Instructor Bios

Sue Gillio , flute …

• Sue Gillio, an Oglesby native, is a graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School.  She is Co-owner of OPUS 111, director of the flute program, instructor of flute and director of the Illinois Valley Flute Choir. 

• She attended Western Illinois University and received a Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude) and Master of Arts with emphasis in flute performance where she studied with Gerald Carey. 

• Ms. Gillio has performed in masterclasses of Alexander Murray, Eric Hoover, Robin Fellows, Wissam Boustany and attended the Trevor Wye Residential Masterclass in New London, Connecticut.

• She is currently Principal flute of the Illinois Valley Symphony, a member of the Quad City Symphony and has performed in the Heartland Philharmonic, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, and the Peoria Symphony.

• She has been a featured soloist with the Northwest Indiana Youth Symphony, Illinois Valley Youth Symphony, Mendota High School Band, Illinois Valley Community College Wind Ensemble and guest soloist with members of the Chicago Symphony and Northwest Indiana Symphony at St. Xavier College in Chicago performing "Brandenburg Concerto #5" by J.S. Bach. 

• The 2006-2007 Season of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra featured her on Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp.  Internationally, Ms. Gillio traveled to Italy (1998,2004) as part of the Rome Festival Orchestra, Opera and Ballet. 

• She is currently on faculty at Illinois Valley Community College and Sauk Valley Community College.  She is a frequent adjudicator at IMEA, IHSA Solo/Ensemble Contest, Rockford Young Artists Competition, Chicago Flute Club Competition and other local festivals. She was a guest clinician at the Western Illinois University “Living Legacy” tribute to Gerald Carey (2006) presenting a lecture on “Developing a Successful Music Studio”. 

• She is a member of the Illinois Valley Symphony Board, Chicago Flute Club, Rockford Flute Club and National Flute Association where she has performed for the National Conventions in Columbus, OH (2000) and Dallas, TX (2001) and served as the 2006 Co-General Director of the Maud Powell Music Festival.  In 1999, she founded the Annual IVCC Summer Flute Retreat, teaching with her former WIU instructor, Gerald Carey.  Additionally, she is on the faculty of the Summer Flute Camp at Westminster Choir Conservatory in Princeton, New Jersey.

Stacy Konczak, piano…

• Co-owner of OPUS 111,  Director of the Piano & KINDERMUSIK® Programs, is a graduate of LaSalle-Peru High School.  She received an Associate of Arts degree at Illinois Valley Community College and a Bachelor of Music with concentration in piano pedagogy from Illinois Wesleyan in 1991. 

• In her course of study, her teachers include Anita Albert, LaSalle; Carolyn Ashley, Geneva; and Professor Susan Brandon and Dr Lawrence Campbell, both at Illinois Wesleyan.

• Received licensed certification from Kindermusik® University upon completing required curriculum, 2000.

• While at IVCC, she performed in the Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mr. John Armstrong, the IVCC Choir under the direction of Mr. William Hall, and participated in two student recitals while studying with Ms. Carolyn Ashley.  At IWU, she performed two solo piano recitals and was a member of the  Jazz Combo "Low Frequency".

• She attended the "Amadeus Bicentennial Mozart Festival" in 1991, touring London, Rome, Florence, Venice, Salzburg and Vienna.

• She currently attends piano pedagogy seminars including those given by Jane Bastien (Bastien and KJOS) and Lynda Garcia (Roland and Hal Leonard), is the organist at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church and St. Hyacinth’s Catholic Church and performs for weddings and funerals.

• She has adjudicated for the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contests,

• At home, she has a husband, Bryant; children Alex, Anna, Noah and Jack, and a dog, Cujo.

