20 th Anniversary Celebration Concert May 30, 2026
S E A S O N S P
O N S O R S
NICHOLS CONCERT HALL 2025-2026
The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful to all its funders and partners, whose generous support helps us to educate, entertain, and inspire through live music performed by both new emerging artists and the most established artists of our time.
The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful for the support of these annual institutional supporters: Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, John and Pauline Fife, Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation, The Grainger Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, The Irving Harris Foundation, ITW, The Julian Family Foundation, The Kiphart Family Foundation, William Harris Lee & Co., The Negaunee Foundation, Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Family Foundation, Sargent Family Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Shure, and The Wallace Foundation.
The Music Institute also acknowledges the generous support of the Evanston Arts Council, a city agency supported by the City of Evanston; the Farny R. Wurlitzer Fund from the DeKalb County Community Foundation; the Highland Park Community Foundation; the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Sponsorship opportunities range from concerts and performances, to the annual Gala, special capital projects, and community engagement initiatives.
For more information contact: Jennifer Bienemann, Vice President and Chief Development Officer at jbienemann@musicinst.org.
Dear friends,
Celebrating 20 Years! The Academy
It has been our great privilege and honor to be a part of this phenomenon called the Academy since its inaugural class in 2006. For almost two decades, we have strived to live up to our stated mission, to make the Academy’s string and piano students the best musicians they can be. Each week, students joyfully gather to think about music, perform music, share music, and love music — within a nurturing and supportive community that feels like home.
None of this would have been possible without the extraordinary support of devoted parents, an exceptional faculty of distinguished educators, and the students themselves, whose passion, discipline, and commitment transformed the Academy into the twenty-year legacy we celebrate tonight.
Congratulations to the 300 students who have attended the Academy, and to everyone else who has been a part of this unique experience. Sit back and enjoy this exciting program featuring distinguished alumni, current students, and the seniors who are ready to make their own indelible mark in the world.
Warmly,
Sue Polutnik
James Setapen Executive Director Artistic Director
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Academy Orchestra Concert
Saturday, May 30 » 7 PM
PROGRAM
WELCOME
Shalisa Kline Ugaz, MIC President and CEO
KEYNOTE
Sue Polutnik, Academy Executive Director
PERFORMANCE
Introduction by Joshua Brown, Academy alumnus, class of 2018
String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80
Felix Mendelssohn I. Allegro vivace assai (1809-1847)
Kairos String Quartet
Joshua Brown and Thompson Wang, violins Vivian Van de Sype-Cucu, viola
Lydia Rhea, cello
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Ethelle Katz
Mildred Robbins Piano Scholarship Fund
Tribute by Timothy Patenode, MIC Board Chair
PERFORMANCES
Introduction by James Setapen, Conductor in Residence and Academy Artistic Director
Silent Woods, Op. 68, No. 5 Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Alexander Hersh, cello
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Karisa Chiu, violin
INTERMISSION
SENIOR REMARKS
Lauren Kim
SENIOR ROSE CEREMONY
James Setapen and Sue Polutnik
PERFORMANCE
Introduction by James Setapen
Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 Ludwig van Beethoven
I. Poco sostenuto – Vivace (1770-1827)
II. Allegretto
III. Presto – Assai meno presto
IV. Allegro con brio
CLOSING REMARKS
Shalisa Kline Ugaz
JAMES SETAPEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SUE POLUTNIK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
This spring the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy, a nationally recognized training center for gifted pre-college pianists and string players, kicks off its 20th Anniversary season and celebrates two successful decades of providing comprehensive musical education for those who aspire to professional careers in music.
Located at the Music Institute’s beautiful Lake Forest campus, the Academy is a musical community of faculty, staff, and students who come together each Saturday, September through May, for an intensive 30-week program.
Components of the Academy program include private instruction, chamber music, orchestra, music theory, master classes, and a variety of performance opportunities. All Academy students are introduced to a broad range of teaching styles, like-minded peers, and artist faculty. A hallmark of the Academy is the frequent master classes, when the student body gathers with acclaimed artists and pedagogues who share their experience and knowledge, creating an unparalleled educational experience.
