Chicago College of Performing Arts

🥳 Finishing up the week with our 3rd Artist Teacher, Jennifer Bouton! You know the drill, full bio below!

Jennifer Bouton has performed around the world as a guest artist, clinician, and orchestral musician. A member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2011, she performed as 2nd flute with Lyric Opera of Chicago from 2014-16, and has played guest roles with the Chicago Symphony and Detroit Symphony Orchestras, among others. In 2019 she won an extended appointment with the Australian Ballet and Australian Opera in Melbourne, and was invited to become a permanent member of Orchestra Victoria.

Ms. Bouton received a Master of Music degree and Certificate in Advanced Flute Studies from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory. Her teachers include Jeanne Baxtresser, Alberto Almarza, and Marina Piccinini. Originally from Denver, Colorado, in her spare time Jennifer enjoys being active outdoors with her husband and two young daughters.

☕️It’s Thursday already!? To celebrate please join us in welcoming our 2nd of 3 artist teachers, Jennifer Gosack Darwell, Flutist Sip your coffee and read her bio below!

Chicago flutist, Jennifer Gosack Darwell D.M.A. has been praised for her vibrant tone, polished technique, and outstanding musicality across a broad range of styles. Jennifer received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 2016. She also received her Master’s (2010) and Artist Diploma (2011) degrees from CCM. In 2008, Jennifer graduated from the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, where she studied with Mary Stolper. She is currently Principal Flutist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, Jennifer became Adjunct Professor of Flute at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL, Adjunct Professor of Flute at South Suburban College in South Holland, IL, and Instructor of Flute Performance at the American Music Institute in Clarendon Hills, IL. She currently offers quality flute instruction to more than forty dedicated students of all ages throughout the Chicagoland area. Jennifer is dedicated to a life of sharing her talent and passion for classical music with others.

☀️ Good morning! This week CCPA is welcoming 3 new artist teachers, and you know we had to start with the percussionist first 🥁 so please welcome
Britton-René Collins (bio below)👇

Britton-René Collins is an active percussion soloist and educator, a recipient of the prestigious Princeton University Hodder Fellowship, and a winner of the Concert Artists Guild, Yamaha Young Performing Artists, and Chicago International Music competitions. She has made dozens of concerto appearances, including the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. In addition to her active solo career, Britton-René enjoys life as a chamber musician and co-director with her New York City-based groups “Excelsis Percussion Quartet” and “Vision Duo.” Her upcoming chamber collaborations include touring with the Sphinx Virtuosi. As an Artist Endorser, Britton-René proudly performs using Vic Firth sticks and mallets, Zildjian cymbals, Marimba One instruments, and Remo drumheads.

It’s been a ton of fun having The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on our campus in the Auditorium Theatre all week! Even more fun to see their logo displayed across our office, studio, and classroom windows 🤩

But…we are SO READY to welcome all of YOU to join us on campus, starting tomorrow, Friday 8/23!!! 🎉🎉 Roosevelt University

Hey, CCPA - RU ready?!

New student move-in is THIS FRIDAY, August 23rd! We in CCPA Enrollment are ready to welcome you for the start of our Welcome Weekend:

💚 CCPA Welcome Hub —> Ida B. Wells Lounge (Auditorium Building 2nd floor) - 10:30AM to 6:00PM
• Students & families are welcome to stop by around their move-in for a snack, relaxing coloring, to sign our new student welcome banner, or to simply mingle & socialize with brand new schoolmates! This is not required, but we’ll have resources on places in the area to eat, shop, with a listing of important offices/departments throughout . Even if you’re not living on campus, feel free to stop by!

