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 connect the world 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 was also a member of USU's flagship student string quartet—the Caine Quartet—which won First Prize at the Utah ASTA Chamber Music Competition in 2025. Beyond being a performer, Raif is also a passionate teacher. His experience includes providing university-level instruction as a member of USU's adjunct cello faculty from 2025 to 2026.

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 master's student at the University of Utah, studying with Dr. Michael Kaufman. Formerly, Raif studied with Anne Francis Bayless of the Fry Street Quartet, Walter Haman of the Utah Symphony, and Nicole Pinnell of the Uinta Trio. When he is not engaged in music, Raif likes to read classic literature and write essays.

 Carissa is a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Associate Violin Faculty member at Utah State University. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from Utah State University, where she studied under Rebecca McFaul and the Grammy award winning Fry Street Quartet. During her undergraduate studies, she served as first violinist of the premier student ensemble The Caine String Quartet and as Concertmaster of the USU Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she won the 2023 Utah ASTA Chamber Music Competition, and the USU 2024 Concerto Competition, performing the Korngold Violin Concerto with the USU orchestra.

An active performer, private instructor, adjudicator, and chamber musician, Carissa has appeared at festivals including the Round Top Festival Institute in Texas, and touring across Europe with Prague Summer Nights where she collaborated with distinguished artists and performed under internationally recognized conductors. Her studies have included work with acclaimed musicians such as David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Tamás Varga, Principal cello of the Vienna Philharmonic, and James Burton, Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

She is pursuing her Master of Music degree at the University of Utah, where she is a selected member of the Graduate String Quartet, and as Graduate Teaching Assistant. She currently studies with Dr. Hasse Borup, and internationally renowned soloist and chamber musician, William Hagen. 

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.

 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.  

 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. 

  Tessa Urie is a 21 year old violist studying with Brad Ottesen, member of the Fry Street Quartet, at Utah State University. She found her passion for chamber music playing at the Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, where she contributed to string quartet groups coached by members of the Utah Symphony. This led to her switch from violin to her true voice, the viola, in 2022. Continuing her musical studies at USU for her Bachelor's degree, she plays in the university's symphony orchestra as viola section leader, and has also played in USU's flagship student string quartet, the Caine Quartet.    

  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.