Our Faculty

Fabian Ularu, Violin and viola - Assistantconcert master of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, Highland Park Strings (1st  Teaches intermediate to advanced students.violin), former member of Galveston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Civic Symphony, La Orquesta Sinfonica de la U.AN.L., Filharmonica “George Dima”, and “Virtuoziidin Transilvania”. Six years ago I was given the opportunity to teach at Solo Classic. During my tenure at Solo Classic I have enjoyed teaching a range of students from 1st grade to high school level using traditional methods and also Suzuki method. I appreciate that Solo Classic has developed quarterly concerts in which the students have to opportunity to demonstrate theirs skills and knowledge accumulated. We encourage students to participate in local activities, school orchestras or local competitions. In the last IGSMA, several of my students have taken gold medal.
Solo Classic provides a full range of services from lessons to repairs, to music store, which helped me in my duties, becoming a reference a local community for schools, local musicians as well as local orchestras.

 

 

 

 Andrew Bukowinski, Cello- received his B.M. in Cello Performance, summa cum laude from Arizona State University, where he studied with Thomas Landschoot and worked with the Tokyo, St. Lawrence, Orion, and Brentano Quartets, and received his M.M. in Cello Performance, with distinction from DePaul University, where he studied with Stephen Balderston. He has performed in master classes for Emmanuelle Bertrand, Andrés Diaz, Timothy Eddy, Bernard Greenhouse, Philippe Muller, and Menahem Pressler, among others. During summers, he has attended several music festivals, including the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, Interlochen Arts Camp’s Advanced String Quartet Program in Michigan, the Killington Music Festival in Vermont, the Domaine Forget Summer Music Academy in Quebec, and the Castleman String Quartet Program in Boulder, Colorado. In the summer of 2012, Andrew taught cello lessons in Trujillo, Peru as a volunteer with a non-profit organization. He maintains an active teaching and performing schedule in the Chicago area and has played with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, 42nd Parallel Self-Conducted Orchestra, and the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra.

 

 

 Desi Tantchev, violin/viola- Ms. Tantchev holds both the BM and MM from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. Prior to moving to the U.S. In 1996, Desi has been performing with leading orchestras in Bulgaria and Europe. She served as principal violist for the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra for 8 years, performed regularly with the Illinois Philharmonic, Illinois Symphony Orchestras, currently she is a member of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and Highland Park Strings. Teaching both Traditional and Suzuki methods Desi is on the faculty of the MCMC in Crystal Lake since 2002, NSMI in Northfield, Starland and Wilmette Park District. She has taught at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South H.S. for several years. Desi lives in Glenview with her husband and two sons.

 

 

 

 

 Jon Gould, Guitar is a professional guitarist and instructor from Chicago, IL. At age 26, Jon has recorded and performed with dozens of artists at some of the most well known venues and festivals in the Midwest including: The Auditorium Theatre, The Chicago Latin Jazz Festival, The House of Blues, The Jazz Showcase, The Chicago Jazz Festival and Milwaukee's Summerfest. He has written music for the Discovery, Bravo, and Shotime networks and was named "Best Jazz/Blues artist of 2014" by the Chicago Independent Music Awards.

 In 2009, Jon began attending The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University where he recived his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies with a focus in guitar performance. While at Roosevelt, Jon became even more well versed in the history and performance of Jazz, Blues, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian music as well as music theory and composition. 

Inspired by those who had led him in becoming a musician, Jon began teaching students of all skill levels and ages in the Chicagoland area and has been for the past 8 years. Jon believes in the profound joy that learning an instrument provides and strives to share that sentiment with all his students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Nazar Dzhuryn, Cello- is a native of Lviv, Ukraine, graduated from the Lviv Music School, where he studied with Evgeny Shpitzer, and earned his Master of Music degree at the Moscow State Conservatory under Prof. Igor Gavrysh. Upon graduation, Nazar taught at the Moscow State Conservatory as an assistant professor before moving to Chicago in 1998. Since then, he has been in high demand as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and teacher.

Nazar’s solo recitals for the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts and the Piano Forte Salon Series have been broadcast live on 98.7WFMT. He has appeared as a soloist with the Moscow State Symphony “Young Russia,” Moscow Conservatory Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra. In 2010, 2011 and 2013 he appeared as a soloist with Lviv Philharmonic, National  Symphony of Ukraine in Kiev, Minsk Philharmonic and Ensemble of Soloists Classicus in Zagreb, performing Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante, Barber’s Concerto, Dvorak’s Concerto and Haydn’s Concertos. In addition, Nazar has given numerous solo recitals and master classes in Russia, Ukraine, South America, South Africa, South Korea and the U.S. In 2008 he released his solo debut CD, Cello Monologue, featuring works by Reger and Kodaly. His next CD, Cello Monologue 2 was released in 2013, featuring works of Ysaye, Hindemith, Crumb, Ligeti and Laniuk.

