pasha Sabouri and Dr. Eugene Gratovich and performed in the University Orchestra and Early Music Ensemble. She has performed with the North East Texas Symphony and currently performs with the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving. Lauren lives with her husband in Carrollton, Texas.