• Her students' accomplishments include:
  • Superior place rankings at  IHSA (Illinois High School Assn) Solo & Ensemble Contests
  • Contestant in the Renquist Music Competition in Geneva, IL.
  • Members of the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony
  • Participants in the "Monster Concerts" sponsored by Horine's Pianos Plus (previously in the Peru Mall)
  • Featured soloists for the Youth Service Bureau's Sports' Benefit and Auction, Spring 1998.
  • Accompanist/solo performances at various local schools, churches and talent shows
  • Music and Piano Performance Majors at Eureka College, University of Illinois, ISU & NIU
  • Student teaching and assisting

Amy Bell, Theory Workshops/Composition…

• Graduate of La Salle-Peru High School. As a student of OPUS 111 Music Studio, Amy studied flute with Sue Gillio and piano with Stacy Konczak.

• Received a Bachelor of Music Composition and Bachelor of Music Performance with flute emphasis from University of Northern Iowa studying flute with Angeleita Floyd and Torleif Ander (Sweden) and composition with Jonathan Schwabe, Lathon Jernigan and Alan Schmitz. Has Performance on masterclasses with Gerald Carey, Angeleita Floyd, Stephanie Jutt and Zawa! (Claudia Anderson and Jill Felber)

• Most recently, Amy completed a Master of Music Composition from Bowling Green State University in Ohio studying with Elainie Lillios, Burton Beerman and Andrea Reinkemeyer.

• She has written and has had performed many works for solo instruments, voice and chamber works for larger ensembles. Premiere include Phoenix Rising (2004) for solo flute; Prayer (2003) for two pianos and percussion; Kyrie (2003) for mixed choir and small chamber ensemble; Litany and Incantation (2002) for flute and bassoon; Stations of the Cross (2001) for organ and percussion; Thesis piece: Transendence toward Paradise (2007) for mezzo-soprano, flute, viola, and harp; and other works.

Kim Codo, Guitar & Guitar Ensembles…

• Was born August 1, 1952  and a 1970 graduate of Ottawa High School and attended Illinois Valley Community College. 

• Attended Illinois State University, where he was a Theory & Composition major studying with Roque Cordero.

• Kim has worked as a professional musician with various bands from 1966 through 1993.

• Has taught guitar since 1970 and studied with Frank Longary (SSA approved teacher trainer) for registration as a Suzuki® Guitar instructor.

Constance L. Deal, Violin, Viola, Cello & Pre Twinkle…

• Ms. Deal’s musical training began in Hickory North Carolina, where she studied with Varton Manoogian (1974-76).  Her summers were spent in study at Brevard Music Camp, Brevard, North Carolina and later at the National Music Camp, Interlochen, Michigan.

• In 1981, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Violin Performance from Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina.  While there she studied with Dr. Jeri Lucktenburg.  After college, she  taught private lessons in Dunwoody, Georgia.  Currently, she teaches violin privately in the following communities: Geneseo, Ottawa, and Princeton, Illinois.  She is also on the music faculty at the Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, Illinois.

• Since moving to Annawan, Illinois in 1992, Ms. Deal is active in teaching violin to all ages and performing in many community activities.  Some of these activities are Knox Galesburg Symphony Orchestra, 2004 Quad Cities Music Guild’s performance of Jekyl and Hyde, Bureau Valley High School’s annual musical, Kewanee Community Palm Sunday Concert and Christmas Concert, and guest soloist at many local churches.  Ms. Deal is a member of Music to Remember, which provides music for weddings and special occasions.  She is a registered member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (thru Book 6).   Past performing opportunities include the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, Geneseo String Ensemble, and Geneseo Music Club.

Rachel Garthe, Piano Apprentice…

• is a junior at La Salle-Peru High School.  She has played piano for 10 years currently studying with Linda Brant (8 years) although her first teacher was her mom, Denise.  Rachel has accompanied for band contest at the Junior and Senior High levels as well as four years for graduation at Dimmick.  She has played in Jazz Band at LP and received Outstanding Ratings at IHSA Solo and Ensemble competition.  Additionally, she has participated in LP’s “One Night Only” and the musicals and will be the drum major of the LaSalle-Peru Marching Band.

• Rachel received the Carly Genslinger Fine Arts Memorial award in 8th grade for dedication to the fine arts. 

