I began playing the violin at the age of four. I grew up primarily in the Las Vegas area, where I continued to study the violin at the Nevada School of the Arts until I was 18. I enjoyed playing with youth orchestras, fiddle groups, and honor orchestras. I loved traveling with school orchestras, playing in Minneapolis, at Carnegie Hall in NYC, in Chicago, at Disneyland, and in Washington, DC.

My husband and I love living in Iowa and raising our five sons in Ankeny. I want to advocate for my children, who now play string instruments, to have the same opportunities and joys that I did growing up.
Audrey has a bachelor’s in Ancient Near Eastern Studies and a Master’s in Social Work.

I started playing the violin at age three through the University of Northern Iowa Suzuki School of Music. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Music Education from St. Olaf College and have a K-12 music teaching license. Since 2013, I’ve performed regularly with the Des Moines Symphony. I enjoy performing in the Des Moines Metro Area, providing private violin, viola, and cello lessons, teaching beginning strings for the Des Moines Symphony Academy and being a mom to our three kids! When I’m not making music, I enjoy gardening, traveling, and exploring the outdoors.

I’m a proud mom of five and our home is made even livelier with two dogs and two cats. I’ve lived in Ankeny for the past four yeas where I enjoy gardening and exploring new walking trails around the area. Music has been a lifelong passion - I’ve played the violin for over 30 years, starting 5th grade and continuing through college, including serving as concertmaster in a community orchestra. With more than 15 years of experience teaching violin, I’m deeply committed to. making string education accessible for all students and believe strongly in the value of orchestra programs for every child.

DescriptioPaul Ching (he/him/his) is a musician based in the Des Moines area. While his primary instrument is violin, he also plays viola, piano, and saxophone. He has studied violin under Rebecca Windschitl, Jonathan Sturm, and Maureen Yuen.

In 2023, he graduated from Drake University with degrees in Actuarial Science and Music. While his primary career involves working as an actuary, Paul is still very active as a musician. In addition to his position with the Des Moines Symphony, he is frequently involved with local community orchestras he was a part of while growing up, namely the Carroll Area Symphony and the Fort Dodge Area Symphony. Paul also plays with groups including Quartet 515 and the Des Moines Choral Society, and is often involved in performances for various churches, school districts, and colleges in the area.

Paul also enjoys composing and arranging. His compositional output currently consists of collaborating with local filmmakers on short film projects, and curating wedding arrangements for various ensembles. Some recognition he has received in composing includes winning Best Original Musical Score in the 2025 Des Moines 48 Hour Film Project, and being a prize winner in the Winter 2023 Indie Film Music Contest.

As both an actuary and musician, Paul uses his skillsets to contribute to his communities as a board member for organizations including the Zenith Chamber Music Festival and the Ankeny String Music Initiative.