💚💚 All New CCPA Student Welcome —> Ida B. Wells Lounge - 7:15PM to 8:45PM (for students-only)
• Meet your college leadership team
• Meet current students & CCPA Student Council members
• Meet each other, and get to learn more about student life for the Interdisciplinary, Music, & Theatre Conservatories
• Enjoy light appetizers and charcuterie, desserts, and soda

💚💚💚 CCPA Parent & Guardian Welcome —> Ganz Hall, 7th floor of the AUD - 7:45PM to 9:00PM (for parents, guardians, & non-student family)
• Meet and hear from college leadership
• Participate in an open Q&A where we discuss any/all lasting questions pertaining to student life, the move to Chicago, our college philosophy, & more
• Enjoy light appetizers and charcuterie, desserts, & soda

Questions? Reach out via [email protected], or directly to your admission rep! WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU SOON!!!

Kicks off with the first day of classes, Monday August 26th!

Participate in our Welcome Week activities to get connected, involved and informed for the fall semester.
⚾ Register: roosevelt.edu/welcomeweek

HERE WE GO!!! In just over a week, we welcome the incoming CCPA Fall 2024 class, of the Interdisciplinary Conservatory, Music Conservatory, & Theatre Conservatory, to campus!

Our college’s total incoming class represents 35 U.S. states, and different countries ✨💚✨💚 We can’t wait for you to join our community and for us to be a part of your incredible, unique journey. It all starts so soon…!

CCPA appoints Teng Li as Artist Faculty in Viola!

The String and Guitar Program of Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts is delighted to announce the appointment of violist Teng Li to its esteemed Artist Faculty. Ms. Li's recent appointment as principal viola of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra heralds the arrival of an extraordinary and distinguished musician to our city. In addition to her exceptional accomplishments as a performer, Ms. Li is a highly respected and sought-after pedagogue, having most recently served on the faculty of the Colburn School. A graduate of the Central Conservatory in Beijing, China, and the Curtis Institute of Music, she previously held the position of principal viola with both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. At CCPA, Ms. Li will be instructing viola major students and teaching as a part of the Viola Lab.

We eagerly anticipate her joining our vibrant musical community this fall! 🎉💚

Wishing you an empowered and insightful Juneteenth💚

From — On this day in 1865, over 200,000 enslaved people in Texas were informed that they were freed under the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day, we encourage our RU community to learn more about America’s history and discover ways they can make their community an inclusive place for everyone.

🖤🤎 Tap the link in RU’s bio to learn how you can celebrate in Chicago!

🏳️‍🌈From Roosevelt University🏳️‍⚧️
Happy Pride Month!
Despite laws changing across the country to limit individuals’ freedoms, Roosevelt University will remain an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and a supporter of their rights.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... SUMMER COMPOSITION INSTITUTE 😍

People of Facebook, we would LOVE if you could help us like and share this post to spread the word! And if you know any high students feel free to tag them in this post!!

This will be an amazing opportunity for students to learn the ins and outs of music composition with some of the greatest composers, professors, and musicians the world has to offer, right here in Chicago!! Below are links to apply & register:

Apply Here: https://airtable.com/appBrwr7sbuzM8yj2/shrdVaU8KkJopJFKJ

Once Admitted Payment will be made here: https://secure.touchnet.com/C21300_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=273&SINGLESTORE=true

🔥FLASH NEWS ALERT🔥

CCPA student Mateus Restani Furtado has advanced to the FINALS of the National Chopin Competition of Brazil!!!

His performance of the Chopin 1st Piano Concerto with orchestra will take place TODAY @ 4PM Chicago time (Mateus is the final performer out of three): Stream Link Below 👇

WATCH HERE! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VcfIn4DXFA

☆☆☆☆
CONGRATULATIONS to the Chicago College of Performing Arts CLASS OF 2024! Happy Roosevelt University Commencement!!! 🎉💚🎉💚

Auditorium Theatre

🎓 HAPPY COMMENCEMENT DAY to all our CCPA graduates — and check out the 2024 Class of Musical Theatre: Dance Concentration BFAs, and 2024 Acting BFAs!!!

