Houston Sinfonietta Soloists - Carolyn Krysl Hutchinson and Gretchen Gillis

Carolyn Krysl Hutchinson	Carolyn Krysl Hutchinson is a professional flutist who performs and teaches in the greater Houston area. She holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Education and Flute Performance from the University of Wyoming, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Alabama. Carolyn has also pursued post-graduate studies at the University of North Texas. She currently studies with Alison Young, Principal Flutist of the Houston Ballet Orchestra. Carolyn is the founder of the Sweetwater Chamber Players and is a Performing Member of the Houston Tuesday Musical Club. She served as Principal Flutist of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2003 and performed as Piccoloist with the Houston Sinfonietta in 2003. A winner of the 1996 National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir Competition, she performed with the NFA Professional Flute Choir in New York. Carolyn was a winner of the Texas Flute Society Masterclass Competitions in 2000 and 2003, and was selected as a finalist for the 2003 Houston Flute Club Byron Hester competition. Carolyn is married to Scott, a software engineer, and is mother to 6-year old Katie.
Gretchen Gillis	Violist Gretchen Gillis, a native of New Canaan, Connecticut, graduated from the Pre-College Division of the Juilliard School in 1982. She was a four-year member of the Connecticut All-State Orchestra, twice serving as principal violist. While studying geology at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, Gretchen performed with the Haverford-Bryn Mawr College Symphony, including a solo performance as winner of their concerto competition. She earned a master's degree in geology at The University of Texas at Austin, became a grizzled veteran of the Dallas oil patch, and relocated to Houston to join Schlumberger in 1997. She began viola studies with Robert Bridges in 1999. Previously principal violist and soloist with the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra, Gretchen joined the Houston Tuesday Musical Club in 2001 and the Houston Sinfonietta in 2003. She also performs with the Sweetwater Chamber Players. Gretchen is married to Scott Fricke and is the mother of Hazel, now in second grade.