0 itemsAaron Kaplan
Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013
Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011
Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011
Blake Brasch, cello (at MIC!) Carl Meyer, high school orchestra teacher Brandon Vamos, cello Donald Schleicher, conducting
When working with young musicians, I believe it is my job to introduce them to the great composers and the large cannon of repertoire that classical music offers. The idea that I try to convey to the students is to "play the music, not the notes". Through hard work and practice, my goal is to have the students enjoy making great music and to have fun while doing so.
Distinguished Teacher Nominee, Glenbrook North High School, 2015 Graduate Assistantship, University of Illinois School of Music, 2011-2013 Theodore Presser Award in Music, University of Illinois School of Music, 2010 Isabelle Purnell Education Award, The Illinois Club, University of Illinois, 2010 Music Education Division Achievement Award, University of Illinois School of Music, 2009 String Division Achievement Award, University of Illinois School of Music, 2008 & 2010 FAA Talented Student Scholarship, University of Illinois School of Music, 2007-2011
Orchestra Director, Glenbrook North & Glenbrook South High School, 2013-present Interim Conductor, Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestras, 2013-2014 Music Director/Conductor, Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony & Community Orchestra, 2012-2013 Cellist, Heartland Festival Orchestra, 2011-present Cellist, Sinfonia da Camera, 2008-2013 Conducting/Cello Faculty, Chicago Suzuki Institute, 2013-present Cello Camp Co-Headmaster, Illinois Summer Youth Music, 2009-2013
I am a huge advocate of musical theater and spend lots of my free time music-directing musicals, as well as writing arrangements and orchestrations for friends and colleagues in the field.
"Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable." - Leonard Bernstein
Practice slowly. Always slowly.
Beethoven and Mahler Symphonies
Conducting the opening night for "The Nutcracker" (for Champaign Urbana Ballet) when the conductor did not show up, with 30 seconds notice!