ABOUT US
Dust of Suns: Cinematic Acoustic Miniatures from the Twin Cities
The Dust of Suns Ensemble is a Twin Cities-based instrumental quartet that crafts deeply evocative, cinematic music. Blending French café nostalgia, classical character pieces, and narrative soundtrack elements, the group transforms complex emotions into lush acoustic miniatures. Their performances are transportive, carrying audiences away into whimsical, romantic, and beautifully mysterious sonic landscapes.
What began in 2016 as a solo exploration of French accordion repertoire by founder and pianist Chris Lynch quickly blossomed into a collaborative powerhouse. Enlisting lifelong friend and legendary Minnesota musician John Munson (The New Standards, Semisonic) to play and produce, the group debuted with Dreams for Hannah. Over the past decade, Dust of Suns has become a staple of the Minnesota arts scene, bringing their rich, acoustic tapestries to the region's most intimate and visually stunning spaces—including The Aster Café, The Parkway Theater, The Museum of Russian Art, and the historic Mill City Ruins.
While the ensemble’s lineup has evolved over three acclaimed albums, its core commitment to transportive storytelling remains unchanged. The current quartet features:
Chris Lynch – Piano, Erica Burton – Viola, Phala Tracy – Harp, Jacqueline Ultan – Cello
Solidified over the last two years, this definitive lineup has synthesized a decade of sonic exploration into their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Alyosha, set for release on September 1, 2026.
Erica Burton
Erica Joy Burton is a versatile, multi-genre violist and founding member of the Laurels String Quartet based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Affectionately dubbed the "Dopest Violist" by Doomtree’s Lazerbeak, Erica is an active recording and performing artist. She has collaborated with a vast array of high-profile creators, including Lizzo, Macklemore, Belle and Sebastian, and Nico Muhly, appearing on major stages ranging from The Late Show with David Letterman to North American arenas.
Erica earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in viola performance from the University of Minnesota, following studies at Northwestern University and elite summer programs like the Music Academy of the West and Ravinia’s Steans Institute. Committed to education, she currently teaches at Minneapolis College and the Music Lab.
Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch is a lifelong Minneapolis-based composer,
multi-instrumentalist, and a dynamic fixture in the Twin Cities music scene. His diverse career ranges from the award-winning vintage rock of The Shiny Lights and Eller Lynch (winners of a Minnesota Music Award for "Best Indie Album") to his foundational work with pop-rock outfit The Picadors. Currently, Chris serves as the pianist and composer for The Dust of Suns Ensemble, a neoclassical chamber quartet that infuses French café music and salon classical into a distinct, modern sound.
In addition to his performance work, he is the co-founder and instigator behind the Dada Duende Record Club, which he created with Hannah Lynch, Luca Gunther, and Steve Price to pair mail-order lathe-cut records with visual and literary art.
Phala Tracy
Phala Tracy is a versatile Twin Cities-based harpist, composer, educator, and arranger who blends classical mastery with vibrant contemporary collaboration. She holds degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the California Institute of the Arts. As an active performer, Phala lends her genre-spanning talents to ensembles including The Shabby Road Orchestra, Matt Wilson and his Orchestra, Follow the Firefly, and Chris Lynch and the Dust of Suns. Local audiences also recognize her from seasonal favorites like the Minnesota Dance Theatre's Nutcracker and the New Standards Holiday Show. A dedicated educator, Phala is a national Suzuki harp teacher trainer. She teaches students at Studio Fidicina in South Minneapolis and at Gustavus Adolphus College. Learn more at studiofidicina.com and theorysongs.com
Jacqueline Ultan
Jacqueline Ultan is a Minneapolis-based cellist, composer, and improviser celebrated for her exceptional versatility and collaborative vision. Holding a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from Yale University, Jacqueline seamlessly crosses musical borders, moving from classical and avant-garde jazz to indie rock and theater. She has recorded and performed with prominent artists such as Dan Wilson, Ondara, and The Jayhawks, and anchors ensembles including Duo CORDA and The Laurels String Quartet. A recipient of the prestigious McKnight Performing Artist Fellowship, Jacqueline has also spent over two decades shaping the next generation of musicians as a faculty member at the MacPhail Center for Music.
They have released 3 albums over the last 10 years and have a 4th album on the way!