Each year brings us special cohorts of brilliant young minds and talents, but this particular class entered college during a time of great uncertainty, at the height of the pandemic in Fall 2020. You have already accomplished amazing things, and will continue to light up the world!

We’d love to keep sharing your celebrations and memories of — tag us here so we can hype you up!✨Many congratulations to all our Interdisciplinary, Music, and Theatre graduates today 🤩 We can’t wait to cheer you on at the 3pm ceremony! 💚🎉💚🎉 Roosevelt University

📸 1-3 Kyle Bode

🥳We have some awesome news!! TWO former CCPA students Joaquin Bonilla & Kenthaney Redmond have both advanced to be finalists in the National Flute Association's Jazz Artist Competition! They will compete in August for the final round, so let's give them a big CONGRATULATIONS , and good luck friends!! 🎉 We will definitely be keeping up with the news so check back in August!

Check out more info on the NFA IG page post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6rCHTssWw8/?igsh=MTY3Z29iejBidGRvMQ%3D%3D

😢 tell me it's not true... are there really only FOUR performances left before the year is over?? Let's make sure to end strong and support out talented musicians this week!! Starting off with the Ikaros Ensemble TODAY at 2:30pm in the Sullivan Room Aud 220. And they just so happen to be another student led group!
(wow students really like to go above and beyond here don't they?)

The program looks super mega awesome!!

Laufey - Valentine Arr. Julian Kwoun

Martinů - String Sextet, H. 224

Tchaikovsky - Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70

Schmidt - Long After I've Rotted Into the Earth, You Will Consume This Universe, and In That Moment You and I Will Finally Consummate

Come on by and say hi!

😎 Is this the MOST talented music school of all time or what?! Say hello to Mateus Furtado, our THIRD concerto competition winner that will be performing in the next school year! Check out bio below! 👇

Born in Brazil, Mateus completed his Master’s degree in Music at Roosevelt University (Chicago) with Winston Choi in the spring of 2024. He began studying piano at the age of 13, and at 17, he was accepted into the Bachelor's program in Piano Performance at the University of Sao Paulo, where he studied with Eduardo Monteiro and Luciana Sayure, two of the country's most prestigious piano teachers. Since then, Mateus has performed on numerous occasions, including masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Clelia Iruzun, Jan Lisiecki, Marisa Lacorte, Arnaldo Cohen, Anna Fedorova, Philip Scheucher, Caio Pagano, Yulianna Avdeeva, Edward Auer, and Stephen Hough. Additionally, he has played in important Brazilian venues such as Auditorio Olivier Toni and Teatro Castro Mendes with the Campinas Symphony Orchestra, as well as Teatro Adamastor with the Guarulhos Youth Orchestra, and he has given a solo recital at Fundacao Oscar Americano.

Mateus has participated in three editions of the International Campos do Jordao Festival (2019, 2021, and 2023), winning a recital to be performed at the next edition of the festival (2024) as an award for his outstanding participation in the festival’s piano class. In 2022, he traveled to Spain to participate in the Avila International Music Festival as a prize for winning first place in a competition. Furthermore, he has received awards in other competitions, including first place in the Piano em Foco competition, the I Gilberto Tinetti Piano competition, and the LVMS Piano Competition (Chicago), as well as third place in the Jovens Solistas GruPiano Competition and the 8° ‘José Jacinto Cuevas’ International Piano Competition Yamaha (Mérida, MX), where he performed the Emperor Concerto with the Yucatán Symphony Orchestra in the final round.

Sometimes you gotta do it yourself! That’s what one talented group of students at CCPA did, and formed their own group! Join Eleanor Ensemble on May 9th in Ganz hall! The concert is FREE, so there is NOOOO reason why you shouldn’t be there! (Unless you have class )

actually no skip class and go to the concert 😈

WE ❤️ LIEDER! Do you?!? If so check out this amazing opportunity to see Hugh Russel and Craig Terry give an amazing series in Ganz Hall on May 9th!

