Melissa Arbetter—violin
B.M. (Violin Performance and Music Education), Northwestern University; M.M., DePaul University; additional studies: University of Minnesota (Suzuki Teacher Certification, Books 1-10); violin studies with Sally O’Reilly, Mark Zinger, Gerardo Ribiero, Edgar Muenzer; additional studies with Paul Kantor (Aspen Music Festival),Victor Danchenko (Encore School for Strings); chamber music coaching with Rami Solomonow, David Kempers, Myron Kartman; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Mark Bjork; performances with Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN),Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Lake Forest Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra; former member, Civic Orchestra of Chicago; participant: AIMS Festival Orchestra (Graz, Austria),Aspen Music Festival, Colorado College Summer Conservatory, Waterloo Summer Festival, Birchcreek Music Festival; former faculty member: Southeastern Minnesota Suzuki Association (Rochester, MN),Marie Murphy Middle School (Wilmette, IL),School District 96 (Buffalo Grove, IL),Old Town School of Folk Music.
Rosen Arnaudov—piano
B.M. cum laude (Piano Performance), DePaul University; additional studies: National Music Academy (Sofia, Bulgaria); studied with Stella Dimitrova Majstorova, Iliya Chernaev, Eteri Andjaparidze; master classes with Lazar Berman, Zelma Bodzin, Shantal Stilliani, Jeni Zaharieva, Sergei Kravchenko, Alexander Semetsky, Vadim Sakharov; soloist with Stara Zagora’s Opera-Philharmonic Orchestra; active participant in AmerKlavier concert programs in Chicago; performance at the Chicago Cultural Center and live radio broadcast on WFMT; awards and honors: Special Prizes and Second Prize for ensemble playing, International Music and Earth Competition (Sofia, Bulgaria); Special Prize and Third Prize in age category, International Youth Competition “Evangelia Tjiarri” (Larnaka, Cyprus); maintains a private studio in Chicago.
Joan Arnold—Early Childhood
B.S. (Elementary Education), DePaul University; Kindermusik International Educator’s License; additional studies in Oxford , England through Foreign Study Program; elementary school teacher, Ogden Avenue School (La Grange, IL); pre-school music teacher, Moraine Valley Community College Non-Credit Music Program; owner and instructor, Kindermusik with Joan Arnold (La Grange, IL); former positions: music teacher, Methodist Preschool (LaGrange, IL), Computer/Resource teacher (Chicago Public Schools), Consultant (Chicago Public Schools); member, Kindermusik National Association of Music Educators.
Susanne Baker—piano, Director, Community Music Division 
B.S., Bucknell University; M.M. (Music Education), University of Wisconsin; M.M. (Piano Performance),The American University; D.M., (Piano Performance and Pedagogy), Northwestern University; studied with Alan Mandel, Charles Crowder, Carroll Chilton, Donald Isaak; masterclasses with John Browning; former faculty member and Director of Preparatory Department, The American University; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Doris Koppelman; frequent adjudicator and workshop clinician in Chicago area; serves on the Committee of School Directors for the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts; Coordinator of Class Piano program, lecturer (Piano Pedagogy), DePaul School of Music.
Eliza Bangert—flute
B.M. (Flute Performance), University of Northern Iowa; M.M. (Flute Performance), DePaul University; flute studies with Dr. Angeleita Floyd, Torleif Ander, and Mary Stolper; chamber performances with Esprit du Vent Woodwind Quintet, Charivari Woodwind Quintet, Flute and Guitar Duo and Civic Orchestra MusiCorps Woodwind Quintet; former member: Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, Classical Symphony Orchestra; current member: Civic Orchestra of Chicago and New World Symphony Orchestra; awards and honors: First Place, Society of American Musicians Young Artist Competition, Scholarship Winner, Donna Reed Performing Arts Festival; teaching experience: flute presentations for music appreciation classes (MusiCorps), Flute technique (DePaul University), flute instruction (University of Northern Iowa Junior Band Camp); maintains a private studio.
Jeremiah Benham—guitar
B.M., M.M., (Guitar Performance), DePaul University; additional studies: Vincennes University (Associate of Science, Music Fine Arts); student of Mark Maxwell; masterclass with Robert Guthrie; performances with DePaul Guitar Ensemble; numerous performances for private and public events as both solo and ensemble performer; former member, DePaul Guitar Ensemble; awards and honors: Gray Scholarship, Outstanding Senior Award (Vincennes University), Music Performance Award (DePaul University); former guitar instructor, Front Porch Music (Valparaiso, IN); faculty member, Sherwood Conservatory of Music; founder of ChicagoGuitar.com.
Naomi Bensdorf Frisch—oboe
B.M. magna cum laude, Northwestern University; M.M with Distinction, DePaul University; student of Robert Morgan, Ingo Goritzki, Ray Still, Michael Rosenberg, Judith Kulb; solo appearances with Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony, Southwest German Baroque Soloists, Holy Cross Concert Series; recording of “Concerto Grosso No. 1”by William Karlins released by Hungaroton records (2001); principal oboe: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Southern Illinois Music Festival Orchestra; awards and honors: Fullbright Scholarship(1999-2000), semi-finalist Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition (1999, 2006); instructor, North Shore School for the Arts, Music Institute of Chicago; adjunct instructor, Trinity International University; chamber music faculty, Midwest Young Artists; master class instructor: Breathing Clinic for Wind Players (Music Institute of Chicago, Midwest Young Artists) and Oboe Reed Making Clinic (Midwest Young Artists, Southern Illinois University); lecturer (Double Reed Methods), DePaul School of Music.
Stephen Blackwelder—Director, DePaul Community Chorus
B.M. (Conducting and Performance), University of North Carolina; M.M. (Orchestral Conducting), Northwestern University; conducting studies with Fiora Contino, Erich Leinsdorf and Paul Vermel at Aspen Music Festival; masterclasses with Sir Georg Solti, Max Rudolf, Daniel Lewis and Gustav Meier; performances under conductors Robert Shaw, James Levine, Sir Georg Solti, Claudio Abbado and Margaret Hillis as a member of the Aspen Chamber Choir and Chicago Symphony Chorus; Music Director, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra; founder, Waukegan Festival Chorus; performances as conductor with the Chicago String Ensemble, Ars Musica Chicago, NIU Philharmonic, da Corneto Opera, Opera Illinois, Augusta Opera, Killington Music Festival, and the Symphony Orchestras of Baltimore, Richmond, Bremerton and Sacramento; former Assistant Conductor, Chicago Opera Theater; former Music Director, Hinsdale Chamber Orchestra; former conductor, Aspen Vocal Institute Chamber Choir; conducting positions held at Lake Forest College, East Carolina University, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University; member, Phi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society.
