Cello ensemble in residence:
Cellissimo (US)
Cellissimo is the senior performing cello ensemble of the joint programs of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School.
All members of the group are students of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. Currently, the youngest member is 10 and the oldest is 17. The cello students and their parents are committed to the philosophy of Shin'ichi Suzuki, which combines the love of music with the dedication and commitment to high standards.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
Cellissimo (US)
Cellissimo is the senior performing cello ensemble of the joint programs of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School.
All members of the group are students of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. Currently, the youngest member is 10 and the oldest is 17. The cello students and their parents are committed to the philosophy of Shin'ichi Suzuki, which combines the love of music with the dedication and commitment to high standards.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
The group rehearses weekly under the leadership of Sally Gross and Alex Revoal. The group performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago and has twice been invited to perform at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conferences (2010, 2017). Since 2010, the group has gone on tour to Canada twice as well as performing in Milwaukee and Appleton WI, St. Louis, MO, South Bend, IN Kalamazoo, MI, and Denver, CO.
Cellissimo, teaching & Workshops:
Sally Gross (US)
Sally Gross joined the faculty of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School in September 2004, bringing a wealth of experience in cello teaching and teacher training to the Chicagoland Suzuki community. Prior to this, she taught at the Suzuki String School of Guelph in Ontario for over 23 years, becoming the Artistic Coordinator in 1989. Throughout her 43 years of teaching, Sally has witnessed the growth of many young cellists into remarkable adults, gaining valuable insights into both musical and emotional development.
Raised in the Chicago area, Sally earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Northern Illinois University, where she studied under Marc Johnson. She went on to receive her Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis on Suzuki Pedagogy from Ithaca College, completing her Suzuki teacher training with Carey Beth Hockett.
Since 1990, Sally has been a Registered Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, conducting numerous Institute courses and apprenticeship programs in Ontario and the Chicago area. She is a respected clinician across North America, particularly in Ontario and Illinois, and was a founding director of both the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute and the Guelph Youth Music Centre.
In recognition of her dedication to teaching, Sally was awarded the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement in 2010, recognizing her commitment to excellence. In 2022, she also received the Illinois ASTA Outstanding Studio Teacher award. Additionally, she served as the Coordinator for the Suzuki Association of the Americas National Conference in 2008 and has been involved with various committees within the organization.
Sally Gross (US)
Sally Gross joined the faculty of the Western Springs School of Talent Education and the Naperville Suzuki School in September 2004, bringing a wealth of experience in cello teaching and teacher training to the Chicagoland Suzuki community. Prior to this, she taught at the Suzuki String School of Guelph in Ontario for over 23 years, becoming the Artistic Coordinator in 1989. Throughout her 43 years of teaching, Sally has witnessed the growth of many young cellists into remarkable adults, gaining valuable insights into both musical and emotional development.
Raised in the Chicago area, Sally earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance from Northern Illinois University, where she studied under Marc Johnson. She went on to receive her Master of Music in Performance with an emphasis on Suzuki Pedagogy from Ithaca College, completing her Suzuki teacher training with Carey Beth Hockett.
Since 1990, Sally has been a Registered Teacher Trainer for the Suzuki Association of the Americas, conducting numerous Institute courses and apprenticeship programs in Ontario and the Chicago area. She is a respected clinician across North America, particularly in Ontario and Illinois, and was a founding director of both the Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute and the Guelph Youth Music Centre.
In recognition of her dedication to teaching, Sally was awarded the Suzuki Association of the Americas Certificate of Achievement in 2010, recognizing her commitment to excellence. In 2022, she also received the Illinois ASTA Outstanding Studio Teacher award. Additionally, she served as the Coordinator for the Suzuki Association of the Americas National Conference in 2008 and has been involved with various committees within the organization.
Cellissimo, teaching & Workshops:
Alex Revoal (US)
Alex Revoal has been a faculty member of the Western Springs School of Talent Education/Naperville Suzuki School since 2006. He holds a Master of Music in Cello Performance and Pedagogy, as well as a Performance Certificate from Northern Illinois University, where he studied under Marc Johnson of the Vermeer Quartet. Additionally, he earned his Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University, studying with Janet Anthony.
