Our Story
We met back in 1995, when we were all members of the
Oak Park River Forest Symphony.
Our philosophy was simple unison - to share in the joy of playing chamber music.
Over fourteen years have passed, and our philosophy remains unchanged.
We love creating beautiful music together,
and truly love sharing it with others!
Our core members include:
violinist/violoist/pianist Ingrid (lower left)
and cellist Julie O'Shea (upper left).
Guest members include:
Ingrid
A full time orchestra teacher and versatile freelance musician, Ingrid holds a B.M. in Music Education from Roosevelt University and a M.M. in Music Education from VanderCook College. She studied violin under Melvin Ritter, Marc Zinger, Cyrus Forough and David Taylor and piano under Jane Allen, Dmitry Paperno, Eloise Niwa and Pawel Checinski. She has performed on both violin and viola with several ensembles, including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Oak Park River Forest Symphony and Skokie Valley Symphony. Ingrid has also performed in numerous theatre productions, on live radio and television (with Billy Corgan, Dennis DeYoung and Emilie Autumn) and has recorded with local bands. She loves arranging and composing, and is thrilled that one of her original tangos was recently performed at Inönü University in Turkey.
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Susan Buchanan
Susan has been playing violin since the age of nine. She studied privately throughout high school and college, then took a break from playing while pursuing a degree in medicine. After establishing herself as a Family Physician, she returned to her love of classical music and performed with the Oak Park River Forest Symphony for eight years. Currently, Susan can be found fiddling in the pick-up bluegrass band at the Oak Park Farmer's Market and with Elle Musique.
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Jeannette Hoyt
Jeannette studied classical viola with Milton Preves and William Schoen, both members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Adia Ghertovici. She also studied jazz viola with Dave Baker and David Bloom. She attended Interlochen Arts Academy for her last year of high school and completed her course work for a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance at Roosevelt University. Jeannette now teaches strings at Chicago's northwest side Guerin College Prep High School and also teaches private violin/viola students at True Note Music in Lisle. Besides playing music, Jeannette is an avid pool player (it's all in the wrist) and is going back to school for a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine.
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GUEST MEMBERS:
If additional musicians are needed for custom ensembles, or if an Elle Musique member is unable to play your event,
we have a few talented professionals lined up, including:
Ellen O'Hayer
Chicago-based cellist Ellen O'Hayer is at home in a variety of musical settings. She has performed in numerous venues, from LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall to the David Letterman Show. While on scholarship at the Henry Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, Ellen appeared in pop legend Burt Bacharach's live orchestra. In 2007, as a member of the touring band for Bright Eyes world tour, she performed throughout North America, Europe, and Japan, and appeared in the band's "Hot Knives" music video. Ellen is also a member of the Chicago indie-rock ensemble Gabardine, and she played on the self-titled 2007 album by the Chicago chamber-rock band The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir.
Ellen currently serves as Principal Cellist with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra and has played with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. Ellen received her Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance from the DePaul University School of Music, where she studied with Stephen Balderston, former Assistant Principal Cellist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She continued her music education at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of the Performing Arts with CSO cellist Richard Hirschl and the CSO's Assistant Principal Cellist, Ken Olsen.
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Robin Weseloh
Violinist Robin Weseloh is an orchestra teacher in Naperville's District 204. She began her musical training at the Betty Haag Suzuki School at the age of three. She attended Augustana College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Robin has also studied violin with Dr. Susan Stone and Mathias Tacke of the Vermeer Quartet. She has performed abroad in China, Germany and Austria, and has spent five summers on staff at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. Robin presently performs with the West Suburban Symphony, where she serves as assistant concertmaster. One of Robin's biggest passions is chamber music, which she performs with numerous chamber orchestras and ensembles. including Elle Musique.
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Jennifer Smith
Jennifer is a full time orchestra teacher as well as a freelance musician. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois State University and a Master of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music. Jennifer studied violin with Dr. Sarah Gentry at Illinois State University and has performed with several ensembles including the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Heartland Philharmonic, Wheaton Symphony Orchestra, West Suburban Chamber Orchestra and West Suburban Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer has a passion for learning, teaching, and performing all styles of music, from classical to rock, on her violin. She recently attended Mark O’Connor’s camp in Tennessee where she thoroughly enjoyed studying fiddling, one of her favorite styles.
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Heidi Saeter
Freelance flutist Heidi grew up in a musical family playing flute and piano, in addition to acting and directing musical theater productions. She received a Flute Performance degree from St. Olaf College. During her flute studies she had the opportunity to work with some of the greats including, Peter Lloyd, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and Geoffrey Gilbert.
During a playing hiatus in California, Heidi had the opportunity to explore other passions. She received a TTouch Practitioner Certification which she has found to be very helpful in maintaining a centered, balanced, and grounded musical practice. Heidi recently moved back to Chicago and is excited to continue exploring this culturally rich city.
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