Melissa - Oboe	My study of the oboe started late in my sixth grade year. I studied mathematics education and oboe performance as an undergraduate at Northwest Nazarene University, graduating in 1999. I was able to take some oboe lessons while doing graduate work in mathematics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. During this time, I joined Forte Quartet as its first wind player. I have been teaching mathematics at the college level since 2000, which is the same year that I was able to marry my college sweetheart. I am currently an adjunct professor at Johnson County Community College. However, most of my time is spent learning how to be a mother to our son, born in August 2007.
Heather - Violin	They say that music calms the savage beast and soothes the soul. I, however, equate music with sanity! My musical training started with violin at the age of 4, piano at 5 and double bass at 12. I graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2000 with degrees in Violin Performance and Mathematics, and a minor in Computer Information Systems. I currently lead a team of web and database developers by day, however my longterm goals consist of being a wife, mother, daughter, friend, violinist, book-reader, dog-walker, composer/arranger, and, in my spare time, a computer programmer.
Shannon - Viola	I am a product of the music program in the public school system. I started playing the viola in 4th grade. I wanted to play the violin (as did everyone else) but we already had a viola at our home because my older brother had attempted it. My parents said it was the viola or nothing, so the viola it was! A short 28 years later, I am still playing the viola and absolutely loving it. I went to MidAmerica Nazarene University, and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Music Education as well as a degree in Church Music. I taught in the Shawnee Mission school district for four years before I moved out of state. I continued playing in the Great Falls Symphony up in Montana. I am now back in the Kansas City area, working at Garmin International, and continue my love of music through teaching private lessons and playing in Forte Quartet.
Kristi - Cello	I am originally from Abilene, Texas. I started playing cello at the age of 11 because band was not offered in my school district at that age. I fell in love with it and have been playing ever since. I studied at Sam Houston State University under Dr. Peter Kemper and Dr. Carol Smith. I received my degree in Cello Perfomance/Pedagogy in December 2003. Shortly thereafter, I began teaching orchestra and private lessons for a private music school as the Head of Orchestral Studies. As soon as my husband graduated with his Bachelor's, we moved to the Kansas City, MO area for his graduate degree. I played with the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City until my son was born in January, 2007. Currently, I teach private cello lessons for the Northland School of Performing Arts and play with Forte Quartet when I'm not busy with my Mary Kay Career or my family. I also teach conversational English to overseas business people in the comfort of my home through ITI Solutions.