Sally Bowers—Director, New Horizons Band
B.S. (Education), M.M. (Woodwinds), The Ohio State University; additional studies: Salzburg Mozarteum; experienced director and conductor of instrumental ensembles; Executive Director and Founder, North Shore Senior Adult Bands; Conductor and Clinician, Door County New Horizons Multi-State Band Gathering; clinician, New Horizons National Band Camp (Chautauqua, NY); founding member and board member, North Suburban Symphony; founding board member and Life Member, Chicago Flute Club; former member, Lake Forest Symphony; former faculty member, Music Institute of Chicago, Elmhurst, IL public schools, Otterbein College; faculty member, Lake Forest College; frequent adjudicator in the Chicago area.
Anne C. Breeden—piano, vocal coaching
B.M. cum laude (Piano Performance), DePaul University; M.M. (Accompanying and Chamber Music),The Eastman School of Music; additional studies: The Cleveland Institute of Music (collaborative study),The Aspen Music Festival, Oberlin in Italy Summer Program (opera coaching); piano studies with Dmitry Paperno, Mary Sauer; collaborative studies with Jean Barr, Anne Epperson, Russell Miller, Rita Sloan; masterclasses with Larry Combs, Renée Fleming, Jose-Luis Garcia, Benten Hess, John Mack, Warren Jones, William Preucil, Bo Skovus, Dawn Upshaw; numerous chamber performances in the United States, Italy, Norway, Finland, Germany and the Czech Republic include collaborations with San Francisco Symphony and Chicago Symphony musicians; appearances at festivals and concert venues including The Chicago Cultural Center, The Three Arts Club, V.P. Cheney's Residence; featured collaborative performer and judge, Deutsche Schule Helsinki's International Music Competition; collaborative coach/accompanist with Chicago Opera Theatre and selected Metropolitan Opera singers; awards and honors: C. Eschenbach Award, Drucker Scholarship, Barbara M.H. Koeng Award (Eastman School of Music), Scholarship Award (Cleveland Institute of Music); First Prize with Christina Gill, Friends of Eastman Opera Vocal Competition; performer in Access to the Arts and Grant Park Music Festival outreach programs; Director, Lake Shore Chamber Music Concert Series; Artistic and Executive Director, Arts At Large (a non-profit organization serving freelance musicians and varied audiences).
Anthony Bruno—saxophone
B.M. (Music Education), DePaul University; studies with Mark Colby, Bobby Broom, Larry Novak, Bob Palmieri and Susan Cook; performances with Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods, Wayne Bergeron, Jim McNeely, Andy Martin, Bob Florence, Victor Goines, Sean Jones, Adam Nusbaum, Steve Smith, Dennis DiBlasio, Gregg Field and Steve Houghton; performances with the following ensembles: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra with Doc Severinsen, Disney All American College Band, Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra, John Burnett’s Swing Orchestra, Red Moon Theatre, Sway Chicago, Hector Silveira Y Su Orquesta, Rob Parton JazzTech Big Band, Vertikal, Gadget Hat Sextet, The Red Walls, Orquestra Ranura, Dick Judson Orchestra and the DePaul Jazz Ensemble; awards and honors: Winner, Union League Civic and Arts Foundation (Jazz Improvisation), Jazz Saxophone Performance Scholarship and Presidential Academic Scholarship (DePaul University); student teacher, Pritzker School; maintains a private studio in Chicago.
Elizabeth Byrne—voice
A.B.S.M. Birmingham School of Music; post-graduate studies at Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), National Opera Studio (London), International Opera Studio (Zurich); teachers include Frederic Cox, Tito Gobbi, Hans Hotter, Sir Richard Armstrong, Dame Anne Evans (U.K.), Mignon Dunn & Margaret Harshaw (U.S.A.); performing dramatic soprano in such roles as Brunnhilde, Senta, Isolde, Salome and Fidelio; has sung leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Edinburgh Festival, Canadian Opera Company, Staatstheater Stuttgart, Dallas Opera, Scottish Opera, English National Opera, Glimmerglass Opera and many others in the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan and Korea; sang world premiere performance of Blanca in James MacMillan’s Ines de Castro at the Edinburgh Festival; concert repertoire includes Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, Verdi Requiem, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 14 and Zemlinsky’s Lyric Symphony; voice faculty member, DePaul School of Music.
Catherine Caccavallo—voice
B.S., Northern Illinois University; M.M., Northwestern University; extensive performing experience in opera, art song, oratorio and musical theatre; featured soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; performed under the direction of Sir George Solti, James Levine, Margaret Hillis; operatic roles include Violetta in La Traviata (Whitewater Opera), Kostanze in Abduction from the Seraglio(Opera New England), Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera(Los Angeles Production), Gilda in Rigoletto (Central City Opera), Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus; awards and honors: Regional Finalist, Metropolitan Opera National Council; recipient, Margaret Hillis Fellowship Grant; Chramer Award for Excellence in Opera and Sigma Alpha Iota Sword of Honor (Northwestern University).
Wagner Campos—clarinet
B.M. (Clarinet Performance), Baylor University; M.M. (Clarinet Performance), DePaul University; Certificate in Performance, DePaul University; Student of Dr. Richard Shanley, Larry Combs and John Bruce Yeh; active freelance musician in the Chicago area; performances with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, AWRMusic, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Sinfonietta, The Chicago Ensemble, Chicago Chamber Musicians, MusicNOW, Fulcrum Point New Music Project and Chicago, Milwaukee, Alabama, Charleston, New World and Gallician Symphony Orchestras; invited to join the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra as Principal Clarinet (1998); recordings with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, St. Charles Chamber Singers, numerous TV and radio jingles; solo CD issued on Southport Records; faculty member, Costa Rican Youth Symphony, Merit Music Program, Lake Forest Academy, Sherwood Conservatory and DePaul University School of Music.
Tanya Carey—cello
B.M.,M.M., Performer’s Certificate, Eastman School of Music; D.M.A.(Performance),University of Iowa; studied with Georges Miquelle, Ronald Leonard, Frank Miller, Charles Wendt, Karl Fruh, Margaret Rowell; active soloist and chamber musician; member, Lydian String Trio, Carey Consort; principal and first desk player of many symphony orchestras including the Milwaukee Symphony; Emerita, Western Illinois University; recordings for Rizzoli Records with Lydian Trio; masterclasses and performances in thirteen countries and thirty states; past president and former board member, Suzuki Association of the Americas; sought-after clinician and specialist for workshops; teacher of prize-winning students in state, regional and national contests; Artist Teacher: Roosevelt University.
Michel Chatara-Morse—guitar
B.A. (Guitar Performance), University of Puget Sound; M.M. (Classical Guitar Performance), Roosevelt University; guitar studies with Denis Azabagic, Douglas Rice, Pam Kimmel, and Sergio Assad; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Paul Henry; additional studies: Greater Pittsburgh Suzuki Guitar Institute (2006); masterclasses with David Leisner, Andrea Cannon, Robert Guthrie, Brian Torosian, and David Russel; performances at The French Quarter, Valentino Vineyards, the Palmer House, the Mid-Day Club, Magiano’s, and the Chase Tower Promenade; active participant in international competitions and festivals across the U.S.; faculty member, Lawndale Conservatory/Ravinia Festival Community Outreach Program (head of guitar department) and The Suzuki-Orff School of Music for Young Musicians.
