Chicago Camerata performing at North Shore Unitarian Church

Chicago Camerata will present a concert of early music from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras.  The group consists of Heather Carlasare, Viola, William Cernota, Cello, Andrew Anderson, Bass Viol and Gretel Mink, Soprano.

Soprano Gretel Mink Hansen, a Florida native, received her Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Miami and is currently working towards a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University.  Gretel has sung for such companies as The Florida Grand Opera, Walt Disney World, and The Orlando Opera Company, performing in both musical theater and operatic settings.  She is currently a resident artist with Chamber Opera Chicago and works as a voice, piano, and early childhood instructor at The Music Connection in Frankfort and Orland Park, Illinois.  Her upcoming performances include the role of Rose in "A Christmas Carol" at Northeastern Illinois University and the title role in "Susanna's Secrets" with Sinfonia Bel Canto in Downers Grove. 

Heather J. Carlasare, viola, a native of New York City was brought up in the classical tradition at an early age and attended LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in Lincoln Center.  She completed her Baccalaureate Degree in Viola Performance at the Manhattan School of Music and then, under a full scholarship at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, she earned both a Masters Degree and Performer Diploma in Viola Performance.  Heather has also always had a deep love for teaching music.  She is currently a violin and viola instructor at The Music Connection in Frankfort and Orland Park, Illinois and continues to freelance in the Chicago area with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, and Southwest Symphony.  Heather is a founding member of Chicago Camerata.

William Cernota, violoncello, has been a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra since 1982 and, from 1982 to 1996, a substitute cellist with the Chicago Symphony.  He was Principal Cellist of the Chicago Civic Orchestra and has also held principal cello positions with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Concertante di Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, and Peninsula Music Festival.  He has performed several times on WFMT and was a soloist on two European tours of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra.  William is currently on the adjunct music faculties of both Northwestern and Loyola Universities.  Following graduation from the University of Chicago he served for three years in the Peace Corps, Sierra Leone as a biology teacher and band director.  He is a founding member and General Director of Chicago Camerata.

Andrew Anderson, bass viol, is a member of the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra, Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, and Wheaton Conservatory.  He has held positions in twelve different orchestras across seven states, serving as principal bass in four of them.  Andrew studied cello when he was four years old and switched to bass before high school.  He has appeared as a soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra, the Plymouth Symphony, Mount Hood String Ensemble, and placed second at the American String Teacher's Association National Solo Competition, once in 2000 and again in 2002.  Andrew has a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music Degree from Indiana University, and served as a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas.  He is a founding member of Chicago Camerata.

Admission is free but donations are accepted. 

For more info: 
wayl@sbcglobal.net 
773-227-6383