Featured Artists include Paula Sisson Akbar, She has played in the Oregon, New Haven, and Baltimore Symphonies and the Kennedy Center Opera/Ballet Orchestra. In 2016 Ms. Akbar retired from the National Symphony Orchestra first violin section after 24 years. Ms. Akbar’s violin is crafted by luthier Kate Rickenbacker, whose studio is located in Black Mountain. Ms. Rickenbacker is also a member of the BRO. As well as Tinder Burris, Tinder Burris is an experienced and accomplished musician and string educator. She has recently retired from Miami-Dade County Public Schools as the Orchestra Director of Southwood Middle School Center for the Performing Arts.