Linden Christ— Prelude Choir
B.M. DePauw University; M.M. Chicago College of Performing Arts; studied with Judith Haddon and Vergene Miller; upcoming performances: Ellen in Lakme with Union Avenue Opera in St. Louis; past performances: Cedar Rapids Opera Theater (IA): First Lady in Die Zauberflote; Rome Opera Festival (Italy): Gretel in Hansel und Gretel; Chicago College of Performing Arts (IL): Miss Jessel in The Turn of the Screw; DePauw University (IN): Eurydice in Orpheus in the underworld; awards and honors: Canto Foundation: Bravo Award, 2007, 2008, 2009; founder and Artistic Director, Opera Play-House.
Whitney Covalle—conductor, Chicago Children's Choir
B.M. Michigan State University; M.M. (Education) Westminster Choir College; studied conducting with Dr. Paul Head, Dr. Charles K. Smith, Jonathan Reed; certified in Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk Methodology; has attended American Choral Directors Association national conventions; member of American Choral Directors Association, Gordon Institute for Music Learning (Membership Director 2002-2005), Music Educators National Conference and Illinois Music Educators Association; high school choir director, Rich Central and Rich East High School, created, produced and directed Motown Revival and Broadway Night, students awarded at IHSA and IMEA; elementary vocal music teacher, Conshohocken Elementary School, recipient of a grant from The Colonial Foundation to fund hand bell program; workshop presenter at Colonial School District Best Practices Fair, Healthy Singing, Healthy Talking; maintains a private studio of voice students.
Elise Dalleska—violin
B.M. summa cum laude (Violin Performance), Boston University; M.M (Violin Performance), Florida State University; additional studies, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival (ME); student of Joseph Golan, Eliot Chapo, Tom Hall, Bayla Keyes; chamber music coaches include members of the Julliard String Quartet, Muir Quartet, Raphael Hillyer; masterclasses with Donald Weilerstein, Jaime Laredo, Alban Berg Quartet; pedagogical studies with Bonnie Black; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Edward Kreitman; former member: Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Civic Orchestra of Boston (assistant concertmaster),Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra (rotating associate concertmaster); numerous orchestral and chamber performances including Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony (FL); soloist with 3M Symphony Orchestra (MN), St. Anthony Civic Orchestra(MN); former faculty member, Stubb’s Music Center(FL); former head string and chamber music coach, Tallahassee Youth Symphony.
Jon Deitemyer—percussion
B.M. (Performance/Jazz Studies), University of North Texas; percussion studies with Ed Soph, Paul Rennick, Christopher Deane; jazz studies with Lynn Seaton and Stefan Karlsson; performances with Zach Brock, Matt Ulery’s Loom, Sam Barsh, Grazya Auguscik, Greg Osby, Patricia Barber, and Ben Paterson; private percussion instructor at the University of North Texas marching percussion and jazz camps; performances in South Korea, Canada, Brazil, Poland, and Germany; recordings on Origin Records, OA2 Records, Ears and Eyes Records, and GMA Sounds.
Marc Embree—voice
B.M. Westmar College; M.F.A. Tulane University; additional studies, Hochschule der Kunste-Berlin; has performed throughout the United States, in Mexico, Canada and Europe; principal singer with the New York City opera for several seasons; sung with regional opera houses including Edmonton, New Orleans, St. Louis, Houston, Sarasota, Omaha, Kansas City and Virginia; extensive operatic roles include Wotan, Iago, Conte d’Almaviva, Don Giovanni and Scarpia among others; live television broadcasts include Wozzeck (Doctor) and Das Rheingold (Fasolt) from the Bellas Aries in Mexico City, Horace Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe with the Augusta Opera and Peter Maxwell Davies’ The Lighthouse with the Nashville Opera; recordings include Carlos Chavaez’s The Visitors, Kurka’s The Good Soldier Schweik, and the recently released Lincoln Center production of Rain by composer Richard Owen; frequent musical theater appearances have included South Pacific (Emile DeBeque), Kismet (Hajj), Kiss me Kate (Petruchio), Follies (Ben Stone), The Man of La Mancha (Don Quixote/Cervantes) and many more; member of first European cast of the Yeston/Kopit musical Phantom as Gerard Cariere, making over 500 appearances in Europe in both Engish and German versions.
Christopher Fiore—cello
B.M. (Cello Performance), Cleveland Institute of Music; M.M. (in progress), DePaul University; studied with Nancy Hair, Eric Dahlin, Pam Devenport, Tanya Carey and Stephen Geber; additional studies, the Hartt School, Meadowmount Music School, Wethersfield Chamber Music Festival; summer festivals: Suzuki Summer Institutes, Kinhaven Music School, New England Music Camp, Wethersfield Chamber Music Festival; former member, Connecticut Youth Symphony, Pioneer Valley Symphony, Manchester Symphony, New Britain Symphony, Anreao String Quartet and Opus 89 Orchestra; former faculty: Rainbow Strings, (Cleveland, OH), Bolton Elementary School; current faculty: Ogontz Suzuki Institute (NH).
Kevin Fort—jazz piano
B.M. with highest honors (Jazz Studies), M.M. (Jazz Composition, Piano), DePaul University; studied with Alan Swain, Tom Matta, and Larry Novak; current member of the Sandbox Trio and Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra; former member, DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, Disneyland All- American College Band, Ragtime Rascals (Six Flags Great America), and Royal Brass (Bristol Renaissance Fair); performances with Phil Woods, Ramsey Lewis, Mike Vax, Bill Watrous, John Clayton, Steve Houghton, Wayne Bergeron, Rick Baptist, Ron McCurdy, Gary Foster, and Tom Kubis; awards and honors: compositions featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival and the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic; current instructor, Moraine Valley Community College (private instruction in jazz piano and trombone, Class Piano I, and Children’s Class Piano); maintains a private studio in the Chicago area.
Rolando Freitag—violin,viola
B.M. Shenandoah Conservatory, M.M. Penn State University; Suzuki pedagogical studies with Allen Lieb, Carrie Hummel-Reunning and Edward Kreitman; former director of the Community Music School Suzuki Program (Allentown, PA); former faculty, State College Talent Education Program and Penn State University; concertmaster and principal violist with orchestras in Brazil and the US; former faculty member, Suzuki -Orff School for Young Musicians; faculty member, Western Springs School of Talent Education.
