FLUTE

Camille Ploux is a French flutist currently studying at the Haute Ecole des Arts du Rhin (HEAR) in Strasbourg, France, under the guidance of Sandrine François. She aims to obtain her Bachelor's degree in June 2025. In addition to her studies, she teaches the flute at the municipal school of Soultz-Sous-Forêts. She has also taken part in several orchestral projects with the Haendel-Hendrix Academy conducted by Jean-Christophe Spinosi, the Via Luce Orchestra and the HEAR Orchestra.

She had the great opportunity to study the flute with Jerome Gaubert and Emmanuelle Ophèle, both great musicians, and the piccolo with Sandrine Poncet.

FLUTE

Ella Peirce is a flutist and piccoloist currently living in Southern California. She has recently achieved her Bachelor’s of Music in Flute Performance as well as Instrumental Education at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, under the tutelage of Dr. Jenni Olson. While at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, she was principal flute of the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, was in the scholarship University Wind Quintet, and has performed in two opera productions. In spring of 2024, she was the California Conservatory Series Piccolo Winner for her performance of Tim Hagen’s “The Longest Distance,” as well as a finalist for Dan Higgins’ flute piece “Vue Depuis la Seine” in Fall of 2024. Peirce is also a member of Diana Morgan’s Flute Studio, an online conservatory-style program for advanced flutists and piccoloists. Peirce will be attending the University of North Texas in the fall to purse a Graduate Degree in Flute Performance to work towards her dream of becoming a professional pit orchestra musician for ballets and operas.

FLUTE

Alexa Hunleth is a junior at the University of Maryland, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She studies flute under Dr. Sarah Frisof and is an active member of the University of Maryland Wind Ensemble, the Mighty Sound of Maryland, and the Maryland Pep Band. Passionate about both performance and education, Alexa enjoys watching operas with her sister and looks forward to participating in productions this summer.

FLUTE

Michael Salm is a flutist and piccoloist pursuing his Bachelor of Music Performance at the University of North Texas, where he studies with Mary Karen Clardy. Michael performs as a member of the Concert Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Clay Couturiax and was a member of the opera orchestra for UNT Opera’s production of Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, conducted by Steven Mulligan.

At the University of North Texas, he is a member of the Violette Quintet, who advanced to the finals of the 2024 George Papich Chamber Music Competition. Last summer, he attended the Bay View Wind Institute at Bay View Music Festival, focusing on wind quintet repertoire and performing in the pit orchestra for a production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Michael looks forward to performing in the Chicago Summer Opera Orchestra and exploring his father’s hometown of Chicago!

FLUTE

Janelle Gillespie was born and raised in Warwick, New York, where she began playing flute at age 9. She holds a BM in Flute Performance from Appalachian State University and an MM in Flute Performance from the University of Delaware. She also studied trad Irish flute and penny whistle at University College Cork. Janelle has worked with and learned under prominent flutists including Eileen Grycky, Patrick Williams, Loren Lind, Merryl Newler, and Brandon Patrick George. She has won prizes from organizations such as the New York Flute Club and the Raleigh Area Flute Association.

Janelle has a research focus on the role of gender in the flute world where she explores female composers and performers across time, analyzes the "feminization" of the flute, and discusses sexism in the music industry. Currently, she is Principal Flute of the Southern Delaware Orchestra, a private flute teacher in Northern Delaware, Community Outreach Coordinator for Moravian University's Music Department, and a freelance photographer. She also runs a small cross-stitching business in her free time to keep sane!

FLUTE

Kahley is pursuing her Master of Music in Flute Performance at New York University, where she studies with Keith Underwood. She most recently performed in NYU Steinhardt’s production of Die Fledermaus. A passionate advocate for opera, she also works as a tour guide at the Metropolitan Opera House. Kahley holds a BM from Penn State, where she received the Director’s Distinguished Performance Award and the Marjorie Jane Brewster Memorial Scholarship—the School of Music’s highest undergraduate honor. She is thrilled to join this festival and continue deepening her love for opera.

OBOE

Rowan Albers is an oboist and English horn player from southern California. She recently received her Bachelor’s degree in music performance from Arizona State University, studying under Martin Schuring. Having returned to Southern California, Rowan now studies under Ted Sugata and freelances with various ensembles in the Orange County area.

OBOE

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Luca de la Florin is currently the principal oboist of The Missouri Symphony, Aspen Winds Quintet, and is on faculty at Utah Valley University as a Lecturer of Oboe and Music Studies. Additionally, Florin plays with the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, Utah Chamber Artists, Chamber Orchestra Ogden, Salt Lake Choral Artists, and NOVA Chamber Music Series. Florin also teaches as the adjunct professor of oboe at Snow College and presents the Finishing Touches lectures for the Utah Symphony through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Utah. As a reed-maker, Florin has sold his reeds across the world and maintains a private oboe studio in downtown Salt Lake City. Florin has recorded with the Naxos and Bridge record labels and has appeared with the Detroit, Toledo, Great Falls, Jackson, and Battle Creek Symphonies as well as the Grand Teton Music Festival. In 2024, Florin founded "Orchestra: XPLOR," a new professional chamber orchestra in Salt Lake City designed to present classical music in innovative ways.

