The Musicians
Jim Ellis
Jim began his musical journey as many kids do learning piano in his early childhood. Never really clicking with the instrument, he picked up an electric guitar after being inspired by Green Day's American Idiot video in 2004 when he realized THAT was what he wanted to do with his life.
He spent his 20s playing with Philadelphia groups Palaceburn and In The Presence of Wolves, improving as a musician and a performer as he went along.
Jim is the sole songwriter and composer for The Earth & All Within and very much hopes you enjoy the record. Writing this in the 3rd person feels weird btw.
Mason Ingling
Mason has been playing drums for nearly two decades. He is a Philadelphia based session musician and has toured nationally with the progressive rock band In The Presence of Wolves.
Mason's influences include Bill Bruford, Mark Guiliana, Joe Morello, Gavin Harrison, and Dave Lombardo.
"Mason is one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists I've ever had the pleasure of sharing a stage with and is one of the best friends a guy could asked for. As I was writing the drum parts for the album, I knew I was writing them for him and often felt bad about making him play some of the more simple patterns across the album.
He knocked out drums for the entire album in one 10 hour long day in a 6x10 foot room after Lil Uzi Vert kicked us out of the live room we booked for the original two day session. True story." - Jim
MUGUREL RADU
Mugurel Radu is a violinist and violist whose skill as a player was shaped through standard classical training and performing with numerous orchestras all around the globe. He led the viola section and was a member of elite orchestras such as the Sao Paolo State Orchestra, National Radio Orchestra of Romania, George Enescu Philharmonic, Philadelphia Virtuosi, Harrisburg Symphony, among many others. He also performed as soloist with Orquestra do Portugal, Paris Tzigane Chamber Orchestra, Bucharest Symphony, etc. As a member of some of these Mugu has recorded for the renowned Naxos Records. He recorded the soundtrack for the Nascar movie “The Ride of Their Lives”. In 2008 Mugu co-founded the Philadelphia String Quartet with his wife Mihaela. Over the past 15 years under Mugu’s leadership PSQ has grown into a full community counting over 30 musicians, with collaborations with more than 50 event organizers and clients, having performed in almost every possible venue in the Philadelphia region. PSQ has traveled across the globe and has recorded 4 albums and 8 singles.
MIHAELA MATEI
Mihaela Matei's music education stems from the best of schools in Romania - Dinu Lipatti Music High School and later on the National University of Music. Her talent as a violist brought her to the US where she graduated from Rowan University and Louisiana State University. Miha has toured Europe and North America with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Her extensive experience as a teacher includes positions at Nelly Berman School of Music, Perkins Center for the Arts, among others. Some of Miha’s award-winning students went on to study at top music schools around the US. These combined experiences have all contributed to the foundations and day-to-day operations of PSQ. As co-founder of the Philadelphia String Quartet, Miha is the crucial element of PSQ’s success. She is the force that brings the members of PSQ closer together.
CHEN CHEN
As Philadelphia String Quartet’s core member, Chen enjoys being featured on a number of PSQ’s music video and recording projects. Chen is also a section member at the York Symphony Orchestra, and the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. Her playing can be heard on the most recent Grammy nominated recording “World on a String” by Larry McKenna released by BCM&D Records, and she is featured on York Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming album soon to be released by Centaur Records. Chen earned her D.M.A from Temple University under the guidance of Professor Jeffrey Solow. She holds a teaching studio at Drexel University.