Kate Friedman-violin
B.M. with distinction (violin performance), Indiana University; M.M. with honors, Performers Certificate (violin performance), DePaul University; studies with: Ilya Kaler, Mauricio Fuks, Drew Lecher; chamber music coaches: Yo Yo Ma, Joseph Silverstein, Ying String Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman; orchestral experience: co-concertmaster (Civic Orchestra of Chicago), concertmaster (Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra), DePaul University Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic; music festivals: Tanglewood Music Center, Musicorda Chamber Music Festival, Taos Chamber Music Festival; honors/awards: Jules C. Reiner Violin Prize (Tanglewood), North Shore Musician’s Club Scholarship Competition recipient
Jeremy Gershfeld—violin, viola
B.M. University of Michigan; M.M. Northern Illinois University; student of Richard Parnas, Yizhak Schotten, Richard Young, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Likuo Chang; participated in festivals at Banff Center for the Performing Arts,Taos Chamber Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Ravinia Steans Institute for Young Artists; has performed with Lyric Opera Orchestra (associate principal viola), Pamiro Opera Company (Green Bay, WI), Opera Festival of New Jersey, “Philly” Pops with Peter Nero, core member of Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia (principal viola), and Hinsdale Chamber Orchestra; chamber music coach for Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra; owner/designer, EG Design studio, painter in mixed media; maintains a private studio.
Richard Gersten—voice
B.M.,The American Conservatory of Music; M.M., Certificate in Performance, Northwestern University; Certificate in Performance, Siena, Italy; vocal studies with Bruce Hall, Ryan Edwards, Robert Long,Walter Kirchner; extensive coaching and master classes with Carlo Bergonzi, Giulio Favario, and Maestro Walter Baracchi of La Scala Opera; numerous recital, oratorio, opera performances including Chicago Opera Theater, Renaissance Opera (New York City) Indiana Opera Theater, Opera of Michigan, Italian Opera Company of Chicago; active performer in commercial music and Broadway, Chicago-area festivals, piano lounge performer in restaurants and hotels; music director in area churches; performances abroad include Italy, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria and Hungary; Winner of The Bel Canto Foundation Award (1990), Macdowell Artists Association, The American Opera Society, The Federation of Music Clubs, The Chicago Artists Association, The Chicago Women’s Musical Club; finalist, Illinois Opera Guild.
Katie Hamada—piano
B.M. (Piano Performance and Music Education), Northwestern University; M.M. (Piano Performance), Manhattan School of Music; D.M.A., in progress (Piano Performance & Pedagogy), Northwestern University; piano studies with Sylvia Wang, Nina Svetlanova, David Kaiserman, Joseph Kalichstein and Anthony DeMare; master classes with Boris Berman, John Perry, Robert Shannon, Narcis Bonet, Emile Naoumoff,Arthur Greene, Jiri Hlinka, Janina Fialkowska, Pacifica Quartet and Haffner Quartet; performances with Northwestern University’s Contemporary Music Ensemble, Chicago’s Schubertiade and Ecole Normale de Musique; solo recitals in Finland, and at the Korpo and Kimito summer festivals; collaborations with Northwestern University Vocal Seminar with Pamela Hinchman, NY Symphony Orchestra and Manhattan Symphony Orchestra; current faculty: Northwestern Music Academy; extensive group and private teaching throughout the Chicago area.
Claudia Hommel—The Art of Song Interpretation
B.A. (History) Antioch College; MSLS (Archival Administration), Wayne State University; additional studies: Actors Center (Chicago),Actors in Advertising (New York), Riverside Shakespeare; vocal studies with Roberta Vatske and Carolyn Grimes; song interpretation with Martha Schlamme and Alvin Epstein; acting studies with Steve Ivcich, Charles Gerber and Ron Martell; masterclasses with Elly Ameling, Margaret Harshaw, Dalton Baldwin; workshops with Shakespeare & Co., Stratford Shakespeare Players; festival performances: Lancaster Festival (OH), Bastille Festival (Milwaukee), New York Festival of Song; resident member, Grand Circus Exchange (Detroit); numerous stage appearances , including: Labor Theatre (NY), Illinois Theatre Centre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre (Detroit); extensive tour appearances as cabaret soloist include: Central Piedmont Literary Festival, Duke University (NC), Club at Symphony Center (Chicago), Le Chat Noir (New Orleans), and middle and high schools nationwide; three recordings released on the Masion Clobert label (www.cabaret-paree.com); former voice faculty member, Sherwood Conservatory; IMEA clinic presenter (2003, 2004, 2006); member: Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actors Equity Association, MENC; founding board member, Chicago Cabaret Professionals.
Chia-Ying Hsu—violin, viola
Diploma in Viola Performance, University of Music & Arts in Vienna and Graz; M.M. (Viola Performance), Freiburg Conservatory of Music; D.M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; additional studies: Suzuki Teacher certification, Books I-III violin and viola; founder: Tzu-Chi Quartet, Tzu-Chi Foundation; chamber music groups: Millennium Chamber Players, MAVerick Ensemble, Oberon Chamber Orchestra, New Music Ensemble (University of Illinois), Enescu Ensemble; premiers: “Opening” for solo viola, “Fantasy of the Song” for 5-strings electric violin, “Telemetry Lock II” for 5-strings electric violin & signal processor, “Gravity’s Stillness” for viola & tape; orchestral: Sinfonia da Camera (Urbana), University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Prairie Ensemble (Champaign), Freiburg Conservatory of Music Orchestra; awards/honors: broadcast live on WFMT, exemplary performance of 2007 (Illinois Music Educators Association), 4th prize (Padova International Music Competition); adjudication: Lyons Township Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Festival, Lyons Township Concerto Competition, District I judge (Illinois Music Educators Association).
Jeffrey Kowalkowski—theory, composition
B.M.,M.M (Composition) DePaul University; D.M.(Composition) Northwestern University; composition studies with George Flynn, Alan Stout, Amnon Wolman, Gerhard Staebler, Pauline Oliveros and Vladimir Leyetchkiss; original music for Lotte Reineger's film Zehnminuten Mozart (1930) premiered by Ensemble Interzone Perceptible at the 2006 Augsburg Mozart Festival; collaborations as composer/performer as member of duo Jack the Dog and the electronic opera Bosch tapped the gas pedal; performances worldwide as a member of the Chicago-based performance collective Lucky Pierre, including Performance Studies International Conference (New York University) and in Estonia, Switzerland and Croatia; developed several creative-music residencies in Chicago Public Schools and Alternative School through the Illinois Arts Council Artists-in-Education Residency Roster; Artistic Director, Milkwood Foundation (a not-for-profit sound recording service dedicated to projects with underserved communities);Guest Instructor of Composition, Oberlin Conservatory; faculty member, DePaul University, Northeastern Illinois University.