Because of the Academy’s small size (approximately 30 young musicians ages 13 to 19), the program provides each student individual attention and unparalleled support while nurturing and inspiring musical growth and fostering life-long friendships.
With the goal of creating musicians for the 21st century, the Academy provides gifted students with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to be leaders in classical music performance and education. Academy alumni consistently become successful ambassadors for music, excelling as solo artists, chamber musicians, orchestra members, and educators.
The Academy’s robust and nationally known chamber music program has resulted in consistent gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Junior Division of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and St. Paul String Quartet Competition. Soloist awards include winners at the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, Stulberg International String Competition, International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, and the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, in addition to countless Laureates at the Sphinx Competition. Six Academy alumni have received the highly coveted Avery Fisher Career Grant.
ACADEMY ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL
ARI BARACK FISHER, ORCHESTRA MANAGER
FIRST VIOLIN
Sebastian Manning
Karisa Chiu*
Lauren Kim
Ellen Zhou*
Emily Chen
Tristan Zhu*
Romeo Vashishth
Annalise Song
Julie Fischer^
SECOND VIOLIN
Sylvia Pine
Lily Sullivan*
Alexandra Dreesen
Thompson Wang*
Matthew Kim
Linda Phan
Paloma Furst Chavira
Salvador Stein
Eliana Song
VIOLA
Neena Agrawal
Vivian Van de Sype-Cucu*
Olivia Zheng
Brayden Wu
Ingrid Updegraff
CELLO
Katarina Kenney
Lydia Rhea*
Ella Wimbiscus
Krystian Chiu*
Lucy Wu
Jan Nedvetsky*
Lavie Huang
Roy Wu
Henri Smolen
Felix Pipal
BASS
Luke Montzka
Veer Gupta
FLUTE
Maria Schwartz^
Leslie Short^
OBOE
Erica Anderson^
Stina Hawkinson^
CLARINET
Barbara Drapcho^
Jennifer Woodrum^
ACADEMY PIANISTS
BASSOON
Collin Anderson^ Edin Agamenoni^
FRENCH HORN
Emma Sepmeier^ Liz Deitmyer^
TRUMPET
Bethany Vaughan^
Aaron DuBois^
TIMPANI
Kyle Flens^ * Academy Alum ^ Guest instrumentalist
NOTE:
Academy seniors Elle Cho, violin and Noah Kim, piano, as well as violinist Neal Eisfeldt are out of the country and could not be with us tonight. We want to acknowledge their contribution to the program this year.
Simon Cegys • Elliot Jung • Noah Kim • Edie Park
JAMES SETAPEN, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
James Setapen, Artistic Director of the Academy and Conductor in Residence at the Music Institute of Chicago, has a broad background and interests which include positions as music director, associate conductor, guest conductor, university professor, opera coach and conductor, mentor to young musicians, conducting teacher, and public speaker.
From 1988 to 2007 he was Music Director and Conductor of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. His very successful tenure included raising and sustaining the quality of performance, developing community interest and knowledge in the orchestra, and establishing innovative and accessible programs. During his tenure, the Symphony premiered several works, expanded its outreach into the community, initiated an outdoor Labor Day concert with fireworks, and was the subject of two television documentaries which were each broadcast in over one hundred markets throughout the country.
Setapen has guest conducted many orchestras and opera companies throughout the country, including those of Denver, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Orlando, and Honolulu. He has also conducted in several cities in Italy, Germany and Austria. He was Music Director of Summer Music Monterey, a program for middle school and high school music students, for seven summers. He has also worked with the youth orchestras of Oakland, Denver, and Amarillo. He was recently guest conductor for the Vermont All-State Orchestra, the Milwaukee High School Honors Orchestra, and the Northeast Kansas Honors Orchestra. As former Associate Conductor of the Denver Symphony, Setapen won first prize in the Oakland Symphony’s American Conductor’s Competition.
Setapen received his Bachelor of Music with Distinction and a Performer’s Certificate in Clarinet from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music in Opera Direction from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has also studied conducting with Boris Goldovsky, Max Rudolf, Christoph Eschenbach; and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg and in Italy with Franco Ferrara. Setapen has been on the faculty of the Conductor’s Institute at Bard College in New York.
