The Stillwater Trio
Bruce Skelton, Ben Bolt-Martin and Joanne Bender have been musical friends for several decades. In 2014 they started to play together in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. In 2019 they chose the name Stillwater Trio, partly in response to a joking comment about Joanne serving just plain older water at rehearsals; but also because water, like music, is life-giving, and being by still water restores our souls. Making music together is a positive experience for the trio, and we hope it will instill the same feeling for those who are listening.
Bruce Skelton
Bruce Skelton studied violin at the University of Michigan where he obtained his Bachelor of Music in Performance. In addition to his work playing with and managing the local Leith Quartet, he regularly freelances in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and leads a very active teaching career, both as a private instructor and with the KW Community String School.
Ben Bolt-Martin
Cellist Ben Bolt-Martin has spent 19 seasons with the Stratford Festival, performing for live musical theatre and recording music for other dramatic productions. He is also a founding member of INNERchamber, an innovative and intimate music series in Stratford. Ben has been a featured soloist or guest musician with ensembles throughout Ontario and across Canada, including the Grand Philharmonic Choir, Vancouver Peace Choir, Georgian Bay Symphony, and Arcady. He has a special interest in new music that reflects humanity's search for spiritual and emotional meaning.
Joanne Bender
Joanne Bender was raised near Stratford and has been part of the Kitchener-Waterloo musical community for more than four decades. She studied piano with Erhard Schlenker in Waterloo and Dieter Weber in Vienna, as well as earning degrees in composition from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto. Joanne is an active teacher, accompanist, collaborative pianist, composer and church musician, with a special love for playing chamber music. Joanne received the WLU Community Music School award for her many contributions to music in the KW region.
March 26 Concert Page
Music at St. Matthews Concert Series
Ben Bolt-Martin
Cellist Ben Bolt-Martin has spent 19 seasons with the Stratford Festival, performing for live musical theatre and recording music for other dramatic productions. He is also a founding member of INNERchamber, an innovative and intimate music series in Stratford. Ben has been a featured soloist or guest musician with ensembles throughout Ontario and across Canada, including the Grand Philharmonic Choir, Vancouver Peace Choir, Georgian Bay Symphony, and Arcady. He has a special interest in new music that reflects humanity's search for spiritual and emotional meaning.
Joanne Bender
Joanne Bender was raised near Stratford and has been part of the Kitchener-Waterloo musical community for more than four decades. She studied piano with Erhard Schlenker in Waterloo and Dieter Weber in Vienna, as well as earning degrees in composition from Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Toronto. Joanne is an active teacher, accompanist, collaborative pianist, composer and church musician, with a special love for playing chamber music. Joanne received the WLU Community Music School award for her many contributions to music in the KW region.
March 26 Concert Page
Music at St. Matthews Concert Series
