Battle of the Decades

Violinist ALLISON TAYLOR is a new member of the Air Force Strings, based in Washington, D.C.  Prior to joining the Air Force Strings, Allison was a member of the second violin section of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Preceding her time with the BSO, Allison was a violin fellow and co-concertmaster of the New World Symphony. Recent performances include playing for King Charles and Queen Camila, the President of the United States, with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Double Violin Concerto alongside Midori, the National Tour of HADESTOWN, and soloing with the Count Basie Orchestra. Allison has been awarded fellowships to participate in summer festivals including the Music Academy of the West, Spoleto Festival USA, Aspen Music Festival and School, and the National Repertory Orchestra. Allison is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she studied with David Halen. Additional teachers include Stephen Majeske and Ida Bieler.

STEPHANIE SIMS FLACK, violinist and teacher, enjoys a busy performing schedule as a freelance chamber and orchestral musician in the Washington DC metro area. Stephanie is excited to be serving as Associate Concertmaster and Co-Founder of Paragon Philharmonia. Formerly a first violinist with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra (PASO), she has had the opportunity to travel to the 2018 International Tango Festival in Medellin, Colombia where PASO was the only US orchestra invited.  Orchestral engagements have included the Cambridge (England) Philharmonic, Ely Sinfonia (Leader), Arizona Opera and Baton Rouge Symphony and she has performed with the American Pops Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony, Alexandria Symphony, Fairfax Symphony, Washington National Cathedral Choral Society and Washington Concert Opera among others. 

In demand nationally and internationally as a workshop clinician and performer, Stephanie is former Co-Director of the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute and has taught at the Bristol Suzuki Workshop in England, Phoenix Phest in Michigan, Inside Music Academy, based in Oregon, and Tamarack Arts in New York.  She has directed and performed on tours to England, Italy, Austria and Germany with Washington Preludio and looks forward to continuing to travel, teach and perform overseas in the coming years. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from Louisiana State University and Master of Arts degree from Indiana University with continuing education at the bi-annual Starling-Delay Juilliard Symposium on violin studies in New York. Stephanie maintains a private violin studio at her home in Alexandria, Virginia where she resides with husband, Sean, daughters, Emily and Shannon and their three dogs, Winnie, Bandit, and Pepper.  

MATTHEW MAFFETT is an active soloist, orchestral and chamber musician throughout the Washington DC area. Since 2011 he has been a section violist in the United States Air Force Band’s String Ensemble, regularly performing at the White House and other high profile government events. After receiving degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and the prestigious Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA, Matthew appeared at numerous festivals around the globe, including the Schleswig-Holstein, Manchester, and Norfolk festivals, among others. Since residing in Washington DC, Matthew has regularly performed with the IBIS Chamber Music Society, Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony, National Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra. His principal teachers include Csaba Erdélyi, Atar Arad, and Paul Coletti.

RACHEL SEXTON has been an active freelance chamber and orchestral musician in Washington D.C. since 2018. She trained under former Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra Stephen Geber at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Soloist Antonio Lysy at UCLA, working under renown composers John Adams and John Williams, beginning her professional orchestral career with the American Symphony Orchestra. Completing her last year of graduate studies as Cello Teaching Assistant to Julian Schwarz at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music 2017, she currently holds the position of Assistant Principal Cellist with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra in addition to performing as Principal Cellist of the Paragon Philharmonia. Rachel also performs with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

BRANDON HARRIS is a freelance bassist in Baltimore City. He has been teaching and performing in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area since 2010. Brandon has performed with numerous ensembles including the Richmond Symphony, the Williamsburg Symphony, the Roanoke Symphony, and the National String Symphonia. In addition to performing with these ensembles, he also performs musicals regularly with Montgomery College's Summer Dinner Theatre, has performed at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, VA. He has also led music-related panels at the Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest) where he has also performed.

Brandon received his B.M. from George Mason University where he studied with Glenn Dewey (formerly of "The President's Own" Marine Band), his M.M. from The Catholic University of America where he studied with Ira Gold (of the National Symphony Orchestra), and his G.P.D. from the Peabody Institute where he studied with Paul Johnson.

SEAN MAHON is an accomplished pianist, composer, and music educator, with an extensive career rooted in the DMV.  Sean performs a diverse range of musical styles, from classical to jazz, to tango, rock, and contemporary pop music.

Sean earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland, where he studied under the distinguished mentors Dr. Cleveland Page, Santiago Rodriguez, and the legendary Andre Watts.  His academic excellence was recognized through numerous accolades, including winning the prestigious Homer Ulrich Piano Competition, being a finalist in the UMSO Concerto Competition, and receiving the coveted Music Director’s Scholarship Award.

As a performer, his talent has taken him to prominent stages across the U.S. and the world.  He has performed at the White House, Madison Square Gardens, Wolftrap, and recently performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for the Centennial celebration at the Kennedy Center with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra.  Sean continues to perform with different orchestras and touring acts around the country and is the musical director for several prominent D.C. event bands.

JEFF WARD currently serves as Paragon Philharmonia's  Executive Director and Principal Bassoonist after having previously served as Secretary of its board. Jeff is a freelance bassoon and contrabassoon player in the DC area and also works as an Educational Technology Coach in Fairfax County Public Schools.

He holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance/Music Education from Ithaca College, a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Administration from Northern Virginia Community College.

From 2014 - 2020 he was Principal Bassoon of the Tysons McLean Orchestra and frequently plays with local musical groups, including the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Apollo Orchestra, Arlington Philharmonic, Wolf Trap Opera, Washington Ballet, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic, the US Air Force Band, Cathedral Choral Society, and many others.

 Natasha Parnian is a director, producer, playwright, theatre critic, and lifelong artist recognized for her daring and emotionally fearless work. She attended the School of the Arts at UNC and is protégé of Michael R. Simmons. Natasha founded Dark Horse Theatre Company in 2009. Her diverse background, ranging from classical vocalist and film actress to USA Gymnastics coach and cross-country motorcyclist, informs her immersive, experimental staging and her commitment to productions that defy conventional norms.

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As an "actor’s director" and practitioner of psychological realism, Natasha leverages her Meisner and improvisation training to foster raw, honest performances. Her approach prioritizes in-depth character development and dynamic ensemble chemistry, consistently challenging audiences to find a deeper connection with the craft. Beyond the stage, she is the creator of Calamity: The Show and IMPROVICON, and she serves as a performance speaking strategist for organizations like TEDx and Toastmasters..

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When she isn't plotting her next theatrical experiment, Natasha manages a mobile veterinary business, leads corporate workshops, and enjoys life as a homeschooling mother, motorcyclist, and animal lover. She remains perpetually driven by the pursuit of "acting that attains a level of something that we know nothing about."