Barbara Cook, Oboe

Trained as a violinist from the age of 9, Barbara Goorevitch Cook started playing the oboe when she was 12. Six years later, heeding the advice of famed violin professor Stanley Plummer at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Ms. Cook began devoting her full attention to the oboe, winning prizes in the Atwater Kent and Frank Sinatra Musical Performance Awards solo competitions. She earned a B.A., summa cum laude, in Music Performance from UCLA, then continued her studies with Laila Storch of Seattle's Soni Ventorum Quintet and Louis Rosenblatt of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Now a busy free-lance oboist and private oboe teacher in great demand, Ms. Cook has performed with orchestras throughout California, Oregon, Colorado, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. From 1996-99 she served on the faculty of Agnes Scott College as an Artist Affiliate, and currently serves as oboe instructor for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program.  When she is not making reeds, Ms. Cook spends her free hours jogging, playing tennis, hiking, traveling, and working full-time as a Senior Learning Designer for Delta Air Lines, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mary Kenney, Cello

A native of Houston, Texas, Mary Kenney completed undergraduate studies with Warren Lash at The University of Houston, then continued her studies with Joseph Fuchs and Samuel Mayes at The University of Maine Chamber Music School. As a member of the Houston Ballet Orchestra she performed in more than15 states and Canada. She has enjoyed a 30-year career playing with diverse artists and orchestras—from The Moody Blues, Barry White, Liberace, Tito Puente, Linda Eder, Yanni, John Pizzarelli, Sarah Brightman, and Mannheim Steam Roller to The Houston Symphony and The Atlanta Symphony. Making Atlanta her home since 1985, she is a long-time member of The Atlanta Opera Orchestra and The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. She serves on the Ballet Players Committee and Board of Directors of The Atlanta Federation of Musicians. Mary has been a devoted private ‘cello teacher since the 70’s. She maintains a private teaching studio of some 20 students, coaches the 53 cellists of the acclaimed Walton High School Orchestra in Marietta, Georgia, and in 2004 begins her 10^th year as an Affiliate Artist at Emory University. Along with Barbara Cook, she founded the Azalea Trio in 1993. In her free time, Mary enjoys renovating her home (with her husband Bruce), traveling, and playing with her 4 cats.

Shawn Pagliarini, Violin

Shawn Pagliarini, violinist, joined the Azalea Trio in 1997. She is a member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra and performs frequently as an extra with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Pagliarini is also involved in the early music scene, performing on baroque violin with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and with many chamber ensembles. Ms. Pagliarini earned a Master of Music Degree in Violin Performance at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music as a recipient of the prestigious Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation scholarship and was also honored to receive a scholarship from the same foundation to attend the Aspen Music Festival. Following her studies at Rice with Ruben Gonzalez,  she continued post graduate studies with well-known Baroque and modern violinist Sergiu Luca. She holds an Affiliate Artist teaching position at Emory University as well as maintaining a private studio.