Strings Faculty
![Amanda Benaue New Headshot-1.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/462431_16dd53ee3a3a4657bc58027f96ef0a38~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_10,w_831,h_612/fill/w_456,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Amanda%20Benaue%20New%20Headshot-1.jpg)
Administrative Manager and Violin Faculty
Amanda Beaune
Amanda Beaune is a violinist and educator who is driven by her community. Originally from Michigan, Amanda received her Master’s Degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University in 2022, and has since decided to call Chicago home. She currently performs with many orchestras around the Midwest, including Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. Amanda has performed at venues throughout Chicago such as Constellation Chicago, Thalia Hall, Harris Theater, Symphony Center, Epiphany Center for the Arts, and many others. She has also shared the stage with artists Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Johnny Mathis, Laufey, and Paul Shaffer.
![Mike Vinopal Headshot (1).jpeg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/462431_dc0f1a681cdf4e12a812d8ddae91c616~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_115,y_0,w_1751,h_1290/fill/w_456,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Mike%20Vinopal%20Headshot%20(1).jpeg)
Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Mandolin and Piano Faculty
Mike Vinopal
Mike Vinopal is a guitarist and songwriter, best known as the founder of Chicago’s lyrical funk/soul band, Local Motive. Having worked with renowned producer/engineer Noam Wallenberg (Alan Parsons, Mac Miller) at Rax Trax Recording (Buddy Guy, George Clinton) on a large discography of original material, Mike's compositions can be found on all streaming platforms. Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, he was immersed in a musical family. His dad and uncles would often gather around the family piano with guitars to harmonize to their favorite Beatles' songs. Beginning piano lessons in kindergarten, Mike discovered his passion for guitar and other stringed instruments early in his teens, amassing an impressive collection of instruments throughout his life.
![thumbnail_Phillip Suwandi Headshot Updated.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/462431_77958d692ac648f9bffaa58f288b218e~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_3,w_1676,h_1232/fill/w_457,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/thumbnail_Phillip%20Suwandi%20Headshot%20Updated.jpg)
Cello Faculty
Phillip Suwandi
Phillip Suwandi is a cellist studying under the tutelage of Hans Jørgen-Jensen. His piano trios have participated and competed in numerous national competitions, receiving Silver in the Pasadena Conservatory of Music National Chamber Competition and placing as a semi-finalist at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 2019. He was a member of the American Youth Symphony Orchestra and has had multiple opportunities through his award-winning chamber groups and many orchestras to tour and perform around the world, such as in Italy, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Suwandi currently performs in various Illinois-based orchestras, such as the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, and studies Cello Performance, Musicology, and European History at Northwestern University.
![DSC_0515 3 - Elijah McTiernan.JPEG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/462431_018eb9a7e006423483297bebb4d90d31~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_0,y_669,w_3350,h_2464/fill/w_457,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/DSC_0515%203%20-%20Elijah%20McTiernan_JPEG.jpeg)
Piano, Voice, and Acoustic Guitar Faculty
Elijah McTiernan
Elijah McTiernan is a singer/multi-instrumentalist based in Chicago. As a pianist, they specialize in lead sheet performance and music theory. As a guitarist and vocalist, they have honed their technique as one half of the harmony-heavy acoustic duo "Lake and Luke", having most recently played on Navy Pier for Harry Caray's Summer Music Series. They are also a theatre artist, having performed in union and non-union productions in Boston and Chicago. Elijah graduated from The University of Maine with a B.M in Music Education, developing an educational focus on teaching to the individual with an emphasis on intrinsic motivation.
![Viola](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9adbdd56e0e44f7ab3f7b47476212bf6.jpg/v1/crop/x_259,y_0,w_2728,h_2006/fill/w_457,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Viola.jpg)
Viola Faculty
Coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
![Violins](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e65c700a02b0490c8c6b16adf9d6ae0d.jpg/v1/crop/x_269,y_0,w_5223,h_3840/fill/w_457,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Violins.jpg)
Violin Faculty
Peiran Zhao
Peiran Zhao is a versatile violinist and multimedia composer/sound designer who recently completed her graduate studies at Northwestern University. With a Bachelor of Music in Contemporary Writing & Production and Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music, Peiran's musical journey officially began at age 10 in orchestras and expanded to string quartets by 12. She brings a wealth of experience from numerous recording sessions in both film and pop music. As an instructor, Peiran combines her extensive performance background with an enthusiasm of classical and pop music to inspire her students and to look for mutual growth.
![Autumn Selover.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/462431_6d124f3857ee4a7aacd26e33df166b4a~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_926,h_683/fill/w_456,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Autumn%20Selover.jpg)
Harp Faculty
Autumn Selover
Autumn Selover is a freelance harpist and teacher based in the Chicagoland area. Her work ranges from solo, traditional orchestral, and chamber to innovative works involving electronic processing, hip-hop, mixed media works, and improvisation. An advocate of education and community outreach, Autumn works with student musicians and composers from both classical and non-classical backgrounds. She received a BM and MM in Harp Performance from Northwestern University under Lynn Williams, the principal harpist of the Lyric Opera. Recently, she has performed with the Chicago Composers Orchestra at the Thirsty Ears Street Music Festival, and has toured with Fifth House Ensemble for a live-score performance of the video game, Journey. Autumn is also a recording artist with the Voic(ed) Project, an organization promoting new music by new, young, and underrepresented composers.
![Double Bass Player](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/84892c742191fb3cbdc9ff91c6709314.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_275,w_651,h_479/fill/w_457,h_336,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Double%20Bass%20Player%20.jpg)
Double Bass Faculty
Coming soon!
Bio coming soon!