Sarah LaFleur—piano
B.M. summa cum laude (Piano Performance and Music Education),The Hartt School, University of Hartford; M.M. with Distinction (Piano Performance), DePaul University; student of Mary Sauer, Margreet Francis, Vincent Lenti; pedagogy studies with Mary Sauer, Margreet Francis, Watson Morrison; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Doris Koppelman; Conversational Solfege with John Feierabend; certified Early Steps in Music educator; founding member of the Lunae Duo; awards and honors: DePaul Music Performance Award, Virginia Southworth Award, Moses Hartzmark Piano Scholarship, Hartt Performing Arts Scholarship, George Eastman Award; former faculty member, Hartt School Community Division.
Kathleen Lahiff—piano
B.A., DePaul University; piano studies with Fran Smith, Clara Siegel; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Yasuko Joichi; early childhood studies with Edwin Gordon (Music Learning Theory), Mary Ellen Pinzino, Lillian Yaross (Orff); former director of Children’s Programs, Old Town School of Folk Music (originator, Wiggleworms Program); maintains private studio in Chicago area.
Kelly Langenberg—French horn
B.M.E. and B.M. (cum laude), Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory; M.M. (with distinction), DePaul University; additional studies: Aspen Music Festival and School (full scholarship recipient), Chautauqua Institute Music School and Festival, Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp; private instructors include David Wakefield, Jon Boen, Neil Kimel, Hans Clebsch, and David Brockett; member, Peoria and Quad City Symphonies; performances with the Rockford Symphony, New Philharmonic, Illinois Philharmonic, South Bend Symphony, Greater Milwaukee Festival Orchestra, Sugar Creek Symphony & Song and the American Music Festivals; certified public school music educator.
Amy Larsen—trumpet
B.A. (Music), Michigan State University; M.M. (Trumpet Performance), Northwestern University; Doctoral studies (Trumpet Performance), University of Maryland; summer festivals: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Park Ridge Fine Arts Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute and Philadelphia Brass Institute; member: Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and Peoria Symphony Orchestra; past member: Richmond Symphony Orchestra and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra; performances with Lake Forest Symphony, Elgin Symphony, Ars Viva, Music Now, Contemporary Chamber Musicians, Calisto Ensemble, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Saint Louis Symphony; former faculty, Columbia Union College, Elgin Community College, University of Maryland (teaching assistant) and Virginia Commonwealth University; current faculty, Sherwood Conservatory of Music.
Eunjin Lee—piano
B.M., M.M., Yonsei University (Korea); D.M.A. (Piano Performance and Literature), University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana; studied with William Heiles, Myoung-Won Shin; pedagogy studies with Reid Alexander; collaborative studies with Dennis Helmrich; chamber music studies with members of the Pacifica Quartet; vocal coaching studies with Cynthia Haymon (vocal music); master classes with Claude Frank, Stanislav Ioudenitch, Jean Francois Hesser, Oxana Yablonskaya, Gabriel Tacchino, Earl Wild; performances with University of Illinois Symphony and University of Illinois New Music Ensemble; solo and collaborative recitals at the Krannert Center in Champaign IL, Chicago IL, Korea and France; awards and honors: Finalist, Hugo Kauder Society International Music Competition for Piano; Honorable Mention, Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition; Winner, University of Illinois School of Music Concerto Competition; Burrell Small Family Award, Young Artists Piano Competition (Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Association); presentation for Yale Graduate Music Symposium (2009), Lecture-Recital, Illinois State Music Teachers Association Annual Conference (2008); piano instructor and coordinator of Piano Program, Canaan Music School (Glenview, IL).
Erica Lessie—cello
B.M., Indiana University; M.M., Doctoral studies, Florida State University; additional studies: The Quartet Program (Massachusetts),Aspen Music Festival (Colorado) and Yellow Barn Music Festival (Vermont); studied with Andrew Luchansky, Gordon Epperson, Roger Drinkall, Edi Banda, Fritz Magg; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Jean Dexter and Tanya Carey; certified Music Together teacher; member, The Stone Flower Ensemble – women performing works by women, Red Riding Hood – a rock string quartet,The Theremin Cello Project; former member: Fugacci Piano Quartet, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra (principal),Trio Sortilege, Cardellina String Quartet, Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra; awards: National Winner, Music Teachers National Association (Collegiate Artists Chamber Competition), Semi-Finalist, Fischoff Chamber Music Competition; former faculty member, String Academy of Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Florida State University (teaching assistant and undergraduate chamber music coach); former cello instructor: Lincoln Hall Middle School, Maine East High School, Maine East String Academy, Recovering the Gifted Child Academy; faculty member, Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Merit School of Music and Alfred Nobel School.
Vladimir Leyetchkiss—piano
Masters Degree, Conservatory of Baku (former U.S.S.R.); doctoral studies, Moscow Conservatory; D.M.A. (piano performance) American Conservatory of Music; studied with Heinrich Neuhaus (teacher of Gilels and Richter); numerous performances throughout the United States and Europe; appeared in all-Liszt recitals during Liszt Centennial, l986; numerous live broadcasts for WFMT including all-Beethoven, all-Schubert, all-Schumann, all-Mendelssohn, and all-transcriptions programs; appeared as soloist at national conventions for American Liszt Society; numerous recordings for Orion including Russian Piano Masterpieces, The Art of Piano Transcriptions; publications include: original piano version of The Rite of Spring, approved by Igor Stravinsky; translator, My Memories of Liszt, by Alexander Siloti (student of Liszt).
Patrick Liddell—Theory and Composition
B.M., Bradley University; M.M. (Composition), Northwestern University; Graduate Diploma (Composition), Monash University (Australia); D.M.(Composition), Northwestern University; composition studies with Jay Alan Yim, Chris Mercer, Peter McIlwain, Augusta Reed Thomas, Amy Williams, Stephen Heinemann; numerous performances of original compositions including “Jessica’s Theme Song” (pLAy Ensemble, Los Angeles), “The World is…” (JACK Quartet, Northwestern University), “4 notes from Christine” (Third Coast Percussion Ensemble, Northeastern University),” For WeeBoo,” (Monash University, Australia); performances as composer/performer include electronics and visuals for various groups and shows; visuals and electronics as ontologist, trombone, keyboards, electronics, and visuals with Function Ensemble; tours: European and U.S. tours with Function Ensemble; European tours with The Zvooks; recordings include Arrow to the Sun as ontologist, Ace of Winds with Maurice, Galeria De La Luz and The Secret Miracle Fountain with Function Ensemble; awards and honors: finalist ASCAP Young Composer Contest; Second Place, Chicago’s WFMT Radio 50th Anniversary Composition contest; Teaching Assistant/Lecturer, Northwestern University; individual composition lessons in Chicago area.
Arthur Linsner—trombone
B.M. Eastman School of Music; M.M. Northwestern University; teachers include Frank Crisafulli, Edward Kleinhammer, Emory Remington; performances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, Ars Viva, Chicago Sinfonietta, Lyric Opera, Music of the Baroque, Bolshoi and Joffrey Ballet; has appeared in concert with Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder; has performed in pit orchestras for musical theatre productions such as The Lion King, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Show Boat; frequent performer in studio recordings for radio and TV commercials; former instructor of trombone, conductor of trombone ensemble, coach for brass quintets and early music ensembles and class lecturer at Northwestern University; faculty member: Northeastern Illinois University.