If you want to see what they are playing & grab some tickets just click this beautiful link below!👇

https://www.caichicago.org/summer-lieder-lounge1.html

Check out this awesome feature on an amazing CCPA student, Jazz & Contemporary Voice sophomore Adrian (Adie) Mendez! 💚

From Roosevelt University: Today’s academic success story is another student with a successful community mindset—CCPA sophomore Adrian Mendez, who exemplifies Roosevelt’s emphasis on creativity and community. At just six years old, Adrian began to join her father to sing onstage when he played guitar at local gigs in her hometown of Bloomington-Normal. She soon developed a lifelong passion for pop and jazz music, and when it came time to select a conservatory and pursue a career as a singer, Roosevelt was an easy choice.

“It immediately felt like home,” she says. "The entire CCPA faculty was so welcoming and understanding about how to turn my passion into a career, and the performing arts community here is incredibly supportive. I can’t imagine studying anywhere else.”

Academic Success Story: Adrian Mendez | Roosevelt University CCPA sophomore Adrian Mendez exemplifies Roosevelt’s emphasis on creativity and community.

Happy May everybody!!! We CAN'T believe the school year is almost up already... BUT there are plenty of new things to be excited about for the 2024/2025 year at CCPA! Including our concerto competition performances, in fact lets meet another winner right now... Sava Velkoff!! Check out bio below 👇

Sava Velkoff is a Violist from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She attended Western Michigan University, where she studied with Professor Igor Fedotov and graduated with her Bachelor of Music in 2022. She currently studies with Li-Kuo Chang, Roger Chase, Igor Fedotov, and Lawrence Newman in CCPA’s Viola Lab Program at Roosevelt University, pursuing a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Studies and anticipates graduating Spring 2024.
Sava has participated in multiple summer music festivals, including the Casalmaggiore International Music Festival, the Vienna Summer Music Festival, the Berlin Opera Academy and the Opera Festival Chicago. Sava displays her passion for leadership by sitting principal violist in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra, and the Roosevelt University CCPA Symphony Orchestra. For two seasons, Sava was awarded a position in the viola section of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra through Western Michigan University’s Artist Scholar Program. In the 2021, Sava won the position of Assistant Principal Violist of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. Sava is a current member if the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and won a position with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in Fall of 2023.

Sava has performed in masterclasses led by outstanding musicians such as Adrian Anantawan, Roger Chase, Paul Coletti, Jameson Cooper, Gela Dubrova, Vladimir Dyo, Mark Holloway, Scott St. John, Peter Leonard, Jun-Ching Lin, Paul Neubauer, Lawrence Neuman, Ellen Rose, Yizhak Schotten, Phil Setzer, Paul Swantek, Sophie Tang, Steven Tenenbom, Hellen Weiβ, and MingHuan Xu.

Sava was the winner of the 2016 Kent Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, the 2017 Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, and was the first Student in Western Michigan University’s history to have won the Western Michigan University Concerto Competition in two consecutive years 2021 and 2022.

One of our Concerto Competition winners happens to have a recital tomorrow night at 7:30!! Make sure to join us for a great program! And while you wait, get to know Pablo a bit through his bio! 👇