He will conduct Benjamin Britten’s opera The Turn of the Screw with the Chicago Summer Opera company in July.
SUE POLUTNIK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sue Polutnik serves as Executive Director of the Academy, the Music Institute’s nationally recognized pre-conservatory training program for gifted string and piano students, where she oversees business operations, recruitment, marketing, community partnerships, and program development.
In celebration of the Academy’s twentieth anniversary, she continues to play a central role in shaping the Academy’s growth, artistic vision, and national reputation. She has helped create an environment where gifted young musicians can thrive artistically, academically, and personally, working closely with faculty, students, and families to cultivate a vibrant and supportive musical community. She has cultivated partnerships and collaborations with leading arts and media organizations including Steinway & Sons, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, WFMT, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Grant Park Music Festival, From the Top, and The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
In addition to her Academy Executive Director role, Polutnik is MIC's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. A member of the senior leadership team, she provides strategic and operational leadership for institute-wide initiatives spanning the Community Music School, Nichols Concert Hall, the Academy, community engagement programs, and administrative operations across multiple campuses.
As Chief Operating Officer, she oversees organizational infrastructure, facilities management, information technology, and operational systems that support the Institute’s educational and performance activities. She works closely with marketing, development, finance, and the Board of Trustees to advance institutional priorities and long-range strategic planning.
Before entering arts administration, Polutnik worked in marketing and communications for leading Chicago direct response agencies and contributed freelance writing to regional and national publications. She has also served in leadership capacities with nationally recognized children’s choral organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Communications, where she was also employed by the Illini Publishing Company.
Honoring Sue Polutnik
ACADEMY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Twentieth Anniversary Celebration and Senior Graduation Ceremony
Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership, Vision, and Dedication
For two decades, Sue Polutnik has played an extraordinary role in shaping the Music Institute of Chicago and the lives of countless young musicians.
As Chief Operating Officer and Director of The Academy, Sue has helped guide MIC with unwavering dedication, thoughtful leadership, and a deep belief in the power of music education.
Since the founding of the Academy in 2006, Sue has helped build a nationally recognized pre-college conservatory that has prepared gifted young musicians not only for professional success but for lives of artistry, curiosity, and leadership. Under her guidance, The Academy has inspired generations of students to pursue excellence as performers, educators, and ambassadors for music across the globe.
Her impact extends far beyond programs and operations; Sue’s commitment, vision, empathy, and care have strengthened the heart of MIC’s mission and community.
It is with deep gratitude and profound admiration that we celebrate Sue’s remarkable 20 years of service, leadership, and lasting legacy.
Thank you, Sue.
Sue Polutnik and the Academy class (2016) on stage at Bennett Hall
ALEXANDER HERSH, CELLO
Academy Alumnus • Class of 2011
Having already performed as a soloist with the Houston Symphony and the Boston Pops, cellist Alexander Hersh has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile talents of his generation. He has received top prizes at competitions worldwide including the: 2019 Astral Artists National Auditions, National Federation of Music Clubs Biennial Young Artists Competition, New York International Artists Association Competition, Friends of the Minnesota Orchestra, Ima Hogg, Schadt, Artist Concerts Series National Solo Competition, Luminarts Classical Music Fellowship, Borromeo String Quartet Guest Artist Award, Hellam Young Artist Competition, Boston Pops/New England Conservatory Competition, Jefferson Symphony International Young Artists Competition, Society of American Musicians, Saint Paul String Quartet, and the Fischoff National Chamber Music competition.
The Musiq3 critics of the RTBF Belgian Radio company gave Hersh’s performance at the inaugural Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition in Belgium in 2017 a rave review: “With his scenic presence and charm, Hersh has everything to become the darling of the public.”
A passionate chamber musician, Hersh has performed the complete string quartets of Béla Bartok and Alban Berg and much of the rest of the chamber music canon at music festivals worldwide including: Marlboro, Caramoor, Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Music@Menlo, I-M-S Prussia Cove, Perlman Music Program Chamber Music Workshop, Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, Amsterdam Cello Biennial, Kneisel Hall, Lucerne, New York String Orchestra Seminar, Domaine Forget, and the Meadowmount School of Music.
