ETHS
ORCHESTRA
PRIVATE LESSON TEACHERS
ALL TEACHERS ARE AVAILABLE BOTH ON CAMPUS AND OFF FOR LESSONS. PLEASE ARRANGE WHERE LESSONS WILL OCCUR WITH EACH TEACHER INDIVIDUALLY.
FELIPE TOBAR -VIOLIN
In an incessant musical search since he moved to Chicago in 2011 from Santiago de Chile, violinist and improviser Felipe Tobar's style is influenced by classical, folk and jazz. His repertoire includes South and North American folk and classical music, jazz standards, and his own compositions. Felipe has played in venues in Chile, Argentina, Peru, the United Kingdom and the United States. He is also a violin teacher and ensemble conductor at The People's Music School since 2013.
Contact Info:
(773) 727-1281
ISTVAN LOGA -VIOLA
Istvan Loga is a GRAMMY® award-winning violist who has traveled the world to pursue his passion for classical music. He began his musical studies at the George Enesco School of Arts in Romania, one of the oldest music institutions, founded in 1860. Mr. Loga trained under award-winning musician Alexander Gavaller and created a name for himself, receiving praise from peers and mentors. From there, he traveled to Hungary to study music at the University of Debrecen's Department of Music. Mr. Loga trained privately with famed violist Ervin Schiffer, who urged him to audition for the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Mr. Loga pursued his Master of Music in Viola with Prof. Paul De Clerck at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels after completing his undergraduate degree. Mr. Loga's drive to learn more about chamber music led him to the Netherlands, where he studied with renowned masters such as Marc Danel (Quatuor Danel) and Stefan Metz (Orlando Quartet), and Josef Cluson (Prazák Quartet). During this period, he often performed viola in many performances in the world's most famous venues, including France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and many more. Mr. Loga traveled to the United States to study the viola with eminent violist Roger Chase. He graduated in May 2013 with a Performance Diploma from the esteemed Chicago College of Performing Arts.
Mr. Loga also actively engages in various educational and community engagement initiatives at top learning institutes and teaches music to varied local groups. Istvan's prowess in chamber music was demonstrated when he and Tito Quartet took first place and the Audience Prize at the 7th Plowman Chamber Music Competition in Missouri, USA. Mr. Loga also won first place in the lntercounty Competition in 1994, 1996, 1997, and 1998, demonstrating how exceptional he was during his middle/high school years.
Istvan is a Viola Faculty member at the Camerata Chicago Academy, a Chamber Music Faculty member at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, a Teaching Artist at the People's Music School, and a Viola Faculty member at the Vancouver Island Music Academy.
CONTACT INFO:
(773) 387-0039
ELLEN FROLICHSTEIN -CELLO
Performing the cello and sharing mindfulness and relaxation techniques with my students as a teacher for the past 30 years is how I stay energized! I have performed all styles of music, including classical, baroque, jazz, pop, Middle Eastern, and free improvisation in many different settings. I have also played numerous recording sessions for radio, film, and on albums with orchestras, chamber groups, and solo artists.
The core of my teaching philosophy embraces the idea that playing the cello is hard work, but also a lot of fun! By having a combination of correct posture, great technique and relaxation, students can embrace practicing as a process to enjoy, allowing them to connect with their instrument, enjoy playing for themselves and with their peers, and take those skills forward in their lives.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. Notable teachers have been: Karl Fruh, Kim Scholes, Jon Pegis (CSO) and Christopher Costanza (St. Lawrence String Quartet), Eugene Friesen (Jazz improv), and Orbert Davis (Jazz). Orchestral credits include: Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Spoleto Music Festival, New Black Music Repertory Ensemble, Memphis Symphony, and Santa Barbara Symphony. I currently perform with many chamber ensembles, including Lake Effect Ensemble, Chicago Folklore Ensemble, and The Steve Yepez Quartet. I am currently Principal cello of both The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and The Evanston Symphony. I spent time in L.A., freelancing and playing on American Idol, The Tonight Show, and the Grammy Awards. I have performed live with various recording artists including: Annie Lenox, Christina Aguilera, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, Barry Manilow, Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Jeff Beck, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Feinstein, and many more.
Contact Info:
847.436.1325
STEPHEN REINFRANCK -BASS
Steve has performed and taught on the Double Bass for over thirty years, principally in the Chicago Area, but in places as far away as New Zealand, Japan, Kenya, and Germany.
He plays section bass with a variety of area symphonies, and has played jazz with the late Isaac “Redd” Holt, original drummer with the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Steve is also involved in Klezmer, Bluegrass, and other folk styles.
Steve has presented at Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, Illinois Music Educators convention, the Kentucky Music Educators convention, and at many of the conventions of the International Society of Bassists.
He was awarded a three-week study tour of Japan under the aegis of the Fulbright Memorial Fund, and was voted Outstanding Studio Teacher by the Illinois Chapter of ASTA, the American String Teachers Association in 2004.
Steve runs the largest shop in the Chicago Area dedicated strictly to the needs of the Double Bassist.
He maintains a private teaching studio consisting of as many as 50 students, and edited the “Young Bassists’ Page” for BASS WORLD, journal of the International Society of Bassists, for many years.
Steve teaches most Summers at ISYM, Illinois Summer Youth Music, held at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
Steve enjoys playing hockey, ice skating, reading, cooking, and politics when he isn’t making music.
Contact Info:
(847) 477-4773