Heartstrings Monterey has been together since 1992. This ensemble of violin, bass, hammered dulcimer, mandolin and guitar brings a fresh sound to traditional acoustic music from all over the world. Heartstrings plays for all occasions from concert venues to weddings and private parties. Heartstrings is:

Laura Burian (Violin) has played music for as long as she can remember, and is extremely grateful for the role it plays in her life. When she’s not busy playing fiddle with Heartstrings or violin with the Monterey Strings or the Monterey Bay Symphony, she teaches at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, freelances as a Chinese/ English translator and interpreter, and enjoys spending time with her family and menagerie of pets.

Paulette Lynch (Hammered Dulcimer)has been singing since she was a baby and played guitar since she was 12! But when she first saw someone playing the hammered dulcimer at a concert venue in San Francisco, she was totally fascinated and just had to start playing right away. She is used to being the only hammered dulcimer player for miles around but recently enjoyed the company of dozens of players and teachers at the Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina. Her day job is Executive Director the Arts Council for Monterey County where she eagerly shares the message that "The Arts Are the Answer" to all who will listen. Otherwise, she enjoys time running around with husband Ken and son Gabriel.

Pat Skinner (Mandolin) has loved playing music since starting piano lessons when she was nine years old. Now she plays mandolin, mandola and accordion and enjoys performing all styles of music.  Pat is a founding member of Heartstrings. She also makes music with Las Cuerdas del Corazon, Heartstrings’ alter ego, an ensemble that performs for California State Parks historical events such as Christmas in the Adobes.  Pat spent 35 years as a special education teacher and administrator. She is currently a freelance writer and photographer.

Marj Ingram Viales (Guitar) is a lifelong Carmel Valley resident who credits her parents for her love of music, which she passes on to her children & grandchildren.  Playing guitar since age 12, she is a founding member of Heartstrings & Las Cuerdas del Corazon.  Recently, at the Jamesburg Players Reunion Show, she played in the band that accompanied the wild show tune performances.  She also loves to sing, both with her husband’s blues/rock band and at country music jams.  Marj works as a building designer & permit facilitator.

Rick Chelew (Bass) plays bass and sings with The Cachagua Playboys, Andrea’s Fault, and Nico and Rick with Nico Georis. He is a guitarist, songwriter, and sound mixer for film, video and live music.  He composed the soundtrack and was a writer and editor on the 2010 film “Pink Smoke Over the Vatican” and played bass on the 2010 release “Jarrod Dickenson—Live at the Roost House”.