Bow and Aero Quartet was founded in 2010 at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. The quartet underwent several changes in members and instrumentation before solidifying in 2013 as a flute quartet (flute, violin, viola, cello).
The name "Bow and Aero" was given to the group in reference to the instrumentation; the flute is an aerophone, which is an instrument that produces sound by causing a body of air to vibrate, and orchestral stringed instruments vibrate the strings with a bow to produce sound.
Meet the Quartet!
Stephanie Bezon - Flute
Stephanie is the flutist of the quartet, and has been with the group since 2013. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Nazareth College in 2014, and a Master of Science in Music Education from Nazareth College in 2017. Bezon currently works at the Churchville Chili School District, teaching high school band, as well as teaching privately from her home studio. She has also taught instrumental, choral, and general music for grades K-4 in the CCCSD. She previously worked at the Rochester City School District, teaching band and general music for grades K-8, and was the Membership Director of the Rochester Flute Association from 2017-2019.
Carly Thomas - Violin
Carly is the violinist of the quartet, and is a founding member of the group. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Nazareth College in 2014, and a Master of Science in Music Education at Nazareth in 2018. Thomas works at the Webster Central School District, as an Elementary School orchestra director, as well as teaching privately from her studio in Rochester. Thomas performs frequently with the Greater Rochester Women's Philharmonic, Genesee Symphony Orchestra, the Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra, the Brighton Symphony Orchestra, the Genesee Choral, and other various freelance opportunities. She is a co-chairperson of the MCSMA Elementary All-County Orchestra festival and was a NYSSMA Winter conference presenter in 2016. When she is not teaching or performing, she enjoys spending time with her friends, husband, bunnies, and puppy; hiking, running, and cooking.
Giovanni Magagnoli - Viola
Giovanni is the violist of the quartet, and has been with the group since 2013. He received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Nazareth College in 2016, and a Master of Science in Music Education at Nazareth in 2018. Magagnoli works at the Holland Patent Central School District, teaching orchestra and string lessons for grades 3-12, as well as teaching privately in the Utica area and remotely. He performs regularly with the Genesee Symphony Orchestra (former principal violist), the Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra, the Hochstein Alumni Orchestra, and other various freelance opportunities. Magagnoli previously served on the Monroe County School Music Association board as the Co-Chairperson for the Senior High All-County Orchestra festival. When he is not teaching or performing, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and composing music.
Katrya Cichanowicz - Cello
Katrya is the cellist of the quartet, and is a founding member of the group. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Nazareth College in 2014, and her Master of Science in the same field at Nazareth in 2018. She completed her Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy at Nazareth in 2020. Additionally, in 2015 she completed the Suzuki Cello Book 1 teacher training from the Teacher Training Institute located at Ithaca College. Currently, she is the elementary and junior high orchestra director in the West Irondequoit Central School District and also teaches privately from her studio in Pittsford. Outside of teaching, Katrya serves as principal cellist of the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, is a member of the Greater Rochester Women's Philharmonic and the Seneca Summer Music Festival Orchestra, has performed in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Side-By-Side concert series, and is an active freelance musician throughout Rochester. In addition to teaching and performing, she serves as the Co-Chairperson for the MCSMA Senior High All-County Orchestra festival and has been a NYSSMA Winter Conference presenter in 2014 and 2016.