Who Are We?
Marcia Sterling
Band Leader, Violinist, and Vocalist
Marcia Sterling, band leader, violinist, and vocalist, was born into an Eastern European Jewish musical family from New York’s Lower East Side.
- She began her musical training on violin at age five and was concertizing by age ten.
- She attended the Kansas City Performing Arts High School and graduated from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.
- She continued graduate studies in ethnomusicology at the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University.
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In 1977, Miss Sterling moved to Israel to become a member of the Galilee Symphony Orchestra.
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In 1982, she returned to Chicago, where her varied career included six years as a violinist with the Frank Sinatra Orchestra, an eight-year steady engagement with downtown Chicago's Regency Strings, and as a headliner and recording artist with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, appearing regularly at The Cafe Continental.
- Ms Sterling has been teaching the art of violin playing for 35+ years. She currently offers private violin lessons and chamber music coaching through The Symphony Music Academy, 10103 Fondren Rd, Ste 120, Houston 77096
Dan Strba
Violist, Pianist, Guitaring and Vocalist, Arranger
Daniel brings a wealth of musical experience and knowledge to his deep connection with the Best Little Klezmers. As a child of Eastern European parents, he grew up in a home immersed in music-making and his passion for all things music showed itself early: He started piano lessons at age 4 sharing the bench with his mother, a 33-year veteran teacher in the Chicago public schools. Dan grew up listening to a variety of old 33 1/3 albums-Classical, Jazz, The Great American Songbook, Broadway and Pop. But, the music that most profoundly touched his heart was the deeply soulful music of the Roma Gypsies. All of this bestows upon the Klezmer Band a rich tapestry of the influences of his lifetime.
Dan Strba, violist, pianist, vocalist, and arranger, began his career at age seventeen as a member of the United States Army Chamber Orchestra and Strolling Strings performing for official state functions at The White House.
- Upon his return to Chicago in 1979, Mr. Strba performed regularly with the Chicago Symphony at Orchestra Hall and on seven international tours.
- In 1992, he accepted a full-time position with the Houston Symphony.
- His illustrious free-lance career includes six years with The Frank Sinatra Orchestra, and as accompanist to such stars as Sammy Davis Jr., Burt Bacharach, Julie Andrews, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, George Benson, and The Moody Blues, to name a few.
The Members of the Best Little Klezmer Band in Texas
Marcia Sterling
Band Leader, Vocals, Violin
Dan Strba
Band Artistic Director, Viola, Piano, Guitar, Vocals, Arranger
Glen Renfro
Drums, Klezboard (Show Me) Percussion & Funny Noises
Drummer and Percussionist Glen Renfro loves to play Klezmer! He received his Classical training under the tutelage of former Houston Symphony principal timpanist David Wuliger. Between 1978 and 1986 Glen toured nationally and internationally with several prestigious commercial bands. Upon returning to Houston, he began imparting his love of music to students as an elementary school music teacher, a career that spans three decades and for which has received Outstanding Teacher of the Year awards for many years running. Glen is a founding member of the Best Little Klezmer Band serving as drummer and percussionist since the group’s humble beginnings in 1993.
Donald Jacobs
Clarinet, Alto Sax
Donald Jacobs, clarinet and saxophone player for the Best Little Klezmers, grew up listening to classical music on the radio.
Don's mother encouraged him to take up the clarinet, because the clarinet "plays in the orchestra AND the band."
Don has stayed with the clarinet, and in high school, he composed a march that his high school band played.
He was also invited by his friends in the band to join their dixieland band. This began a lifelong love of small-ensemble playing.
As an adult, Don has played for many years in bands that play klezmer, jazz, Balkan, German, Scandinavian and Greek music.
Don is the assistant band and guitar director at Lanier Middle School here in Houston, and has played with the Best Little Klezmer Band in Texas since he and his wife, Maria, moved from Chicago to Houston in 2016.
Sasha Potiomkin
Clarinet
Doug Wright
Clarinet, Flute, Tenor Sax
Ron Wilkins
Trombone, Vocal Soloist
Eve Woodard
Guitar, Vocals
Miss Woodard has a Master of Music degree in Classical and Jazz Guitar and has been performing Klezmer and other Jewish music since the mid 90’s. She has performed with the Best Little Klezmer band for more than twenty-five years as guitarist and background vocalist. She is featured prominently on the Band’s first CD Schlepping West as well as their newest upcoming release for which, in addition to her guitar playing and vocals, she composed a delightful original song called ‘Matzah Ball Mama.’ Eve appears regularly at Houston venues performing Jazz, Pop, and a variety of other musical genres. She currently teaches guitar, bass, and jazz combo at Houston area Lone Star College.
Vadim Angerov
Accordion