Alex has received extensive pedagogical training, participating in courses with respected educators such as Jean Dexter, Nancy Hair, and Ed Kreitman. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Level 1 Certificate of Achievement by the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2015.
In addition to his work at WSSTE/NSS, Alex teaches for the Chicago West Community Music Center's WISH program and has served on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago and the Music Academy of Rockford College. He is an active performer, currently a member of the Living Room Players, and has participated in masterclasses and chamber coaching sessions with members of various prestigious quartets and renowned cellists.
Alex Revoal (US)
Alex Revoal has been a faculty member of the Western Springs School of Talent Education/Naperville Suzuki School since 2006. He holds a Master of Music in Cello Performance and Pedagogy, as well as a Performance Certificate from Northern Illinois University, where he studied under Marc Johnson of the Vermeer Quartet. Additionally, he earned his Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, from the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University, studying with Janet Anthony.
Alex has received extensive pedagogical training, participating in courses with respected educators such as Jean Dexter, Nancy Hair, and Ed Kreitman. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Level 1 Certificate of Achievement by the Suzuki Association of the Americas in 2015.
In addition to his work at WSSTE/NSS, Alex teaches for the Chicago West Community Music Center's WISH program and has served on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago and the Music Academy of Rockford College. He is an active performer, currently a member of the Living Room Players, and has participated in masterclasses and chamber coaching sessions with members of various prestigious quartets and renowned cellists.
Group Lessons and Big ensemble instructor:
Carey Beth Hockett (US)
ACE Faculty, Composer, Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Lecturer and Workshops
Carey Beth Hockett is a sought-after cello teacher who has worked with children and teachers around the world.
Carey Beth Hockett graduated from the Eastman School of Music, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree with high distinction. From 1988 to 2006 she lived in London, England where she taught for the London Suzuki Group and in the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music.
Carey is recognized as a teacher trainer by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the European Suzuki Association, and she has given numerous workshops across the Americas and Europe. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
Noted for her creative and entertaining approach, Carey specializes in working with groups of all sizes and ages.
Carey Beth Hockett wrote "The Lark Variations" for AARHUS CELLO EXPO. The piece was world-premiered at ACE 2018. It is based on a simple Danish children's tune by the composer Carl Nielsen. Carey composed a new piece for ACE23!
Carey Beth Hockett (US)
ACE Faculty, Composer, Suzuki Teacher Trainer, Lecturer and Workshops
Carey Beth Hockett is a sought-after cello teacher who has worked with children and teachers around the world.
Carey Beth Hockett graduated from the Eastman School of Music, receiving a Bachelor of Music degree with high distinction. From 1988 to 2006 she lived in London, England where she taught for the London Suzuki Group and in the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music.
Carey is recognized as a teacher trainer by the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the European Suzuki Association, and she has given numerous workshops across the Americas and Europe. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Suzuki Association of the Americas.
Noted for her creative and entertaining approach, Carey specializes in working with groups of all sizes and ages.
Carey Beth Hockett wrote "The Lark Variations" for AARHUS CELLO EXPO. The piece was world-premiered at ACE 2018. It is based on a simple Danish children's tune by the composer Carl Nielsen. Carey composed a new piece for ACE23!
Masterclasses & Advanced Cello Ensemble Instructor:
Henrik Brendstrup (DK)
Henrik Brendstrup joined the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in 1987, shortly after having done his first tour. Since then, Henrik has been working extensively with the Orchestra.
Born in Denmark, Henrik studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen with Erling Bløndal Bengtsson, and later in London with William Pleeth and Ralph Kirshbaum.
He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, and is a regular guest at international chamber music festivals such as Risør, Stavanger, Oslo and Lockenhaus.
His numerous recordings include the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven, solo works for cello by Sofia Gubaidulina, and cello works by Chopin and Liszt which won the French award “Diapason d’Or”.
Henrik is a very active chamber musician and has been the cellist of several leading ensembles in Denmark, such as The Danish String Quartet, the sextet “Copenhagen Classic”, and the Gefion Trio.