OBOE

Lauren Riley is a tenacious young oboist currently attending the University of Maryland as an oboe performance and psychology double major. Since picking up the instrument at age 12 she has steadily grown as a musician, working to achieve new milestones every year of her continuing musical education. Before coming to UMD she placed second in the Eric Varner Young Artist Competition in 2021. Her time in university has brought a variety of performance opportunities alongside the traditional wind ensemble and symphony orchestra experiences, including performances in Baroque ensembles and alongside choirs. Lauren is currently a teaching faculty at the DC Youth Orchestra Program, where she has taken part in two European tours in 2022 and 2024 with the program’s top orchestra.

OBOE

Ana Martinez is a 24-year-old oboist originally from Naples, Florida. In May 2023, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Franklin and Marshall College, where she studied under the guidance of Kathleen Horein.

During her time at F&M, Ana participated in various ensembles, playing both the oboe and English horn in the F&M Orchestra, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Philharmonia, and Chamber Music Society. She had the distinction of appearing as a soloist with the F&M Philharmonia in the spring seasons of 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Ana currently resides in Chicago, where she continues her studies with Grace Hong through the DePaul Community Music Division. She also regularly subs with Chicago area community orchestras including the Chicago Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra.

This fall, Ana will be pursuing a M.M. in Music Performance at DePaul University.

OBOE

Madison Constantine is an oboist and arts administrator from Lafayette, Louisiana. Her performance experience includes serving as principal oboe and English horn of the LSU Symphonic Winds, Baton Rouge Civic Orchestra, and Acadian Winds. She also played oboe and English horn in the LSU Symphony Orchestra, University of South Carolina Symphony Orchestra, LSU Wind Ensemble, University of South Carolina Wind Ensemble, and Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra.

As an administrator, Madison has worked with numerous non-profit music organizations in marketing and development. In 2023, she attended the Eastman Leadership Academy through the Eastman Institute for Music Leadership as a Yahama Fellow.

Madison holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Louisiana State University. Her primary teachers include Johanna Cox Pennington, Stuart Breczinski, and Hassan Anderson. Madison is looking forward to beginning her Master of Music degree in Oboe Performance at DePaul University this fall.

OBOE

Luisa Beringer is a German oboist and English horn player currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Rostock under Prof. Gregor Witt. Having fallen in love with opera as a child, she has collected numerous experience playing in various professional orchestral ensembles in North Germany. Past engagements include an internship at Mecklenburgische Staatskapelle Schwerin and multiple projects at Norddeutsche Philharmonie Rostock. She has recently completed a semester abroad at Conservatorio superior de Valencia, Spain under Prof. Jesús Fuster. She is excited to add Chicago Summer Opera to her professional experience and toward her dream of becoming a member in a professional opera house orchestra.

CLARINET

Amber Lo is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance at the University of North Texas, where she studies with Dr. Phillip O. Paglialonga and performs with the North Texas Wind Symphony.

Amber earned her B.M. in clarinet performance from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where she studied with Dr. Margaret Donaghue. At Frost, she was a member of the Stamps Woodwind Quintet class of 2023, an elite fellowship under the mentorship of Professors Richard Todd and Valerie Coleman. Most notably, the quintet commissioned Woodwind Quintet no. 2 “American” by Dr. Kenneth Fuchs and gave the world premiere at the Stamps Scholars National Convention in 2023. She also regularly performed with the Frost Symphony Orchestra and Frost Wind Ensemble, participating in several world premieres and professional recording sessions, including televised broadcasts on South Florida PBS. She has spent summers at the Miami Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, and Buffet Crampon Summer Clarinet Academy.

Amber also serves as a teaching artist, working with students in the Celina and Dallas independent school districts.

CLARINET

Brian Jaap is a clarinetist and music educator currently based in Madison, WI. After graduating from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, he taught elementary music in St. Paul Public Schools for three years in St. Paul, MN.

Brian is currently obtaining his Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from the Mead Witter School of Music at UW-Madison, where he serves as the Program Assistant for the Division of the Arts’ Arts Residency Program, and the Front of House Manager at the state-of-the-art Hamel Music Center.

He has performed as a featured soloist with The Concordia Band, and has participated in multiple national and international festivals, including the Zodiac Music Festival, the Chicago Summer Opera, and the Minnesota Music Educators convention. His primary teachers include Jill Westermeyer, Leigh Wakefield, and Alicia Lee.

CLARINET

Daniel Spielman is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music at Northwestern University. A New Jersey native, he completed his bachelor’s degree in music at Rutgers University. Throughout his time there, he was a frequent freelancer in and around NJ. He has been chosen as an Associate Member for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the 2025-2026 season.

His primary teachers include Jessica Phillips, Jo-Ann Sternberg, Stephen Williamson, and Todd Levy.

Apart from performing, Daniel is passionate about arts administration, and has worked at the New Jersey Symphony in their development department for the past two summers. Outside of the music world, he enjoys cycling, cooking, and ultimate frisbee.

