Christopher Laughlin, M.M Yale University, B.M. Peabody Conservatory,. Christopher has performed extensively across North America and around the world. Under the sponsorship of the United States Information Service Christopher Laughlin has toured in 25 countries on five continents, performing in Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Austria, Yugoslavia, Romania, The Czech Republic, Ghana, Cameroon, Bolivia, and many others.
Christopher has performed as soloist with the Symphony of the Shores, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the Westshore Symphony, the St. Joseph Pro Musica, the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony String Quartet. He has made two recordings for Peregrine Records, Danza!, and Simplicio.
In 1984 Christopher was awarded a Fulbright Grant for study in Paris with Uruguayan guitarist Betho Davezac, continuing his studies for a second year with a grant from the French government. Christopher has won prizes in two international competitions, the Concours International de Guitar in Sable-sur-Sarthe, France, and the Concours International de l'U.F.A.M. in Paris. Guitar, Director
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| Kyle Asche, B.M., Northern Illinois University. Kyle has performed and recorded with some of the most notable jazz artists in Chicago, including Bobby Broom, George Fludas, Ari Brown, Kimberly Gordon, the Jerry Devivo Band, and the Morris Ellis Orchestra. He participated in the 2005 “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program” at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Jazztimes Magazine said “Asche displays a beautiful sound and a well developed melodic sense.” Jazz and rock guitar |
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| Jeremy Bieber, B.M., Northern Illinois University, M.M., Western Michigan University. Jeremy has recorded with the Dyna Chuary Band, the Justin Avery Band, and the Shawn Wallace Quartet. He has performed at the International Association of Jazz Educators conferences in New York and Long Beach, CA, and has opened for Isaac Hayes and Kim Burrell. As part of the Justin Avery Band he was awarded “Best College Fusion/Rock Band by Downbeat Magazine in 2004. He has toured Europe with drummer Ed Thigpen and the NIU Jazz Ensemble, and South Africa with the WMU Gold Company Ensemble. Jazz and rock guitar |
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| Beth Bryngelson, B.M. DePaul University. Beth made her debut as a soloist at age sixteen with the Meadowbrook Festival. Beth has won competitions and awards from the Chicago Flute Society, Interlochen National Music Camp, Fischoff National Chamber Music competition and Quest For Excellence International Competition. She has performed in a wide variety of venues; from Sesame Street On Tour to the Rome Opera Orchestra. Flute |
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| Greg Ceurvorst, M.M., Northwestern University, B.M., Northern Illinois University. Director of Music and Organist, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Northbrook, IL. Piano, harpsichord, pipe organ, musicianship |
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| Steve Edwards, B.M., DePaul University. Steve leads the highly successful Steve Edwards Orchestra, one of the most sought-after society and wedding bands in the area. Classical and rock guitar, piano |
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| Nick Fryer, B.M., Northern Illinois University. Nick has performed with many jazz greats including Billy Hart, Maria Schneider, Rufus Reid, Bobby Shew, and Wynton Marsalis. He has toured in New York, Toronto, St. Louis, and Lima, Peru. His quartet performs regularly at the Kitty Moon jazz club in Chicago. Jazz and rock guitar |
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Wesley Hixson, M.M., Chicago Conservatory of Music at Roosevelt University. B.A. University of Wisconsin Madison. Wesley studied classical guitar with renowned artists Dennis Azabagic and Sergio Assad. He has taught at Day Jam's summer rock band camp, and is currently on the faculty of Elmhurst College.
Classical guitar |
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| Joy Jeffries, B.M. University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign. Joy has performed as a vocalist at many of the leading jazz venues in Chicago, including Pete Miller’s Steakhouse, The Metropole Room, The Ivory Piano Lounge, and others. Classical and jazz voice |
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| Jim McPhedran, B.M., Northern Illinois University. Jim was named the Illinois Guitar League “Olympic Champion” In 1996. He performed in the musical “The Last Five Years” at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie, and has performed with the Jeff Brackhan Trio, the Amber Dawn Ward Trio, and the Greg Bishop Trio. Jazz and rock guitar |
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| Heather Leffelman |
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| Alexa Muhly |
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| Casey Nielsen, B.M. Northern Illinois University. Casey has performed at numerous jazz clubs in the Chicago area, including Pete Miller’s and Katarina’s. He studied classical guitar with Paul Henry and jazz guitar with Fareed Haque and Neal Alger. He released his debut recording in 2003 titled “The Casey Nielson Quartet,” Jazz, classical, and rock guitar |
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| Anastasia Royal, B.A. Barat College, additional studies at American Colleges at Oxford University, and University Aiz-Marseilles, France. Anastasia began her training with Hungarian teacher Lili Simon, who was a student of Bela Bartok. She also trained with Julian Levitan of DePaul University. She has performed her original music at numerous theaters, such as Chopin Theater, Live Bait, Hot House, Blue Rider Theater, and the Lunar Cabaret. For over 20 years she has taught both children and adults on Chicago's North Shore and in Europe. Piano |
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| Clara Takarabe B.A. University of Chicago. Clara has performed with Joffrey Ballet, Berlin Sinfonie Orchester, Contemporary Chamber Players, MusicNow, Present Music and the Lipatti Quartet. In addition, she has both performed and recorded with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Milwaukee Symphony. Additional recording credits include SoundStage (WTTW) with Lyle Lovett, Randy Neumann, Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, Peter Cetera, Yolanda Adams, Nick Carter and Al Jarreau. Viola |
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