Graduating Seniors Recital & Recognition Ceremony
Sunday, April 27, 2025
5:30 pm
Dr. Louise Chan, collaborative pianist
Nichols Concert Hall
1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Emily Abraham, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs
PROGRAM
Hungarian Dance No. 5
Feux d’artifice
Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2
Jacob Han and Nisha Lee, piano Students of Katherine Lee
Lukas Leonardson, piano Student of Elaine Felder
Veronica Bart, piano Student of Claire Neiweem
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Duet for Two Violas
Rhapsody No. 1 for Solo Viola
La fille aux cheveux de lin
Wilhelm Friedmann Bach (1710-1784)
Ella Feeney and Karin Addis, viola Student of Dr. Karin Addis
David Roche, viola Student of Sang Mee Lee
Ethan Chen, violin Student of Almita Vamos and Sang Mee Lee
“Theme” from Schindler’s List
Leo Zupko, violin Student of Almita Vamos and Sang Mee Lee Mischa Zupko, piano
Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)
Claude Debussy
John Williams (b. 1932)
Concerto No. 3 in G minor, Op. 12 Friedrich Seitz (1848-1918) I. Allegro risoluto
Talia Bahar, violin Student of Dr. Karin Addis
Romance No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50
Patrick Tu, violin Student of Dr. Karin Addis
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Toccata
Consolation No. 3
Max Klie, piano Student of Eric Sutz
Jaxon Lau, piano Student of Kate Nir
Aram Khachaturian (1903-1978)
Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Solo Violin
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) I. Adagio
Penelope LaFleur, violin Student of Vannia Phillips
Cello Concerto in C minor
Henri Casadesus (1879-1947) III. Allegro molto energico
Eric Nickerson, cello Student of Dr. Tanya Carey
Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1006
Johann Sebastian Bach I. Preludio
Valentina Abbott, violin Student of Sang Mee Lee
INTERMISSION
Kyiv Blues Taras Abazopulo-Yashchenko (1964-2016)
Calvin Quinto, piano Student of Irene Zuppardo
Sonatina, M. 40
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) I. Modéré (F-sharp minor)
Uma Morris, Piano Student of Elaine Felder
Nocturne in B-Flat minor, Op. 9, No. 1
Frédéric Chopin
Jeffrey Wang, piano Student of Dr. Soo Young Lee
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Caitlyn Nguyen, viola Student of Julie Bickel
Songs My Mother Taught Me
Romeo Vashishth, violin Student of Almita Vamos
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Barcarolle in F-Sharp Major, Op. 60
Valse romantique
“America” from West Side Story
Danielle Lam, piano Student of Dr. Soo Young Lee
Frédéric Chopin
Claude Debussy
Harrisan Lee, piano Student of Dr. Marie Alatalo
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Piano Sonata No. 8 in A Minor, K.310
Nisha Lee and Alisha Lee, piano Students of Katherine Lee
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Santino Pardo Robles, piano Student of Dr. Daniel Baer
Graduate Recognition Ceremony
Reception in Nichols Concert Hall Lobby
Food Donation by White Horse Farm Catering
Thank you to our graduating seniors and teachers for your dedication and love of music!
Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Valentina Abbott
Student of Sang Mee Lee Wilmette, IL
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Global Health and English
Talia Bahar
Student of Dr. Karin Addis Evanston, IL
Emory University
Undecided
Veronica Bart
Student of Claire Aebersold Neiweem Wilmette, IL
Undecided Astro Physics
Ethan Chen
Student of Sang Mee Lee New Berlin, WI
Undecided
Isabelle Collister
Student of Dr. Sarah Plum Lake Forest, IL
Undecided
Biomedical Engineering
Neha Dhawan
Student of Dr. Marie Alatalo Chicago, IL
Northwestern University Political Science
Ella Feeney
Student of Dr. Karin Addis Evanston, IL
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Architecture
Jeremy Fung
Student of Julie Bickel Darien, IL
Northwestern University Economics
Gretchen Grossert
Student of Julie Bickel Batavia, IL
Boston Conservatory Cello Performance
Jacob Han
Student of Katherine Lee Wilmette, IL
Undecided
Theodore Kaczmarek
Student of Dr. Louise Chan Wilmette, IL
University of Pennsylvania
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The Class of 2025
Max Klie
Student of Eric Sutz Wilmette, IL
Wesleyan University International Relations
Penelope LaFleur
Student of Vannia Phillips Evanston, IL
University of British Columbia Biology
Danielle Lam
Student of Dr. Soo Young Lee Libertyville, IL
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign Psychology
Jaxon Lau
Student of Kate Nir Kenilworth, IL
Harvard University Undecided
Harrisan Lee
Student of Dr. Marie Alatalo Coloma, MI
Undecided
Nisha Lee
Student of Katherine Lee Glencoe, IL
Washington University Public Health
Lukas Leonardson
Student of Elaine Felder Wilmette, IL
Indiana University Bloomington Accounting
Uma Morris
Student of Elaine Felder Chicago, IL Northwestern University Journalism
Varun Murali
Student of Chris Hasselbring Wilmette, IL
University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign
Material Science Engineering
Caitlyn Nguyen
Student of Julie Bickel Batavia, IL
University of Illinois Chicago Biology
Eric Nickerson
Student of Dr. Tanya Carey Homewood, IL
University of Northern Iowa Music Performance
Kai Offenbacher
Student of Mary Drews Winnetka, IL
Purdue University Engineering
Santino Pardo Robles
Student of Dr. Daniel Baer Chicago, IL Undecided