CLARINET

Nyla Ortiz is a clarinetist from Northern Virginia. She is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas, where she studies with Dr. Philip O. Paglialonga.

She has performed in a variety of different ensembles at UNT, most prominently the Wind Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Andrew Trachsel. In summers past, she has played with Chicago Summer Opera, Loudoun County Symphony Orchestra, and won a Stanley Drucker award at the Buffet Crampon Summer Clarinet Academy. Nyla is also lessons teacher, and loves working with her students across the DFW area.

BASSOON

Taki Salameh is a bassoonist and composer from the Chicago area. As a bassoonist he was an orchestral fellow with the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (2024) and was the section bassoon/contrabassoon fellow of the American Youth Symphony (2023-2024). Taki previously studied with bassoonists Shawn Mouser, Dr. Jan Hudecek and Dennis Michel, and composers Dr. Brian Head, Dr. Sean Friar and Nick Diberardino.

BASSOON

Adrian Lau is a Hong Kong-born bassoonist pursuing his master’s degree in bassoon performance at the Eastman School of Music, studying with George Sakakeeny. He received his bachelor's degree in bassoon performance from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he studied under the guidance of Kam Shui. During his study in the academy, he received the HKSAR Government Scholarship fund in 2019 and

Mr. & Mrs. Y S Liu Scholarship from 2020-2023.

He was a member of the asian youth orchestra in 2023 and 2024.

BASSOON

Aleksey Prok is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona where he earned a Bachelors of Arts in Music and an Ecology and Evolutionary Biology degree. Outside of the School of Music, Aleksey has performed with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra and the Civic Orchestra of Tucson as both a bassoonist and contrabassoonist. In previous summers he has performed in the Eastern Music Festival, Bay View Music Festival's opera and the California Orchestra Academy. Aleksey is now pursuing a Masters in Music degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

BASSOON

Angela Hernandez is a dedicated young bassoonist from Honduras, currently in her Junior year at DePaul University, where she is pursuing a degree in Music Performance. Angela's musical journey began at the age of eleven when she started studying bassoon at the National School of Music in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She completed her High School Diploma in Science and Humanities with an emphasis on music in 2021, which laid the foundation for her continued musical development.

Throughout her studies, Angela has had the privilege of participating in prestigious orchestral and chamber music festivals, including the 2024 Eastern Music Festival, 2024 Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival, the 2023 Sewanee Music Festival, YOA (Young Orchestras of the Americas, Honduras 2019), and the Central American Music Festival (VI and VII editions in 2019 and 2021).

Angela is one of the winners of the Farwell Award in the Junior Instrumentalists Division of the Musicians Club of Women 2024 Competition. She is also a proud recipient of a prestigious Award Scholarship from the School of Music at DePaul University, which has allowed her to continue working on her skills in the vibrant musical community of Chicago.

Currently, Angela studies under the mentorship of Miles Maner, the second bassoonist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Under his guidance, she is refining her technique, learning how to blend in an orchestral and chamber setting, as well as expanding her artistic expression in the bassoon repertoire. As an aspiring musician with a passion for both orchestral and chamber performance, Angela aims to contribute to the global classical music scene by exploring diverse musical traditions and continuing to build meaningful connections within the classical music world.

HORN

Madeline Grenier, hailing from Valparaiso, Indiana, is the graduate teaching assistant for the horn studio at University of Oregon where she is a Master of Music candidate studying under Leander Star. She is a recent graduate of Indiana University where she received her bachelor’s in music performance studying under Richard Seraphinoff and Thomas Jostlein. At IU, she studied natural horn in addition to the modern horn. Along with her performance opportunities at University of Oregon, Madeline was recently appointed to third horn at the Vancouver Symphony USA, second horn at the Mid-Columbia Symphony, and is a horn fellow at OrchestraNEXT which plays alongside the Eugene Ballet. She has also performed with the Eugene Symphony, Newport Symphony, and Columbus Symphony Orchestra (IN). Besides performing, her passion is pedagogy. She maintains a small private studio of young players and has been a regular sectional teacher at local high schools.

HORN

Jasmine Perry-Grice is a horn player from Colorado currently pursuing her master’s degree in Horn Performance at the University of North Texas. At UNT, Jasmine is a teaching assistant and plays with the Center Woodwind Quintet. This year her quintet was a quarterfinalist for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Competition, and semifinalist in the Coltman Chamber Music Competition. Jasmine has also competed in the International Horn Competition of America and performed in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall. Jasmine received her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Northern Colorado doubling in Horn Performance and Vocal Performance in 2024. Some of her vocal roles included Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Galatea in Acis and Galatea, Suor Osmina in Suor Angelica, and Flaminia in Il mondo della luna. Jasmine has a passion for opera and is excited to be attending Chicago Summer Opera!