Hersh is co-artistic director of NEXUS Chamber Music, a collective of international artists committed to stimulating interest in serious chamber music. NEXUS presents a two week chamber music festival across the city of Chicago each August, featuring new and obscure works alongside standard works of the chamber music canon. NEXUS plays to unusual and intimate venues with the mission of breaking down the barriers that often separate performers from audience members.
A 4th generation string player, Alexander’s parents, Stefan and Roberta, are both active professional violinists. His grandfather, Paul Hersh, is professor of viola and piano at San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and his great grandfather, Ralph Hersh, was a member of the WQXR and Stuyvesant String Quartets, and principal violist of the Dallas and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras.
Raised in Chicago, Alexander Hersh began playing the cello at the age of five. He studied with Steve Balderston and Hans Jørgen Jensen, and attended the Academy at the Music Institute of Chicago. Hersh received his B.M. from New England Conservatory (with academic honors) where he was a student of Laurence Lesser and recipient of the Clara M. Friedlaender Scholarship. In May of 2017, he received his M.M. from New England Conservatory where he studied under the tutelage of Paul Katz and Kim Kashkashian. Hersh was a recipient of the Frank Huntington Beebe fund for studies in Berlin during the 2017–2018 academic year where he studied with Nicolas Altstaedt at the Hanns Eisler Hochschule for Musik Berlin. He plays a G.B. Rogeri cello on generous loan from a sponsor through Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins in Chicago, IL.
KARISA CHIU, VIOLIN
Academy Alumna • Class of 2017
Recognized for her “easy virtuosity ... humor, nuance ... [and] playful[ness]” (ClevelandClassical), American violinist Karisa Chiu first came to international prominence with her first prize win at the 2021 Isangyun Violin Competition, resulting in her debut with the KBS Symphony Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. She has since gone on to solo in some of the most renowned concert halls around the world such as Severance Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and the Casals Forum, and has been featured as a soloist with ensembles such as the Munich Radio Orchestra, Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, Asheville Symphony, and Montgomery Symphony.
A top prize winner of the Singapore, Menuhin, Leopold Mozart, and Irving M. Klein Competitions, Karisa continues to earn recognition for her expressive depth and technical command. As the recipient of the 2025 Gerschen Cohen Award, she made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in Weill Hall this spring.
Raised in a musical family, Karisa began her studies at age two with her father, Cornelius Chiu, a first violinist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She collaborates frequently with her mother and uncle, pianists Inah Chiu and Frederic Chiu. The Chiu family has given annual concerts for two decades at the Festival of the Arts at Mohonk Mountain House. Her debut album, Home, recorded with pianist Zhu Wang, was released by Cedille Records in fall 2025. In an exploration of the definition of belonging, the album traces her musical journey through the lens of family and the ties that have shaped her.
In addition to her solo career, Karisa is a passionate chamber musician. She is co-
director of the Plymouth Chamber Players based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, an innovative chamber music collective that inspires new audiences through worldclass concerts and supports young artists in the West Michigan area. Karisa has collaborated with esteemed musicians such as Jaime Laredo, Kathryn Brown, Todd Phillips, James Austin Smith, Ida Kavafian, and Colin Carr. As the first violinist of the Tesoro Quartet, formed at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Karisa received the honor of the Sidney D. and Nina Josephs Chamber Music Prize upon graduation. In other chamber groups, she has won top prizes at the Saint Paul, Fischoff, and M-Prize competitions. Karisa has performed in many chamber music festivals around the globe including Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Music@ Menlo, Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, and Music from Angel Fire.
Karisa is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Catherine Cho and Donald Weilerstein. She received her Master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was named the recipient of the Anna Y. Tringas Award for an exceptional violinist, and she previously earned her Bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music. Her preceding mentors include Jaime Laredo, Malcolm Lowe, Ida Kavafian, and Almita Vamos.
KAIROS
STRING QUARTET
Academy Alumni • Class of 2018
The Kairo String Quartet was formed in September of 2017 when all four members attended the Academy. Coached by Rodolfo Vieira, members included Joshua Brown (IL), Thompson Wang (CA), Julian Rhee (WI), and Lydia Rhea (IN).