Nazar has performed in Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral and as a guest  artist with the Chicago Chamber Musicians; his chamber-music partners have included members of the orchestra of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Formerly the principal cello of the Moscow State Symphony “Young Russia” and the Moscow Conservatory Symphony, Nazar has served as the assistant principal cello of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra since 2000 and as the principal cello of the Woodstock Mozart Festival Orchestra since 2004. He participated in the Rostropovich Festival in Evian, France, and has performed as an orchestral musician under Georg Solti, Mstislav Rostropovich, Daniel Barenboim, and Helmuth Rilling.
Nazar’s students have won prizes in numerous competitions, including the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the Walgreens National Concerto Competition, and the Chicago Chamber Music Competition (sponsored by Midwest Young Artists).

 

 

 Sonia Hadar, Violin- Tel Aviv University. Student of Shlomo Bohr and Oedoe Partos. First prize winner in Gina Bachauer competition; principal, co-principal and  1^st violinist in Haifa Symphony Orchestra(Israel), Israeli Opera and Radio of Israel Light Music Orchestra, Tel Aviv, soloist and ensemble player in chamber groups, Ramat Gan(Israel) and I Musicanti of the Cape Town Simphony. Currently teaching at Music Institute in Highland Park and Solo Classic' Music School of young children through adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Will Kyriazis - Piano – is a nationally touring musician, educator, recording artist and composer. He received his Bachelor’s in Music focusing in Jazz Piano from the University of Denver, where he was rewarded the title of most outstanding student in his class. He continued his education by completing his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Denver. Will was also gifted the opportunity to study classical piano in Vienna, Austria as a part of the Cherrington Global Scholars program.

            He has toured the nation incessantly, recording and performing as a part of many different projects ranging from singer-song writer groups to rock n’ roll to jazz to world music. He has studied with Taylor Eigsti, Chris Botti’s principal pianist, and various other stalwart performers such as: Fred Hersch, Eric Gunnison, Chucho Valdes, Wynton Marsalis, and Dick Oatts.

Will is proficient in performing any style and has spent his years harnessing a wide variety of musical skills. He has taught for the past 10 years, and seeks to instill in his students a deep appreciation of music that is informed by many different traditions of study. He finds it paramount to incorporate aspects of personal expression and creativity, and seeks to develop well-rounded musicians who are confident in their ability to adapt and create in any musical situation.

 

 

 

 Farid Ishkinyaev -Viollin: Started his music education at age of 6. Before he left to USA, he studied at Academic Music College by Moscow State Conservatory with Professor Elena Demidenko. He got his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance (2016) at Manhattan School of Music where he was studying with Isaac Malkin. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at DePaul University where he is studying with Olga Kaler.

He had an opportunity to perform together with famous Russian violinist Dmitry Kogan and Ulyanovsk Symphonic Orchestra. He also got the President Award for his cultural achievements in Russia (2008).

Farid has also performed as an orchestral musician with the the Manhattan Symphonic Orchestra (2012-2016), the Bergen Philharmonic orchestra (2013), Philadelphia Chamber Virtousi Orchestra (2015). He had a chance to play for such famous musicians as Mikhail Kopelman and Emanuel Borok

 

 

 

 Min Park, Violin- recently graduated from Northwestern University, with degree of MM in Violin Performance and Pedagogy under the guidance of Almita Vamos.  Before NU, she received BM in Violin from University of Texas at Austin under Brian Lewis and Miro Quartet. She has been in masterclasses with Erin Keefe, Catherine Cho, Donald Weilerstein, Anne Akiko Meyer, Augustin Hadelich, to name the few. Min is active as a chamber musician as well. She formed Aoide Quartet at Northwestern University and had masterclasses with St. Lawrence Quartet, Lynn Harrell, Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, Shumul Ashekanisi to name few. Currently, she’s coaching chamber groups at Hyde Park Suzuki Institute. As a teacher, which is her passion, Min has been teaching since her high school years and got Suzuki certified during her undergraduate. At Northwestern University, under guidance of both Professor Almita Vamos and Professor Stacia Spencer, Min has been actively teaching from beginners to advanced students. 