HORN

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Sophie Griffith-Oh received her bachelor’s degree in French horn performance from Oberlin Conservatory in the spring of 2025. While at Oberlin, Sophie studied with Jeff Scott and David Byrd-Marrow, and performed regularly with the Oberlin Orchestra, contemporary music ensembles, and various chamber groups. She also appeared as principal horn on Oberlin Opera Theater’s productions of Britten’s Albert Herring, Bernstein’s Candide, and Rossini’s L’Occasione fa il ladro. In the summers, she has enjoyed combining her passions for traveling and furthering her musical interests by participating in festivals in Sweden, Canada, Italy, and Czechia, including the Saluzzo Opera Academy, Pacific Region International Music Academy, and Music Academy Telč. In her free time, she enjoys writing letters, discovering good vegetarian food, and engaging in environmental activism.

HORN

Hannah Hadraba is a current sophomore attending Elmhurst University with a double major in Music Performance and Music Business. She is the current principal horn of the Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra, and is an active member in chamber ensembles. She is currently studying with Emma Sepmeier and has previously studied with Anna Mayne. Outside of performing, Hannah is very active in the music business scene, holding multiple leadership positions, and is the head sound engineer for the Elmhurst University Jazz Band. When not at school, Hannah enjoys reading, hanging out with her family, and walking her seven dogs.

HORN

Drew Lingenfelter is a Chicago native. They are currently pursing a Bachelors of music in Horn Performance with Anne Howarth at Boston Conservatory, and previously studied with Anna Jacobson. They actively perform with the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Brass ensemble, as well as the Boston based Horizon Ensemble. This summer, they are also attending the Domaine Forget International Festival, during the Horn session. They enjoy all different types of music, and love improvising on Horn. During their free time, they enjoy camping, late night drives, and cuddling with their poodles. Drew uses they/them pronouns.

HORN

Kaitlyn is from Sydney, Australia, and is currently in her 4th year of studying a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, with Rachel Silver. She has a passion for orchestral music, performing with ensembles including the Sydney Concert Orchestra, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, Kuringai Youth Orchestra, ARCO Young Mannheim Symphonists, Tim Li Orchestra, Caesura Ensemble, and performing as part of the Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony, and Wind Symphony tour to Japan and Korea. She also enjoys collaborating in chamber ensembles as a member of the Nikolai Horn Quartet and a wind quintet in Sydney.

TROMBONE

My name is Jonathan Samayoa Ramos, I live in Portage, Indiana. I studied a master's degree at Roosevelt University. I have been playing the trombone for 20 years and can cover different genres such as classical, jazz, pop, salsa, among others.

TROMBONE

Ty Waters is a freelance trombone player based in the Chicago area. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from the University of Iowa in 2024. Ty has performed with professional ensembles including the Ottumwa Symphony Orchestra, the Iowa City Chamber Singers Chamber Orchestra, Georgia Bridgewater Orchestra, and Jordan Kahn Orchestra. During his undergraduate studies, Ty participated in a variety of festivals, performing with the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix, the Berlin Opera Academy, Chicago Summer Opera, Brevard Jazz Institute, and the Bay View Music Festival. Ty's accomplishments include being a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop Solo Jazz Trombone Competition, a semifinalist in the Southeast Trombone Symposium Excerpts Competition, and an alternate in the International Trombone Association Trombone Quartet Competition. He was also selected as part of the inaugural class of Shires Rising Artists. In his free time, Ty enjoys cooking and relaxing with his fiancée and their two dogs, Bisou and Miso.

TROMBONE

Brady Gell is currently a Masters of trombone performance student at the University of Iowa and received his BA in trombone performance from the University of Kansas. Brady is an active freelance musician and teacher based out of Iowa City, Iowa. Growing up in the Kansas City area, he has a diverse musical background and enjoys playing music of all types. Outside of music, Brady’s two main hobbies are cooking, and taking care of his elderly cat, Peaches.

TROMBONE

Lavonte Smith is a trombonist based in the Twin Cities, MN (St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN). He is pursuing a Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance at the University of Memphis. He is a freelancer, playing musical theater shows like Company, The Addams Family, Pippin, and Newsies. Lavonte has been performing worldwide including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, California, Bolivia, Canada, and Spain with Concert Bands and Orchestras on domestic and international tours. As a composer, Mr. Smith had a world premiere of his piece for Trombone Choir by the University of Memphis Trombone Choir conducted by the composer on April 11, 2024. In addition to that he has written songs, string quartets, brass quintets, woodwind quintets, and orchestral works. Lavonte holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He has just finished his Master of Music degree in Music Performance from the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. His primary teachers include Richard Gayner, Edward Huttlin, and Nat Dickey, Martin McCain.

VIOLIN

Jorge Vera is a violinist, educator, and composer who has performed with orchestras across Europe, South America, and the United States. He made his soloist debut with the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Ciudad de Asunción in 2021. Jorge is a recipient of the Gindroz Prize and Cowan Award, winner of the International Golden State Music Competition, and a member of the Honors String Quartet at Carnegie Mellon University.