“Kairos,” the decisive time for opportunity and action, captures the essence of ambition and boldness found in these four young artists. Kairos Quartet won the Gold Medal in the Junior Division of the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Competition and First Prize in the Junior String Division of the 2018 M-Prize International Chamber Arts Competition, making Kairos the first chamber group to win the top prizes at both Fischoff and M-Prize in the same year.
They were also awarded the Grand Prize at the A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Chamber Music Competition, First Place at the Rembrandt Chamber Players Competition, and the Silver Medal at the St. Paul String Quartet Competition. Named the Rembrandt Young Artists for 2018, Kairos was featured on a live broadcast of WFMT’s Introductions, performed in a master class for Pinchas Zukerman at Nichols Concert Hall, and were featured performers at MIC 2018 Gala.
JOSHUA BROWN, VIOLIN
Joshua is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Donald Weilerstein, after also earning his Bachelor and Master of Music at NEC.
Praised by audiences and critics worldwide for his “richness of sound, elegance of reading…commitment of every moment at the service of the work…” (La Libre), Joshua was awarded a 2025 Avery Fisher Career Grant and gained international attention after winning the 2nd Prize and both Audience Awards at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Other international competition successes include the 1st Prize at the inaugural 2023 Global Music Education International Violin Competition in Beijing, China, as well as the 1st Prize and Audience Award at the 2019 International Violin Competition of Leopold Mozart in Augsburg, Germany. As the recipient of a 2025 CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize, Joshua is currently represented by Concert Artists Guild.
Joshua is grateful to be playing an outstanding Nicolo Amati violin from Cremona, circa 1635-1640, on extended loan through the generosity of the Mary B. Galvin Foundation and the efforts of the Stradivari Society, a division of Bein & Fushi, Inc. For more information visit: joshuabrownviolinist.com.
THOMPSON WANG, VIOLIN
After earning his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music at New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Ayano Ninomiya and Donald Weilerstein, Wang is currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma with Donald Weilerstein. He also teaches violin at the Croft School in Boston.
Wang is a member of the Sona Quartet, who was named a New England Conservatory’s Honors Group in 2022. He has performed in venues throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Symphony Hall in Boston, the National Concert Hall in Taiwan and the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Thompson is currently playing on a 1827 Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume generously loaned to him by the Chi-Mei Cultural Foundation in Taiwan.
VIVIAN VAN DE SYPE CUCU, VIOLA
Vivian (Academy alumna, class of 2025) steps in for Julian Rhee at tonight's performance. She is currently finishing her first year as an Economics and Viola Performance dual major at Northwestern University.
Vivian made her solo debut with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra at age 11 as a 2019 Concerto Competition Winner. In 2025, Vivan won Second Place in The Final Forte of the Bolz Competition and was a finalist in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s "Stars of Tomorrow" Competition.
While at the Academy, she was a member of the Elysian String Quartet, with whom she won the Gold Medal and BIPOC Prize in the 2024 St. Paul String Quartet Competition. Vivian is also a co-founder of the non-profit organization Musicians for Hope, which strives to foster a love for music and nurture academic growth.
LYDIA RHEA, CELLO
Cellist Lydia Rhea has traveled across the world sharing the power of storytelling through music. Rhea has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and appeared on NPR’s From the Top with jazz pianist Fred Hersch. In 2023, she was a member of the quartetin-residence at the European American Musical Alliance Summer Institute in Paris. She previously attended the Sitka International Cello Seminar where she studied with cellist Zuill Bailey.
Lydia holds a Master’s degree in Cello Performance from The Juilliard School where she studied with Natasha Brofsky, was part of the Honors Chamber Music Program, and also studied with Areta Zhulla, Catherine Cho, and Joel Krosnick. Her undergraduate degree was completed at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she was mentored by Dr. Melissa Kraut, Philip Setzer, and Si-Yan Darren Li. Upon graduating CIM, Lydia received the Speilman Memorial Award and the Kaplow Prize for Uncommon Creativity.
