About Grace Notes Classical Trio
Grace Notes Classical Trio is a local Minnesota trio that caters to both the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes areas. Originally from Brainerd, MN, the trio now has members living in both Minneapolis and Brainerd, and is delighted to be able to offer trio music in both cities.
Minnesota born and raised, we are a family trio that began playing together in 2003. Our love for trio music and the joy of playing together led us to found Grace Notes Classical Trio, and we have been playing together ever since!
We are a flute, violin, and cello trio, and sound similar to a string trio. Classically trained, we love to play Classical or Baroque era music for your wedding, cocktail hour, or business event. More and more people are requesting pop music, and we love to play that too – or a combination of classical and pop music, for the best of both worlds.
Please visit our Packages & Pricing page for more information or contact us for a quote.
Brianna Jensen, cello
Brianna is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict. She was principal cellist in the CSB/SJU orchestra from 2009–10, and performed with the ensemble for four years under the direction of David Arnott. Brianna studied cello with Lucia Magney as an undergraduate student, as well as piano – her first instrument since the age of four – with Dr. Jim Dennihan.
Brianna has been a part of various chamber ensembles, performing in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, and Brainerd Lakes areas on both piano and cello. Most notably, she has performed with the Minnesota Ballet, the Lakes Area Music Festival, and the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota. She has played professionally for weddings and other events since the age of 13, and is an active liturgical musician.
Brianna currently resides in Minneapolis, loves running, doing yoga, and dancing with Project Sabor, an all-women Latin, hip-hop fusion dance team. She is a 2nd grade teacher at a Spanish immersion school in Minneapolis, and runs an after-school program, Focus for Success, that helps kids improve their focus and concentration.
Kärsten Jensen, flute
Kärsten began studying Suzuki flute with Susie Kuniyoshi at age 5 after seeing a video production of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. Kärsten continued her music studies with Immanuel Davis at the University of Minnesota School of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music in flute performance.
Kärsten has performed with Encore Wind Ensemble, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Lakes Area Music Festival, and Exultate chamber orchestra. She has performed as a soloist in master classes for internationally-renowned artists including Pedro de Alcantara, Gro Sandvik, Mimi Stillman, and James Hall. As a liturgical musician in the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes areas, Kärsten has performed and collaborated with Marty Haugen, Rob Glover, and Fr. Michael Joncas. Kärsten has enjoyed performing with her mom and sister in Grace Notes Classical Trio since 2003. Kärsten currently works as the Learning & Culture Development Manager at Choice Bank. She loves doing yoga, running, and traveling. Kärsten lives with her husband, Josh, in Minneapolis, where they take longs walks and cook great paleo food.
Sandy Larson-Jensen, violin
Sandy has enjoyed playing with her daughters in Grace Notes Classical Trio since 2003. She is also an active member of both the Heartland Symphony Orchestra and Trillium Strings Trio in the Brainerd Lakes area.
Sandy has previously played with The Lakes Area Music Festival, The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota, the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, the St. Paul Civic Symphony, and Brightwood String Quartet. She is an active liturgical musician and enjoys playing for various churches in both the Brainerd Lakes and Twin Cities areas. Sandy is also a private violin instructor and teaches lessons from her home in Brainerd.
In addition to music, Sandy has spent her career in education and media technology, and currently teaches K-4 science in the Brainerd School District. In her free time, Sandy loves gardening, cooking, kayaking with her friends, and golfing with her husband, Jerry.