About Us
ELEGANCE. EXPERIENCE. PRECISION. THE FINEST CLASSICAL MUSICIANS IN EASTERN IOWA.
The Corridor String Quartet
The Corridor String Quartet is comprised of experienced, professional string players and an outstanding trumpet player. The string quartet includes two violins, one viola and one cello. We are all either members of Orchestra Iowa, Quad City Symphony or University of Iowa faculty members. We have years of experience providing first class music for receptions and weddings. Our playlist includes traditional wedding favorites, baroque, classical and a few rock tunes.
Aren Van Houzen, Trumpet
Aren Van Houzen works as an educator and freelance performer throughout eastern Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. He is Principal Trumpet of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and 2nd Trumpet of Orchestra Iowa. Aren also teaches trumpet at Culver-Stockton College. He has been a featured soloist with several Midwest performing organizations and continues to pursue a modest soloing schedule. In addition to performing and teaching, Aren is a founding owner and operator of Van Houzen Brewing Company, LLC, a native Iowa brewery located in Tiffin, Iowa.
Amy Phelps, cello and manager of the Corridor String Quartet
In 2010 Dr. Phelps was awarded the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Cello Performance at the University of Iowa, where she performed extensively with the Center for New Music and was appointed the Teaching Assistant for the cello studio.
Amy Phelps was born in Iowa City, Iowa. In 1989 she obtained a double-degree (B.A., B.M.) in Cello Performance and French Literature from Oberlin College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. After her undergraduate education, Dr. Phelps' multiple interests led her to continue her musical education in France, where she obtained unanimous Gold Medals in both cello performance and chamber music at the Conservatoire National de Région de Marseille in 1992.
In addition to teaching at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Amy Phelps was Instructor of Cello at Bradley College in Peoria, Illinois for three years. Dr. Phelps is a member of both Orchestra Iowa (Assistant Principal) and the Quad Cities Symphonies. She also performs regularly with the Cedar Rapids Opera and freelances throughout the Midwest with her string ensemble, the Corridor Quartet.