• In addition to piano, Rachel studies organ with Linda Brant, and clarinet with Kathy Evans.  She plays in the LP Band, has gone to IMEA three years, NCIC upon recommendation of director, and received superior ratings at IHSA Solo and Ensemble competition.  She has played bas clarinet fo rhte LP Musical “Evita” in 2005.

Jill Hejl, Foreign Languages, Spanish, French and Italian…

• Our language instructor, Jill Hejl, has had a love for languages ever since she got a Russian balalaika (folk guitar) and a Cyrillic alphabet paper for a 6th grade school project.  She was a Russian Major during her first year at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).  She studied Spanish for four years in high school; two years at UIUC; and continues to take Spanish classes at IVCC where she currently works.

• Jill has taught three Command Spanish courses for the Continuing Education Department at IVCC (Spanish for Nurses, Spanish for Bank Tellers, and Spanish for Dentists) and has also created and taught two children’s summer classes, “Español Para Los Niños”, for 5-8 year olds.  Before joining OPUS 111 Music Studio (Summer 2005), she privately tutored children from the ages of seven to sixteen.  In addition, Jill translates documents for a local business as well as projects for IVCC.

• Her study of French includes two years of coursework at IVCC.  Furthermore, she says she is “fascinated” with French culture, music, fashion, and food.  “My adoration of Julia Child and Jacques Pépin (whom I actually met!) knows no bounds!” “I plan to continue to study French and one day be sitting at a French café leisurely eating a croissant.”

• After a break from college, when she went to San Francisco to investigate becoming a chef, Jill completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from UIUC and then worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) in Champaign as a technical editor.  She has also completed graduate level courses at both the University of Texas, Austin and Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.

• Besides her linguist bent, Jill is an artist.  She has had two of her painted chairs in the annual St. Bede auction, has sold painted objects at Sasso’s in LaSalle, and was featured in the News Tribune for her whimsical paintings on her kitchen cabinets.  She currently belongs to an altered books club with other local artists and teachers.  She continues to paint for friends and for herself.  Finally, she and her husband are active members of and foster parents for IVAR (Illinois Valley Animal Rescue).

Mary Kramer, Voice & Junior League Singers, Djembe…

• Received BA in Communication Arts/Theatre from St. Mary’s College, MN. Studied voice under Dr. Diane Guthrie at Methodist College, NC and William Watson at Northern Illinois University.  Mary received a Masters in Music Degree and Teacher certification from NIU and is teaching full time at Putnam County Community Schools K-8 with a Jr. High choir.

• Ms. Kramer is a cantor and soloist at St. Patrick’s Church in LaSalle.  She is a Stage 212 “regular” with roles in Baby, Evita, She Loves Me, Dial M for Murder, Proof, and Two by Two.  She was the Director of the K-8 children’s musical The Magic Pebble in Princeton.

Nichole Luchs , Harp … (available for instruction off site)

• native of Freeport, Illinois, started playing the harp at the age of ten studying with Nanette Felix until she graduated high school and then went on to study with Elizabeth Cifani, principal harpist with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
  
• Nichole received a bachelors degree in harp performance from Northern Illinois University and a masters degree in harp performance from Northwestern University.  During her studies, she was the recipient of the prestigious Eckstein Scholarship and the Keefer Award.  In 2002, she performed two duets with the world-renowned Steel-pan artist Liam Teague on his Christmas recording A Christmas Gift, produced by Sack records.  She also performed on the debut recording of modern composer Dexter Morrill entitled, Dexter Morrill: Three Concertos, produced by Centaur Records, Inc. In 2003, she was a featured artist at the first annual Viroqua Fine Arts Festival and also in 2005 for the Dubuque Symphony Chamber Musicians Series.
  
  
• Nichole is currently an active freelance musician and performs throughout Illinois and Iowa.  She is principal harp with the Illinois Valley Symphony, Peoria Symphony and DuPage Symphony.  Additionally, she has performed with the Rockford Symphony, Evanston Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, Fox Valley Symphony Quad City Symphony, and Dubuque Symphony.  She is a member of the American Harp Society and the Great Lakes Harpers. 

