SugarStrings
In 2004, the SugarStrings trio emerged from the developing artistry of talented young cousins, Adé Williams (12, violin), Ayanna Williams (17, cello), and Mira Williams (12, viola/violin). Their first piece together was “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. Soon requests to perform began to pour in from churches, schools, and organizations, and SugarStrings was born. Other talented young musicians have also performed with the cousins.
The musical development of the girls is due in part to the financial generosity of the Music Institute of Chicago (Winnetka, Illinois), summer camps and festivals, including the Okemo Young Artists' Program (Ludlow, Vermont), the Sphinx Performance Academy (Natick, Massachusetts), Northwestern University's High School Music Institute (Evanston, Illinois), and the Chicago Music Association (NANM). The girls are charter members of the Chicago Music Association, Junior and Youth Branches, and members of the Southside branch of the NAACP, Youth Membership.
Purse collector 
Adé Williams, 12, is 1st violinist for the group. She is the 2009 second place winner of the Society of American Musicians Competition and the 2008 Best Interpretation/second place winner of the Sejong Music Competition. She is the first place winner of the 2006 Sigma Alpha Iota String Scholarship Competition, Junior Division and the 2005 Early Music Category, Walgreen’s N ational Concerto Competition, Junior Open Divisions. Adé’s 2004 orchestral debut at the age of six was with the Chicago Sinfonietta as that orchestra’s youngest ever performer. In 2007, she performed as a soloist with the Highland Park Strings at Ravinia and in 2006 with the South Side Family Chamber Orchestra. Her 2006 radio debut was on WFMT’s Young Artist Showcase.
Adé is the first William Warfiend Scholar of the Music Institute of Chicago and a member of the Academy where she studies privately with artist faculty members Almita Vamos and Marko Dreher. She has performed in master classes for concert violinists Tai Murray and Rachel Barton Pine. Adé performs on a violin by Jan van Rooyen, 2008, after the "Comte de Villares" Stradivarius, 1720, on generous loan from the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation.
Adé enjoys being home schooled, spending time with her family (especially her little brother, Jonathan), and playing various games and sports.
Friend of puppies
Mira Williams, 12, plays 2nd violin and viola with SugarStrings. She served as principal violist for the Chicago Youth Concert Orchestra (2007-08) and concertmaster for the Chicago Youth Debut Orchestra (2005-06), both under the direction of Terrance Oliveras-Gray. She ended 2005 as a featured performer on the televised Christmas Glory, starring Al Jarreau and Brian McKnight. In 2008, she performed at Musician's Network MECCA events.
Mira is a member of the Academy of the Music Institute of Chicago. She studies privately with artist faculty member Marko Dreher and has had master classes with Almita Vamos and Brian Culbertson.
Texting queen 
Ayanna Williams, 17, plays cello for SugarStrings. She began cello instruction in Spring Brook Elementary School’s fifth grade orchestra program (Naperville, Illinois). Ayanna won “Best of Day” for her solo performance at the 2008 Illinois High School Association Solo/Ensemble competition. She studies with Chris Fiore, DePaul Community Music School, under the direction of Tanya Carey, Roosevelt University. She was a member of the Chicago Youth Debut Orchestra during the 2005-2006 season. Ayanna attended the Northwestern High School Music Institute (Evanston, summer 2008) and the Sphinx Performance Academy at Walnut Hill School (Natick, Mass., summer 2005) on full merit scholarships. Currently, Ayanna is a senior in the International Baccalaureate honors program at a top 10 Chicago public high school.
To book SugarStrings for your next event,
contact DMarie342@aol.com.
