Celebrating Our Faculty and Staff Anniversaries!
2026-2027
September 22nd, 2026
A new school year is also a chance to look back at the people who have helped make MIC what it is today. We’re grateful for the faculty and staff members whose dedication has made a lasting difference for our students and our community. This year, we’re celebrating these milestone anniversaries:
Celebrating 50 Years
Elaine Felder | Piano Department Chair; Piano & Chamber Music Faculty
Celebrating 45 Years
Claire Aebersold Neiweem | Aebersold & Neiweem Piano Duo in Residence; Piano Faculty
Celebrating 30 Years
Dr. Sung Hoon Mo | Piano & Chamber Music Faculty
Celebrating 25 Years
Mary Drews | Piano Faculty (Suzuki and Traditional)
David Fivecoate | Clarinet & Saxophone Faculty
Dr. Soo Young Lee | Piano & Chamber Music Faculty
Sarah Montzka | Associate Director, Barston Suzuki Center; Violin & Viola Faculty (Suzuki)
Celebrating 20 Years
Sue Polutnik | Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Gregory Shifrin | MIC Chorale Pianist
Celebrating 15 Years
Brad Conroy | Guitar Department Chair; Guitar Faculty
Eric Snoza | Bass Faculty (Double bass)
Celebrating 10 Years
Phyllis Adams | Harp Faculty
Maria Alfaro | Administrative Assistant, Evanston Campus
Suzanne Hannau | Flute & Early Childhood Smart Start Faculty
Dr. Yumy Lee Kim | Piano Faculty (Suzuki & traditional)
Davis King | Violin & Viola Faculty
Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff | Viola Faculty; Academy Chamber Music Faculty
James Sanders | Violin Faculty
Maria Schwartz | Flute Faculty (Suzuki & Traditional)
Celebrating 5 Years
Julie Bickel | MIC Virtuoso Strings Director
Dr. Ann Chang | Piano Faculty
Galina Kiep | Bassoon Faculty
Al Loss | Administrative Assistant, Lake Forest Campus
Julia Wen Mariano | Suzuki Clinician Coordinator; Suzuki Events Coordinator; Cello Faculty (Suzuki)
Ashley Pensinger-Sok | Violin Faculty (Suzuki)
Paul Zafer | Viola Faculty & Chamber Music Faculty
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