These fabulous musicians have been arranging and writing music to suit their unique instrumentation, (violin, clarinet, cello, piano and double bass), garnering awards and radio play.
The members of Rhapsody Quintet are: Jennifer Jones, violin; Jemma Jones, Bass; Barbara Pritchard, Piano; Eileen Walsh, Clarinet and Shimon Walt, cello; all important members of Nova Scotia’s professional musical scene.
What People Say
“Our subscribers were raving and pleading that we bring back the Quintet next year.”
“The production…is immaculate… elegant, polished and set off by delicate bursts of ironic passion.”
“Rhapsody was without a doubt the classiest act of the entire night.”
Jennifer Jones
Violinist
Jennifer Jones was born in Ottawa but has lived most of her life in Halifax. She received her early musical training at the Maritime Conservatory of Music, continuing on to Dalhousie University, where she won the first University Medal in Music. She then obtained a Master of Music degree in Performance and Pedagogy at Indiana University. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician and is a passionate and well-recognized violin teacher. A member of Symphony Nova Scotia for many years where she is Associate Concertmaster, Jennifer is also a founding member of the Blue Engine String Quartet. When not performing or teaching (including now at Acadia University), Jennifer enjoys time with her son Noah, husband Jamie, and their golden retriever, Belle.
Shimon Walt
Cellist
Shimon Walt is the Assistant Principal Cellist of Symphony Nova Scotia. Since his arrival to Nova Scotia in September of 1976 he has been an integral part of the province’s musical life: from performing on the concert stages with Symphony Nova Scotia, in solo recitals or in chamber music concerts, to teaching in the classrooms of Dalhousie University. Educated in Tel Aviv and Boston, Shimon has performed with major orchestras under such acclaimed conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta and Pablo Casals. Shimon operates his own booking agency, Walt Music, and he is highly regarded as a teacher and adjudicator.
Barbara Pritchard
Piano
Barbara Pritchard lives in Halifax where she works as a freelance pianist, concert presenter, podcaster and arranger. As a soloist she is known for her dedicated and compelling interpretations of new Canadian repertoire. She is also an enthusiastic accompanist and played for many years for the string and saxophone studios at the Fountain School of Performing Arts (Dalhousie University).
Eileen Walsh
Clarinet
Clarinetist Eileen Walsh has held the position of Second Clarinet and Bass Clarinet with Symphony Nova Scotia since October 2007. Formerly the Associate Principal and E-flat Clarinet with the South Bend Symphony, Eileen earned her Master of Music degree and Performer Diploma from Indiana University, and her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of British Columbia. Eileen’s love of chamber music has led to the co-founding of the Fifth Wind Woodwind quintet and the Jollimore Trio, and most recently to her joining Rhapsody Quintet. Eileen is currently on faculty at Dalhousie and Acadia Universities, and she lives in Halifax with her husband, flutist Jack Chen, and their two young boys.
Jemma Jones
Bassist
Jemma Jones (M.Mus, Grad. Dip., B.Mus double bass performance, McGill University) has served as Assistant Principal Bass of Symphony Nova Scotia since 2022. She is an avid private double bass teacher, youth orchestra coach, and performer. In addition to the regular Symphony Nova Scotia season, Jemma has made chamber and solo recital appearances around Nova Scotia, and has performed in the bass sections of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.