Diana Schmück (Piano, Handbells): Founding
Member of Orion. Lauded by Chicago Sun-Times as “one of the finest chamber
pianists on the scene.” Heard in major Chicago venues and across U.S.
with Orion, Daedalus Duo (clarinet/piano), and Debriana Duo (duo-pianists;
recognized in first Murray Dranoff Two-Piano Competition). Faculty:
Steans Institute, Ravinia; Northwestern U; Roosevelt U, Bethel C; Csehy
Music School. Fellow, Chicago Chamber Musicians. Degrees: D.M., Northwestern
University; M.M., DePaul University; B.M., Wheaton College. Diana Schmück
(Piano).
Caroline Chin (Violin): Performs as
soloist and chamber musician throughout US, Europe and Asia. Is a member
of the Hudson Piano Trio, Ensemble Epomeo, and the Artistic Director
of Musica Reginae in Queens, NY. This season includes performances at
the 2 Rivers Festival in the UK and the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival
in MA. Degrees: Indiana University, The Juilliard School.
Michael Duggan (Cello): Performs as soloist
and chamber musician at major Chicago venues, including WFMT and Dame
Myra Hess. Teaches in Deerfield. Served as principal cellist of Chicago
Civic Orchestra and performed with Chicago Sinfonietta, Sarasota and
Key West Orchestras. Taught at Lewis and Northeastern Illinois University,
Arlington Heights School District. Degrees: B.M. and M.M. from Roosevelt
University.
Judith Hanna (Bass, Conductor): Performs
with Chataqua Ensemble, Rosewood Trio, Lake Forest Symphony, Illinois
Chamber Orchestra. Teaches at Illinois Wesleyan University. Has conducted
West Suburban Youth Symphony and served as principal bass in Civic Orchestra
under Barenboim, Solti, Mehta, Boulez. Degrees: Ithaca College, Northwestern
University. Visit
Judith's website.
Carl Johnston (Violin, Viola): Performs
with Chicago Sinfonietta, Joffrey Ballet, and Orchestra Nashville. Heard
on 26 classical and jazz recordings. Teaches at The Music Connection
in Orland Park and his home studio in Tinley Park. Soloed throughout
Europe and Asia with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and taught at DePaul
University and Vandercook College. Degrees: B.M. and M.M. from Roosevelt
University.
Cathy Kuna (Cello): Active as creative
and versatile musican and teacher in Chicagoland: Improviser, composer,
arranger for innovative theatre, film, and educational projects. Works
as solo, chamber, orchestral, and recording artist in classical, global,
American roots, folk, rock, and cross-styles music. Faculty, College
of DuPage. Degrees: Wheaton College and Northwestern University.
Anne Sullivan (Flute): International
performances from Paris to Dubai with solo performances in Taipei, Taiwan,
and Dubai. Two solo CDs; numerous recordings with American musicians
such as violinist Rachel Barton, guitarist Muriel Anderson, and singer
Glen Yarborough, as well as with Syntiche Lotter and Peter Kuehl in
Toulouse and Paris, France. Faculty, Wheaton College. Degrees: Wheaton
College and DePaul University.
Stephanie Wu (Piano): Has performed as
soloist with many midwest orchestras, including Chicago Symphony, Wheaton
Symphony, DuPage Symphony. Is a much awarded recitalist and chamber
musician, performing on “From the Top,” WFMT, WQVR, major New York and
Chicago venues, and in Europe. Faculty, New York Conservatory of Music.
Degrees: The Juilliard School.
The Spectrum Trio has performed extensively
in the Chicago area. The trio has performed for the Dame Myra Hess Memorial
Concert Series, broadcast on WFMT, and has toured the Northeastern U.S.
Robert Sacks (Piano) performs as a soloist and accompanist,
competition judge, and serves as Piano Coordinator for OPUS Camp. Mr.
Sacks teaches and coaches privately in Naperville, has authored articles
for Clavier magazine, and taught at Syracuse University. Degrees: Peabody
Conservatory, Syracuse University.
Visit Robert's website.
Vivienne Venderley (Violin) teaches violin and viola
privately in Naperville and serves as the Faculty Coordinator for the
OPUS Camp. Ms. Venderley has performed as concertmaster and soloist
with Fox Valley Symphony. Degree: Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Visit Vivienne's website.
Ed Moore (Cello) teaches at Elmhurst College. Mr. Moore
is the principal cellist, and a founding member of New Black Repertory
Ensemble. Mr. Moore performs with Chicago Sinfonietta, Joffrey Ballet,
and Ravinia Festival Orchestra. He is also an award-winning author.
Degrees: Indiana University, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Faculty Listed by Instrument
| Director | Diana Schmück |
| Ensemble-in-Residence | The Orion Ensemble: Jennifer Marlas, Viola; Kathryne Pirtle, Clarinet; Florentina Ramniceanu, Violin; Judy Stone, Cello; Diana Schmück, Piano Visit the Orion Ensemble website. |
| Violin & Viola | Caroline Chin, Carl Johnston, Jennifer Marlas, Florentina Ramniceanu, Vivienne Venderley |
| Cello | Michael Duggan, Cathy Kuna, Edward Moore, Judy Stone |
| String Bass | Judith Hanna |
| Piano | Robert Sacks, Diana Schmück, Stephanie Wu |
| Clarinet | Kathryne Pirtle |
| Flute | Anne Sullivan |
| Handbells | Diana Schmück |
| Conductors | Judith Hanna - Senior Chamber Orchestra | Michael Duggan - Junior Chamber Orchestra |