Corina Lobont—violin
B.M. (Violin Performance), “Gheorghe Dima” Music Academy (Romania); M.M., Western Illinois University; DMA, Northwestern University; additional studies: Suzuki Teacher certification, Books 1-3 (Patricia D’Ercole); summer music festivals: Graz (Austria), Nant (France), Brevard Music Center (North Carolina), Swanee Music festival Tennessee); studies with: Almita and Rolland Vamos, Allan Ohmes, Shmuel Ashkenasi; chamber music coaching with George Dudea, Nicusor Silaghi, Simin Ganatra, Brandon Vamos; master classes with Stefan Gheorghiu, Rugiero Ricci, Transylvanian Quartet, Pacifica Quartet; performances with Hungarian Opera, Romanian Opera, Transylvania Symphony (Cluj, Romania), Illinois Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony, Erato Chamber Orchestra, Pine Mountain Music Festival (assistant concertmaster); soloist with Monumentum Chamber Orchestra, Western Illinois University Orchestra; former faculty member, Music Lyceum Cluj, Northwestern University (teaching assistant), Spoon River College; awards and honors: The Charlotte K Davis & Ernest Davis, Eckstein Fellowship Award, Second Prize Romanian National Music Competition.
Mark Maxwell—classical guitar
B.M., M.M., Southern Methodist University; four diplomas from Academia Musicale Chigiana (Siena, Italy); student of Robert Guthrie, Oscar Ghiglia; master classes with José Tomás, Pepe Romero and Paul O’Dette (lute); member of the Waller and Maxwell Guitar Duo; compact discs, Spain, Italy and the New World, Music for Two Guitars on the Senti label, Grand Potpourri, Terz Guitar Duos by Mauro Giuliani and J.K. Mertz; performed throughout the United States and Italy at festivals and concert venues such as the Phillips Collection, Guitar Foundation of America festivals, Rantucci International Guitar Festival and Competition (judge), Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts and Mostly Music, Inc.; sponsored by the Associazione Giovanile Musicale in concerts in Sicily and Sardinia; the Waller and Maxwell Guitar Duo holds the Societa Italiana Autori ed Editori prize from the Academia for their performances throughout Tuscany; concerto soloist at colleges and universities in the U.S. as well as with Concertante di Chicago; performed live on commercial and public radio and television including the Studs Terkel Show and Live From Studio One on WFMT; coordinator, Classical Guitar studies, DePaul University; faculty member, Northwestern High School Music Institute and Music Institute of Chicago; co-artistic director, Segovia Classical Guitar Series (Northwestern University).
Ben McMunn—guitar
B.M. with Honors, DePaul University; M.M., Northwestern University; classical guitar studies with Mark Maxwell, Anne Waller; jazz guitar studies with Bob Palmieri; master classes with Oscar Ghiglia, Robert Guthrie, Colin McCalister, Elena Papandreou, Hopkinson Smith, Brazilian Guitar Quartet; solo performances at Chicago area venues including The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art and Union League Club of Chicago; guitar instructor: National High School Summer Music Institute (Northwestern University), Kim’s International Music; former instructor, Lafayette Middle School CPS; maintains a private studio in the Chicago area.
Bob Palmieri—jazz guitar
B.M. (Studio Music and Jazz), University of Miami; additional studies, University of Rochester; studied with John Scofield, Gene Bertoncini; past performance and recording credits include a broad range of styles, including work with Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Lyle Mays and Garth Brooks; previously taught at Concordia College, Hochstein School (New York), University of Miami; lecturer (Applied Jazz Guitar), DePaul School of Music.
Stephanie Pedretti—flute
B.M., DePauw University; M.M., Michigan State University; additional studies: Vienna Music Program with Barbara Gisler, Talent Education Institute, Matsumoto, Japan; flute studies with Richard Sherman, Anne Reynolds; masterclasses with Ervin Monroe, Donald Peck, Jimmy Walker, Jeffrey Zook, Robert Dick; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Toshio Takahashi, June Warhoftig, David Gerry, Pandora Bryce; performances with Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonico del New Opera festival di Roma (principal), Lansing Lyric Opera (principal); featured soloist with DePauw Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra; numerous solo and chamber music performances including: Istituto S.Alessio (Rome, Italy) and Chautauqua Music Festival (NY); awards and honors: Winner, DePauw Concerto Competition; finalist, Allen Keller Memorial Young Artist Competition; clinician for numerous junior high and high school bands in Michigan; instructor for various summer programs including Interlochen Arts Camp, Dearborn Suzuki Flute Workshop, Great Lakes Flute Institute; former faculty: University of Michigan-Flint, Michigan State University Community Music School, Flint School of Performing Arts, Suzuki-Orff School for Young Musicians; current faculty, Rockford College Music Academy.
George Radosavljevic—piano
B.M. cum laude, Chicago Conservatory College; M.M. with Distinction, (Piano Performance) DePaul University; piano studies with Dmitry Paperno; masterclass with Adele Marcus; numerous performances including frequent live broadcast concerts for WFMT; solo performances with Sulzer Regional Library Concert Series, Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Series; concerto performances with Lake Shore Symphony and Northside Symphony; Chicago premier of Penumbra by Philip Carlsen; awards: First place winner, Union League Piano Competition; orchestral pianist for Lake Forest Symphony, Elgin Symphony and Symphony of the Shores; active as accompanist and chamber musician in Chicago area.
Jared Rekken—flute
B.A. DePaul University (flute performance); studies with Mary Stolper, Debora Harris, Donald Peck, Louise Dixon and Victoria Jicha; performances with the DePaul Symphony, Concertante di Chicago, Lake Shore Symphony, CUBE contemporary ensemble, Accessible Contemporary Music, and DePaul Wind Ensemble; recordings with the DePaul Wind Ensemble; awards: third place in the 2003 DePaul Concerto Competition; active chamber and orchestral performer in the Chicago area with a special interest in new music.
Julia Richter—flute, piccolo
B.M., Portland State University; M.M., University of North Texas; studied with Mary Karen Clardy, Jim Walker, Marilyn Shotola; master classes with Marzio Conti, Alain Marion, Michel Debost; member, Elgin Symphony Orchestra; substitute, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; performs with Chicago Opera Theatre, Paderewski Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, O’Opera Piccola, da Corneto Opera, Light Opera Works; former member, Honolulu Symphony Orchestra; piccolo soloist with Elgin Symphony Orchestra; recording: Songs for Funerals and Healing (Oregon Catholic Press, 1992); flute and piccolo instructor, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Flute Camp. adjunct music faculty, Elgin Community college.
