About Us

Who We Are

We are performers, educators, and music lovers devoted to the art of classical music. Our ensemble brings together talented musicians from across the region, each contributing their expertise and enthusiasm to create performances of exceptional quality. From intimate chamber concerts to larger orchestral works, we approach every program with meticulous attention to detail and genuine love for the music we share.

What We Do

Our programming spans the breadth of the classical repertoire, featuring beloved masterworks alongside lesser-known gems waiting to be discovered. We perform in venues throughout the greater Reno-Tahoe area, from historic spaces to community gathering places, always seeking environments that enhance the listening experience and foster connection between performers and audience.

Beyond the concert hall, we are committed to education and community engagement. We believe that nurturing the next generation of musicians and listeners is essential to keeping classical music alive and thriving in our region.

Why We Do It

Classical music has the power to move, challenge, and inspire. It speaks to something universal in the human experience. In a world that often moves too fast, we offer audiences an opportunity to pause, listen deeply, and discover the extraordinary beauty that lives within these timeless compositions, and we are honored to share all of it with you.

Alex Eisenberg

Music Director, Conductor, Violin, Co-Founder

Alex Eisenberg is a concert violinist and conductor whose artistry is rooted in the rich musical heritage of his native Odessa. Known for his expressive honesty and natural musical storytelling, he has appeared as a soloist with major ensembles including the Moscow Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Belgrade Radio and Television Orchestra.

A winner of several prestigious international honors, including gold medals at the Michelangelo Abbado (Italy) and Château de Corsilion (France) competitions, Alex’s voice was further refined through advanced studies in Moscow and Vienna. His broad stylistic range has been captured in recordings for ORF Austria and RAI Italy.

Based in San Francisco, Alex has entered his 18th year as Music Director of the Capriccio Chamber Orchestra, a protégé ensemble where he mentors young artists alongside established professionals. His leadership continues to balance deep musical tradition with innovative formats designed to foster a human connection through song.

David H. Brock

Executive & Artistic Director, Organ and Continuo, Co-Founder

David Brock maintains an active organ recital schedule throughout the United States. Recent appearances have included Washington National Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Reno National City Christian Church, Washington DC, and First Lutheran Church, Venice, California. Annually since 1999, each August David produces a series of organ recitals in Northern Nevada – Hot August Pipes.

David is organist/accompanist at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Reno, Nevada, which position he has held since 2019.

David Brock is the Organist and Continuo artist with TOCCATA, the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and has served in that role since the orchestra’s founding in 2005. David has also made guest appearances with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra in Virginia, in performances of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, and the Mozart Requiem.

David Brock is a signed artist with A. W. Tonegold Records. His 8th and most recent CD is “Reflections – Organ Concerti of 3 Centuries” featuring the Josef Rheinberger Organ Concerto #1 in F major for Organ, Strings and 3 Horns, the Leo Sowerby Classic Concerto for Organ and Strings, and George Frideric Handel Concerto Op. 4, #4 in F Major for Organ, Strings, Oboes and Basso Continuo

David’s CDs will be available for purchase before and after the concert.

Stuart Duke

Chorus Director, Bass

Stuart was born and raised in Vermont but now lives in Reno, Nevada. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Vermont in 1976 and his Masters of Vocal Music here at the University of Nevada at Reno in 2001. Throughout his career he has worked as a vocal soloist, chorister and actor with a large variety of performing groups throughout his native Vermont, New England and Nevada.

In 1994, he made his European debut at the Pitten International Music Festival in Pitten, Austria, as Don Alphonso was in a performance of Mozart’s “Cosi fan Tutti“

Although he is in great demand as a soloist in the standard repertoire, he also has excelled in performing more contemporary works. Leading roles in works like Stravinski’s “Oedipus Rex” and Stire’s “Pablo’s Circus” garnered shining reviews. Under the direction of Robert DeCormier, he toured New England as the Loudspeaker in the 1st English language translation of Viktor Ullmann’s” Holocaust opera, “The Emperor of Atlantis” resulted in it’s premiere in New York City at Merkin Concert Hall and a recording on compact disc released by Arabesque.

Throughout his career, both here and in New England, he has performed with a great number of churches, local theater companies, opera companies and choruses, most recently here, with Toccata, Tahoe Philharmonic and now, Higher Elevation Music.

Eleanor Sturm

Concertmaster

Eleanor Sturm is a freelance violinist based in the D.C. area. She earned her M.M. in violin performance from the University of Maryland, College Park, studying under Dr. James Stern. Eleanor also holds a B.M. and arts management certificate, summa cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied with Elizabeth Chang. She has held fellowships in the National Repertory Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, and Kent Blossom Music Festival. Growing up in Carson City, NV, Eleanor began violin at age seven with Sue Jesch and the Carson City Symphony Strings in the Schools program. She has served as concertmaster of the Reno Phil Youth Symphony Orchestra, Nevada All-State Orchestra, University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Tahoe Symphony, and Higher Elevation Orchestra.