In October 2024, Lydia traveled to Cuba where she taught and performed with students through CAYO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and empowering students, teachers, and audiences in the US and Cuba. Lydia is an artist with Concerts for Compassion, a NYC-based nonprofit that brings music and education to displaced peoples, and is a Teaching Artist with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Lydia currently resides in New York City with her cello, Rosie, a Lawrence Wilke instrument made in 2008.
For more information visit: lydia-rhea.com.
2026 ACADEMY GRADUATES
Congratulations!
ELLE CHO, VIOLIN
PARK RIDGE, IL
Student of Almita Vamos
Columbia University, New York, NY
Financial Economics and Minor in Violin Performance
“My favorite memories of Academy are always the first and last days of each Academy year. Meeting all the new people on the first day’s and having a fun last day and concert with all the graduating seniors and friends.”
LAUREN KIM, VIOLIN
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL
Student of Almita Vamos and Injoo Choi
Rice University, Houston, TX
Violin Performance with Kathleen Winkler
“My favorite memory at the Academy is orchestra rehearsals and rehearsals with Quartet Meraviglia at the Lake Forest College campus!”
MATTHEW KIM, VIOLIN
CHICAGO, IL
Student of Sang Mee Lee
Eden Scholar, McDuffie Center for Strings, Macon, GA
Violin Performance with Stefan Jackiw and Jessica Lee
“My favorite memory was the enrichments every week. I really enjoyed having a topic or masterclass each week and the amount we learned during these sessions.”
NOAH KIM, PIANO
VERNON HILLS, IL
Student of Christopher Guzman
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Mechanical Engineering and Piano Performance with Christopher Guzman
“I would say performing in the community outreach concerts are nice because of all the support and enthusiasm the Academy students share in performing music in our community, and that reminds me of the reason why I play music.”
SEBASTIAN MANNING, VIOLIN
QUINCY, IL
Student of Almita Vamos
The Juilliard School, New York, NY Violin Performance with Midori Goto
“I still vividly remember my first day at the Academy and how welcoming the MIC community was. I have so many wonderful memories I couldn't possibly choose one, but I will never forget the late night quartet rehearsals, the orchestra concerts and each week's enrichment. I am so happy to have shared these wonderful memories with such amazing young musicians who I am lucky enough to call my friends.”
From the Matthew Kim's Family
Dear Matthew,
We are so proud of you for paving your way into a charismatic young man and a wonderful musician.
We will cheer for you near and far as you venture into your next stage in life to pursue your dream as a violinist.
~ We love you very much! Love, Mom, Dad, Julia, and Madeleine
LUKE MONTZKA, BASS
CHICAGO, IL
Student of Ian Hallas
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA History and Minor in Music
“To Mr. Setapen: Thank you for believing in me, for welcoming me into this community, and for pushing all of us to reach higher than we thought we could.
To Veer: You’re an awesome stand partner. Stay strong! And a shoutout to recipients of the coveted “Bass Acknowledgement Award.” Thanks for seeing us. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have played with the Academy."
HENRI SMOLEN, CELLO
ZIONSVILLE, IN
Student of Austin Huntington
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Applied Mathematics and Cello Performance with Angela Park
“Opening Secret Santa presents with the Academy. I also enjoyed exploring the repertoire and having engaging discussions in my music theory classes.”
ROMEO VASHISHTH
EVANSTON, IL
Student of Almita Vamos
New England Conservatory, Boston, MA
Violin Performance with Donald Weilerstein
“My favorite memory at the academy is spending time with the people, both in musical and non-musical settings— it’s where I’ve made my closest and most cherished friends and where I’ve grown the most in so many ways.”
BRAYDEN WU, VIOLA WILMETTE, IL
Student of Sang Mee Lee
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Operations Research and Engineering
"My time at the Academy is filled with fond memories, like playing at the Pilgrim Players outreach concert, singing solfeggio in Mr. Setapen's theory class, and competing at Fischoff with the Vermilion Quartet."
From Brayden, Landon, Ying Liu and Yong Wu
Words cannot express my gratitude for you in Brayden’s music life over the past years.
Thank you for leaving a lasting impact on his journey.
LUCY WU, CELLO
WHITEFISH BAY, WI
Student of Stefan Kartman
Yale University, New Haven, CT
Mathematics and Economics
“My favorite memory was performing with the cellos under the baton of Marin Alsop at the 2023 Gala!”
