The members of the Carolina Classic Strings are experienced professionals with various musical backgrounds . The group, formed over 10 years ago,  is comprised of sisters Susan Howren (vln), Melanie Freeman (cello), and husband and wife Piotr and  Anna Swic (vln,vla). Each musician holds a degree(s) in music and has a private teaching studio. The members perform with various area symphonies, chamber groups, churches and are available as a quartet, trio, duo or soloist.
 
 
  Susan Howren
Mrs. Howren began studying music at the age of 5  in North Carolina. Raised in Charlotte, she received her Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State University. She has had extensive teacher training in the Suzuki method and has been teaching in Gastonia for over 25 years. Mrs. Howren has performed with the Roanoke Symphony, Duke Symphony, Western Piedmont Symphony, Gardner-Webb University Orchestra, Charlotte Civic Orchestra, Charlotte Philharmonic and Gaston String Orchestra. In addition to her private teaching studio, Mrs. Howren is an instructor for the Parkwood Center for the Arts and Conductor of Capriccio Strings and Gaston String Orchestra.
 
 
  Melanie Freeman
Melanie Freeman has been performing cello for over 30 years. Mrs. Freeman began her professional career with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at age 16.  Since then she has performed in other area orchestras and chamber groups. She is a former member of the Gardner-Webb Faculty String Trio and also a former principle cellist with the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra. Mrs. Freeman has a B.A. in Music and teaches privately through Gardner-Webb University and at home. After home schooling her five children for 18 years, Mrs. Freeman has turned her talents to include playing and arranging solo instrumental music for churches.
 
 
  Anna Swic
Anna Swic received her M.A. from F. Chopin Conservatory of Music and her B.M. from the EIsner School of Music in Warsaw,Poland. She also studied the Artist Diploma Program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Swic attended several international music festivals in Europe and Australia. She is former member of Savannah, Charleston, Greenville, Augusta, Asheville Symphony and South Carolina Philharmonic. Anna and her husband Peter Swic founded Charlotte Strings Academy in 1996 where they are teaching violin, viola and piano.
 
 
  Piotr Swic
Piotr Swic received his M.A. from F. Chopin Conservatory of Music and his B.M. from the Szymanowski School of Music in Warsaw, Poland. He also studied the Artist Diploma Program at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has received Certificate of Graduate Study from University of South Carolina in Columbia. Mr. Swic attended Tanglewood Music Festival and several other international music festivals in Australia, Europe and South America. Piotr Swic is a member of Charlotte Symphony and faculty member at Gardner-Webb University and Davidson College . He also teaches privately at Charlotte Strings Academy.