In 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completed his last opera, The Magic Flute . In this fanciful fairytale, Mozart's librettist, Johann Schikaneder, was to introduce one of opera's most enduring comic figures - Papageno the bird catcher, for which our group is named. The Papageno Quintet was formed in 1997 in Greenville, South Carolina in order to enrich the upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina arts communities. Our goal is to provide a yearly concert series of chamber music for winds and provide quality function oriented music. We perform a variety of pieces ranging from baroque to ragtime. Our group rehearses weekly at the First Presbyterian Church in Greer SC and we are available for weddings, receptions, church functions, gallery openings and other events. If you or your group is interested in contacting us, please sign our Guest Book.

Barbara received a BA. in music performance and education from the University of South Carolina - Columbia. She then was awarded a rotary foundation graduate fellowship for study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, Belgium, where she received the premier prix in flute and chamber music in 1980. Barbara has studied with Constance G. Lane and William Alexander and has participated in Master classes given by Robert Delaney, Julius Baker, and Ransom Wilson. She has performed with the All-American College Marching and Show Band at Disney World, The Augusta Symphony in Georgia, the Columbia Philharmonic in South Carolina and as soloist with the Greenville Concert Band.

Erin holds a Bachelor of Music from Converse College and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music. While at Converse she performed with the Converse Chamber Winds, Sinfonetta, Asheville Symphony and the Hendersonville Symphony as well as a guest with the Papageno Quintet. She was the Converse College Young Artist Competition winner in 1999. She has been a member of International Double Reed Society, Delta Omicron, 2nd oboe for the One World Symphony (NYC) and principal oboe for the Columbia University Bach Society. She has performed in Master classes led by John Mack, Joseph Robinson, Elaine Douvas, Keisuke Wakao, Alicia Chapman, Linda Stroman, Steven Taylor and others. Teachers include Cheryl Bedwell, Jeanie Watson, Dr. Kelly Vaneman, and Joseph Robinson.

Matthew has studied with Dr. Robert Chesebro of Furman University. He has performed with the Carolina Youth Symphony, the Furman Symphonic Band, Orchestra, and Clarinet Choir, and the Fab Four Clarinet Quartet. Matthew has also been active as a competitor, placing as finalist in the National MTNA High School Woodwind competition and the Southeastern Clarinet/Saxophone Competition.  He now performs with the Foothills Philharmonic as principal clarinet and with various other organizations as a freelance musician.

The Papageno Quintet was proud to welcome Laura Steinke in March 2004. Laura holds positions in the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Greencreek Horn Quartet. Her past engagements include the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra from 1985 – 1993, the Atlanta Symphony and Charleston Symphony Orchestras on both horn and Wagner tuba. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studied with David Krebiel. Other primary teachers have included Froydis Ree Wekre, William Purvist and Brice Andrews. Laura lives in Tryon, NC where she maintains a horse farm and is a registered nurse.

Frank has performed as a bassoonist and contrabassoonist with many professional and semi-professional ensembles including the Greenville (SC) Symphony Orchestra, the Knoxville (TN) Symphony Orchestra, the Tennessee Bassoon Quartet, the Oak Ridge (TN) Symphony Orchestra, and others in the United States . He has also been an active performer in Canada , holding positions with the Vancouver Philharmonic, the British Columbia Ukrainian Folk Orchestra, the Amadeus Wind Octet, and others.  He has studied with Keith McClelland, Ward Hunting, and attended master classes by Mike Dicker, Frank Morelli, and Kim Walker.   He now lives in South Carolina where he performs with the Foothills Philharmonic as principal bassoon and with various other organizations as a freelance musician.