Meet the Musicians
Photographs by Jim Spelman

The recent RSO Patron Survey told us that YOU, our audience, want to know more about the RSO musicians. We will include some fun facts about the RSO principal players on this page and will update the list periodically. We hope you enjoy this new feature.

MICHELE LEKAS, Concertmaster
Back Story: Concertmaster of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra since 1994, Michele Lekas received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the Quebec conservatory of Music, where she studied with Claude Letourneau. She also studied with David Cerone of the Meadowmount School of Music and with Jamie Laredo at the St. Louis Conservatory, where she completed a graduate performance diploma.

Ms. Lekas was a member of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy (Quebec City), the Camerata Lysy Gstaadt (Switzerland) and the New American Chamber Orchestra (based in Spain and touring Europe). In addition to being concertmaster of the RSO, Ms. Lekas is also concertmaster for the New Philharmonic Orchestra, associate concertmaster of the Northwest Indiana Symphony and a regular substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Describe your instrument: I play a Peresson violin made in 1979. Peresson was an Italian-born maker who made most of his violins in the States. He is considered one of the great violin makers of the 20th century. I play some concerts on my Sartory bow (French) and others on my Tubbs (English) bow depending on the program we play.
 
Tell us about your family: My husband Mark is a cellist. We have two children, Sophie, 11 years old, and James who is 8.

Where we could find you in the summer: The summer usually includes a family trip to Canada to visit my family, many short trips with our kids around the Midwest, some gardening, swimming, and spending a lot of time with the kids. All of that works around my husband’s and my performing schedule.

KLAUS THOMAS ASHER, Viola, RSO education outreach

Back story: Tom Asher graduated from Indiana University and has performed with the RSO since 1985. He began his musical studies at the age of seven. Tom also plays trumpet, and he feels that violists are the diplomats of the orchestra – bringing together the differences between the cellos and the violins!

Where would we most likely find you in the summer: I am usually in my shop building and repairing string instruments, practicing viola and trumpet.

Tell us about your family: My wife Becky (RSO principal horn) keeps me out of jail by doing the books for the shop. Our daughters Mindy (cello) and Leah (violin) both play circles around me.

What was your funniest concert experience: In a rehearsal for Peter and the Wolf, the horns played the “wolf theme” and a German Shepherd trotted out on stage!

REBECCA ASHER, Principal French Horn, RSO librarian, RSO education outreach

Back story: Becky joined the RSO in 1985 after having performed with orchestras in Mexico and around the U.S. She plays a Steven Lewis horn that was made for her in 1983. Her teachers included James Jones, Philip Farkas from Indiana University, and Paul Ingraham from Hartt College of Music. In addition to serving as the RSO Librarian, Becky actively participates is several of the RSO Education Outreach programs including Symphony Goes to Schools, Fine Arts Fridays, and the RSO Brass Quintet.

Where would we most likely find you in the summer: In Rockford – preparing for the next RSO season and futilely trying to improve the appearance of our yard.

Tell us about your family: My husband, Tom, plays viola in the RSO, trumpet, and operates a string shop from our house. We have two daughters who are also musicians. One is in NYC playing cello, the other plays violin and attends Oberlin College.

What’s in your CD player or Ipod: Count Basie, Bruckner, DeFalla

Back Story: Mark joined the RSO in 1980 and has served as principal trumpet for the past 25 years. He performs with the RSO Brass Quintet and has active studios both in DeKalb and Rockford. Mark credits his former teachers Bette Eilers, Don DeRoche (both in high school), Ron Modell at Northern Illinois University, and Arnold Jacobs in Chicago as inspirational and influential.

Describe your instrument: I play horns made by Clifford Blackburn in a small shop in Decatur, Tenn. Those are my main horns, but I have a number of others, some old, some not, that I use as the situation dictates.

Other interests aside from music include: Old Bentley cars, Scotland and its history, playing around with stereo gear. I have about 6,000 lps, 2000 cds, cassettes and even reel to reel tapes.

Tell us about your family: My wife Cathy is a truly wonderful person. Funny, honest, and a superb cook. She keeps me in line. We also have two Jack Russell terriers, Kaylee and Cholie so life is never dull.

MICHAEL BEERT, Principal cello

Back Story: Mike has performed with the RSO since 1974 and assumed principal cello this season. He began his musical studies at age 11 and was a member of the Rockford Area Youth Symphony (now Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra) in high school. He is also Dean of Arts and Humanities at Rock Valley College.

