Music in the Mountains brings exceptional musicians to Big Canoe for an afternoon of outstanding live music. This performance features three accomplished artists—Daniel Butman, Hilary Gamble-Villareal, and Jared Cooper—whose careers span symphony orchestras, international stages, film and television, chamber music, and music education.

Daniel Butman is an award-winning executive producer with Atlanta-based SnapHouse Media and an accomplished musician and composer. His credits include custom music and production for Porsche Cars North America, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, UCB, Interface, Midmark, and Neenah Inc., as well as violin performances and original music featured in film and television. As a television producer, he has received multiple Telly Awards and four consecutive Television Program of the Year awards from NRB. He holds music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University.

Hilary Gamble-Villareal is an internationally accomplished violinist and violist who has performed throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She currently performs with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Opera and has held principal and associate principal positions with orchestras in the United States and South America. She is also the founder and Artistic Director of SilverString Artists. A passionate music educator, Hilary has worked with underserved communities throughout Latin America and has performed with artists and ensembles including KYGO, The Who, Univision, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She holds degrees from Geneva College and Carnegie Mellon University and studied as a Temerty Fellow at the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

Jared Cooper, cellist, has performed with ensembles including the Palm Beach Symphony and Florida Grand Opera and is a sought-after chamber musician. He has served on the faculty of several music education and summer programs, including the Nat King Cole Summer Strings Program and Philadelphia International Music Festival. Jared earned his Bachelor of Music from Texas Tech University and Master of Music from Lynn University. He currently performs throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Coming Up in the 2026–2027 Season

Future Music in the Mountains concerts include the Michelle Nam Piano Trio on April 4, 2027, and the Georgia Festival Ensemble Chorus on May 2, 2027.

Music in the Mountains concerts are funded through generous donations, allowing everyone to attend. Contributions may be made to Big Canoe Chapel, 10455 Big Canoe, Big Canoe, GA 30143, with “Music in the Mountains” noted on the memo line.

For additional information, please contact Calvert Johnson at calvertjohnson@gmail.com.