He has participated at prestigious international festivals, including the Salzburg Festival, and has performed with symphony orchestras in Jorge is passionate about music education and community engagement. For over eight years, he has taught violin and led youth orchestras, including extensive work in rural communities, committing to improve the access to high-quality music education for underserved students. Recently He has been appointed Musician in Residence by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and El Sistema Lehigh Valley.

VIOLIN

Geunwoo Kim was born in 1995 in Daegu, South Korea and received his first violin lessons at the age of 9. He has already graduated with honors from the Karlsruhe University of Music in Germany with a first solo master's degree and is currently pursuing a second master's degree in chamber music. He won first prize in the chamber music category at the Shostakovich International Competition. He is currently performing as an intern at the Aachen Symphony Orchestra in Germany.

VIOLIN

04.2020 – 09.2023: Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (Master Music),

07.2016: as a Tutti in Miami Music Festival Orchestra,

2023 - 2024: as a reg. temporary worker at the Theater Nordhuasen / Loh-Orchestser Sondershausen,

07.2024- 09.2024: as a Concertmaster at the Berlin Opera Academy

VIOLIN

Jack lives in Philly and is a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra. He has subbed with the Helena Symphony and other orchestras across the country. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

VIOLIN

Yujung Kim comes from Korea. In 2009, she graduated from the Gifted and Talented Academy at the Seoul Arts Centre at the age of 13. In 2013, she won second place in the Young Artists Competition. In 2016, she was awarded first prize in the Korea String Education Association Competition. She won first prize in the chamber music section of the 1st International Shostakovich Competition in January 2024.

She is currently studying for her solo master's degree with Mr. Khachatryan and her chamber music master's degree with Mr. Pinchas at the Karlsruhe University of Music and Performing Arts and plays in the Loh Orchestra in Sondershausen in Germany.

VIOLIN

Jungmin Lee, a violinist from South Korea, is actively involved in musical opportunities throughout Illinois and Michigan. With a strong background in ensemble playing, she has performed at Krannert Center and Wharton Center. She earned a Bachelor of Music from Sejong University and a Master’s from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, studying under Professor Meg Freivogel of the Jupiter Quartet. Currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University with Professor Yvonne Lam.

VIOLIN

Dorian Rambaud began violin studies at the Academy of Music of Vence. After five years at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, he was unanimously awarded his degree with first class honours in 2022. He completed his Artist’s Diploma programme at the Royal College of Music, as an RCM Scholar, with Emily Sun in 2024.

He has played at numerous chamber music festivals including appearances at the Philharmonie de Paris and has studied with many renowned musicians such as Christophe Collette, Gunter Pichler and Jean Mouillère.

As a soloist, he has performed at concerts with the Orchestre of the Syrinx concerts, alongside Gilles Apap, the Orchestre Symphonique Azuréen and with the Orchestre National of Cannes. His recital career has taken him, in addition to the Philharmonie de Paris, to such iconic venues as the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall and St James's Church Piccadilly in London where he captivated his audiences with the sensitivity and refinement of his expression and his breathtaking, but seemingly effortless virtuosity.

He was winner at the international violin competition of Cambrai 2019 and won the Grand Prix du Rotary Paris-Normandie in2021. He also was awarded the prize of the strongest artistic personality at the Rudolfo Lipizer international violin competition and was a finalist in The Tillett Trust’s Debut Scheme in 2024.

VIOLIN

Sarah Razlin is a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music (BMus) from Sheffield, England, where she studied under the tutelage of Catherine Yates. A keen orchestral player, Sarah recently completed a UK tour with Southbank Sinfonia and regularly enjoys performing with northern-based orchestras such as Brigantes Orchestra and Lakeland SInfonia. Prior to this, Sarah was able to participate in many projects during her time at RNCM. This included side-by-side projects with Manchester Camerata and BBC Philharmonic, also working with renowned conductors Sir Mark Elder, Antony Hermus, and Gabor Takacs-Nagy.

In the past year Sarah has studied and performed internationally, being awarded a place on the National Arts Centre’s Orchestra Mentorship Scheme in Ottawa, Canada. Here she had the opportunity to perform with the National Arts Centre Orchestra conducted by Alexander Shelley. Sarah also participated in the Miami Music Festival where she was Principal 2nd violin of the Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Gibson performing a variety of repertoire. She also was Associate Concertmaster for the Opera Orchestra performing Wagner’s ‘Die Walkure’, Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, and Heggie’s ‘Dead Man Walking’ in venues throughout Miami Beach, conducted by Aaron Breid and Ben Makino.

Sarah is an avid chamber musician, premiering and performing works both in the UK and internationally with concerts in Spain, Italy, Malta, and Miami. Recently she has been enjoying developing her viola skills and performing with various different groups.

