THE ELYSIUM STORY
We believe that great music—and great events—begin with connection. We're a tight-knit group of classically trained yet versatile musicians who have performed together for years with renowned ensembles and at distinguished venues. Our on-stage chemistry translates into every note we play, creating seamless performances that feel alive, emotionally resonant, and tailored to the moment.
Julie Bougher
violin
Violinist Julie Bougher is known for her expressive, lyrical playing and versatility across a wide range of genres. She has been performing since the age of five and holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Temple University.
Julie has performed with orchestras and ensembles throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and is currently a member of the Delaware Symphony, Allentown Symphony, and Riverside Symphonia. She also performs frequently with the Philly Pops, Reading Symphony, and other ensembles.
Her versatility has led to performances with world-renowned artists including Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Cyndi Lauper, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She is equally passionate about chamber music, and as the founder and manager of the Elysium String Quartet, she delights in guiding couples through the process of finding the perfect musical soundscape to make their wedding day unforgettable.
An experienced educator, Julie has taught at Temple University, Muhlenberg College, and Lafayette College. She is registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and maintains a thriving private studio of violin and viola students. She also participated in the Starling-DeLay Symposium at The Juilliard School, further deepening her expertise in string pedagogy. Julie performs on a 1980 violin crafted by Sergio Peresson.
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James Finegan
violin
Born and raised in Philadelphia, James Finegan began his violin studies at the age of ten and has since built a vibrant career as both a performer and educator. He is a member of the Delaware and Allentown Symphonies and an active freelance musician throughout the Philadelphia region, performing regularly with the Philadelphia Ballet, The Philly Pops, Opera Philadelphia, Opera Delaware, and many other ensembles.
James has appeared at prestigious summer festivals such as the National Orchestral Institute, AIMS in Graz, Spoleto USA, and the National Repertory Orchestra, where he was featured as a soloist. He also spent three seasons with the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder. Since 2008, he has been a core member of the Elysium String Quartet, bringing chamber music to audiences across the region.
A graduate of Temple University, where he studied with William dePasquale, James now serves as Middle and Upper School Orchestra Director at The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA, inspiring the next generation of young musicians.
Steven Heitlinger
viola
Steven Heitlinger is a versatile and expressive violinist and violist who performs with many of the region’s leading ensembles. A founding member of the Elysium String Quartet, he is also a member of the Allentown and Brandywine Valley Symphonies and appears regularly with the Delaware, Reading, and Lancaster Symphonies, Opera Philadelphia, the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, and the Ocean City Pops. Known for his warm sound and elegant playing, Steven brings artistry and energy to a wide variety of performances, from the concert stage to intimate celebrations.
In addition to performing, Steven is on faculty at Haddonfield Sound Music, where he teaches violin and viola, and enjoys arranging music for string ensembles. He also spent several years as a luthier’s apprentice at Wamsley Violins in Haddonfield, NJ, learning the craft of instrument making and restoration.
Steven holds degrees from Temple University, the University of Maryland, and Arizona State University. He especially loves performing with the Elysium String Quartet at weddings and special events, helping couples create unforgettable moments through music. When not making music, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jackie and their two young children.
Andrea Weber
cello
Andrea Weber is a versatile cellist whose career spans classical, crossover, and contemporary performance. She is a founding member of the Elysium String Quartet and has performed with the Lancaster Symphony, Symphony in C, and numerous folk and indie artists, appearing on over 45 recordings and sharing the stage with Brandi Carlile, Amos Lee, and other acclaimed musicians. Her award-winning work has been featured on national and international radio, reflecting her artistry and dynamic presence.
An avid educator, Andrea has taught in Philadelphia for nearly 20 years, working with Temple University’s Community Music Scholars, Play On Philly, Tune Up Philly, and Symphony in C’s outreach programs. She currently conducts the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Music Institute’s Prysm Strings Young Artists ensemble, teaches with the Musicopia String Orchestra, and maintains a private cello studio.
Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Andrea began studying cello at age six. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the Eastman School of Music and her Master of Music from Temple University’s Boyer College, studying with renowned teachers including David Ying, Jeffrey Solow, Andres Diaz, and Gloria DePasquale. Andrea delights in bringing the same joy of music she experienced as a student to her own performances and teaching.
Linda Umstead
harp
Linda Umstead is an accomplished harpist and organist whose lifelong passion for music began at age two. She has performed with internationally recognized musicians and regional ensembles, delighting audiences at weddings, private events, and public venues.
Clients consistently praise her warmth, professionalism, and artistry: “Your playing added so much to the ceremony and I couldn’t have been happier with your talent,” shared one bride, while another noted, “Linda is a consummate professional…simply outstanding.”
Linda currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at Tulpehocken Trinity in Richland, teaches piano and harp privately and at Spyro’s Modern Music, and provides therapeutic music through Compassus and Advantage Hospice services. She loves creating elegant, memorable musical experiences for couples and audiences alike.
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Tom DiGiovanni
piano
Tom DiGiovanni is a versatile and passionate musician, equally at home composing, conducting, or performing. A skilled pianist and accomplished conductor, he brings energy, sensitivity, and artistry to every performance, whether writing for professional ensembles, leading a choir, or playing for weddings and special events. He has a particular love for choral music and delights in creating meaningful, engaging experiences for both performers and audiences alike.
He studied orchestral conducting with Maurice Peress at Queens College in New York and earned his undergraduate degree in Music and Computer Science from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania.
In addition to directing the choirs at Phillipsburg High School and serving as organist at Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, Tom is an accomplished pianist who loves bringing music to life at weddings and special events. His warm presence and versatility at the keyboard make him a favorite among couples looking to create a memorable, personal atmosphere for their celebrations. He is also an engaging speaker and workshop leader, presenting on topics of performance, rehearsal technique, and practice motivation.
Greg Snyder
guitar
Accomplished guitarist Gregory Snyder is a dynamic performer who brings artistry and heart to every performance, whether on stage, in the studio, or at special events. He began studying classical guitar at the age of eleven, later teaching himself rock and blues by ear before falling in love with jazz as a teenager. Greg went on to earn his degree in Jazz Performance at Temple University, studying with renowned artists Terell Stafford, Ben Schachter, and Tom Giacabetti.
For over twenty years, Greg has been a fixture of the Philadelphia music scene.
He has performed with the Philly Pops in productions such as ‘SWONDERFUL! GERSHWIN! and A Philly Pops Christmas (televised on 6ABC in 2021), toured nationally with The Color Purple, and regularly appears at the Walnut Street Theater. A passionate jazz musician, Greg has led ensembles at the Center City Jazz Festival, performed at the Clef Club, and shared the stage with some of Philadelphia’s finest jazz artists. Trumpeter John Swana describes him as “a modern jazz guitar virtuoso who plays with style and heart.” In addition to countless live appearances at venues like Time, Heritage, and Sassafras, Greg has released two acclaimed albums: Unordinary People with the Greg Snyder Trio (which reached the Jazz Billboard charts), and We Don’t Take Requests, a duo project with saxophonist Mark Allen.
Beyond the stage, Greg is on faculty at La Salle College High School, where he shares his expertise and passion with the next generation of musicians. As a member of the Elysium String Quartet, he loves bringing his sensitivity and artistry to weddings and events, helping couples create unforgettable musical memories on their special day.
