"Gary Karr is the first solo double bassist in history to [pursue] a full-time career. Since his debut with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in 1962, Gary has performed as a recitalist and as a soloist on six continents. One of Gary's proudest achievements is the bronze medal he received from the Rosa Ponselle Foundation recognizing him as an outstanding lyrical musician. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Victoria, Canada. Gary received the 1997 Artist/Teacher of the Year Award from the American String Teacher's Association. He received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the ISB in 1995, the highest honor bestowed by the organization Gary himself founded in 1967, as well as the ISB's Special Recognition Award for Teaching in 2001. In 2004, Gary made the incredibly generous gift of the instrument given to him in 1961 by Serge Koussevitzky's widow to the ISB, and now the Karr-Koussevitzky Bass, as it was named, is made available to the worldwide bass community in residencies and for performances by ISB members. Dozens of Gary's recordings and books are avail- able at the ISB's online store,  ISBstore.com." ( ISB Calendar, March 2012)

"Nicholas Walker is a freelance musician and associate professor of music at Ithaca College. He is active in many genres of music - classical and jazz, contemporary and Baroque - giving solo recitals and performing with chamber ensembles and orchestras. Without the generosity and guidance of his mentors, "Well, you would not be reading this now," says Nicholas. He studied with Mark Foley as a high school student in Rochester, New York, earned his bachelor of arts degree at Rice University with Paul Ellison, and then spent a year in Paris on a Fulbright Scholarship working with François Rabbath. Nicholas worked ten years in New York City, where he enjoyed many rewarding collaborations in jazz. He later earned his doctor of musical arts in early music at Stony Brook University studying the viola da gamba. Nicholas is passionate about teaching and works with a dynamic studio of bassists at Ithaca College. Currently on sabbatical leave, Nicholas is studying the German bow and the German language. He and his wife, Katherine, are enjoying this adventure abroad with their two young daughters. In his rare free time Nicholas enjoys playing golf and connecting with friends." (ISB Calendar, May 2013)