April Kondrat is currently the Director of Orchestras at Plano Senior High School in Plano, TX and Principal Violist with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. She was a regular substitute violist with the Dallas Symphony and Dallas Opera until pursuing a full-time career as a music educator. An advocate for the viola, Mrs. Kondrat was the founder of ViolaWorkshop which ran from 2012-2015 and had a thriving studio of violists from around the metroplex before becoming a full-time orchestra director. She continues to offer private lessons, sectionals and clinics on the viola and is always striving to help music educators understand the mystery behind this fine instrument. Her clinic, “Raising Violas”, was presented at the 2015 TMEA Clinic and Convention in San Antonio in partnership with Mary Havenstrite and again at the Art of Teaching Orchestra at SMU. She also regularly performs chamber music and has performed new works for the viola with student orchestras in the area. Mrs. Kondrat is an avid runner and resides in Plano with her husband and three musical children.

Hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “clearly a pianist with considerable skill and force of personality”, Eduardo Rojas has appeared as soloist with orchestras throughout South and North America. Noteworthy appearances include the Richmond Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, Bogota Philharmonic, Bogota Symphony, Philharmonic of Cali, Panama National Orchestra, Colombia Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Van Cliburn Foundation, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, Orpheus Chamber Singers, the Great Lakes Symphony, the American Wind Symphony, the Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra, the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Chamber Symphony, and in countries

such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Taiwan.

In the summer of 2013, Eduardo Rojas recorded a live DVD at the famed New World Center in Miami Beach, FL featuring Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and in 2015 he released two albums, “Eduardo Rojas Plays Beethoven Vol 1” and “Regenwald – Melodies from the Rainforest,” which showcases Mr. Rojas’ own arrangements of Latin American music. In 2016 he was invited to Taipei, Taiwan to give master classes and serve as a judge of the Asian Pacific International Piano Competition. Inspired by his vision of integrating his musical skills with his natural passion for teaching and entrepreneurship, Eduardo

Rojas founded the Rojas School of Music in 2014, a private institution aimed at deepening the impact of artistic education in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where he resides. Eduardo is committed to making a difference in his community by creating young orchestras throughout the Metroplex. Eduardo Rojas is recognized as International Bösendorfer Artist.

Susanna Hilliard, oboe, received her bachelor’s degree in musical performance from the New School of Music in Philadelphia. She studied privately with Philadelphia Orchestra members Stevens Hewitt and Louis Rosenblatt, Eric Barr from the Dallas symphony and Elaine Douvas from the MET. Susanna performed concerts in Los Angeles, California, and New York with orchestras such as the Desert Symphony, the Peninsula Chamber Orchestra, the Glendale Chamber Orchestra, the National Orchestra of New York, and the New Amsterdam Symphony. She also played with various ensembles and orchestras in Boston, and Florence Italy, like the Boston Civic Orchestra, and the North Shore Symphony in Boston. Her performances in Florence included the chamber groups Solisti a Fiato di Firenze and Solisti dell’Ensemble Cameristico Pistoiese, and a unique recital at the historic Villa Corsi Salviati in Sesto Fiorentino.

In 1994, Susanna and her family moved to North Texas, where she launched her teaching career. She currently has a studio of 24 students and is principal oboe of the Irving Symphony, English hornist of the Plano Symphony, and principal oboe of the San Angelo Symphony. In Texas, she has also played concerts with the Dallas Winds, Lyric Stage, the Corpus Christie Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Wichita Falls symphony, and the Fort Worth Symphony.  Susanna is a co-founder of the chamber music ensemble Mélange Musical (www.MelangeMusical.com) which performs concerts in the DFW area.

Chloe Ann Grein is a collaborative pianist and teacher in the DFW area. She serves as an assistant director with the Thurman School of Music, and has been teaching piano since 1998. She holds a B.M. in Piano Performance from Southern Methodist University, where she studied with Alfred Mouledous, and an M.A. in Humanities from University of Dallas. She is currently the pianist for the Irving Symphony and Plano Symphony Orchestras, and also has experience as a church pianist and accompanist for various choirs and soloists.

Known for her “sophisticated technical expertise, seamlessly blending strength and flexibility with innate eloquence,” as praised by the New York Times, and recognized as “undoubtedly one of the preeminent pianists of her era” according to the Washington Post, Pianist Fenia Chang has captivated audiences globally with her exquisite sound spanning a diverse range of musical genres.

A recipient of top honors in several international competitions, including the Elizabeth Davis International Piano Competition in D.C. and the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition, Thomas Richner International Competition in NY, Fenia Chang’s accolades underscore her prowess as a performer. Notably, she was awarded the Composer’s Prize at the Olivier Messiaen International Piano Competition in Paris, France.

