FACULTY
Guest Artist-Teachers 2024
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Rose Griffin, Viola |
Mathias Tacke, Violin |
Lee Joiner, Violin |
Benjamin Klemme, Conductor |
Daily Faculty
Iris Cheng, piano
completed her DM and MM degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at The Florida State University, studying under Dr. Heidi Louise Williams and Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla. She holds a BM in Piano Performance from Wheaton College, where she studied with Dr. Daniel Paul Horn.
As an avid soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist, Iris has pursued further musical studies at Domaine Forget, Camp Musical de Laurentides, and the MasterWorks Festival. Her chamber mentors include Heidi Louise Williams, Daniel Paul Horn, Philip Chiu, and Chiharu Iinuma. As a pedagogue, she considers teaching a great responsibility and privilege. She seeks to help each of her students develop their personal musical voice, and in the process, become thoughtful and committed musicians. She has served as the treasurer of the Florida State University MTNA Collegiate Chapter and is an active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
completed her DM and MM degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at The Florida State University, studying under Dr. Heidi Louise Williams and Dr. Diana Dumlavwalla. She holds a BM in Piano Performance from Wheaton College, where she studied with Dr. Daniel Paul Horn.
As an avid soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist, Iris has pursued further musical studies at Domaine Forget, Camp Musical de Laurentides, and the MasterWorks Festival. Her chamber mentors include Heidi Louise Williams, Daniel Paul Horn, Philip Chiu, and Chiharu Iinuma. As a pedagogue, she considers teaching a great responsibility and privilege. She seeks to help each of her students develop their personal musical voice, and in the process, become thoughtful and committed musicians. She has served as the treasurer of the Florida State University MTNA Collegiate Chapter and is an active member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
Diane Chou, cello & piano
teaches at the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College and is also an alumna of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She received her BM from Wheaton College and her MM from CCPA at Roosevelt University. Her principal teachers include Richard Hirschl, Dr. Tanya Carey, Dr. Karin Edwards, and Marilyn Andersen. She served as principal cellist in both the CCPA and Wheaton College Symphonies and was a winner of the Wheaton College Chamber Competition in 2012.
During her summers, she has attended many music festivals including Castleman Quartet Program, Domaine Forget and the Meadowmount School of Music. Her students have performed in numerous recitals and participate in the National Piano Guild Auditions as well as in their school orchestras and state orchestra festivals. Diane is extremely grateful for her God-given passion for teaching and performing. She aims to pass on the wonderful gift of music which her teachers have nurtured within her.
teaches at the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College and is also an alumna of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. She received her BM from Wheaton College and her MM from CCPA at Roosevelt University. Her principal teachers include Richard Hirschl, Dr. Tanya Carey, Dr. Karin Edwards, and Marilyn Andersen. She served as principal cellist in both the CCPA and Wheaton College Symphonies and was a winner of the Wheaton College Chamber Competition in 2012.
During her summers, she has attended many music festivals including Castleman Quartet Program, Domaine Forget and the Meadowmount School of Music. Her students have performed in numerous recitals and participate in the National Piano Guild Auditions as well as in their school orchestras and state orchestra festivals. Diane is extremely grateful for her God-given passion for teaching and performing. She aims to pass on the wonderful gift of music which her teachers have nurtured within her.
Lilian Chou, violin, piano, and viola, program director
has taught pre-college violin, viola, and piano for over 10 years and is also a Suzuki-certified teacher at the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College where she directs the chamber music program and founded the Encore Advanced Chamber Ensembles. She is a founding member of the 3+1 Quartet. a first violinist in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and an alumna of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. An avid performer in the greater Chicago area, Lilian has performed with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Rachel Barton Pine, and is sought-after as a collaborative pianist. As an alumna of both Wheaton College (BM violin, piano, biochemistry) and Northwestern University (MM violin), she served as a concertmaster in several orchestras, won both the 2013 strings concerto competition and 2012 chamber competition at Wheaton, and taught at the Northwestern String Academy as a graduate assistant.