From Alec Dike and Siobhan Flynn
Congrats to all students, faculty and alums!
TRIBUTES FROM THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO LEADERSHIP
On behalf of the MIC Board of Trustees, I send our hearty congratulations and deepest thanks to the faculty, staff, students and parents of the Academy, present and past.
Students, your hours of rehearsal and years of study have brought beauty into the world, of which our communities are the grateful beneficiaries.
Faculty, staff and parents, without your nurture and support, that beauty would not have been realized.
It is our privilege to celebrate this milestone with you.
- Timothy Patenode, Board Chair
It is my honor to send the MIC Academy a huge congratulations on behalf of the faculty and staff here at MIC.
Special thank you to Sue and Jim for their decades of artful leadership, and to the students and families who have entrusted us with their musical education. Your passion and dedication to creating music—and a musical community—is what inspires us.
We look forward to many more years of shaping lives through music together!
- Shalisa Kline Ugaz, President and CEO
MILDRED ROBBINS PIANO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Special thanks
Special thanks to Ethelle Katz for her steadfast support for over 40 years, and for her recent extraordinary gift to endow the MILDRED
ROBBINS PIANO SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Ethelle grew up in a musical family and has a life-long love of piano. Ethelle’s sister, Mildred Robbins, was a professional pianist and teacher.
When she would visit Ethelle in Chicago, she would also take lessons with beloved MIC Faculty member, Emilio del Rosario, to keep her skills sharp.
!
We are so grateful for Ethelle and all the donors who make the Academy possible!
(L to R) Academy pianist Edie Park, 2025-2026 Mildred Robbins Piano Scholarship Recipient, and Ethelle Katz.
(L to R) Mildred Robbins and Ethelle Katz.
Celebrating THE NEGAUNEE FOUNDATION
Under the leadership of Richard W. Colburn, the Negaunee Foundation is one of MIC’s longest-standing and most significant supporters, dedicated to advancing excellence in classical music through sustained investment in music education and performance at leading institutions. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and all it makes possible for MIC students, families, and our community.
THE NEGAUNEE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FELLOWS
Elle Cho, Lavie Huang, Katarina Kenney, Lauren Kim, Matthew Kim, Sylvia Pine, Felix Pipal, Henri Smolen
“It is because of your continued support that my peers and I have the ability to grow as young musicians and share our passions with the community. Thank you!"
~ Katarina Kenney, cello
(L) Katarina Kenney, 2025-2026 Fellow, with the Tikaani String Quartet, winners of the Silver Medal, at the Junior Division Finals of the 21st Annual St. Paul String Quartet Competition
“Thanks to your very generous support, I am able and grateful to be a member of the Academy!”
~ Felix Pipal, cello
(Center) Felix Pipal, 2025-2026 Fellow, with Trio Novare, Junior Division Quarter-Finalist at the 53rd Annual Fischoff Chamber Music Competition
Celebrating THE GRAINGER FOUNDATION
We are deeply thankful for the generosity and partnership of The Grainger Foundation and the Grainger Fund for Excellence, whose significant support provides Academy students with scholarships, master classes with internationally recognized performers and pedagogues, and vital support for our world-class faculty.
We also extend our gratitude to The Grainger Foundation for making the historic build-out of the Academy’s Lake Forest campus possible.
“The Academy’s inaugural season at the Lake Forest campus has exceeded every expectation.
Our new classrooms, student gathering spaces, and music studios have transformed the daily experience for our students and faculty.
Thank you!”
~ Sue Polutnik Academy Executive Director
SCHOLARSHIP FUND PATRONS
Thank you to our Scholarship Fund Patrons.
Your generosity is opening doors for gifted young musicians who are poised to be the future of classical music.
