Our Ensemble

 Kailynn Honeycutt is the founder of Golden Hour Strings and a dedicated performing violinist and music educator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Utah State University, where she not only trained extensively as a teacher but also pursued significant performance opportunities as a soloist and chamber musician in the university’s prestigious chamber music program under the guidance of the Fry Street Quartet. Kailynn currently serves as a Faculty Associate at Utah State University, where she teaches violin, and maintains a thriving private studio of violin, viola, and piano students of her own. She also teaches music at secondary schools in Cache Valley and performs regularly with the American Festival Orchestra and the Cache Symphony Orchestra. Kailynn has a deep love for conducting and has conducted various local orchestras, with plans to pursue a master’s degree in conducting as she continues to build on her dual passions for performance and education. 

 Raif Milligan is a cellist, educator, and composer on a mission to make the world a more beautiful place through music.  Raif enjoys a vibrant career as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2024, he was a winner of Utah State University’s Concerto Competition. He is also a member of USU’s flagship student string quartet—the Caine Quartet. Beyond being a performer, Raif is also a passionate teacher, providing university-level instruction as a member of USU’s adjunct cello faculty.  Raif has collaborated with and performed beside world-class musicians, such as Janai Brugger, Thomas Glenn, Iman Habibi, Caroline Campbell, Nathan Pacheco, and Gentri.  Raif is a student of Anne Francis Bayless of the Fry Street Quartet. When he is not engaged in music, Raif likes to read classic literature and write essays. 

Brooklynn has been playing viola for 11 years and has studied privately under Dr. Jared Starr and Bradley Ottesen. She completed her BA in music education at USU, and currently teaches orchestra at Layton High, Central Davis Jr. high, and surrounding elementary schools. Brooklynn has enjoyed performing in the Utah State and Deseret symphonies, as well as a variety of chamber ensembles during her time at Utah State. She is passionate about teaching and connecting with people through music.

 Ami Dutson is a cellist at Utah State University, working on her Bachelor’s in cello performance. She is an associate string faculty member, teaching alongside the Fry Street Quartet. She has studied the cello all over the country, including at the Ascent International Cello Festival and the Alaska Cello Institute. Ami enjoys performing in all kinds of ensembles, and particularly loves string quartets.

 Carissa is a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Associate String Faculty member at Utah State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance under Rebecca McFaul and the Fry Street Quartet. She has served as first violinist of the Caine String Quartet, Concertmaster of the USU Symphony Orchestra, and won both the 2023 Utah ASTA Chamber Music Competition and the 2024 USU Concerto Competition. She has performed at major festivals including Round Top Festival Institute, and Prague Summer Nights, worked with distinguished artists, performing under world-class conductors, and studying with distinguished artists such as David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is currently continuing her studies with Rebecca McFaul and internationally renowned soloist William Hagen. 

 Eli Wilson is a violist, studying instrumental performance and premedical science at Brigham Young University. He previously attended the University of Utah, performing with the O.C. Tanner Honors Quartet and Utah Philharmonia. From a young age, Eli has enjoyed contributing his musical talents to make ordinary moments special and special moments unforgettable. From church services to weddings and more, he believes that any event can be magnified with proper music and that proper music deserves professionalism and detail. Whether performing in a quartet, with an orchestra, or solo, he works to provide music at the principal level.  

Tobias Kremer Roth, 21st-century violist and musical innovator, became the youngest member of the Las Vegas Philharmonic at age 17 and the youngest founding member of the Chamber Orchestra of New York at age 18. Guided by his passion for the contemporary arts, he regularly collaborates with internationally renowned composers as well as premiering his own compositions all over the world. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Tobias performed as principal violist with the L’viv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine from 2018 to 2024.  

He was honored to perform the Walton Viola Concerto as soloist with the L’viv Philharmonic to affirm solidarity with Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion, and he maintains an active performing relationship with his colleagues in Ukraine to this day. He currently performs as principal violist of the Salt Lake Symphony while pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts under the tutelage of Julie Edwards at the University of Utah.

 Kristene began the violin at age four and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance at Utah State University, where she studies under Rebecca McFaul. She has attended and performed at major festivals, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to study with distinguished artists from across the world. Kristene is very passionate about sharing her music through performing and teaching, and has a love especially for chamber music. 

 Brenley has been playing both viola and violin for nearly 20 years, with experience performing in orchestral, solo, and chamber music settings. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing at weddings and events across the country—both as a soloist and as part of small ensembles. I’ve also been teaching private violin and viola lessons for nearly a decade. Wherever I go, my instrument goes with me, and I’m always excited for new opportunities to share beautiful music and create memorable experiences. 

 Mia Wall has been playing the violin for 19 years. She has performed at many weddings, and loves the energy and excitement that music brings to these cute & special days! Some of her most memorable experiences include performing at Carnegie Hall and appearing as a soloist with the Utah Valley Symphony. She has also played with ensembles such as the Lyceum Philharmonic, the BYU Philharmonic, and the Utah State University Philharmonic.