Private instruction in Traditional and Suzuki Program
Group violin lessons
Melissa Arbetter has been a member of the Music Institute’s violin faculty since
September 2008. She earned her master of music degree in violin performance
at DePaul University and her bachelor of music degree in violin performance and
music education (Dean’s List) at Northwestern University. She also has participated
n long-term Suzuki training at the University of Minnesota. She has collaborated on
recordings including Season of Carols, Hear Our Voice Sh’ma Koleinu, and The Christmas
Schooner; the film Home Alone 2; and Chicago TV, radio, and theatre. She has performed
with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Lake Forest Symphony, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra,
Rochester Symphony Orchestra in Minnesota and the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Austria,
as well as a diverse range of pop artists from Richard Marx to the Moody Blues. She belongs
to the American Federation of Musicians, American String Teachers Association, and Suzuki
Association of the Americas.
MM, DePaul University (Violin Performance, scholarship recipient)
Long-term Suzuki Training, University of Minnesota (Mark Bjork)
BM, Northwestern University (Violin Performance and Music Education, Dean's List)
Additional studies:
with Paul Kantor, Aspen Music Festival
Additional Suzuki Training with Doris Preucil, Michele George
Certified in Music Mind Games, Unit One
Recordings:
Ms. Arbetter has collaborated on:
Season of Carols, Hear Our Voice Sh'ma Koleinu, and The Christmas Schooner
Film credits include Home Alone 2; television credits include WGN Chicago News
Radio credits include a performance on WBEZ;
Theatre performances include The Mercury Theater and Theater WIT, Chicago
"Every Child Can!" (S. Suzuki)
Ms. Arbetter teaches Violin and Viola and is equally skilled at teaching all ages of learners. She enjoys teaching individual and group classes, as well as teaching and playing chamber music.
Ms. Arbetter has performed as a member of numerous Chicago regional professional orchestras including: The Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Lake Forest Symphony, and Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (MN) and AIMS Festival Orchestra in Austria.
She has also appeared with diverse pop artists ranging from Richard Marx to the Moody Blues.
Chamber Music Coach: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Adjudicating experience: DePaul University Community Music Division Concerto Competition, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition Judge
Affiliations: American Federation of Musicians, American String Teachers Association, Suzuki Association of the Americas
"One of my favorite composers is Brahms. I could listen to his lyrical melodies all day!"
"I have two favorite musical moments: Each time a student achieves their personal best, I am overjoyed. Also, chatting with former CSO conductor Daniel Barenboim on the streets of Chicago is a memorable moment."
"One of my absolute favorite places near Chicago is the Ravinia Festival. I have many fond memories of spending summer nights there with family and friends, enjoying the music of diverse, internationally acclaimed artists."