VIOLIN

McKenzie Lofgren is a recent graduate from Oklahoma City University, where she earned double Bachelor of Music Degrees in Vocal and Violin Performance. She has been performing and playing violin formally since the age of 9 and is excited to join the Chicago Summer Opera as a pit violinist this summer. Performing in numerous community and school theatre productions, including Mary Poppins (Miss Andrew) at City Circle Theatre Company, Matilda (Matilda) with Muscatine High School, A Friend of Dolly (Dolly) at Oklahoma City University, and Heathers (Heather Chandler) at the Center For Living Arts in Rock Island, IL, McKenzie likes to switch between being on the stage as a vocalist and instrumentalist. Previous violin experience includes being the Director for the Muscatine Summer Orchestra Music Camp, subbing as a first violinist with the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, being a 2 year participant of the Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival, and serving as Concert master for the Chloe Trevor Music Festival. Originally from Muscatine, Iowa, she wants to thank her parents for advocating for her to have all the opportunities and experiences needed to be successful and knowledgeable as a young musician from a not-so-musical area.

VIOLIN

Sarah Hirschi (b. 1999) began violin lessons at the age of two and a half at the Suzuki School in Meggen, Switzerland. She studied with Prof. Peter Brunt and Prof. Daniel Dodds in the preparatory program at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), where she later completed her Bachelor’s degree with distinction under Prof. Dodds. During the academic year 2020–21, she was an Erasmus student at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) with Prof. Mirjam Tschopp.

Sarah has won several first prizes at national and regional competitions, including the Swiss Youth Music Competition and the Central Switzerland Youth Music Competition. She has performed at numerous festivals such as the Arosa Festival, Sobrio Festival, Mendelssohn Summer School Hamburg, and the Gstaad Menuhin Festival with its youth orchestra.

She has held the position of assistant concertmaster in the Central Switzerland Youth Symphony Orchestra and currently performs in various ensembles, including the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra (SJSO), the City Light Orchestra, Substitute with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Classical Players, and the Wiener Concert-Verein. In summer 2024, she took part in the Bergen National Opera and the Bregenz Festival Academy, and in summer 2025 she will join the Chicago Summer Opera & Orchestra Academy and the Grafenegg Academy.

Since September 2023, Sarah has been continuing her violin studies at the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien (MUK) with Prof. Dominika Falger.

VIOLIN

Claire Hughes is a violinist from Annapolis, MD. She has recently graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Violin Performance from St. Olaf College where she studied under Dr. Francesca Anderegg. During her time at St. Olaf, she participated in various ensembles such as the St. Olaf Orchestra, whom she soloed with for their fall 2024 tour of Illinois and Wisconsin. She will be traveling with them to Norway in late May for another tour.

She was also given the opportunity to work with the opera program at St. Olaf. Being an opera enthusiast, Claire is excited to continue playing in opera ensembles in Chicago this summer.

VIOLIN

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama Harry grew up with a smorgasbord of diverse musical styles, which he continues to cultivate to this day. Opera, however, holds a special place in his heart.

VIOLA

Amelia Abouljoud’s musical journey began at age 11. Since then, she has performed for audiences across the United States and around the world. She has been a participant in the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (2018), performing in New York City at Carnegie Hall, Shanghai and Beijing, China, Taipei, Taiwan, and Seoul, Korea. She has also sat principal viola with the Snowbelt Symphony Orchestra, performed with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the accompanying orchestra for Andrea Bocelli, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and Firelands Symphony Orchestra. She has recently been appointed as a section member of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Abouljoud is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy (2018), and a recent graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music (2023) with Bachelor’s degrees in Viola Performance and Music Theory. She is a current student at the Eastman School of Music pursuing her Master’s degree in Viola Performance and Literature under the tutelage of Phillip Ying and a Certificate of Achievement in Arts Leadership.

VIOLA

Ivory Stephenson is a freelance violist in the Chicago area. She obtained a Bachelor's of Music in Viola Performance from University of Arizona. A current student of Helen Callus, she is currently preparing for graduate school auditions this coming fall. She enjoys playing in film scoring orchestras, and most recently completed a project with Netflix on "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F." She also has a passion for playing in pit orchestras and is excited to be joining Chicago Summer Opera for a second season.

VIOLA

Jake Westerbeke is a Finnish-American violist born and raised in Michigan. He attended the University of Michigan where he received his degree in Viola Performance under Caroline Coade. In his time in Michigan, he performed with numerous ensembles and orchestras. Some of these groups include: Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony, and the U-M Percussion Ensemble, which went on to receive a Grammy Nomination for Best Orchestral Performance in 2022. Since moving to Evanston to pursue his Master’s in Viola Performance at Northwestern University under Helen Callus, Mr. Westerbeke has joined the Viola Faculty at the Music Conservatory of Illinois and soloed with the N-U Baroque Music Ensemble.

VIOLA

Chloe Cohen is a 17-year-old violist from Chicago, IL, and a student at Lincoln Park High School. They fell in love with the viola at age six and have been playing ever since. Chloe currently studies with Danny Lai of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Professor Helen Callus of Northwestern University. They are the principal violist of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s flagship ensemble and have had the opportunity to attend the Interlochen Viola Intensive, serve as principal violist of Interlochen’s World Youth Symphony Orchestra, and perform as a soloist on WFMT’s "Introductions". This fall, Chloe will head to Northwestern University for a dual degree in Political Science and Viola Performance, excited to keep exploring both their musical and academic passions.

