Mary Beth Ions - Violinist, Duo or The Sapphire Trio

For over twenty years violinist Mary Beth Ions has been one of Cleveland's most active musicians. She plays in the Opera Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra,Trinity Cathedral Chamber Orchestra,and Playhouse Square productions of touring Broadway shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, South Pacific and The Color Purple. She regularly provides back-up music for Mannheim Steamroller, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson, Yanni, Sarah Brightman, Jewel, Clay Aiken and Josh Groban. Ms. Ions was a member of the orchestra for the Three Tenors concert at Brown's Stadium.

In July of 2003 she performed for Hillary Clinton and in July, 2004 she performed as a member of RED at a fund raiser for President Bush. During the summer she performs as Principal Second Violin with the Blossom Festival Orchestra.

Ms. Ions is the founding member of Amethyst, the popular string ensemble which adds elegance to parties, weddings, churches, synagogues, and high profile social events throughout the year in Northeastern Ohio. Amethyst is dedicated to the power of beautiful string music. The high quality of musicianship allows this versatile ensemble to function beautifully as a string quartet, a trio, or a duo, depending on the situation.

Ms Ions has also created an exciting one-woman program, Violin: Up Close and Personal, just right for schools, retirement homes and parties. In this program her audiences travel on a journey through the ages from Bach to Broadway, from country fiddle tunes to fiery Gypsy music, even the use of the violin in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and for American Idols! Her compelling story-telling inspires awe of the violin, its history, and how this queen of instruments has developed through the
centuries into the shining star it is today.

Ms. Ions enjoys life as a violin soloist in a variety of venues. When not on stage,she loves the intimate elegance of 'strolling' through private homes or gardens doing what she does best, entertaining, inspiring, uplifting and bringing peace through the music of the violin.

To learn more about Mary Beth Ions, contact Marty Conn Entertainment at 216.849.3545.