David Peterson, brass…

• Received his Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Illinois.  He is presently the band director at Grand Ridge Grade School.  He previously taught music and band in the Spring Valley Elementary Schools and at Ladd Grade School.

• Mr. Peters is a member of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Monarch Brass Quintet, the Prairie Percussion Group and also conduct the Spring Valley Municipal Band. 

• David resides in La Salle with his wife, Julie.

Steve Resler, Guitar…

• Born in South Dakota and introduced to piano lessons at age four.  Steve has studied guitar since age nine under the tutelage of Evelyn Brue-Roeder, Brad Fish and Don Tisch at NIU and Kim Codo. In addition to guitar, he played trombone and electric bass at Serena High School. He has studied voice with Angela Presutti of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Vandercook College of Music.

• Mr. Resler received an AA with music emphasis at Illinois Valley Community College and has taught K-8 general music and private guitar at the DaVinci Academy for the Gifted and Talented (2002-2003) in Elgin.  He is currently a student at NIU studying computer music and media arts.

• He has played in local bands such as Torque, Achin’ Alley, The Jury, and Symptom of Society.  He has composed music for independent films such as Carlin Trammels David Van Fange in Tastes like Chicken (Stormspeed Entertainment and Habeeb Films), can be heard on “Torque Live, The GrrCrunch Whirring” and Symptom of Society’s original first album “Symptom of Society.

• He has performed with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra and has recently remixed English overdubs for the Chinese film “The Emperor’s Daughter”.

Leigh Ann Singer, Flute …

• is a recent graduate (2007) of University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning her Masters of Music in Flute Performance.  She received her Bachelors in Music Education from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, graduating Summa Cum Laude with University Honors. 
   
• A native of Ottawa, Illinois, Singer has earned many high undergraduate honors such as Honors Scholar, Dean’s List, and Presser Scholar.  She was also first place winner of the Flute Society of Kentucky Collegiate Artist Competition (2003), finalist and winner of the Illinois State University Concerto Competition (2004), as well as earning principal positions in the top ensembles at Illinois State.  At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Leigh Ann Singer was a graduate teaching assistant, and has earned principal flute in UNL’s Symphony Orchestra (2005-2006), Wind Ensemble (2006-2007), and Chamber Orchestra (2006-2007). 
   
• Singer’s most recent honors is being accepted as a member of the 2007 International Youth Wind Orchestra at the WASBE Conference in Killarney, Ireland, as well as earning the Student Achievement Recognition Award from the Music Teachers National Association this year, an award recognizing leadership, academic achievement, and excellence in teaching. 
   
• Leigh Ann Singer has studied flute with Sue Gillio, Dr. Kimberly McCoul Risinger, and Dr. John Bailey.  She has also participated in masterclasses with many renowned flutists, such as Jimmy Walker, Alexa Still, Thomas Robertello, and Ian Clarke. 
   
• Singer is currently the band director in Spring Valley, Illinois, teaching both middle school and high school bands. 

Mark Spitz, Percussion…

• Mark joined the OPUS 111 Music Studio faculty in 2005 teaching percussion. 

• He has enjoyed an active performing career as drummer with numerous bands in the Illinois Valley area and in surrounding communities. 

• He is employed at Carus Chemical and resides in Dimmick Township with his wife, Cris and daughters Sarah and Rachel.

Ellen Vogelgesang, Piano…

• graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in music education in December, 2006.  She is a former graduate of Illinois Valley Community College, St. Bede Academy and St. Patrick’s grade school.  Ellen has studied piano since she was ten years old studying with Stacy Konczak, Mary Schallhorn (IVCC) and  Dr. William Koeher and Dr. Jeong Soo Kim at NIU.  Ellen has taught through the OPUS 111 Piano Apprentice Program since 2001.  Additionally, Ellen has also worked as a teacher’s aid for early childhood music classes through the Community School of the Arts (summer 2006).

