Biography
Trio Sirènes, comprised of flutist Marcia McHugh, violist Karin Brown and harpist Jacqueline Pollauf, enjoys pushing boundaries and highlighting the diverse sonic possibilities of their wind, string and percussion instruments. With performers drawn from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Trio Sirènes seeks to create innovative programs by presenting standard repertoire, works by contemporary composers, and transcriptions from earlier time periods.
Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the trio performs throughout the East Coast, including regular appearances on the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Chamber Music by Candlelight Series. Additionally Trio Sirènes has performed in a wide array of venues, including traditional concert series such as the Cosmos Club Chamber Music Series and the Music in the Valley Concert Series, as well as at the experimental venue, The Windup Space. Dedicated to education for youth of all ages, they have had the pleasure of performing for students at the Community College of Baltimore County; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; and in special concerts for babies and toddlers on the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Music Box Series. Trio Sirènes looks forward to releasing their debut recording and is committed to the highest artistic excellence in their performing.
Marcia McHugh, flute
Marcia McHugh, flute, became a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra after performing with the orchestra during the 2005-2006 season as Second Flute under Music Director Yuri Temirkanov. She was the BSO’s acting piccolo player for the 2017-2018 season under Music Director Marin Alsop. With five concertos performed since joining the BSO, Ms. McHugh was also featured in the BSO’s New Music Festival chamber music concerts. She has performed, recorded and/or toured with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and the Cincinnati Symphony. Before joining the BSO, Ms. McHugh was second flute and a soloist with the Omaha Symphony. Her solo performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Halil was broadcast live on Nebraska radio.
Ms. McHugh is the Co-Artistic Director of the Baltimore-based Chamber Music by Candlelight Series. During the summers, Ms. McHugh performs at Festival Mozaic in San Luis Obispo, California and the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson, Wyoming. In 2021 she graduated from the Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher Certification Program by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and is also a RYT-500 certified yoga teacher.
Karin Brown, viola
Karin Brown, viola, received critical acclaim for her “strikingly rich and warm tone” (The Strad) after making her solo recital debut at Carnegie Weill Hall. Ms. Brown is Assistant Principal Violist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and performs frequently as solo and chamber musician in the Baltimore/Washington D. C. area. She made her Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concerto debut performing the Britten Double Concerto, of which The Baltimore Sun noted “Karin Brown sculpted her phrases in a rich, subtly shaded tone.” Her Chicago recital debut took place with live radio broadcast at the Dame Myra Hess series. Ms. Brown has served as juror, Laureate recitalist, and masterclass clinician at the William Primrose International Viola Competition. She serves as faculty at the National Orchestral Institute (NOI).
Ms. Brown has been a prizewinner in the William Primrose International Viola Competition and has been featured in Caramoor’s “Rising Stars” series. While still a student at Juilliard, Ms. Brown was a frequent substitute with the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, joining each for several international tours. She has performed on numerous major motion picture soundtracks.
Ms. Brown holds degrees from Oberlin and Juilliard, where she studied with Cynthia Phelps, Roland and Almita Vamos, and Lynne Ramsey.
Jacqueline Pollauf, harp
Jacqueline Pollauf is known for her sensitive performances, dedication to teaching, and beautifully-crafted compositions. Past performances include a premiere for voice and harp at Carnegie Hall, as well as appearances at the Eleventh World Harp Congress and the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. Her most recent recording, Beau Soir, with cellist Dariusz Skoraczewski, was lauded as “utter perfection” (The Harp Column).
Jacqueline appears frequently as a recitalist in programs drawing on repertoire standards, little-known works, and her own transcriptions. She has also performed with ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Post Classical Ensemble, (Washington D.C.), the Scottish Voices (Glasgow, Scotland), and the Choir of Clare College (Cambridge, UK). Recording credits include Songs and Dreams for solo harp, featuring Jacqueline’s own compositions and transcriptions; Voyage, a recording of avant-garde harp and saxophone duos with saxophonist Noah Getz; and Bouquet, Jacqueline’s debut solo album.
A dedicated composer and arranger, Jacqueline’s most recent publication, Glissando Exercises, is third in a series of exercise books for the harp. Her works, including solo and chamber music, are available through Lyon and Healy Publications, Harp Column Music, and Oakway Studios.
Jacqueline has been recognized with such honors as awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and Chamber Music America. She is the director of the Baltimore Harp Camp, and is on faculty at the Baltimore School for the Arts and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Performances and instructional videos can be found on her highly regarded YouTube channel. She holds degrees from the Peabody Conservatory.