Jason Roebke—string bass, composition
B.M., Lawrence University Conservatory of Music; M.M. University of Michigan; composition and improvisation studies with Roscoe Mitchell, Ed Sarath, Allen Gimbel, Kenneth Schaphorst, Matt Turner, Ornette Coleman; double bass studies with Stuart Sankey, Rodney Witaker, David Stallsmith, James Clute; numerous performances/recordings with Han Bennink, Marc Ducret, Ken Vandermark, Myra Melford, François Houle, Michael Zerang, Guillermo Gregorio, Uchihashi Kazuhisa, Toshimaru Nakamura; commissions for various instrumental ensembles collaborating with choreographers: Nancy Langsner, Ruben Ornelas; awards: Pi Kappa Lambda Jazz Composition Award (Lawrence University), Lilly Foundation Research Grants; numerous performances of compositions in the U.S. and Japan including du Maurier International Jazz Festival Vancouver, Polestar Music Gallery (Seattle), Kerrytown Concert House (Michigan), Gus Lucky’s (Minnesota), Downtown Music Gallery, Knitting Factory (New York), Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial (Japan), Empty Bottle, Hot House (Chicago), University of Wisconsin; guest lecturer, Koyo Conservatory (Kobe, Japan), Lawrence University; former faculty member, Albion College.
Hanjin Sa—piano
B.M. (Piano Performance), DePaul University; additional studies, International Festival-Institute and Round Top; piano studies with Eteri Andjaparidze; composition studies with Kurt Westerberg and George Flynn; masterclasses with James Dick, Alexander Slovodianik and Robert Hamilton; active performer, accompanist and vocal coach in the Chicago area.
Junichi Steven Sato—piano
B.M. with Honors (Piano Performance), DePaul University; M.M. (with Performer’s Certificate), Indiana University; piano studies with Dmitry Paperno, Edmund Battersby, Vladimir Leyetchkiss; composition studies with Don Freund, Sheldon Atovsky, Jeffrey Kowalkowski; masterclasses with André Watts, John Browning, Arthur Greene, Mary Sauer, Emile Naoumoff; numerous solo and chamber music performances in the United States and Europe; several appearances on television and radio programs; original compositions and transcriptions performed by various artists at venues worldwide, including Ravinia Festival and National Public Radio; numerous awards and honors, including YKAA International Piano Competition, Society of American Musicians Piano Competition (Artist Division), MTNA Composition Contest; recipient, Doctoral Teaching Fellowship (Indiana University); semifinalist, Busoni International Piano Competition (Italy); chair, ISMTA Composition Competitions and CAMTA Roberta Savler Piano Contests; frequent adjudicator for piano and composition competitions, including “Këngët e Tokës” International Music Competition (Albania); editor and publisher, J.S. Sato Music Editions; former associate instructor of piano, Indiana University; faculty member, Music Makers of Western Springs; lecturer (Accelerated Class Piano), DePaul School of Music.
Carol Setapen—violin
B.A. (violin performance), State University of New York at Stony Brook; M.M. (violin performance), University of Alabama; additional studies: Denver University (Suzuki teacher certification, Books 1-10 with James Maurer); violin studies with Paul Zukofsky, Myron Kartman, Henry Rubin; master classes with Joseph Gingold, Joseph Silverstein, and Itzhak Perlman; chamber music coaching with Richard Burgin, John Graham, and Raphael Hillyer; member Amphion String Quartet, Denver and Amarillo Chamber Music Societies; associate concertmaster Midsummer Mozart Orchestra (San Francisco); former member Denver Symphony, San Jose Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Birmingham Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Quartz Mountain Music Festival; former faculty member Denver and Amarillo Suzuki Programs; founder, Lake Forest Montessori School Suzuki Program; chamber music coaching Midwest Young Artists, Amarillo Youth Symphony; performances with Ars Viva, Elgin Symphony, Lake Forest Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta.
Barbara Staley—voice
B.M., American Conservatory of Music; M.M. (with Honors), DePaul University; additional studies, American Institute of Musical Studies; apprenticeships, Lake George Opera Festival, and Des Moines Metro Opera; student of Winifred Faix Brown, Judith Hadden, Margaret Harshaw, Andre Montal; masterclasses with Nico Castel,Andrew White; vocal coaching with Maestro Walter Barrachi, Giulio Favario, Carlo Bergonzi, Renata Tebaldi; performances with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Metro Opera; operatic roles include Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors(Wright College guest artist),Abigail in Nabucco(Da Corneto Opera), Elizabeth in Don Carlo(Da Corneto Opera), and the title role in Tosca(Opera North, Philadelphia, PA); opera, ora-torio and recital performances throughout the world; numerous recordings with Lyric Opera of Chicago and WFMT Radio; awards and honors: Meistersinger Competition Finalist (Graz,Austria), Eleanor Stebor Mozart Award (Graz,Austria), Metropolitan Opera Competition Winner (Chicago), National Bel Canto Foundation Competition, First Place; voice teacher at numerous Chicago area high schools including Glenbard East High School and Elgin High School; maintains a private voice studio in the Chicago area.
Derek R. Stults—percussion
B.M. (Percussion Performance, Music Education),The Hartt School; M.M. (Percussion Performance), DePaul University, currently pursuing a Professional Diploma, Chicago College of the Performing Arts; studies with Vadim Karpinos, Ted Atkatz, Eric Millstein, Doug Howard, Thomas Stubbs, Dave Samuels, Ben Toth, John Amira, Alexander Lepak, Joe Galeota, Glen Velez, and Mike Osrowitz; Principal Percussionist of the Battle Creek Symphony, Michigan; Principal Timpanist of the Oistrach Chamber Orchestra, Chicago; Associate Member, Civic Orchestra of Chicago; Substitute with New World Symphony, Miami, Florida; Substitute Percussionist with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Denver, Colorado; memberships with the Percussive Arts Society and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Yu-Ju Sun—piano
B.M (Piano Performance/Minor in Trumpet Performance), National Taiwan Normal University; M.M. with Distinction (Piano Performance), New England Conservatory; D.M.A. Candidate (Piano Performance), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; piano studies with Randall Hodgkinson, William Heiles; accompaniment studies with Irma Vallecillo, Dennis Helmrich; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Yasako Joichi, Caroline Fraser; Certified Music Teacher in Taiwan; master classes with Andrej Sefanski, Igor Olovnikov, Bruno Rugito, Veronica Jochum, Pacific Quartet; extensive experience as accompanist and chamber musician; numerous solo and chamber performances in the United States and Asia including Taipei Yoshi Cultural Center (Taiwan), Sidney Opera House, Boston Symphony Hall, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Urbana; former faculty member, New England Conservatory Preparatory and Continuing Education School (accompanist), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (accompanying assistant); active accompanist and chamber musician in the Chicago area.