He is Professor of Cello at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, Denmark.
Henrik Brendstrup (DK)
Henrik Brendstrup joined the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in 1987, shortly after having done his first tour. Since then, Henrik has been working extensively with the Orchestra.
Born in Denmark, Henrik studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen with Erling Bløndal Bengtsson, and later in London with William Pleeth and Ralph Kirshbaum.
He has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, and is a regular guest at international chamber music festivals such as Risør, Stavanger, Oslo and Lockenhaus.
His numerous recordings include the complete works for cello and piano by Beethoven, solo works for cello by Sofia Gubaidulina, and cello works by Chopin and Liszt which won the French award “Diapason d’Or”.
Henrik is a very active chamber musician and has been the cellist of several leading ensembles in Denmark, such as The Danish String Quartet, the sextet “Copenhagen Classic”, and the Gefion Trio.
He is Professor of Cello at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus, Denmark.
Group lessons:
ANJA MAJA (FI)
Anja Maja is an extremely sought-after Suzuki Teacher Trainer.
She has organized Suzuki programming in various parts of Europe, including the Baltic countries, Helsinki and Poland.
Children and parents across the board have expressed their deep appreciation for Anja and her remarkable work. Her students play beautifully and we are so lucky to have her as part of our ACE faculty.
ANJA MAJA (FI)
Anja Maja is an extremely sought-after Suzuki Teacher Trainer.
She has organized Suzuki programming in various parts of Europe, including the Baltic countries, Helsinki and Poland.
Children and parents across the board have expressed their deep appreciation for Anja and her remarkable work. Her students play beautifully and we are so lucky to have her as part of our ACE faculty.
Group lessons:
Euláliá Subirá (ES)
Euláliá Subirá was born in Barcelona in 1968. She studied Cello with Peter Thiemann and María de Macedo in Barcelona and Madrid. Beginning in 1991 she decided to specialise in cello pedagogy with Ann Grave, Carey Beth Hockett and Penny Heath in Lyon and London, obtaining her Level 5 Suzuki Teacher certification.Since 1992, Euláliá has been working as a cello teacher in the Municipal School of Music of Manlleu (Barcelona), where she teaches students as young as 4 years old.
Furthermore, she specialises in teaching disabled students.
In 1998 Euláliá founded the “Grup de Violoncels de Manlleu” consisting of students ages 8 to 14, with whom she has carried out pedagogic concerts in different cities of Catalunya, Spain and England.Euláliá has been teaching cello courses (for young musicians) in a plethora of countries, including Spain, France, Belgium, England, Palestine,Lithuania, Portugal, Switzerland and Denmark. She has organised seventeen cello courses, the most important of which was the "VicCelloFestival.cat" (February 2014). Euláliá has been a certified Suzuki Violoncello Teacher Trainer since July 2017.
Euláliá Subirá (ES)
Euláliá Subirá was born in Barcelona in 1968. She studied Cello with Peter Thiemann and María de Macedo in Barcelona and Madrid. Beginning in 1991 she decided to specialise in cello pedagogy with Ann Grave, Carey Beth Hockett and Penny Heath in Lyon and London, obtaining her Level 5 Suzuki Teacher certification.Since 1992, Euláliá has been working as a cello teacher in the Municipal School of Music of Manlleu (Barcelona), where she teaches students as young as 4 years old.
Furthermore, she specialises in teaching disabled students.
In 1998 Euláliá founded the “Grup de Violoncels de Manlleu” consisting of students ages 8 to 14, with whom she has carried out pedagogic concerts in different cities of Catalunya, Spain and England.Euláliá has been teaching cello courses (for young musicians) in a plethora of countries, including Spain, France, Belgium, England, Palestine,Lithuania, Portugal, Switzerland and Denmark. She has organised seventeen cello courses, the most important of which was the "VicCelloFestival.cat" (February 2014). Euláliá has been a certified Suzuki Violoncello Teacher Trainer since July 2017.