Lilian's primary teachers include Lee Joiner, Blair Milton, Paul Zafer, Almita Vamos, Karin Edwards, and Marilyn Andersen. Her chamber music mentors include the Dover Quartet, Matthias Tacke, Sharon Polifrone, and Philip Chiu, and influential summer experiences include Credo, Aspen, Castleman Quartet Program, and Camp Musical des Laurentides. Lilian is passionate about holistic learning and the integration of faith and musicianship. She believes that young musicians need to experience the wide-reaching impact of their craft in order to truly appreciate its beauty.
has taught pre-college violin, viola, and piano for over 10 years and is also a Suzuki-certified teacher at the Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College where she directs the chamber music program and founded the Encore Advanced Chamber Ensembles. She is a founding member of the 3+1 Quartet. a first violinist in the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and an alumna of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. An avid performer in the greater Chicago area, Lilian has performed with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Rachel Barton Pine, and is sought-after as a collaborative pianist. As an alumna of both Wheaton College (BM violin, piano, biochemistry) and Northwestern University (MM violin), she served as a concertmaster in several orchestras, won both the 2013 strings concerto competition and 2012 chamber competition at Wheaton, and taught at the Northwestern String Academy as a graduate assistant.
Lilian's primary teachers include Lee Joiner, Blair Milton, Paul Zafer, Almita Vamos, Karin Edwards, and Marilyn Andersen. Her chamber music mentors include the Dover Quartet, Matthias Tacke, Sharon Polifrone, and Philip Chiu, and influential summer experiences include Credo, Aspen, Castleman Quartet Program, and Camp Musical des Laurentides. Lilian is passionate about holistic learning and the integration of faith and musicianship. She believes that young musicians need to experience the wide-reaching impact of their craft in order to truly appreciate its beauty.
Hannah Ruth MacLean, violin & viola
American violinist Dr. Hannah Ruth MacLean is an avid performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral music and has given performances across the United States and Canada. She completed her Doctorate of Music in Violin Performance at Florida State University, where she was a graduate teaching assistant to Dr. Shannon Thomas. As a devoted chamber musician, Ms. MacLean is a founding member of the Cheng-MacLean duo and has performed with esteemed musicians such as Rachel Barton Pine, Philip Chiu, and Marina Thibeault. At Florida State University, she is winner of the 2021 Doctoral Concerto Competition and served as concertmaster for the University Symphony Orchestra for the 2020-2021 season. She is the Principal Second Violinist of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and is a section violinist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. She holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Wheaton College. Her principal teachers have included Violaine Melançon, Felicia Moye, and Paul Zafer. As a dedicated pedagogue, Ms. MacLean coaches chamber music and teaches undergraduate music students at Florida State University and is a violin sectional coach for the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra.
American violinist Dr. Hannah Ruth MacLean is an avid performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral music and has given performances across the United States and Canada. She completed her Doctorate of Music in Violin Performance at Florida State University, where she was a graduate teaching assistant to Dr. Shannon Thomas. As a devoted chamber musician, Ms. MacLean is a founding member of the Cheng-MacLean duo and has performed with esteemed musicians such as Rachel Barton Pine, Philip Chiu, and Marina Thibeault. At Florida State University, she is winner of the 2021 Doctoral Concerto Competition and served as concertmaster for the University Symphony Orchestra for the 2020-2021 season. She is the Principal Second Violinist of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and is a section violinist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. She holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Schulich School of Music at McGill University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Wheaton College. Her principal teachers have included Violaine Melançon, Felicia Moye, and Paul Zafer. As a dedicated pedagogue, Ms. MacLean coaches chamber music and teaches undergraduate music students at Florida State University and is a violin sectional coach for the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra.
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Grace Tucker, violin & viola
completed a Performer's Diploma in Violin Performance at DePaul University. She completed her undergraduate degrees in Violin Performance and Pedagogy at Wheaton College where she studied under Paul Zafer, Ann Montzka Smelser, and Dr. Beth Bauer. In her final year, she held the position of co-concert master in the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra and won the string division of Wheaton College's Concerto Competition. Chamber music has played a special part in Grace's musical education and career. She first fell in love with chamber playing as a student at the Preucil School of Music where she played and toured in Preucil School String Orchestra, Espressivo Strings, and Certificate Program string quartets. She furthered her studies in University and summer chamber camps throughout the United States and Canada. Grace currently enjoys teaching students Suzuki violin and viola in Wheaton area schools and her private studio. She is on faculty for Wheaton College's CODA program and coaches chamber music with the Community School of the Arts. This year, she had the opportunity to teach in several summer Suzuki camps in New Zealand. Through teaching music at home and abroad, Grace seeks to provide a supportive community where each student can learn and grow into the best musician and balanced individual they can be. |
Christina D'Antonio, viola
is a masters student at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music studying with Ivo-Jan van der Werff. As an orchestral musician, Christina is an extra member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and has performed with Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Fireland Symphony Orchestra, the Erie Symphony Orchestra and sits Principal in The Shepherd School of Music Orchestras. Summers at Credo Chamber Music, Domaine Forget, Bowdoin Festival, and an orchestral viola fellowship at Aspen Music Festival School have forged a deep passion for chamber music and orchestral performance. An avid teacher, Christina takes pleasure in teaching at multiple youth programs and in her own private studio.
