Meet the Musicians

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 Kailynn Honeycutt is the founder of Golden Hour Strings and a dedicated performing violinist and music educator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Utah State University, where she not only trained extensively as a teacher but also pursued significant performance opportunities as a soloist and chamber musician in the u

 Kailynn Honeycutt is the founder of Golden Hour Strings and a dedicated performing violinist and music educator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Utah State University, where she not only trained extensively as a teacher but also pursued significant performance opportunities as a soloist and chamber musician in the university’s prestigious chamber music program under the guidance of the Fry Street Quartet. 

Kailynn has served as a Faculty Associate at Utah State University teaching violin, and has taught privately for nearly a decade. She has also taught orchestra at secondary schools in Cache Valley from elementary to high school level. 

She has performed regularly with the American Festival Orchestra and the Cache Symphony Orchestra, and most recently the Salt Lake Symphony. 

 Raif Milligan is a cellist, educator, and composer on a mission to connect the world through music.

Raif enjoys a vibrant career as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2024, he was a winner of Utah State University's Concerto Competition. He was also a member of USU's flagship student string quartet—the Caine Quartet—which won First Prize 

 Raif Milligan is a cellist, educator, and composer on a mission to connect the world through music.

Raif enjoys a vibrant career as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2024, he was a winner of Utah State University's Concerto Competition. He was also a member of USU's flagship student string quartet—the Caine Quartet—which won First Prize at the Utah ASTA Chamber Music Competition in 2025. Beyond being a performer, Raif is also a passionate teacher. His experience includes providing university-level instruction as a member of USU's adjunct cello faculty from 2025 to 2026.

Raif has collaborated with and performed beside world-class musicians, such as Janai Brugger, Thomas Glenn, Iman Habibi, Caroline Campbell, Nathan Pacheco, and Gentri.

Raif is a master's student at the University of Utah, studying with Dr. Michael Kaufman. Formerly, Raif studied with Anne Francis Bayless of the Fry Street Quartet, Walter Haman of the Utah Symphony, and Nicole Pinnell of the Uinta Trio. When he is not engaged in music, Raif likes to read classic literature and write essays.

 Carissa Devenport is a member of the Associate Violin Faculty at Utah State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, studying under the mentorship of Rebecca McFaul and the Fry Street Quartet. During her undergraduate studies, she served as first violinist of the premier student ensemble, The Caine String

 Carissa Devenport is a member of the Associate Violin Faculty at Utah State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, studying under the mentorship of Rebecca McFaul and the Fry Street Quartet. During her undergraduate studies, she served as first violinist of the premier student ensemble, The Caine String Quartet, and as concertmaster of the USU Symphony Orchestra. She won the 2023 Utah ASTA Chamber Music Competition and appeared in the 2024 USU Concerto Competition, performing the first movement of the Korngold Violin Concerto with the USU Symphony Orchestra.
An active performer, private instructor, adjudicator, and chamber musician, Carissa has appeared at festivals including the Round Top Festival Institute in Texas and Prague Summer Nights, performing throughout Europe while collaborating with distinguished artists and performing under internationally recognized conductors. Her orchestral studies have included work with acclaimed musicians such as David Kim, concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra; Tamás Varga, principal cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic; Delayna Lazarova, Principal Guest Conductor of the Utah Symphony; Robert Spano, conductor of the Aspen Music Festival; and James Burton, conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Choral Activities and the Tanglewood Music Festival.  Her chamber music studies have included masterclasses with premier ensembles, including the Brentano, Jerusalem, Pacifica, Viano, and Ying String Quartets. She has also collaborated with composers Gabriela Lena-Frank, Nicolás Lell Benavides, and Stephen Mitton, premiering Mitton’s "Juvenoia" for String Quartet as part of the 2023 Crossing Borders Project. 
Carissa is deeply passionate about exploring the intersection of music and medicine, particularly through a holistic approach to musicianship, teaching, and performance. She incorporates principles of the Alexander Technique and heavily implements body mapping into her teaching and performing, emphasizing efficient, sustainable movement and greater body awareness. She is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance at the University of Utah, where she serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and is a member of the Graduate String Quartet. She currently studies with former Utah Symphony Associate Concertmaster, Leonard Braus, and internationally renowned soloist and chamber musician, William Hagen. 

