Mark Anderson (cello instruction) studied with Frank Miller at De Paul University, Karl Fruh at Chicago Musical College and with Hans Jorgen Jensen at Northwestern University. He plays regularly with the Lake Forest Symphony and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. He has also played with the Illinois Philharmonic, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Ars Viva, as well as many other local orchestras and chamber music ensembles. Mark has performed as soloist with several orchestras and is a very active chamber musician and recitalist.

Gail (Lilja) Kirkeeng is a violinist who brings a vast level of experience to her teaching. She has performed with nearly every musical organization in Chicago such as the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Symphony and various chamber music groups. As a freelancer, she has accompanied many legendary artists from Luciano Pavarotti to Tony Bennett, Isaac Stern, Ray Charles, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Judy Collins, Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, Richard Marx and more. Throughout her professional performing experiences, she has also always cared very much about developing her students’ potential. Over the years she has taught literally hundreds of violin students. Every student of hers that has auditioned for a college music scholarship has successfully received one. Other students have gone on to become professional players. Gail (Lilja) Kirkeeng graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance. While at NIU she was a private student of world class violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi and the Vermeer String Quartet. She is also a certified Suzuki teacher. Gail (Lilja) Kirkeeng teaches excellence in violin playing to students of all ages and all levels of playing from beginners to advanced college level. Please call to inquire as to her current availability and rates.

Ms. Kissiova offers private violin and viola instruction; solo, chamber, and orchestral performances; extensive repertoire for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Ms. Ortiz is a registered Suzuki teacher through the Suzuki Association of the Americas. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Orchestra Studies from Roosevelt University. Ms. Ortiz has been involed in extensive private studies and chamber music coaching. In addition, she has completed master classes with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has ten years experience teaching ages 3 through adul, all levels. Ms. Ortiz offers her students thorough musical training with an emphasis on developing good technique, listening, tone perfection, and at home practice habits; development of focus, sensitivity, coordination, and confidence; comprehensive instruction in music reading, sight-reading, theory, and ear training; performance opportunities; advice on buying, renting, and caring for instruments.

Ms. Stromberg offers lessons taught in a constructive, patient, nurturing environment combining traditional European and Russian techniques for the disciplined older students and proven Suzuki methods for the younger student. Ms. Stromberg is committed to working with families to reach student’s goals.

DIANA MARIE IORIO Artistic Director / Violinist Ms. Iorio her Bachelor of Music Degree and Master of Music Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, followed by post-graduate studies in Cologne, Germany. She has performed in masterclass for members of the Vermeer String Quartet, Madame Raya Garbousova, Hiroko Yajima, Sergiu Luca and Pinchas Zukerman. As a private instructor, she manages a private studio, L\'archet String Studio, and performs with her chamber music ensemble, Solaia. Ms. Iorio is the music director and conductor of the Sinfonia string orchestra under the auspices of the Lakeshore Youth Philharmonic. Regularly serving as a guest clinician in the Kenosha and Racine Unified School Districts, Ms. Iorio is also the violin, viola, and orchestral clinician at the Christian Life School in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Active in cultural and performing arts programming, Ms. Iorio established \"Music in the Wood\" String Clinic in 2003 and continues to function as its Artistic Director as well as violin and chamber music instructor. In 2005, she collaborated with violist and international recording artist, Paul Cortese, as part of Music in the Wood String Clinic and presented an arts forum for 450 string students held on the campus of Carthage College. Ms. has served on the string faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Carthage College, and the Siena Arts and Music Program in Siena, Italy. She is an active member in the American String Teachers Association, Wisconsin String Teachers Association, and the Wisconsin School Music Association. In 2006, she served on the WSMA staff as violin coach for the 2005/2006 Wisconsin Honors Orchestra. In 2008, Ms. Iorio joined the string faculty of the Zion Conservatory of Music. Ms. Iorio has been the concertmaster of the Kenosha Symphony Orchestra, Assistant concertmaster of the Arizona Opera Company, and member of the Elgin Symphony, Rockford Symphony, Illinois Chamber Symphony, Phoenix Chamber Orchestra, Phoenix Bach and Madrigal Society, and Musicisti Americani in Rome, Italy. She has performed as chamber musician and soloist throughout Europe. In 2005 and 2006, Ms. Iorio performed as chamber musician, principal second violin, concertmaster and soloist in Italy and Switzerland in under the auspices of l\'Universita` degli Studi of Siena, Italy. In 2006, Diana was appointed Artistic Director and U.S. coordinator of Luci Toscane Music Festival, based in Siena, Italy, held annually in June. Please contact Ms. Iorio via e-mail to check for lesson availability. amadeus63@wi.rr.com