 

 

 

 Ekaterina Kalinina, Piano- graduated with honors from Temple University, PA majoring in Piano Performance. She has been studying and performing piano since the age of five, participating at local competitions and graduated from Nizhny Novgorod Musical College, Russia with honors. Ekaterina continued her education in the Glinka Conservatory of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. During her studies, she worked as an accompanist for the Department of Conducting at the conservatory and at the Nizhny Novgorod Ballet School. Before joining Solo Classic Ekaterina taught at the International School of Music, Bethesda, MD, Mozart Music Academy and Go Musicians School in Philadelphia, PA.

Ekaterina approach: The focus of my teaching strategy is to provide an effective and joyful learning through different tactics and techniques that unlock students' potential. My philosophy is to find the unique approach for each student and infuse the knowledge and skills to work independently. My students are encouraged to discover their power as musicians through the wide range of suggestions and tools that facilitate the creative process. The lesson plan is designed to integrate interconnections between music and other art related disciplines to nurture a versatile personality as well as to make music a passion of life.

 

 

 Agnieszka Likos,-Violin, viola- completed her Master’s Degree in violin performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in the studio of S. Hersh. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, where she studied with S. Bernhardsson and was awarded the Smith Scholarship for artistic work and academic achievements. During her pre-college studies, Agnieszka was a student of M. Dreher at the Music Institute of Chicago. She began violin in Poland under direction of D. Pelczar at I. J. Paderewski School of Music in Krosno, and continued with I. Wojciechowska at H. Wieniawski School of Music in ?ód?. Agnieszka realizes her musical interests in the field of chamber music, performing at multiple chamber music festivals in Santu Lussurgiu (Sardinia), Bowdoin (ME), Madeline Island (WI), Hot Springs (AR) and Urbana-Champaign (IL). She took part in multiple master classes led by outstanding chamber musicians such as Itamar Golan, Gordan Nikolic, the Guarneri Quartet, Pacifica Quartet, Hugo Wolf Quartet, Arianna Quartet, Parker Quartet and Shanghai Quartet. From 2004 to 2006 she was a member of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music Program. As a member of a piano trio from Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Program, Agnieszka won the first prize in the O.P.U.S. Chamber Music Competition in Chicago. In addition to teaching, Agnieszka is a member of Heartland Symphony Orchestra and Northbrook Symphony Orchestra. She is a co-founder and a violin teacher at the Likos String Academy in downtown Chicago and also a violin instructor at Elgin College. 

 

 

 

 

  Patrycja Likos, Cello - earned Master of Music in cello performance from Academy of Music in ?ód?, Poland under the tutelage of Andrzej Orkisz. She received an Artist Diploma in cello performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the studio of Brandon Vamos. Between 2012 -2014 Patrycja was a member of Civic Orchestra in Chicago. 
She has performed solo in many cello master classes led by such outstanding cellists as G. Gnocchi, A. Bauer, M. Flaksman, J. Pegis, J. Reuling and P. Uyterlinde. As a chamber musician, she took part in chamber music master classes in U.S. and Italy with I. Golan, I. Gitlis, Pacifica Quartet, Parker Quartet, Arianna Quartet and Jupiter Quartet.
Patrycja has participated in cello competitions in the United States and abroad. In 2011, she won the first prize in the Krannert Center Debut Artist Competition at Urbana-Champaign. Patrycja earned the third prize at the International Cello Competition in Kosice, Slovak Republic, and the first prize at the Chamber Music Competition in Stalowa Wola, Poland. Currently Patrycja Likos is a co-founder and teacher of the Likos String Academy located in downtown Chicago. She also is a cello instructor at the Lycée Français de Chicago. Additional to teaching she is an assistant principal cellist of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and a member of Heartland Symphony Orchestra

 

 

 

 Robert Monroe, -Piano- graduated with High Distinction from the University of Iowa in 2012 and holds a Bachelors Degree in Classical Piano Performance. Robert has toured internationally to Brazil serving as the pianist for the Johnson County Landmark big band. In 2013, he was selected to perform at the Iowa City Jazz Festival with the Small Container Trio.  Robert also performed in the 2011 festival. He has had multiple performances broadcast by television stations UITV, PATV, and radio stations, KCCK, and KRUI.  Robert has over 6 years of private jazz and classical piano teaching experience. He draws from his many performances to provide individually suited instruction for each student.