Member Bios
Neil Puzon, Violinist and Founder
Neil Puzon, a founding member of the St. Charles String Quartet, studied violin with Nancy McAllister at the Wilmington Academy of Music in Wilmington, NC. Mr. Puzon continued his violin studies and chamber music at the University of Maryland at College Park. He has performed at Howard University, Lisner Auditorium, George Mason Center for the Arts, and the Kennedy Center. He performs in chamber music recitals throughout Southern Maryland and around DC. Currently, Mr. Puzon resides in St. Charles, MD and enjoys teaching violin at his music studio.
Tara Planeta, Violinist
Tara Planeta is delighted to resume the 2nd Violin position with the quartet since her recent return to the DC metro region. Ms. Planeta earned her Masters Degree in Music Performance with Orchestral Emphasis from Arizona State University in 2003, and has performed with orchestras across the nation including the Arizona Opera, Phoenix Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, National Philharmonic, and is a current member of the Roanoke Symphony. Ms.Planeta has had the privilege of sharing the stage with stars such as Wynonna Judd, Art Garfunkel, Aaron Neville, Natalie Cole, & Liza Minelli. Chamber music has been a part of Ms.Planeta’s life since childhood, and she has studied with renowned coaches at numerous venues ranging from universities to summer festivals. In addition to performing, Ms.Planeta also teaches privately, has studied Educational Leadership at the doctoral level, and maintains a studio of all ages/levels. In her spare time, Ms.Planeta enjoys spending time her dog and horses.
Erik Klevjer, Violist
Erik Klevjer studied viola performance at Walnut Hill, New England Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and Catholic University with principal violists of the Baltimore Symphony and Philadelphia Orchestra. Erik has completed tours in Cuba, Italy, and Mexico, and performed with the Baltimore Symphony. He has also participated in the Aspen Summer Music Festival, and was both a student and counselor at the Greenwood Music Camp in Massachusetts. Erik has also taught and performed with the D.C. Youth Orchestra Program. Erik has been performing with the Quartet since 2006.
Kirill Romanov, Cellist
Kirill Romanov has played cello for the St. Charles String Quartet since 2006. Mr. Romanov has earned awards at the American Fine Arts Festival, the Washington Performing Arts Society’s Feder Memorial String Competition, the Marlin-Engel Solo Competition, the Cogen Concerto Competition, and was offered a full-scholarship Youth Fellowship with the National Symphony Orchestra. His engagements have included performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, and the Library of Congress. He has also participated in various music festivals, including Levine on the Mountain and the Verbier Festival Academy. Mr. Romanov is also a founding member of the alternative/punk band, Force Major. He directs the Performer’s Music Studio in his current hometown of Rockville, MD, where he teaches cello, guitar, and piano. In his free time Mr. Romanov plays soccer and enjoys a good game of chess.