Tell us about your family: My wife Rachel Handlin plays in the RSO; my son Ian lives in Boulder, CO; and Rachel and I have a 5 1/2 year old daughter, Aria.

Do you have a favorite composer: Sibelius – he is way elemental, and Mozart – on all levels.

What is in your CD player or Ipod: Coldplay, Sibelius, Mozart, Radio Head, Led Zepplin, The Who, and the Beatles.

JEAN BISHOP, Flute and Principal Piccolo, RSO education outreach

Back story: Jean began her musical studies at the age of 14 and she has played with the RSO since 1993. As a student at Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University she studied with Ralph Johnson, Marcele Combs Marcellus, and Jean Berkenstock. Jean plays a Powell piccolo; one of the first made after Powell took a several-year hiatus from making piccolos, back in the 1980s.

Tell us about your family: My husband Mark is an E.L.C.A. Lutheran pastor and my daughter Annika is a high school student and plays piano and viola.

Do you have a favorite composer: Probably Prokofiev, particularly his Romeo and Juliet. All his music is very challenging and very beautiful.

What is your most perfect concert fantasy: Playing flute or piccolo parts by Ravel, Prokofiev or Brahms – and not missing any notes!

Back Story: Darleen attended the Eastman School of Music where she studied with Stan Hasty and Northwestern University studying with Russ Dagon and Judith Booth Fischer. She joined the RSO in the fall of 1990 and has participated in the RSO’s Symphony Goes Schools program as well as the RSO Woodwind Quintet.

What’s on your coffee table at home: Toys. My husband and I have a four and a half year old daughter and two and a half year old twins (son and daughter).

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be: A ski bum. Besides music, fitness is another significant interest of mine including biking, swimming, and gardening.

What’s in your CD player or IPod: “Music Together” (children’s music).

NANETTE FELIX, Principal harp, RSO education outreach

Back story: Nanette has performed with the RSO for 20 years, as well performing with numerous chamber ensembles and as a soloist. She has several active teaching studios in the Northern Illinois region and is well known as a devoted harp teacher of both children and adults. A graduate of Indiana University (studying with Peter Eagle) and Northern Illinois University (studying with Liz Cifani), Nanette has also studied with Edward Drvzinski of the Chicago Civic Orchestra.

Describe your instrument: I play a hand-carved concert harp made in Chicago by Venus. My name is inscribed in gold on the top and it has a matching carved stool that is the only one like it in the world!

Tell us about your family: All four of my brothers are musicians. I get my musicianship from my mother and hand dexterity from my father who was a surgeon.

What is your most perfect concert fantasy: Descending from the heavens (with harp) “Cirque de Soleil” style – wearing LOTS of feathers!

DEBRA FREEDLAND, Principal oboe, RSO education outreach

Back Story: Debra began studying music at age nine. She has studied with Rhadames Angelucci and Carl Berglund in Minneapolis, and Jerry Sirucek in Bloomington, IN. She joined the RSO as principal in 1990. Debra is also Principal oboe with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be: A translator or a linguist. Language is a significant interest of mine besides music.

What is something about you that would surprise your colleagues: I cross out incorrect apostrophes at the supermarket. Well, maybe it wouldn’t surprise them.

What is your most perfect concert fantasy: Performing the Mozart Gran Partita with players of my choice.

Back Story: Alison joined the RSO as principal bass in 2004 when she also accepted the position as Conductor for the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. She completed her doctoral degree in orchestral conducting in 2007 and is Assistant conductor for the Elmhurst Symphony.

Describe your instrument: It is about 200 years old and the parts were made in France, but assembled in Italy – sort of a mutt.

Where would we find you in the summer: I play in a chamber orchestra at the Breckinridge Music Festival in Breckinridge, CO as well as do some guest conducting.

What’s your “funniest” concert experience: At an outdoor concert, I tried to “clothespin” the music. The clothes pin exploded and part of it started to fly in my stand partner’s bass (in the “f” hole). I grabbed it just in time and my stand partnerer yelled “Awesome” in the middle of the concert.

