About Us
Lauren Geerlings - violin
Lauren is a violinist in the Petrichord String Quartet. Born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, Lauren began studying violin privately at the age of nine and has continued ever since. Shortly after starting violin, she began learning oboe as her secondary instrument.
Lauren is currently a junior and studies under Dr. Nash Ryder and Dr. Heather Peyton at the University of Northern Iowa, and is on track to graduate with a bachelor of music in Violin and Oboe Performance. In her free time she loves to draw, paint, and crochet.
Emma Becker - violin
Emma is a violinist with the Petrichord String Quartet. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, she started playing the violin in fourth grade at the age of nine. She is currently a senior at the University of Northern Iowa where she studies under Dr. Nash Ryder for violin and is on track to receive her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Music.
On top of Emma’s musical involvement in the group, she also works as the social media and public relations manager for the quartet. Outside of the ensemble, Emma is also a violinist in the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra with which she has performed regularly since the start of her education at UNI. Emma's plans for the future are to work in PR for music ensembles and to perform professionally in an orchestra.
Julian Perez - viola
Julian Perez is a senior at the University of Northern Iowa majoring in Instrumental Music Education. As well as being a violist for the Petrichord String Quartet, he is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Being from Elgin, Illinois, he eventually moved to Des Moines, Iowa where he began playing the viola at the age of 10.
Julian has studied under violist Dr. Julia Bullard, violinist Dr. Steve Koh, and currently with Dr. Tyler Hendrickson for viola. His future plans are to become a high school orchestra teacher and pursue music individually.
Turner Sperry - cello
Turner Sperry is a senior at the University of Northern Iowa and is majoring in Cello Performance. Raised in Blue Grass, Iowa, Turner started playing the cello at the age of nine and started studying privately at the age of 11. He has studied under cellists such as Hannah Holman, Dr. Rhonda Rider, Dr. Andrew Mark, Dr. Thomas Mesa, Neal Cary, and now with Isidora Nojkovic.
As well as being the cellist, event coordinator, treasurer, and music librarian for the Petrichord String Quartet, he also subs in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, and the Fort Dodge Area Symphony Orchestra. He currently plays in the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra as principal cellist. Turner plans on attending graduate school for Cello Performance and to eventually become a professional symphony cellist.
