The Pluto String Ensemble is a classical string quartet created by musicians from the Berkshires that is focused on building community by highlighting the voices of musicians of color. Founded in 2020 Geivens Dextra, Gerdrose Jean Louis, Gerdlie Jean Louis, and Leila Parades have dedicated every summer to bringing classical music to their community. As alumni of the Elayne P. Bernstein Octet, an ensemble within the Pittsfield El Sistema Inspired program Kids4Harmony, they strive to use music as a tool for connection.
This summer they will be playing select works from Mendelssohn's Four Little Pieces for String Quartet, and Mozarts String Quarter No. 3
Geivens Dextra is a 19-year-old violinist from Pittsfield, MA. He has 12-13 years of experience learning and performing the violin through the El Sistema-inspired program, Kids 4 Harmony, which provided talented violinists for him to study under, such as Jorge Soto, Courtney Clark, Marilisa Alvarez, and Mariesther Alvarez. Through this program, he discovered his love for music and aspires to pursue a music career, focusing on violin performance, music production, and film scoring. Throughout his years as a musician, Geivens has performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the YOLA National Festival, attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Summer Program, and been a part of the Western Massachusetts districts and the Massachusetts All-State Orchestra.
Dextra has made past compositions for the world-renowned pianist Emmanuel Ax, and also composed an original piece for a documentary titled “Hear Me”, which highlighted the impact that drug abuse and gun violence had on young children living in Berkshire County. He just finished his sophomore year at Berkshire Community College and is working with the Pluto String Ensemble this summer. This fall, he’s looking to start his Junior year at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Gerdrose Jean Louis is a cellist based in Western Massachusetts. Recently they received their Bachelors in Cello Performance from Ithaca College where they studied under Gregory Hesselink. During their time at Ithaca they performed in contemporary, chamber and symphonic ensembles. They also spent their time at Ithaca studying solo music from both classical and Caribbean traditions.
Through their time as a cellist they have performed in El-Sistema ensembles across the country. They also have performed locally in the Berkshires with the Stockbirdge Sinfonia and the Pluto String Ensemble. Currently they reside in the Berkshires and spend their time studying chamber music with the Pluto String Quartet.
Leila Paredes is a rising Senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is currently studying Violin Performance with Elizabeth Chang, Music History and as well as for a certificate in Arts Management. I've been taking the opportunity to study jazz with both the violin and voice. She studied at Kids 4 Harmony with Jorge Soto and Courtney Clark. She has performed at the Concert Hall with YOLA and Bromery Center for the Arts at UMass Amherst.
Gerdlie Jean Louis is a violist from the Berkshires having studied at Kids4Harmony and Clark University. They’ve recently graduated from Clark with a bachelor’s degree in Music with a minor in philosophy in the Spring of 2025. During their time a as a student they worked part time as a college volunteer at a local El Sistema inspired program, Neighborhood Strings and playing in a Clark college band called the Pickle Jars. In the fall they intend to work full time as a teaching artist at Neighborhood Strings as well as participated in the Berklee META Fellowship Program to hone their skills as both a musician and educator.
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Tickets: $15
Seating/Bar: 7:00PM Show: 7:30PM
This event is indoors.
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We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event environment for all attendees. We strive to provide an event that is welcoming, accommodating, and supportive of diverse accessibility needs.
Venue Accessibility: Our venue is wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking spaces and restrooms are available. And wheelchair accessible seating is available upon request. Please contact us at info@thefoundryws.com or 413.232.5222 for accessibility coordination.
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Parking is limited at the venue so please utilize the three public parking lots in Town. One is across from the Post Office, one is behind Berkshire Bank and the other is just off Main Street. They are clearly marked. Do not park at Trúc Orient Express Restaurant or the Post Office or you might receive a ticket.
Visit Amici Berkshires for dinner before the show and with your ticket receive 10% off your meal.
All sales are final – The Foundry is unable to make any returns or exchanges.
