Odd Hours Cello Quartet 

Dr. Britta Thomas is a Los Angeles–based cellist and educator, and the founder of the Odd Hours Cello Quartet, an ensemble dedicated to creative programming and dynamic collaboration. She brings fresh energy to the cello repertoire, blending classical works, contemporary compositions, and original arrangements to create meaningful connections with audiences.

Praised for her expressive strength and creativity, Dr. Thomas is an advocate for new music and has premiered works by living composers. As a dedicated teacher, she maintains a private studio for students of all ages and levels, drawing from both Suzuki and improvisational approaches. Her students have earned recognition in competitions, performed at Carnegie Hall, and cultivated a lifelong love of music under her guidance.

Originally from Montana, Dr. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Montana and both a Master of Music and Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Ivan Law is an African-American Cellist based in Los Angeles, California; where he leads a career as a teacher, performer and Luthier’s Apprentice. He holds a Bachelors Degree for the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and a Masters Degree from West Virginia University (WVU). His previous teachers include Dr. Erin Ellis, Jennifer Kloetzel and Thomas Mesa.

As an avid chamber musician, Ivan has performed with various groups, including the UCSB Undergraduate Honors String Quartet and the Montani String Quartet at WVU. As a chamber musician, he has performed a wide variety of repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary; including the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, Caroline Shaw, Andrea Casarrubios, and more. In August of 2022, he had the opportunity to perform in a string quartet at the Kotor Art Festival in Kotor, Montenegro, and at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California; debuting four new works for String Quartet and performing two pieces by Joseph Haydn and Antonin Dvorak.

Los Angeles–based cellist and educator Ryan Phipps has performed in masterclasses with Mark Summer (Turtle Island Quartet), Brant Taylor (Chicago Symphony), Julie Albers (Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra), the Pacifica Quartet, the JACK Quartet, and Trio Solisti. He holds degrees in Cello Performance from Marshall University (BFA), West Virginia University (MM), and an Artist Diploma from California State University, Fullerton. An avid chamber musician, Ryan was a member of the award-winning Montani Quartet at WVU and has performed with ensembles including the Whittier Regional Orchestra, Orchestra Collective of Orange County, and the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra. He has premiered numerous new works and appeared in Peso Pluma’s debut performance at the 2023 Video Music Awards.

As an educator, Ryan directs several ensembles at Sinai Akiba Academy and runs his private studio, CelloLab LA. He has also served on faculty for the West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts and Renaissance Arts Academy. Outside the classical world, he plays viola and keyboards with the indie band Linen and leads his own project, Test Chemical.

Los Angeles–based cellist and educator Erin Little has over 14 years of experience teaching in public and private schools. She directs the orchestra program at Sinai Akiba Academy, teaches elementary general music, and works with Elemental Music as Prelude Program Director and cello coach for Elemental Strings. A lifelong learner, Erin is pursuing her doctorate in Music and Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, focusing on innovation in string pedagogy and student-driven learning.

Originally from Detroit, Erin earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education (with honors) from Michigan State University and her Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Michigan. She holds certifications in the Suzuki Method, Music Learning Theory, and Responsive Classroom practices, and has presented at regional and national music education conferences. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, Argentine tango, and exploring the Los Angeles food scene with her husband, Sriram, and their miniature poodle, Enzo.