For over twenty years violinist Mary Beth Ions has been one of Cleveland's most active musicians. She plays in the Opera Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Trinity Cathedral Chamber Orchestra,and Playhouse Square productions of touring Broadway shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, South Pacific and The Color Purple. She regularly provides back-up music for Mannheim Steamroller, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Rod Stewart, Smokey Robinson, Yanni, Sarah Brightman, Jewel, Clay Aiken and Josh Groban. Ms. Ions was a member of the orchestra for the Three Tenors concert at Brown's Stadium. In July of 2003 she performed for Hillary Clinton and in July, 2004 she performed as a member of RED {an orchestra} at a fund raiser for President Bush. During the summer she performs as Principal Second Violin with the Blossom Festival Orchestra. In November, 2008 and 2009 she performed with Scott Hamilton and Kristi Yamaguchi at Quicken Loans Arena for the Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative. She was the solo violinist with the Broadway Touring Production of Spamalot at the Palace Theater (April, 2009.) Ms. Ions performed with George Benson (music of Nat King Cole) as part of the Tri-C Jazz Festival on April 24, 2009. She was the solo violinist for Mel Brooks' Broadway production of Young Frankenstein (October, 2009.) She performed with the Royal Canadian Ballet's Nutcracker production in December, 2009 at the Allen Theater, Playhouse Square. Ms. Ions appeared as the "Fiddler in the Lobby"(pre-show entertainment) for the Broadway Touring Production of Fiddler on the Roof at the Palace Theater (June, 2010.)

Ms. Ions is the founding member of Amethyst, the popular string ensemble which adds elegance to parties, weddings, churches, synagogues, and high profile social events throughout the year in Northeastern Ohio. Amethyst is dedicated to the power of beautiful string music. The high quality of musicianship within Amethyst allows this versatile ensemble to function beautifully as a quartet, a trio, or a duo, depending on the situation.
Ms. Ions has also created an exciting one-woman program, Violin: Up Close and Personal, just right for schools, retirement homes and parties. In this program her audiences travel on a journey through the ages from Bach to Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Broadway, from country fiddle tunes to fiery Gypsy music, even the use of the violin in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and for American Idols! Her compelling story-telling inspires awe of the violin, its history, and how this queen of instruments has developed through the centuries into the shining star it is today.
Ms. Ions enjoys life as a violin soloist in a variety of venues. When not on stage, she loves the intimate elegance of 'strolling' through private homes or gardens doing what she does best, entertaining, inspiring, uplifting and bringing peace through the music of the violin. Recently Ms. Ions has been performing at the Cleveland Clinic as part of a team of artists dedicated to the mission of healing through music.