is a masters student at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music studying with Ivo-Jan van der Werff. As an orchestral musician, Christina is an extra member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra and has performed with Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Fireland Symphony Orchestra, the Erie Symphony Orchestra and sits Principal in The Shepherd School of Music Orchestras. Summers at Credo Chamber Music, Domaine Forget, Bowdoin Festival, and an orchestral viola fellowship at Aspen Music Festival School have forged a deep passion for chamber music and orchestral performance. An avid teacher, Christina takes pleasure in teaching at multiple youth programs and in her own private studio.
Danny O'Connell, cello
began studying cello at age four at Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts. Under Carol Ourada and Dr. Tanya Carey, he honed his skills for thirteen years. His talent has taken him worldwide, performing in Alaska, Spain, Scotland, and Austria. Notable achievements include winning the 2016 Norman Cooper International Chamber Music Competition and the 2018 Sigma Alpha Iota La Grange Chapter competition. Danny has served as rotating principal cellist for the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia, and participated in prestigious events like the Credo chamber music summer camp. He's also excelled academically, receiving scholarships and recognition. Danny is dedicated to education, teaching at Tutti Chamber Music camp and mentoring younger musicians. Selected for the 2024 ASTA National Conference Collegiate Cello masterclass, he continues to expand his skills and repertoire. Danny is also involved in film production and is set to graduate from the Eastman School of Music in 2024. He plans to pursue a Master's Degree at USC Thornton School of Music. When not immersed in music, he enjoys outdoor activities with his dog and playing golf.
began studying cello at age four at Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts. Under Carol Ourada and Dr. Tanya Carey, he honed his skills for thirteen years. His talent has taken him worldwide, performing in Alaska, Spain, Scotland, and Austria. Notable achievements include winning the 2016 Norman Cooper International Chamber Music Competition and the 2018 Sigma Alpha Iota La Grange Chapter competition. Danny has served as rotating principal cellist for the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia, and participated in prestigious events like the Credo chamber music summer camp. He's also excelled academically, receiving scholarships and recognition. Danny is dedicated to education, teaching at Tutti Chamber Music camp and mentoring younger musicians. Selected for the 2024 ASTA National Conference Collegiate Cello masterclass, he continues to expand his skills and repertoire. Danny is also involved in film production and is set to graduate from the Eastman School of Music in 2024. He plans to pursue a Master's Degree at USC Thornton School of Music. When not immersed in music, he enjoys outdoor activities with his dog and playing golf.
Christopher Pettit, cello*
currently enjoys teaching beginning string students at Richmond Intermediate School in St. Charles. The orchestra program has flourished during his time there, and currently has three ensembles with sizes ranging from 30 to over 100 students. He also teaches Suzuki and Preparatory cello students, group classes, and chamber classes at the Wheaton College Community School of the Arts, and the Music Institute of Chicago. Christopher holds Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. While at the university, Christopher received numerous performance and education awards, worked and taught at the Illinois Summer Youth Music camp, and gave free lessons to students in an organization called “Make More Music.” His primary teachers have been Carol Ourada, Dr. Tanya Carey, and Dmitry Kouzov.
currently enjoys teaching beginning string students at Richmond Intermediate School in St. Charles. The orchestra program has flourished during his time there, and currently has three ensembles with sizes ranging from 30 to over 100 students. He also teaches Suzuki and Preparatory cello students, group classes, and chamber classes at the Wheaton College Community School of the Arts, and the Music Institute of Chicago. Christopher holds Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign. While at the university, Christopher received numerous performance and education awards, worked and taught at the Illinois Summer Youth Music camp, and gave free lessons to students in an organization called “Make More Music.” His primary teachers have been Carol Ourada, Dr. Tanya Carey, and Dmitry Kouzov.
*On leave 2024