Kashyap Prasad
Student of Dr. Matthew Hagle and Shigetoshi Yamada Lake Bluff, IL Undecided
Calvin Quinto Student of Irene Zuppardo Lincolnshire, IL
University of Indiana Business
Isabelle Richter
Student of Milana Pavchinskaya Winnetka, IL
University of St. Andrews Undecided
David Roche
Student of Sang Mee Lee Chicago, IL
Undecided
Arianna Smith
Student of John Glew Chicago, IL
University of Illinois Chicago Biology
Patrick Tu
Student of Dr. Karin Addis Evanston, IL Undecided Data Science
*Romeo Vashishth Student of Almita Vamos Glenmont, IL Undecided
Jacob Valentino Student of Julie Bickel Wheaton, IL
Purdue University Professional Flight Technology
Jeffrey Wang
Student of Dr. Soo Young Lee Princeton, IL University of Chicago Mathematics and Physics
Leo Zupko
Student of Almita Vamos and Sang Mee Lee Chicago, IL
Undecided
Violin Performance
*Academy Student
Memories of My Time at MIC
“Studying with Mrs. Irene Zuppardo stands out as a memorable experience. She has helped shape my appreciation of all music genres. Another highlight has been recitals. Mrs. Zuppardo has always had regular recitals that highlighted so many talented piano students. It often motivated me to keep practicing and work harder.” - Calvin Quinto
“Some of my best memories have been the activities such as piano intensive camp and chamber music camps.” - Jeffrey Wang
“I love playing in Ms. Felder's performance classes. My favorite moments are when she is singing next to me while I play to help me play with more emotion and fluidity. Another highlight was performing in master classes with Reena Esmail and Jerome Lowenthal.” - Uma Morris
“My highlight with MIC was the feeling of being supported. I had access to practice rooms and a very friendly and helpful staff. I wouldn't have studied anywhere else.”- Eric Nickerson
“I always look forward to my weekly lesson with Karin. In addition to being a great violin teacher she has an incredible amount of knowledge about the world of music and has fostered a love of music for me. I am grateful that I have gotten to study with her for the past twelve years and will miss our weekly lessons” - Patrick Tu
“I really enjoyed participating in the Chicago Duo Piano Festival, because I had an opportunity to collaborate with other pianists. It was also a great experience working with different faculty members and receiving feedback.”
- Jacob Han
“I really enjoyed working with my teacher, Sang Mee Lee. It was amazing studying from her. I grew so much as a person and musician, and I am very grateful for our time working together.”- David Roche
“Music has played a significant role in my childhood, shaping my experiences through violin, flute, and voice lessons. As I move into college, I hope to continue playing the flute, not only as a passion, but also as a therapeutic outlet.” - Sanaa Taqvi
“My experience with MIC has been great due to Ms. Chan's amazing ability to teach, and I am incredibly thankful for her.”- Teddy Kaczmarek
“My most memorable experience at MIC has been performing internationally with Virtuoso Strings, performing in Italy, England, and now New York. I am incredibly grateful to play alongside talented musicians and make new friends who love classical music.” - Caitlyn Nguyen
Photos from the Class of 2025
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Trustees
Scott Verschoor, Chair
Alexandra C. Nichols, Chair Emerita
Timothy J. Patenode, Treasurer
Barbara Sereda, Secretary
Lee Anne Stoddart, Vice Chair
Carlos R. Cardenas, Vice Chair
Saurab Bhargava
Paul Brourman
Hans Germann
Daniel Hahn
Courtney Holohan
Shiraz Kotte
Kay Mabie
Yana Nedvetsky
Renée Parquette
Vikram Raghavan
Jim Stone
Ross Updegraff
Zalman Usiskin
Audra Wilson
Florian Zettelmeyer
Tao Zhu
Life Trustees
John J. Berwanger
Mitzi Freidheim
Brooks Morgan
Rachel Barton Pine
Priscilla F. Richman
William N. Topaz
Honorary Board
Robert Chen
Roberto Diaz
Peter Dushkin
John and Fran Edwardson
James Ginsburg
Wu Han
Jennifer Koh
Nina Kraus
William and Cathy Osborn
Marcus Roberts
Deborah F. Rutter
Scott and Nancy Santi
Rick Waddell
Ex officio Trustees
Christopher Rintz
The Music Institute of Chicago leads people toward a lifelong engagement with music through unparalleled teaching, exceptional performances, and valuable service initiatives that educate, inspire, and build strong, healthy communities.
Since its founding in 1931, the Music Institute’s commitment to innovation, access, and excellence has served as an important community resource and helps to ensure music is available to everyone. Each year, the Music Institute provides personalized music instruction to more than 1,500 students, regardless of age, level of experience, or financial means, across eight Community Music School locations in Chicago, Downers Grove, Evanston, Lake Bluff, Lake Forest, Wheaton, and Winnetka, as well as online.
In addition, the Music Institute brings music education, arts curriculum integration, professional development, and music performance and engagement opportunities to thousands in the Chicago area; offers scholarship opportunities to students in its Community Music School and its Academy, a nationally recognized training center for highly gifted pre-college pianists and string players; and welcomes thousands of visitors annually for performances, master classes, and special events at Nichols Concert Hall.
For more information, please visit musicinst.org.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