Michael TK Lam

Associate Chorus Director, Tenor

Michael TK Lam, tenor, graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, after earning master’s degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from University College London (UCL) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC). He currently studies under the tutelage of legendary mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick and has performed under the baton of Alexandra Arrieche, Paul Wingfield, Marzio Conti, and Charles Peebles, as well as directors Michael Barry and Thomas Guthrie. In 2018, he appeared as Sextus in the British premiere of Gounod’s Polyeucte in London, and in 2022, he made his New York debut with dell’Arte Opera Ensemble’s Young Artist Program, performing in Monteverdi’s Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and Lucero’s Juana. In addition to performances in the US and UK, he has appeared at music festivals and opera productions in Austria and Italy. Recent engagements include roles in operas by Mozart, Donizetti, and Britten, as well as tenor soloist appearances in Bruckner’s Mass No. 3 in F minor and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in its 200th anniversary performance. His artistry has been recognized with awards including first place at the New England Music Festival and the graduate division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition in Las Vegas.

https://app.stagetime.com/artists/michael-tk-lam

Ania Helwing

Soprano

Born and raised in Poland, Ania Helwing is a classically trained soprano whose rich artistic journey reflects both deep academic grounding and global performance experience. She holds a Master’s degree in English and American Literature from the University of Wrocław, Poland, and is also a graduate of The School of Organ in Wrocław, where she began her formal musical studies with piano and organ.

After immigrating to the United States in 2002, Ania pursued her lifelong passion for singing. She earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008, studying under Dr. Katherine DeBoer. Since then, she has built a dynamic performance career, collaborating with orchestras, opera companies, and chamber ensembles throughout the Reno/Tahoe region, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and across Europe—including Poland, Germany, France, Spain, Greece, and Italy.

Her repertoire spans opera, oratorio, cantata, and art song, with a special interest in crafting theme-based recitals that blend music with other artistic media such as visual art, dance, and light to enhance theatricality and emotional impact.

In addition to her performance work, Ania has served as an adjunct faculty member at Lake Tahoe Community College, a choral conductor, and co-author of The Use of the International Phonetic Alphabet in the Choral Rehearsal, reflecting her commitment to vocal pedagogy and choral excellence.

Liudmila Mullin

Mezzo-Soprano

Russian-born American mezzo-soprano Liudmila Mullin received her Master of Music Degree in Voice and Education from St Petersburg State University of Culture and Art. She also holds a Master of Art Degree in Language and Literature from St Petersburg State University. She has performed both nationally and internationally with various opera companies, symphony orchestras, and instrumental and vocal ensembles for more than 20 years. In addition to performing, she is an instructor with Lassen College; a choral director for the William James Association wherein she directs two choirs at High Desert State Prison; and she is the music teacher for Johnstonville School District.

Juliana Carmona

Mezzo-Soprano

Juliana Carmona is a Northern Nevada local and recently graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in May of 2025 with her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. During her time at the University, she participated in the Mariachi club, performed with Nevada Opera Theatre in ensemble roles and lead roles such as Damon in Handel’s Acis and Galatea, Mrs. Lovett in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and Sandman in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. She enjoyed performing with University Jazz ensembles, and acted as Alto section leader in UNR’s Chamber Chorale. Recently, when she isn’t teaching, she has been singing with local groups such as Great Basin Chorale and the Sierra Nevada Baroque Ensemble. Juliana is very excited for the opportunity to begin singing with Higher Elevation Music!

Dustin Budish

Personnel Manager, Viola

 

Matt Mullin

Arranger

Originally from San Francisco, Matt attended public schools and college in Marin County, CA. He began to develop an interest in instrumental and vocal music in 1964, when his parents brought home an electric organ. A few years later, he began playing trumpet. Switching to the tuba during Junior  High School, he continued playing that instrument for another 54 years.

During his adult life, Matt has performed as an instrumental musician with the Marin Symphony, the Susanville Symphony, Toccata Tahoe Symphony, and numerous Dixieland bands and brass ensembles, including Uptown Brass Quintet in recent years. He has also performed as a singer with numerous choral groups and choirs, including Random Acts of Harmony, a vocal quintet he formed and performed with for more than a decade. Matt also puts great effort into composing and arranging music for a variety of music groups and orchestras.

The former band leader of the Susanville Symphony Swing Band, Matt retired after a 35-year career in government service as Chief Deputy Warden of the California Correctional Center in Susanville, CA. Since retiring, he continues to focus on creating musical arrangements and orchestrations for different choirs and orchestras in the region. During his spare time, he volunteers at a local food bank.