Group lessons:
Tiia Ignatius (FI)
Tiia began her cello journey at the age of five, learning through the Suzuki method under the guidance of Anja Maja. She graduated as a cello teacher in 2006 and has been passionately teaching Suzuki students since 2005. Currently, she teaches at Käpylä Music Institute, where she took over after Anja Maja’s retirement. Her studio is home to approximately 30 students, ranging from four years old to high school graduates.
As an active member of the Finnish Suzuki Association, she has organized several national camps to foster community and learning within the Suzuki method. In addition to teaching, she performs regularly as a cellist at various events and has been a member of the Helsinki City Theatre orchestra since 2008.
In her teaching, Tiia places a high value on connecting with students and embarking on a shared journey of musical discovery. She cherishes the opportunity to be part of the musical growth of many children.
Tiia Ignatius (FI)
Tiia began her cello journey at the age of five, learning through the Suzuki method under the guidance of Anja Maja. She graduated as a cello teacher in 2006 and has been passionately teaching Suzuki students since 2005. Currently, she teaches at Käpylä Music Institute, where she took over after Anja Maja’s retirement. Her studio is home to approximately 30 students, ranging from four years old to high school graduates.
As an active member of the Finnish Suzuki Association, she has organized several national camps to foster community and learning within the Suzuki method. In addition to teaching, she performs regularly as a cellist at various events and has been a member of the Helsinki City Theatre orchestra since 2008.
In her teaching, Tiia places a high value on connecting with students and embarking on a shared journey of musical discovery. She cherishes the opportunity to be part of the musical growth of many children.
Piano accompaniment:
Irene Hasager (DK)
Irene Hasager graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus under the Hungarian-born professor Georg Vasarhelyi. She then continued her studies in Germany and France.
In Denmark, Irene has worked as an accompanist with Professor Kim Borg at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and with commitment and desire to solve versatile musical tasks, Irene Hasager has been an accompanist and musical director at Undergrunden, Musikdramatisk Teater, Operafabrikken, Det Unge Operaselskab, Den Anden Opera, Den Fynske Opera, Den Jyske Opera, Det Kgl . Theatre, The Kgl. The Danish Music Conservatory, the Opera Academy and the Central Opera - mainly within recent music drama.
Irene has done extensive work as an accompanist for several Danish and foreign soloists. Concerts as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician in France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark.
Irene Hasager (DK)
Irene Hasager graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus under the Hungarian-born professor Georg Vasarhelyi. She then continued her studies in Germany and France.
In Denmark, Irene has worked as an accompanist with Professor Kim Borg at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and with commitment and desire to solve versatile musical tasks, Irene Hasager has been an accompanist and musical director at Undergrunden, Musikdramatisk Teater, Operafabrikken, Det Unge Operaselskab, Den Anden Opera, Den Fynske Opera, Den Jyske Opera, Det Kgl . Theatre, The Kgl. The Danish Music Conservatory, the Opera Academy and the Central Opera - mainly within recent music drama.
Irene has done extensive work as an accompanist for several Danish and foreign soloists. Concerts as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician in France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Greenland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Denmark.
Piano accompaniment:
Aya Tominaga (DK)
Aya Tominaga holds a degree from the Toho Gakuen in Tokyo, in 1997. She recieved the Saitama prize in japan. The Following year she moved to Amsterdam to study with Prof. Matthijs Verschoor.
Tominaga has been finalist in the Leipzig Bach Competition and she has recieved the German publisher Bärenreiter ́s Urtext Prize.
In 2003 Aya Tominaga made her debut from the soloistclass of the Royal Academy of Music Århus. She is currently working as an accompanist and teacher at The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus and at Aarhus Music School.
Aya Tominaga (DK)
Aya Tominaga holds a degree from the Toho Gakuen in Tokyo, in 1997. She recieved the Saitama prize in japan. The Following year she moved to Amsterdam to study with Prof. Matthijs Verschoor.
Tominaga has been finalist in the Leipzig Bach Competition and she has recieved the German publisher Bärenreiter ́s Urtext Prize.
In 2003 Aya Tominaga made her debut from the soloistclass of the Royal Academy of Music Århus. She is currently working as an accompanist and teacher at The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus and at Aarhus Music School.
