Ayke and Friends Strings Quartet concert set for Thursday in Marysville

Dec. 12—A concert featuring prominent local musicians will be held on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marysville.

The event has been titled "Ayke and Friends Strings Quartet" and features the talents of Ayke Agus, Helen Graham, Zachary Zumstein, and Barbara Johnston.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. and donations will be accepted for the renovation and maintenance of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, one of the oldest historical landmarks in Marysville. Food and drinks will be served in the cafeteria following the concert.

Agus is a concert violinist and pianist who was taught by the world-famous violinist Jascha Heifetz, and played with him for 17 years. Her book, "Heifetz, As I Knew Him," has resulted in requests for Agus to travel the world, teaching and demonstrating Heifetz's method.

After living in Los Angeles for many years, Agus and her husband, Matthew Mallen, moved to Yuba City in 2018. They have traveled both nationally and internationally, offering charitable musical masterclasses and concerts. Agus can often be seen playing at various church services throughout Yuba and Sutter counties.

Graham is a co-owner of Graham Music Studio in Yuba City along with her husband, Jeff Graham. She holds a bachelor's degree in violin performance from the University of the Pacific, and a masters degree in Suzuki pedagogy from the University of Denver. She is also the current president of the board of directors for the Yuba-Sutter Youth Symphony.

Zumstein obtained a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of the Pacific, and currently teaches orchestra for the Marysville Joint Unified School District. He has performed with Concert Sierra and the Yuba-Sutter Symphony, playing both the viola and violin.

Johnston studied music at Stanford, the University of California Berkeley, and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. She is now principal cellist of the Newport, Oregon, Symphony Orchestra and performs chamber music concerts in Oregon and Northern California.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located at 702 C St. in Marysville.