Pablo Valladares is a pianist hailing from Quito, Ecuador. He has performed in various countries, including China, Italy, Austria, the United States, and his beloved Ecuador. Pablo’s musical journey has been shaped by extensive education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Drake University and a Master’s degree from Western Michigan University. Recently, Valladares culminated his studies at Roosevelt University where he completed a Performance Diploma in piano, under the tutelage of renowned pianists Edward Auer, Junghwa Moon Auer and Winston Choi.
Pablo has had the privilege to participate in prestigious piano festivals and masterclasses with acclaimed pianists, solidifying his reputation as a musical ambassador. Gracing prominent stages in Ecuador and abroad, Valladares has performed with all major orchestras in Ecuador, including the National Symphony Orchestra. He is also a winner of the Drake University Concerto Competition in Des Moines-Iowa, the Young Talent Competition organized by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, and the 2024 Robert B. Beardsley Piano Competition in Elkhart-Indiana. In addition, Pablo was named a 2024 Gilmore Festival Fellow and was selected to perform in a masterclass for acclaimed pianist Gabriela Montero.
As a creative force, Pablo directs the OnoZone International Music Festival in Quito- Ecuador, where musicians from all over the world come together to celebrate music and cultural diversity. In addition to his career as a performer, Valladares has made a profound impact as a music educator. He has shared his knowledge and passion as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University, as well as in other important institutions, such as the Gilmore Piano Festival, Suzuki Academy of Kalamazoo, People’s Music School, among others. His dedication to teaching has inspired numerous students to discover their own musical potential and follow his footsteps.

🎉 MORE SHOUT OUTS 🎉
Congratulations to our three amazingly talented concerto competition winners, next year will be action packed for the CCPA Orchestra!!

Pablo Valladares - (Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 54 - Robert
Schumann)

Sava Velkoff - (Viola Concerto - Bartok)

Mateus Furtado - (Piano Concerto no.1 in e minor, Op.11 - Chopin)

HUGE shout out to CCPA students Anna Pastrana, Boqian Jing, Justin Gjata, and Kyungmin Yang!! They have been selected to present at the France Clark Webinar THIS Friday at 10 am!
Register here: https://pianoinspires.com/event/4-26-24-event/

Stop on by, you JUST might learn something new!

Today we get to honor the 2024 recipients of Roosevelt University's annual Alumni Awards! These awards recognize outstanding alumni for their accomplishments and commitment to RU's historic social justice mission. The honorees will be recognized this evening at a reception at the Emily Hotel in Chicago’s West Loop.

Jared Fritz-McCarty (CCPA alum - MM ’11), assistant vice president of advancement, says, “Our awardees have made a profound impact on their professions and communities. Their dedication and vision embody Roosevelt’s values, and their achievements inspire others to reach greater heights.” He continues, “We celebrate the rich diversity of this group—reflecting the people we have and will continue to serve.”

Chicago College of Performing Arts is extremely proud to be awarding the Dean's Award to alumna Alexa Smith (Classical Voice '08)! Alexa is the inaugural senior director for anti-racism, equity and belonging at The Public Theater. In this position, she is the EDI director for Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen —a new musical by Alicia Keys and directed by Michael Greif. Smith is the host of WQXR’s “Young Artist Showcase” and is a frequent guest of the Metropolitan Opera’s “Quiz Show” on Met Radio.

Read more below, and congratulations to this year's incredible alumni award winners!

Roosevelt University Honors Eight Alumni with 2024 Alumni Awards | Roosevelt University These awards recognize outstanding alumni for their accomplishments and commitment to Roosevelt University’s historic social justice mission.

🎉IT’S OPENING NIGHT🎉

HAPPY OPENING to the cast, crew, and creative team of the CCPA Theatre Conservatory’s NEW WORKS! Break legs! 💚

Please reserve a ticket for a performance in this run!

• Playing in the Yolanda Miller Theatre (accessible via 425 S. Wabash, & 430 S. Michigan, of )
• Wednesday through Saturday, April 24th - 27th @ 7:30PM. Saturday through Sunday, 27th - 28th @ 2PM.

🎟️FOR TICKETS head to the link in our bio🎟️

Director: Sarafina Vecchio
Assistant Director: Allison Horvatin
Lighting Designer: Ty Schirmer
Sound Designer: Jesiah Murray
Intimacy Designer: Sheryl Williams
Costume Coordinator: Grace Reidenauer
Prop Runner: Halee Myers
Stage Manager: Seneca Sims
Assistant Stage Manager: Chosen Mitchell
Student Photographers: Avery Trevino, Cris Moreno