VIOLA

With a decade of experience in viola performance and education, Chloe Kitzmiller is bringing a fresh perspective to the profession with her creativity and unique approaches to music making and teaching. At Oberlin Conservatory under the tutelage of Peter Slowik, she has had many opportunities in the local community as a private instructor with four current students and as a section coach for the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra. Her mission is to break down professional barriers between community members and the conservatory by working closely with each entity to make education more accessible, inclusive, and affordable. This is in conjunction with furthering her own unique viola sound, offering insightful interpretations to standard viola repertoire, and to pieces beyond the viola canon.

VIIOLA

D’aci Knight is a Los Angeles native currently studying at the Cleveland Institute of Music under Wes Collins. She has performed with The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Festival, Cleveland Pops, Akron Symphony, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, and performed with orchestras and chamber groups in Europe, Los Angeles, Carnegie Hall in New York, Washington D.C., and on national radio for Sunday’s Live at LACMA. As a soloist, D’aci premiered a work by composer Sakari Dixon Vanderveer with Salastina and performed at the Primrose International Viola Festival as part of the American Viola Society showcase.

D’aci is committed to musical outreach, leading efforts with Music for Food and performing weekly virtual bedside concerts for ICU patients through Salastina and Project: Music Heals Us. Her past teachers include Helen Callus, Jeffrey Irvine, Mark Jackobs, and Peter Slowik.

VIOLA

Eunchai Kang is a junior at Northwestern University pursuing a dual degree in economics and viola performance. She is currently studying under Professor Helen Callus and has previously studied with Danny Kim.

VIOLA

Phoebe holds a master degree in Viola Performance from DePaul University. Phoebe enjoys a career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. She performs with many orchestras around the Chicago area.

DOUBLE BASS

Ayaka started music at age of 3 in Yamaha music school electric organ course, studied solo double bass with Gary Karr and David Murray, earned Master of Music at DePaul University school of music under Michael Hovnanian and Rob Kassinger.

In Japan, she was a double bass faculty in Toho Gakuen School of music and a double bass instructor at Kawai music school, studied composition with Tokuhide Niimi and chamber music with Seiji Ozawa. She has received several scholarships and awards, keeps expanding her solo repertories.

DOUBLE BASS

Jane Hanneman is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Double Bass Performance studying under Rachel Calin at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). She has played with a variety of orchestras, including CCM’s Philharmonia and Concert Orchestras, the Colorado College Festival Orchestra, the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, and the Eastern Music Festival Young Artist Orchestras. Jane is also an active pit musician. She has played in the orchestra for Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the CCM Philharmonia, and for Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica with the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra. In the past year, she has also played in the pit orchestra for the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, and The Drowsy Chaperone, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella.

DOUBLE BASS

I am Riccardo Giovanni Buoli an Italian double bass player graduated with honours at "Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi" in Milan under the guide of the two principal double bassists of "Teatro alla Scala" in Milan M° Giuseppe Ettorre and M° Francesco Siragusa.

I attended various International Masterclasses and specialised in Double Bass performance with M° David Desimpelaere, Principal Bass Luzern Sinfonieorkester.

I have worked with several European Symphony Orchestras and Opera & Ballet theatres such as “Teatro alla Scala” in Milan, “Theatre Royal de la Monnaie” in Bruxelles, “Filarmonica di Milano” selected by M• Daniele Gatti and during the past few years I covered the position of Principal Double Bass with the “Orchestra Sinfonica di Sanremo”.

I am always passionate, curious and of course, I love baseball!

PIANO

Born and raised in Vicenza, Italy, Riccardo Atanasio earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in piano performance summa cum laude with honors mention from the Conservatorio di Musica di Vicenza "Arrigo Pedrollo" under Maestro Marco Tezza. A scholarship enabled him to study with Maestro Niklas Sivelov at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen.

A versatile pianist with a passion for all music genres, he served as principal pianist for a youth orchestra, performing in three musical theater productions and numerous concertos as a soloist. In 2022, he became the musical director at the "Soldier's Theatre" on a NATO US Army Base in Vicenza, winning a TOPPER award for "Best Musical Direction" for his work on Sister Act.

In 2023, Riccardo was selected as a Graduate Assistant in Chamber Music at the University of South Florida under Maestro Svetozar Ivanov. As a collaborative pianist, he performs with various USF ensembles, including the Symphonic Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Musical Theatre department in classical and contemporary productions. In the summers of 2024 and 2025, he was selected to coach singers at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival and the Chicago Opera Summer Festival, respectively. He has also worked as a rehearsal pianist at the St. Petersburg Opera in Florida.

CELLO

Graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor Degree in Cello Performance. Currently studying at University of Texas at Austin.

CELLO

A native of Homewood-Flossmoor, Illinois, Ryan Koranda is a dedicated cellist and educator committed to enriching the greater Chicagoland community through performance and arts education. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois State University, where he studied with Adriana La Rosa Ransom, and earned both a Master of Music and a Performance Diploma from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University under the mentorship of Richard Hirschl.