Brooklynn has been playing viola for 11 years and has studied privately under Dr. Jared Starr and Bradley Ottesen. She completed her BA in music education at USU, and currently teaches orchestra at Layton High, Central Davis Jr. high, and surrounding elementary schools. Brooklynn has enjoyed performing in the Utah State and Deseret sympho

Brooklynn has been playing viola for 11 years and has studied privately under Dr. Jared Starr and Bradley Ottesen. She completed her BA in music education at USU, and currently teaches orchestra at Layton High, Central Davis Jr. high, and surrounding elementary schools. Brooklynn has enjoyed performing in the Utah State and Deseret symphonies, as well as a variety of chamber ensembles during her time at Utah State. She is passionate about teaching and connecting with people through music.

 Rachel is a passionate violist and musician who believes in the power of music to make the world a better place. Her performances have ranged in size from intimate solo and chamber music settings, to sold out concert halls, supporting world-class artists such as Steven Sharp Nelson from the piano guys, GENTRI, and Nathan Pacheco, among o

 Rachel is a passionate violist and musician who believes in the power of music to make the world a better place. Her performances have ranged in size from intimate solo and chamber music settings, to sold out concert halls, supporting world-class artists such as Steven Sharp Nelson from the piano guys, GENTRI, and Nathan Pacheco, among others. Rachel studied under Brad Ottesen at USU and has been mentored by Mick Wetzel, a violist in the Las Angeles Philharmonic. She's been blessed to learn a lot from the large community of talented and generous musicians she's come in contact with. When she isn't playing music, she is found gardening, hiking, climbing, and spending time with her husband and her parrot Jack.  

Ami Dutson is a cellist at Utah State University, working on her Bachelor’s in cello performance. She is an associate string faculty member, teaching alongside the Fry Street Quartet. She has studied the cello all over the country, including at the Ascent International Cello Festival and the Alaska Cello Institute. Ami enjoys performing i

Ami Dutson is a cellist at Utah State University, working on her Bachelor’s in cello performance. She is an associate string faculty member, teaching alongside the Fry Street Quartet. She has studied the cello all over the country, including at the Ascent International Cello Festival and the Alaska Cello Institute. Ami enjoys performing in all kinds of ensembles, and particularly loves string quartets. 

 Kristene began the violin at age four and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance at Utah State University, where she studies under Rebecca McFaul. She has attended and performed at major festivals, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to study with distinguished arti

 Kristene began the violin at age four and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance at Utah State University, where she studies under Rebecca McFaul. She has attended and performed at major festivals, including the Bowdoin International Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to study with distinguished artists from across the world. Kristene is very passionate about sharing her music through performing and teaching, and has a love especially for chamber music. 

  Tessa Urie is a 21 year old violist studying with Brad Ottesen, member of the Fry Street Quartet, at Utah State University. She found her passion for chamber music playing at the Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, where she contributed to string quartet groups coached by members of the Utah Symphony. This led to her switch from viol

  Tessa Urie is a 21 year old violist studying with Brad Ottesen, member of the Fry Street Quartet, at Utah State University. She found her passion for chamber music playing at the Gifted Music School in Salt Lake City, where she contributed to string quartet groups coached by members of the Utah Symphony. This led to her switch from violin to her true voice, the viola, in 2022. Continuing her musical studies at USU for her Bachelor's degree, she plays in the university's symphony orchestra as viola section leader, and has also played in USU's flagship student string quartet, the Caine Quartet.    

   Eli Wilson is a violist, studying instrumental performance and premedical science at Brigham Young University. He previously attended the University of Utah, performing with the O.C. Tanner Honors Quartet and Utah Philharmonia. From a young age, Eli has enjoyed contributing his musical talents to make ordinary moments special and speci

   Eli Wilson is a violist, studying instrumental performance and premedical science at Brigham Young University. He previously attended the University of Utah, performing with the O.C. Tanner Honors Quartet and Utah Philharmonia. From a young age, Eli has enjoyed contributing his musical talents to make ordinary moments special and special moments unforgettable. From church services to weddings and more, he believes that any event can be magnified with proper music and that proper music deserves professionalism and detail. Whether performing in a quartet, with an orchestra, or solo, he works to provide music at the principal level.  

 Brenley has been playing both viola and violin for nearly 20 years, with experience performing in orchestral, solo, and chamber music settings. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing at weddings and events across the country—both as a soloist and as part of small ensembles. I’ve also been teaching private violin and viola lesso

 Brenley has been playing both viola and violin for nearly 20 years, with experience performing in orchestral, solo, and chamber music settings. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of playing at weddings and events across the country—both as a soloist and as part of small ensembles. I’ve also been teaching private violin and viola lessons for nearly a decade. Wherever I go, my instrument goes with me, and I’m always excited for new opportunities to share beautiful music and create memorable experiences.