About Prism

Diane Shelton, Violin

Mild mannered mother and wife by day, intensive care nurse by night, Diane's secret (or not so secret) passion is for making music. She has played stringed instruments since grade school, and has found music to be a major stress reducer all her life.  Diane was a member of the Boise Philharmonic — BK (before kids!) — and currently plays with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the orchestral groups, Diane has played in several chamber music ensembles as well. 

Over the years, Diane has acquired quite a collection of quartet music. She has all the standards – Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, etc., – as well as more unusual selections like the Scott Joplin Rags, the Beatles, the Carpenters, opera music, ballet music and Stephen Foster songs. Always on the lookout for interesting music for string quartets, she was frustrated by the lack of specific pieces that she wanted to play for weddings. This led to her first attempt at arranging music – two romantic selections from West Side Story. The results exceeded her expectations! And so, her newest hobby as a music arranger was born. She admits she has had some spectacular flops, but many of her arrangements have been quite successful and are now played by PRISM.

Diane particularly enjoys playing with PRISM, because everyone loves to mix it up. PRISM is just as comfortable playing tangos, rags, Colour My World, as they are the classics. And, everyone is eager to try Diane's latest arrangements. She loves the enthusiasm of this group.



Nell Dunivent-Hill, Violin

Nell Dunivent-Hill began playing violin at age nine. In addition to her High School and University orchestras, Nell played in several Southern California community orchestras. Highlights of these years were musical productions, including The Wizard of Oz & South Pacific, performing at the renowned Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and accompanying recording artists John Michael Talbot and Twila Paris in live performances.

From California, her journey took her to Phoenix, Arizona, where she played with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra for eleven seasons. Heavily involved with this community orchestra, Nell was Principal Second Violin for eight years, served as the President of the Board of Directors for four years, and performed a few Chamber Music pieces (Khachaturian’s Trio for Piano, Clarinet and Violin; the Brahms Quintet in b minor for Clarinet and String Quartet; the Von Weber Quintet in Bb for Clarinet and String Quartet). It was also during these years that Nell first played on a regular basis in a string quartet — the Final Touch String Quartet.

Nell is a recent resident in Boise and is a member of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra. When the opportunity arose to be a founding member of Prism String Quartet, she was delighted to join. Nell loves that Prism represents many styles of music — from Bach to the the Beatles, from Tangos to Waltzes....what can we play for you?

When not jammin' on her violin, Nell enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, working the Sunday crossword puzzle, graphic design and meeting friends for coffee. Oh, and like April Harrison (viola), Nell likes dark chocolate too. Especially dark chocolate with sea salt. Paired with a glass of red wine...

April Demshar, Viola

 April Demshar grew up in the Boise area and attended the College of Idaho, where had the privilege of performing in several small ensembles and the C of I Sinfonia.  There, she earned her bachelor's degree in music and studied with Dave Johnson, the ever patient and supremely talented assistant principal violist of the Boise Philharmonic.  After many years spent working in a coffee shop (liberal arts college jokes are welcome at this point), she went back for round two of college and is now an 8th grade  Language Arts teacher who loves exploring literature by day and playing music by night!  She has played with the Meridian Symphony and with the Music Theater of Idaho, but she loves playing in Prism Quartet most of all.  In her off time, she enjoys time with her husband, camping, reading, gardening, and telling herself that she'll take up running... tomorrow.  She also loves bad viola jokes (Q: "What's the latest crime wave in New York?" A: "Drive-by viola recitals!").

Dave Wynkoop, Cello

David Wynkoop has regularly performed music since childhood on the cello, bass guitar, and vocally. He graduated from Borah High School, Boise State University (Economics) and University of Washington (Law). David has practiced law in Idaho for 32 years.  He served as a Meridian School Board Trustee and Chairman and as an Ada County Highway Commissioner and Chairman. Dave is married with two grown children. In his "spare time," David plays in the Meridian Symphony Orchestra as well as various civic musical productions, and is pleased to be the "Token Male" of the Prism quartet.