Ryan has performed with the Southwest Symphony and the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestras, bringing a deep passion for symphonic repertoire to his work on stage. He is also an active chamber musician and has recorded with Electric Audio Chicago.

As a committed educator, Ryan teaches cello at Down Home Guitars in Frankfort, IL, and the American Music Institute in Clarendon Hills, IL. He has served as an adjudicator for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) and is actively pursuing a career in arts administration.

CELLO

Max Ludwig is in his 5th year at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he plays principal for the University Symphony. After graduating SIUE in spring of 2023 with degrees in Computer Science, Spanish, and only a minor in cello performance, he realized that music is where he needed to be. He is now taking a fast paced two years to finish his Bachelor of Music degree. Max plans to audition for master’s programs this Fall to start his graduate studies Fall of 2026.

Max plays with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, Webster University Community Orchestra, and wherever anyone needs him. Max plays weddings, church services, and entertainment gigs all around St. Louis and southern Illinois. He was also recently hired at Music & Arts as a private cello instructor. Max is lucky to be participating in three different festivals this summer (chamber, orchestra, and opera!). Max owes endless gratitude and thanks to his amazing teacher Dr. Marta Simidtchieva who always challenges him to be his best. He of course also thanks his wonderful cheerleading parents who come to every concert.

CELLO

Cellist and composer Samuel Guevara is renowned for his exceptional musical mastery in both his virtuosic performances and his evocative compositions. Samuel Is currently a second year at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, where he is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in both Cello Performance and Composition with a Presidential Scholarship. Samuel's performance style is deeply influenced by his experiences in masterclasses and mentorships with world-renowned cellists, including Andrew Shulman, Ron Leonard, Clive Greensmith, and Ko Iwasaki.

Being no stranger to Chamber music, Samuel has performed with the award winning Evie Quartet all around the nation. His quartet has won prizes from many local competitions including the Voce Competition and ENKOR competition, as well as multiple national and international top prizes from both the Coltman Chamber Music Competition in Austin, Texas and the Fischoff Chamber Competition in South Bend Indiana, eventually leading them to make their debut in New York City at the Lincoln Center through The Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society.

Composition is as much of a part of Samuel's life as the cello. He is currently studying under Ted Hearne at The University of Southern California, and has written multiple chamber works and orchestral works including 2 Symphonies, many of them being performed. Samuels influences derive from composers such as Sibelius, Strauss and Mahler, giving his music a timeless quality that captivates audiences nationwide. He is currently collaborating with the Kaufman School of Dance at the University of Southern California, where he is exploring the realms of Electronic music and its integration with acoustic instruments. His goal is to eventually help the worlds of electronic music and traditional classical music live in harmony.

CELLO

Jacob Bloom is a cellist based in Syracuse, NY. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Belmont University where he studied under Dr. Carmine Miranda, and Master’s degree from Syracuse University under Gregory Wood, both in Cello Performance. Past performances include substituting with the Catskill Symphony and Albany Symphony, Opera productions with multiple Universities, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, various recitals, and the Christmas at Belmont PBS Special. On top of performing he also teaches privately and hopes to someday have his own teaching studio.

PERCUSSION

Marius Fischer (*2000, Lucerne) received his first percussion lessons at the age of four. During his school years, he gained valuable experience in various orchestras as well as a soloist, winning numerous competitions with first prizes. Highlights include the 1st Prize at the Swiss national Drummer Competition, two 1st prizes with distinction at the Swiss Youth Music Competition, and the title of “Lucerne Percussion Champion 2018.”

He was also a finalist in the international Marimba Festiva Competition.

After completing the PreCollege program and earning his Bachelor's degree, Marius Fischer began his Master of Performance in September 2024 with a major in classical percussion at the Zurich University of the Arts, where he is studying under Prof. Klaus Schwärzler, Prof. Raphael Christen, Prof. Benjamin Forster, and Martin Grubinger.

Alongside his studies, he is a member of the City Light Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly as a substitute with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. He has already worked with renowned conductors such as Paavo Järvi, Lahav Shani, Charles Dutoit, Krzysztof Urbański and Petr Popelka.

In the 2021/22 season, Marius played as an intern with the Basel Symphony Orchestra. He then spent two seasons as an academy member with the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra, and since April 2025, he has been an academy member of the Munich Philharmonic.

TRUMPET

Daniel McKay is a trumpet player in his undergraduate junior year at Georgia State University. There, he has served in the Trumpet Studio, which has played two wonderful performances for the annual GMEA conference in Athens, Georgia. He has served as Trumpet Section Leader, and is currently serving as Drum Major, in the Georgia State Panther Marching Band, has performed in the top level ensemble at Georgia State, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and is an active member of the Nu Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at GSU.

TRUMPET

Anna Kelly is a versatile trumpet performer and educator currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Brass Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa. She has performed with ensembles including the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, and the Iowa Brass Band. As a chamber musician, Anna has performed twice at both the National Trumpet Competition and the International Trumpet Trumpet Guild Conference, and has organized and performed in a number of educational tours throughout the Midwest.