RICHARD W. COLBURN
Richard D. Colburn Scholarship for Artistic Excellence
Ella Wimbiscus, Lucy Wu, Roy Wu
LOIS KLIMSTRA
Klimstra Family Piano Scholarship
Simon Cegys, Noah Kim
ETHELLE KATZ
Mildred Robbins Piano Scholarship
Elliot Jung, Edie Park
MONA GOLUB
Mona and Elliot Golub Family Violin Scholarship
Sebastian Manning, Neal Eisfeldt
MELISSA SAGE FADIM
Rachel Barton Pine Violin Chair Scholarship
Emily Chen, Alexandra Dreesen, Paloma Furst Chavira, Linda Phan, Annalise Song, Eliana Song, Ingrid Updegraff, Olivia Zheng
PREMA ABRAHAM, JAMES BUCHANAN, AND MAYA BUCHANAN
Almita and Roland Vamos Violin and Viola Scholarship
Neena Agrawal, Salvador Stein, Brayden Wu
ACADEMY DONORS
The Music Institute of Chicago is grateful to the following friends who made contributions to the Academy between September 1, 2025 and May 27, 2026.
$1,000+
Amy and Stuart Savitz
Ross* and Emily Parker Updegraff
$500-$999
Valerie and Scot Stein
$250-$499
Carlos R. Cardenas*
Siobhan Flynn and Alec Dike
Kwang-Youn Kim
Ying Liu and Yong Wu
Zhu Family Fund
$100-$249
Elizabeth Breaden
Mrs. Mona Golub
Frederic Mina
Deepanjan Mitra
Sue and Tim Polutnik
Philip Rosenberg
Alex and Laurent Varlet
Renee and Kurt Westerberg
$1-$99
Anonymous Gifts
Bruce Bergelson and Julie A. Harris
Robert Cook
Dana Craciun
Duygu Gerceker
Jack Gilbert
Mimi Goodman
Joshua Jong
Zeynel and Amanda Karcioglu
Kathi Lieb
Mark McKenzie
Fedra Najjar
Isabel Rachman
Lawrence and Linda Robbins
Carla Tarini and Piyush Chandra
Anthony Vardin
Kenneth Wiering
* MIC Trustee
BOARD OF TRUSTEES SENIOR MANAGEMENT
TRUSTEES
Timothy Patenode, Chair
Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita
Hans Germann, Treasurer
Barbara Sereda, Secretary
Carlos R. Cardenas, Vice Chair
Shiraz Kotte, Vice Chair
Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair
Saurab Bhargava
Paul Brourman
Daniel Hahn
Courtney Holohan
Yana Nedvetsky
Renée Parquette
Jim Stone
Ross Updegraff
Zalman Usiskin
Audra Wilson
Florian Zettelmeyer
LIFE TRUSTEES
John J. Berwanger
Mitzi Freidheim
Kay Mabie
Brooks Morgan
Rachel Barton Pine
Priscilla F. Richman
William N. Topaz
Scott Verschoor
HONORARY BOARD
Robert Chen
Roberto Diaz
Peter Dushkin
John and Fran Edwardson
James Ginsburg
Wu Han
Jennifer Koh
Nina Kraus
Cathy and Bill Osborn
Marcus Roberts
Deborah F. Rutter
Scott and Nancy Santi
Rick and Cate Waddell
EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEE
Christopher Rintz
Shalisa Kline Ugaz
Shalisa Kline Ugaz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sue Polutnik
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Marcia Rubin
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer Bienemann
Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Jennifer Hanson
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
THE ACADEMY
Sue Polutnik
Executive Director
James Setapen Artistic Director
Ari Barack Fisher Orchestra Manager
NICHOLS CONCERT HALL
Kevin Harrison Director of Operations
Eric Desnoyers
Associate Director of Operations
The board, administration, and faculty work diligently to further the MIC mission while dealing with the day-to-day needs of those we serve. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your ideas, questions, or concerns. Main Administrative Office • 622 Davis Street, 4th Floor • Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: 847.905.1500 • musicinst.org
AS AN MIC ALUM, YOU’LL ENJOY...
Quarterly alumni newsletter
Mentorship and netwo rking opportunities
Continuing education and performance opportunities at Nichols Concert Hall
Spotlights on social med ia, website, and email
MIC alumni swag
Invitations to speci al events, master classes, and networking mixers
Anyone who has studied at MIC, no matter how long ago, or for how long, is a Music Institute of Chicago alum.
Make sure we’ve got your information, share updates, and keep in touch. musicinst .org/alumni