• Ellen has been actively involved in vocal performances in the Illinois Valley at DeKalb.  She began taking voice lessons while in high school from Kori Suarez and continued at IVCC with Dr. Alan Peters and Norm Engstrom.  She has been involved with numerous church choirs at both St. Patrick’s Church in La Salle and the Newman Catholic Student Center in DeKalb.  She has also accompanied the Newman Center’s teen choir while at NIU.  Ellen  was a member of the St. Bede choir and performed in musicals while there.  She sang in the IVCC chorale and participated in the Annual Madrigal Dinner.   At NIU, Ellen was a member of the auditioned Concert Choir which sang Verdi’s Requiem with the Elgin Symphony and Choir in 2004.

Megan Zomboracz, Voice….

• soprano, recently moved back to Peru from Oglesby. 

• Megan started singing as a member of the Illinois Valley Children’s Choir at the age of 8.   She received an Associates Degree from Illinois Valley Community College in 2001 with emphasis in music studying with Dr. Alan Peters.  At IVCC, she participated in the Madrigals, the 1940s Radio Show and two plays/productions.  In 2003 she received a Bachelors Degree from Northern Illinois University with a music emphasis studying with Diane Ragains.  Additionally, she participated in the Opera Workshop, Concert Choir and was a member of ACDA.

• Her operatic roles include Diana from Orpheus in the Underworld and St. Wilhelmina in Four Saints in Three Acts.  Additionally, Ms. Zomboracz has graced the Maud Powell Music Festival stage in the 2006 production of Hänsel und Gretel and world premiere “Maud Powell, Queen of Violinists” written by Andrjez Hanzelewicz.  She will perform at the 2007 Maud Powell Music Festival at "Music Under the Stars" and the World Premiere of "The Bake Shop Ghost" by Dr. Jonathon Schwabe.

• Currently, Megan is the Branch Manager for Peru Federal Savings and has taught voice lessons at OPUS 111 Music Studio since September 2006.

Matt Valle, Comedy ….

• Matthew Valle is a native of La Salle. Matt started in the arts at the age of ten with Stacy Konczak, then Slusarek, by taking piano lessons.  He is a graduate of La Salle Catholic School, La Salle-Peru High School and Illinois Valley Community College studying voice with Dr. Alan Peters and piano with Mary Schallhorn.  He then went on to Columbia College in Chicago where he studied acting, voice training and dance.  In the Chicago Auditorium Theatre School of Fine Arts he studied opera with Nancy Henninger.  Additionally, Matt is a graduate of Educators of Beauty attaining a Cosmetology License and awarded the Student of the Year.  Matt attend the Second City Training Center and obtained his diploma in the improv courses and went on to study at the Improv Olympic and the Annoyance Theatre with mentor, author and teacher Jimmy Carrane.

• Matt has performed in over 200 shows at Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding in Chicago where he played the part of Joe, Tina’s brother.  Additionally, Matt was involved with the Tony ‘n Tina’s Tour Company.  He headlined in the New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Gentry Cabaret for two consecutive years and had standing gigs singing during the week.  He has also performed on the stages of Second City and Improv Olympic in scripted and improv directed shows.  He worked backstage at the Vic Theatre for a Margaret Cho show running scene changes and places.  Starting in small venues with small troupes, singing, dancing and improvising to a lead in a 16 year running show, Matt has achieved a small part of his dream.  He plans to move to Los Angels where he hopes to find a career in film and television.

• On a more “serious” side, Matt portrayed one of the kings in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra.

• OPUS 111 Music Studio welcomes Matt and hopes that he will return to do periodic workshops in the Illinois Valley community.

Jessica Wudtke , Early Childhood Classes, Recorder & Rhythm ….

• is from Toluca and will graduate with an associate in arts in May 2008 and then off to Illinois State University to pursue an bachelor degree in early childhood with a music emphasis. She is currently studying flute with Sue Gillio and performing with the Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble at OPUS 111 Music Studio.

• she is active in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) serving as membership chair. Additionally, she has attended the PTK Conference and participated in the Relay for Life, March of Dimes and other PTK affiliated activities.

• she is active as a team leader and teaches music to two and three year olds at her church.