All Performing Members
Lisa Boggess, harp, was the winner of the 2007 International New Century Harp Competition for composition.
Kate Carter’s musical versatility makes her equally at home in solo, chamber, and orchestral settings.
Former Guest Lecturer at Wheaton College-Conservatory of Music and current faculty member of Community School of the Arts, Mr. Cisar is an inspiring pianist and dedicated educator, teaching and encouraging musicians of all ages.
Erin Cleary, soprano, grew up in the Chicago area and attended Northwestern University, where she received her bachelor of music degree in vocal performance and a master of science in elementary education.
Alyssa Conde holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from Florida Atlantic University where she studied under Dr. Irena Kofman.
Mary Ann Covone is one of a handful of classical accordionists in the United States. She studied with the esteemed Joan Cochran Sommers and continues to play in an ensemble in Kansas City under the direction of Joan Cochran Sommers.
Chris Garofalo has been active as a pianist and accompanist in the Chicago area for over 30 years and has composed works for solo piano, voice, choir, and chamber ensembles. As a soloist with orchestra, he has performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, and J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. With a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Garofalo is the Director of Music at Community United Methodist Church in Naperville and maintains a private teaching studio.
Gary Greene holds degrees in music education and musicology from the University of Indianapolis, Butler University, and the University of Maryland. His specialization is in American music at the turn of the 20th century. A portion of his dissertation on the life and music of Henry Holden Huss has been published by Scarecrow Press, and his research on Huss has led to a number of recordings of Huss’ music. He has published widely on a variety of musical topics.
Patricia Goyette-Gill, pianist, is a retired public school music educator. Patricia’s career ended as the Orchestra Director in Riverside Elementary School District 96 where she built the program to 170 string players.
Nancy Hagen is a graduate of Indiana University where she was a double major in piano and oboe. She obtained her master’s degree in music at Northwestern U, studying with Ray Still, and working extensively as an accompanist.
Tyler Kivel is a Chicago-based pianist and curator known for creating imaginative, theme-driven concert experiences. Recent projects include As Seen on TV, a celebration for the screen, and Mr. POPular, featuring pop music reimagined for the stage. His latest recital explores mid-century American music and design, blending timeless classics with new work like the Millennial Suite. Whether performing solo or with his piano-organ duo Dual-Art, Tyler is passionate about connecting with audiences through programs that are both culturally resonant and musically rich.
Matthew Lorenz is rising to prominence as a pianist in the American Midwest, aiming to usher the art of piano performance in to the 21st century. He began his studies in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 9. While at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (master’s & diploma), Matthew studied with Edward Auer, Jungwha Auer, and Adam Neiman. Outside his work in research and product development, he is the interim General Manager of Davenport’s Piano Bar and is on the piano faculty at New Music School. You can keep up to date with Matthew at his website: mlorenzmusic.squarespace.com
Mark Lekas currently enjoys an active musical life in Chicago. He is principal cellist with the Northwest Indiana Symphony, a member of the Lake Forest Symphony, Ars Viva orchestra, and a substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Michele Lekas, has enjoyed an active musical life since moving to the Chicago area in 1993. She serves as Concertmaster for the Rockford and Northwest Indiana Symphonies, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra.
Celeste Martino, soprano, has sung in numerous professional performances throughout the United States and Europe. Recently Celeste sang Suor Angelica by Puccini; Sandrina in a German Mozart opera for Sinfonietta Bel Canto; appearing annually for their Gala; and Mayslake Peabody Estate for which in summer of 2019 she was the SBC Outreach Artistic Director, while singing in several concerts with colleagues and opera concerts at Cantigny Gardens.
Linda Veleckis-Nussbaum, violinist, has performed as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Jennifer Petkus attended the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, receiving her BM and MM degrees in clarinet performance. While attending school, she held positions with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (2nd clarinet), the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (principal clarinet), and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra (bass clarinet).
Melissa Raub – soprano received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University. While at IWU she served as Historian, Treasurer, and President of the Sigma Chapter of Delta Omicron, a professional music fraternity, and received the Star of DO, an award given to those who contribute greatly to their chapter and community.
Janet Mensen Reynolds, mezzo soprano is enjoying “retirement” after 26 years in the Lyric Opera of Chicago chorus. While in the chorus she sang numerous small roles and understudied lots of maids, moms and Walkuries.
Roseanne Rosenthal, clarinetist, has lived in Hinsdale since 1985. Her career in music has been varied, but clarinet playing has been a constant friend since her childhood in Syracuse, N.Y.
Sladjana Saric, lyric-soprano, originally from Belgrade, Serbia, now resides in Clarendon Hills with her husband and two children. Having sung in NYC and Chicago, Sladjana says she loves the USA.
Paul Seeley, French horn, is an active amateur musician in the Chicago area, and plays French horn regularly with the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Skokie Valley Symphony.
Michael Surratt was Organist and Director of Music Ministries at the Union Church of Hinsdale 1979-2011. Since 2012 he has been Organist at First United Church of Oak Park.
Karin Ursin, flutist and piccoloist, was born and raised in the Chicago area. She is a former member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic and Syracuse Symphony.
Mo Xu, a passionate and dedicated classical pianist, has performed at many prestigious venues, including Weill Recital Hall at the Carnegie Hall, Bezanson Recital Hall, Kemp Recital Hall, ISU Center for the Performing Arts and Sweeney Concert Hall. Mo is also committed to bringing classical music to her local community and sharing thoughts and conversation with the general audience. As a teacher, Mo has taught at Illinois State University, Marion Music Academy and Bay Path University.
Samantha Winkler is a clarinetist based in Chicago, performing with ensembles including the Naperville Winds, Elmhurst Symphony, West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Wind Symphony, and the Wheaton Municipal Band. She earned her Master’s in Clarinet Performance from Northwestern University, where she studied with Stephen Williamson and Steve Cohen,
Nichole Young performs regularly with orchestra throughout Illinois and Iowa, and she is the principal harpist for the Peoria Symphony and the DuPage Symphony, respectively. Her love for the harp has made her one of the most highly sought after harpists in Chicago and northern Illinois. As an active harp teacher, Nichole loves passing along her passion for the harp while guiding others. She has recently joined the faculty of the Chicago Academy for the Arts in Chicago. She is also the harp instructor at Fox River Academy of Music and Arts in Oswego and at North Central College in Naperville.
Because hearing is the first sense to develop in a child, Daniel’s musical training began before he was born, listening to beautiful, melodious music at home and at church. He was an avid singer and composer in his crib, and in 1990, and at the age of three began his violin training with William Führberg.
Jerry Zitko, violinist, retired in 2017 from teaching Elementary and Jr. High Orchestra in the Naperville Community Unit School District 203 after 34 years. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician for many competitions and festivals, and was the 2016 guest conductor for the ILMEA Junior High School Orchestra Festival. As a violinist, he has performed with many Chicago area orchestras and ensembles including the West Suburban and Southwest Symphonies, and Chicagoland Educators Orchestra. He is currently a member of the Salt Creek Chamber Orchestra and serves on their Board.