Formed in 2020, Mint String Quartet has been dedicated to performing and bringing life to both the traditional and contemporary genres. MSQ strives to provide high quality musicianship in all endeavors, including outreach within the Triad community.
Gracie Zielinski
Gracie Blue Zielinski is an experienced multi-genre musician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is currently pursuing Violin Performance and Arts Administration at UNCG. As an active member of Pittsburgh’s vibrant musical community, Gracie has performed with various youth orchestras, including the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, where she served as concertmaster, the 2020 Concerto Competition winner, and a member in TRYPO’s Europe Tour in 2018. During her time in Pittsburgh, she has been invited to perform in venues ranging from New York City’s Carnegie Hall, to The Rudolfinum, Prague, Czech Republic. Gracie has also won first prize in the 2019 WSO-Tribune Review Young Artists Competition, and in Westmoreland Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition of 2017. Outside of the classical scene, Gracie also takes special interest in modern and improvisatory genres such as blues, jazz, and contemporary music, and enjoys performing with bands and smaller ensembles. She is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has recently become a Registered Suzuki Violin Teacher. In Greensboro, Gracie is a member of the UNCG Symphony Orchestra, Mint String Quartet, and freelances in the area. With interests in varying musical and humanitarian facets, Gracie has plans to continue higher education and become an orchestral and Broadway violinist, a private studio owner, and hopes to pursue organizations such as El Sistema and the Suzuki Association. Gracie currently studies with Marjorie Bagley and her teachers include Lorien Benet-Hart, Ramona Coppage, and Greg Lutz.
Andrew Ralston
Andrew Ralston is a sophomore violinist at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. He currently plays in the University Sinfonia and the Mint String Quartet. He has played with the University Symphony Orchestra, Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestras, Beaufort Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Grassfield High School Chamber Orchestra. Andrew founded and played with the Luciola String Quartet and the Viva String Quartet. He has studied with Fred Devyatkin, Dr. Sascha Mandl, Pavel Ilyashov, and presently studies under Dr. Fabián López. Andrew also teaches violin in the Peck Alumni Leadership Program.
Kyra Totillo
Kyra Totillo is an undergraduate violist at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education. She attended Northwest School of the Arts for her middle and high school education, where she majored in orchestra, under the direction of Erica Hefner. Originally from Charlotte North Carolina, she performed in all-county, regional, state orchestras, and various chamber ensembles. Currently, she performs in the University Symphony Orchestra and the Mint String Quartet. Kyra is the active Vice President of the American String Teachers Association Collegiate Chapter at UNCG and teaches both violin and viola in the Peck Alumni Leadership Program and Bold Music. Kyra studies with Dr. Scott Rawls and her previous teachers include Erica Hefner and Ben Geller.
Hanna Fishastion
Hanna Fishastion is currently a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she is pursuing a degree in Instrumental Music Education. She is originally from High Point and grew up in Guilford County, where she started learning the cello in sixth grade. Throughout high school, she played in events such as All County Orchestra, Western Regional All-State Orchestra, and the North Carolina All-State Honors Orchestra. Hanna knew she wanted to pursue Music Education after attending UNCG Summer Music Camp, where she fell in love with UNCG’s School of Music. Later in high school, she began private lessons with Dr. Alex Ezerman, who she is continuing to study with at UNCG. Currently, Hanna teaches cello with the Peck Alumni Leadership program and plays in the UNCG Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Mint String Quartet.
Mint String Quartet 