RACHEL HANDLIN, Violin, assistant concertmaster

Back story: Rachel has performed with the RSO since 1992 and began her violin studies at the age of four. She lists her three most influential teachers as Pierre Menard of the Vermeer Quartet, Andrezej Grabiec, and David Lowe. In addition to performing with the RSO, Rachel is the string program director with the Music Academy of Rockford College and performs in the Woodstock Mozart Festival each August.

Do you have a favorite composer: Brahms – his music is so complex, beautiful and has a hint of a tortured soul.

What was your funniest concert experience: My husband (Mike Beert, RSO principal cello) kissed me after I played a solo with an orchestra. People as the time didn’t know we were married and they thought he was being fresh!

Describe your instrument: I am only the second owner of a Carl Becker Sr. violin, bought from the Lanz family here in Rockford.

PAUL HAUGAN, Principal tuba, RSO education outreach

Back story: Currently residing in Milwaukee, WI, Paul has performed with the RSO since 1985. He began his musical training at the age of 12 and has studied with such renowned tubists as Arnold Jacobs in Chicago, Chester Schmitz at Tanglewood, and Abe Torchinsky in Aspen. Paul has an impressive collection of 50 tubas, some having been used by the Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic as well as one formerly used in Adolf Hitler’s personal SS band.

Other interests besides music include: Natural history and behavioral zoology

What is your perfect concert fantasy: An all Richard Strauss concert with the Vienna Philharmonic celebrating the new concert dress “formal wear” – plaid flannel shirts, blue jeans, and track shoes. I’m attracted to Strauss’ romantic excess and the challenging nature of performing his music.

What is something that would surprise your colleagues: I am a direct descendant of J. S. Bach, a distant cousin of Richard Wagner, and have captured/handled rattlesnakes as part of a Wisconsin DNR wildlife relocation program.

SCOTT METLICKA, Principal flute, RSO education outreach

Back story: Scott’s first concert performance with the RSO was in 1991 as 3rd flute and piccolo under Charles Bornstein. Currently residing in Chicago, Scott began his musical studies in first grade (piano) and began studying flute as a sixth grader. He holds an undergraduate degree from NIU and his Masters in Music from Northwestern University. In addition to an active private studio, Scott performs throughout northern Illinois with various ensembles and orchestras.

What is something about you that would surprise your colleagues: The only concerto competition I won was in high school. I played the Donizetti English Horn Concerto with the Elgin Youth Symphony (on English horn).

What was your “funniest concert experience”: Once I was hired to play piccolo with an orchestra at an outdoor pops concert. I was so determined to “beat the crowd” to exit the concert that I accidentally left before the encore. The encore was Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” (NB The piece has a huge piccolo part.)

If you weren’t a musician what would you be: A bike messenger in Chicago. Bicycling is a big interest of mine.

JON MORTENSEN, Principal Timpanist

Back story: This season is Jon’s 22nd year with the RSO. He also is the director of bands at Kenyon Woods Middle School (District U-46) where he teaches 5 levels of band. A graduate of NIU, Jon studied with G. Alan O’Connor and Jeff Kowalski.

Where would we likely find you in the summer: Between homes in Marengo and Oak Park, playing in the Woodstock Mozart Festival, and at my congregation at Spring Creek United Church of Christ.

What’s in your CD player or IPod: Podcasts mostly – I’m a podcast junkie!

If you weren’t a musician, what would you be: A conductor!

ROB MURPHY, Horn, RSO education outreach

Back story: A devoted RSO player, Rob has performed with the orchestra since 1979. He began is musical studies on piano at the age of four. Rob attended the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, Belgium and Northern Illinois University. He has studied with Richard Gerstanberger of the Boston Symphony, Jonathan Boen of the Chicago Lyric Opera orchestra, and Andre Van Driessche of the Belgium Radio and Television Orchestra.

What’s on your CD player or IPod: Arturo Sandoval, Tango bands, Mahler and Richard Strauss.

Do you have a favorite composer: George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Aaron Copland. They all helped define American music.

Describe your instrument: I play a handbuilt custom Alexander horn made in Mainz, German. The Alexander family has built great instruments for over 200 years. Mine is about 60 years old.

