Ann Montzka Smelser - violin
In between receiving her Bachelors of Music Education and Masters in Performance and Pedagogy at Northern Illinois University, Ann studied with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Institute in Matsumoto, Japan.
In 2003, Ann was the recipient of the Byron Hester Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award.
Ann has performed in many orchestras and chamber ensembles and is currently principal 2nd violinist with Camerata Chicago and concertmaster of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
As a Registered Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Ann has taught Suzuki Pedagogy at Wheaton College and Northern Illinois University. She is also director of the NIU Community School of the Arts Suzuki Strings Program. Ann enjoys working with Suzuki families at Suzuki Institutes and workshops throughout the United States and looks forward to teaching at the 2010 International String Conference in Singapore.
Ann lives in DeKalb, IL with her children, Ben and Genna, and her husband, Linc.
In 2003, Ann was the recipient of the Byron Hester Memorial Excellence in Teaching Award.
Ann has performed in many orchestras and chamber ensembles and is currently principal 2nd violinist with Camerata Chicago and concertmaster of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
As a Registered Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Ann has taught Suzuki Pedagogy at Wheaton College and Northern Illinois University. She is also director of the NIU Community School of the Arts Suzuki Strings Program. Ann enjoys working with Suzuki families at Suzuki Institutes and workshops throughout the United States and looks forward to teaching at the 2010 International String Conference in Singapore.
Ann lives in DeKalb, IL with her children, Ben and Genna, and her husband, Linc.
Linc Smelser
A native of Arizona, Linc Smelser began his cello studies at the age of 10 with Marguerite Rork. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Arizona where he studied with Dr. Gordon Epperson and received his Master's Degree and Performer's Certificate in Cello Performance and Pedagogy at Northern Illinois University having studied with renowned cellist and pedagogue Raya Garbousova. Advanced study included work with cellists Marc Johnson, Heinrich Schiff, the Vermeer Quartet, and pianists Richard Faith and Jerome Lowenthal.
Mr. Smelser has appeared as a soloist with the Kishwaukee Symphony, the Fox River Valley Symphony and the Rockford Symphony and has twice appeared in recital on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts Series in Chicago, which is broadcast live on over 44 stations across the United States. He has won several awards including first prize of the National Society of Arts and Letters Chapter Competition, top prize of the National Federation of Music Clubs Regional Competition and most recently first prize of the International Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund Competition.
Mr. Smelser has been a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Cello section for fourteen years and has been an active substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 10 years.
Mr. Smelser has most recently been appointed professor of cello at the Wheaton Conservatory of Music. He is currently a faculty member of the Northern Illinois University School of Music and has been teaching private cello lessons through the NIU Community School of the Arts for seventeen years. Mr. Smelser has been on the faculty of the Colorado Suzuki Institute for three years.
In 2003, Mr. Smelser was appointed conductor/music director of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra in DeKalb. He has guest conducted the Rockford Area Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Illinois University Philharmonic. He is also conductor/founder of the NIU Sinfonia and Youth Symphonette, two youth symphonies that attract students from the entire Northern Illinois area. He is also pianist/accompanist for the Northern Illinois University Suzuki program.
Mr. Smelser has appeared as a soloist with the Kishwaukee Symphony, the Fox River Valley Symphony and the Rockford Symphony and has twice appeared in recital on the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts Series in Chicago, which is broadcast live on over 44 stations across the United States. He has won several awards including first prize of the National Society of Arts and Letters Chapter Competition, top prize of the National Federation of Music Clubs Regional Competition and most recently first prize of the International Lili Boulanger Memorial Fund Competition.
Mr. Smelser has been a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra Cello section for fourteen years and has been an active substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 10 years.
Mr. Smelser has most recently been appointed professor of cello at the Wheaton Conservatory of Music. He is currently a faculty member of the Northern Illinois University School of Music and has been teaching private cello lessons through the NIU Community School of the Arts for seventeen years. Mr. Smelser has been on the faculty of the Colorado Suzuki Institute for three years.
In 2003, Mr. Smelser was appointed conductor/music director of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra in DeKalb. He has guest conducted the Rockford Area Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Northern Illinois University Philharmonic. He is also conductor/founder of the NIU Sinfonia and Youth Symphonette, two youth symphonies that attract students from the entire Northern Illinois area. He is also pianist/accompanist for the Northern Illinois University Suzuki program.