Michael Sylvester—voice
B.M. Westminster Choir College; M.M. Indiana University; student of Margaret Harshaw; professional opera career spanning 26 years; performed leading tenor roles in major opera houses of the world including the Metropolitan Opera, London’s Covent Garden, Milan’s La Scala, Vienna Staatsoper, Australia’s Sydney Opera House, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Dallas Opera, Paris Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Staatsoper Berlin and many others; opera repertoire includes Radames in Aida, Don Carlo in Don Carlo, Adorno in Simon Boccanegra, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Calaf in Turando among others; recordings include the title role in Don Carlo with James Levine, Adorno in Simon Boccanegra with Sir George Solti, Calaf in Turando, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with Robert Shaw; maintains a voice studio of young professional singers in Indianapolis and Chicago; voice faculty member, DePaul School of Music.
Regina Syrkin—piano
Graduate of Gomel Musical College, former U.S.S.R.; M.A. (Piano), Minsk Conservatory, former U.S.S.R.; studied with Tatiana Stanpakov (student of Tatiana Nikolayeva); Suzuki pedagogy studies with Jasako Joichi; extensive experience as accompanist and chamber musician; professional pianist, Gomel Music School; teacher of prize-winning students in local state and regional contests; publications include Early Clavier Music by J.S. Bach, Notes of an Accompanist (Minsk Conservatory Journal), Music Reading (Keyboard Companion, 2001); former faculty member, Suzuki Orff School for Young Musicians; faculty member, Music Institute of Lake Forest.
Irina Vorobeychik—piano
B.A. (piano performance), Grodno College of Music (Belarus); M.A (music), Minsk State Conservatory (Belarus); performance studies with Natalie Klimova; accompaniment studies with Ludmila Andreva; chamber music studies with Larissa Deduk; Suzuki pedagogy studies with Nancy Pederson, Carol Cross, Fay Adams; extensive experience as instrumental, vocal and ballet accompanist; professional ballet accompanist for companies and studios including Chicago Ballet Arts, Lou Conte Dance Studio, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ruth Page School of Dance, Belarussian National Folk Dance and Folklore Theater Ensemble; accompanist, State Conservatory (Belarus); former instructor: Suzuki Violin and Piano Academy, Minsk School for Gifted Children (Belarus), Grodno College (Belarus); maintains private studio in Chicago area.
Jason Weaver—guitar
B.M., Southeast Missouri State University; M.M., Northwestern University; teaching experience: Kim’s International Music, Hogeye Music, Southeast Missouri Music Academy, private studio; performance experience: “Dangerous Beauty” theatrical production, Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival, Southeast Missouri Jazz Ensemble, Southeast Missouri Guitar Ensemble, chamber recitals, solo recitals; awards/honors: Southeast Missouri State Concerto Competition winner.
A.J. Wester—voice, musical theatre
B. M. Roosevelt University; M.M. DePaul University; music theatre studies with Wesley Balk; accepted into the Banff Centre for the Arts Integration Program (Banff, Canada); featured soloist with Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Welcome Yule Christmas concert; studio artist with Utah Opera; operatic roles include Dabeeb in North American Premiere of Marriages between Zones 3,4 and 5 by Phillip Glass; appearances with Chicago Opera Theatre, DePaul Opera Theatre, Intermezzo Opera (Hartford, CT),American Opera Group and Light Opera Works; acting appearances: Court Theatre, Bailiwick Repertory, New Tuner's Theatre, Round Barn Theatre and Porchlight Theatre; Stage Director: Light Opera works Summer Music Theatre Workshop; Director: La Traviata, Cosi fan Tutte (Intimate Opera);Assistant Director/ Dialogue coach: Porchlight Theatre; Assistant Director: Intermezzo Opera; in-school conductor, Chicago Children's Choir; adjunct faculty, Roosevelt University.
Christine Witte-Wiest—violin. viola
B.A., BME., Calvin College; M.M. (viola performance) in progress, DePaul University; studies with Rami Solomonow; current member, DePaul University Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago; Chicago-area orchestras including productions of Handel’s Messiah; studies at the Cleveland Suzuki Institute; viola orchestral assistant, Masterworks Summer Music Festival (Winona Lake, Indiana).
David Yandl—clarinet
B.M. (Clarinet Performance), DePaul University; M.M. (Clarinet Performance), DePaul University; student of Larry Combs, Julie DeRoche, John Bruce Yeh and Wagner Campos; additional studies with Eli Eban and Mark Nuccio; masterclasses with Matthias Glander and David McGill; founding member, Simpatico Clarinet Quartet (2006 Fischoff National Competition Semi-Finalists); performances with Concertante di Chicago and The Lira Ensemble (artists-in-residence at Loyola University); recordings with DePaul University Wind Ensemble and soloist, John Hagstrom, released by Albany Record; recipient of DePaul University Talent Scholarship; former faculty member, Pathways to Development; Woodwinds Instructor, St. Edward’s School (Chicago); maintains a private studio in the Chicago area.
Steve Yepez—flute
B.M. (flute performance), California State University, Northridge; M.M. (flute performance), DePaul University; instructors: Mary Stolper, Catharine Ransom, Sandra Kipp; teaching experience: A-Muse music, West Valley Music, Idyllwild Summer Festival, Nimitz Middle School, Burbank High School, free concerts with Music Alive Wind Quintet to enrich underprivileged students from inner-city schools
Mina Zikri—violin, conductor, New Horizons String Orchestra
B.M., M.M., Performance Certificate (Violin Performance): DePaul University; participated in masterclasses with Igor Oistrach, Igor Bezrodny, Cho Liang-Lin; founder and director of Oistrach Music Studio; founder and conductor Oistrach Symphony Orchestra; Music Director, DePaul student productions of The Fantastiks, Little Women, L'Enfant et les Sortileges; former Music Director, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church Choir; former member: Civic Orchestra, Cairo Opera House, Cairo Symphony Orchestra, Cairo Chamber Orchestra (concertmaster),West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Moscow Festival; performed in concert at Carnegie Hall and Library of Congress with Yo Yo Ma, Pinchas Zukerman, Jaime Laredo, Bono; honorary member, Middle Eastern Music Ensemble; actively notating and recording Coptic music and hymns.
Irina Zinevich—violin
B.F.A in Violin, Minsk Musical College (Belarus); M.F.A. in Music, Minsk State Conservatory (Belarus); student of Leo Kuleshov, Vladimir Chernash, Evgniy Vedenin, Cheslav Havkin, Alexander Kapilov; Suzuki pedagogy studies with JoAnn Melvin, Gabriel Bolkosky, Robert Richardson; member, North Shore Chamber Orchestra; faculty member,Arts and Music Center (Wheeling, IL) and Julia S. Molloy Education Center (Morton Grove, IL); former faculty member: Chicago Ballet Arts, Suzuki Violin Academy (Chicago), Music House, Inc. (Chicago), Byelorussian Music College (Minsk, Belarus), Minsk Conservatory; teacher of prize-winning students (Belarus); maintains a private studio in the Chicago area.