LINDA OPER,Violin I, RSO personnel manager, RSO education outreach

Back story: Linda joined the RSO in 1997 and has served as the orchestra’s personnel manager since the 2007/08 season. She began studying violin at the age of 10 and cites her most influential teachers as Joe Golan of the Chicago Symphony, Rico Rossi at her alma mater Indiana University, and Cyrus Forrough at Roosevelt College of Performing Arts. In addition to the RSO, Linda also performs with the Southwest Florida Symphony, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

Describe your instrument: My violin was made by Giovanni Marchi of Bologna in 1762. He wrote a treatise titled “The Manuscript on Violin Making” in 1786.

Tell us about your family: My parents, Salme and Voldemar, emigrated from Estonia during World War II. I live with my husband Michael Joyce, a trombone player, and our cat Frank.

What’s in your CD player or IPod: Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri, Pink Martini, Seal, Robert Palmer, and Prince.

TOM ROGIEWICZ, principal percussion

Back story: Tom began performing with the RSO in 1974. He began his musical studies at the age of 12 and cites as his most influential teachers Mdme. LaFusse of Chicago, Dr. Samuel Floyd at Southern Illinois University, and Al Pausen of the Chicago Symphony. A Chicago native and son of factory workers, Tom was strongly supported by his parents in the pursuit of his dream of a college education.

Do you have a favorite composer: Stravinsky! His style, use of percussion and meter changes are amazing.

What is something about you that would surprise your colleagues: Possibly that I played college football and was scouted by five pro football teams until an injury took me out of football.

Where would we likely find you in the summer and what would you be doing: Usually gardening – I’m a hosta collector. I also play jazz gigs and with a Dixieland band as well as an 18-piece big band.

KARL RZASA, Principal Bassoon

Back Story: This is Karl’s second year with the RSO as principal bassoon. He has played the bassoon for 15 years and has studied with Janet Polk in New Hampshire, George Sakakeeny at Oberlin, Stephen Walt at the University of Massachusetts, and Bill Buchman in Chicago (where he currently resides).

What’s in your CD player or IPod: The Mamas and the Papas, The Beatles, Shostakovich, and all kids of Latin music.

When you’re really hungry, the first thing you want to eat is: Pizza, pizza, pizza!

Your favorite composer: Stravinsky! He wrote in so many different styles through his career, yet he always had a unique signature.

RICK SEYBOLD, Principal Trombone, RSO education outreach

Back Story: Rick has performed with the RSO as principal trombone for fifteen years and is also a member of the RSO Brass Quintet performing outreach programs in area schools. His grandfather was a band director in Chicago and was Rick’s first teacher when he was in third grade. He has degrees from both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Northwestern University.

Other interests aside from music include: Computers, volunteering at church, education, canoeing, wood working, and tinkering wit my car (keeping my old Buick Roadmaster station wagon humming.)

What’s on your coffee table at home: A Historical World Atlas, a Bible, and a Pottery Barn book.

If you were Steve Larsen for the day: I’d have the orchestra read through the Alpine Symphony.

What’s in your CD player or IPod: Schubert 9 (C Major), Regina Spektor, and a book on tape for driving to rehearsals

BENJAMIN WEBER, Principal Viola

Back story: The 2009-10 season is Benjamin’s first performing with the RSO. He began studying violin at the age of three and went on to study both violin and viola for many years with Michael Hainey in Oak Park, IL. At the Eastman School of Music, he studied solo repertoire with John Graham and orchestral repertoire with Melissa Matson.

Where would we find you in the summer: Outside being active! I love to walk, swim, ride a bike, dance, and this summer I started running. I like that a lot.

What’s in your IPod or CD player: Recently, I’ve been listening to Beethoven Quartets, but I like a lot of different music: folk, Klezmer, Nueva Cancion, Baroque and new music. Earlier this year it was Steve Reich.

Describe your instrument: I play a 1968 16 inch viola from Leo Aschauer (from Mittenwald, Germany).

ANDREW WILLIAMS, Principal second violin

Back story: Andrew began his musical studies at the age of four. He is currently in his first year with the RSO as principal second violin. He studied with David Cerone at CIM, Kathy Winkler at Rice University, and Ilya Kaler at DePaul University.

Describe your instrument; does it have a special history: My violin was made by Sanino in 1920, but it has an authentic Testore label. Sanino was a famous forger and tried to pass his violins off as 17th century Italian instruments!

Do you have a favorite composer: Bach – because his music is perfect.

When you are really hungry, what’s the first thing you wish you could eat: Pumpkin seeds, cranberries, raisins with rice milk - and dark chocolate.