In addition to her solo career, Fenia Chang has collaborated with esteemed musicians, including violinist Reiko Watanabe, Michael Shih, Motoi Takeda, cellist Bion Tsang, Karen Basrak, and pianist Brian Ganz, among others. Her extensive concert career has taken her to major cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia, gracing renowned venues such as Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center.

Beyond her achievements on the concert stage, Dr. Fenia Chang is equally recognized for her dedication to music education. As a Steinway Artist since 2007, she is currently on the piano faculty at Austin College, Dallas College Mountain View Campus, and serves as an active collaborative pianist at Collin College. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians is evident in the success of her students, who have received top prizes at national and international competitions both in the State and Taiwan, her native country.

Fenia Chang’s contributions extend to her role as an adjudicator and collaborator with renowned orchestras like Plano Symphony Orchestra, Sherman Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Symphony, New Texas Sinfonia and Allen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fenia holds Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from the Juilliard School, and Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Maryland. Her distinguished teachers include pianists Abbey Simon, Russell Sherman, Jerome Lowenthal, Thomas Schumacher and Santiago Rodriguez. Her bio has been listed on the Marguis “Who’s Who in America” since 2005.

Ben Carroll is a distinguished hornist and music educator based in Dallas, Texas. He currently performs as the 2nd Horn in the Plano Symphony Orchestra and Principal Horn of the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, Ben has worked with a variety of esteemed ensembles across Texas, including the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Opera Orchestra, the Dallas Chamber Symphony, and the Dallas Winds.

As a dedicated mentor, Ben is committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He serves as the Adjunct Instructor of Music for Horn at Texas Woman’s University and is also on the brass instructional staff for the Santa Clara Vanguard, a renowned drum and bugle corps based in Santa Clara, California.

Jennifer McElroy is an active freelance flutist and teacher in the Dallas Metroplex area. She is a regular guest flutist with the The Dallas Winds, second flute with East Texas Symphony and Lake Lewisville Symphony, and Principal flutist with the Allen Philharmonic Orchestra. She has also subbed with the Fort Worth Symphony and Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and appeared as guest flutist with the Mount Vernon Music Ensemble, Camerata Winds Quintet and Voices of Change.

Mrs. McElroy received her Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University. She continued her studies at Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University where she received both her Master of Music Performance and Artist Certificate. As a teacher, Mrs. McElroy has served as flute faculty for several school districts around Dallas including Richardson, Irving, Lake Highlands, Highland Park, Plano and currently McKinney. She taught as an adjunct flute professor for Brookhaven Community College; and served as instructor at Floot Fire and the Dallas Winds Band Camp. She served as Conductor for the first two seasons of the Southern Methodist University Young Artist Flute Ensembles.

John Landefeld, cellist John Landefeld holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Anthony Ross, current Principal Cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra, and world-renowned pedagogue, Steven Doane. In 1980, Mr. Landefeld studied the Suzuki cello method with Karan Nagase and Dr. Shinichi Suzuki at the Talent Education Research Institute in Matsumoto, Japan. He has also taken Suzuki pedagogy coursework with Gilda Barston, Jean Dexter, Anastasia Jempelis and Barbara Wampner. Mr. Landefeld has taught at the Park Avenue Suzuki Studios in Rochester, New York and the Suzuki Institute of Dallas, where he served as Suzuki Cello specialist and chamber music coach for nearly ten years. In 1985, John Landefeld was invited to play with Janos Starker in a cello festival sponsored by the Chicago Cello Society. One year later, Mr. Landefeld was a national finalist in the American String Teachers Association Solo Competition, and a finalist in the Julius Stulberg Competition. Mr. Landefeld has performed as soloist with the National Repertoire Orchestra, the Central Wisconsin Symphony and the Irving Symphony Orchestra. He has worked with such artists as, Lynn Harrell, Janos Starker, Perry Karp, Karl Fruh, and the Fine Arts Quartet. For nearly three decades, Mr. Landefeld has been sought after as an orchestral cellist. In 1993, he accepted a special invitation to be a member of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida. There he performed as co-principal cellist under the acclaimed conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. In 1994, he attended Southern Methodist University (SMU), performing the duties of Principal Cellist in the Meadows Symphony Orchestra. While studying at SMU, Mr. Landefeld studied with Christopher Adkins, Principal Cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. In addition to appearances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Mr. Landefeld has performed with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Milwaukee Symphony. He has collaborated with prestigious conductors such as, James de Priest, Leon Fleisher, Simon Rattle, Alexander Schneider, Leonard Slatkin, Neeme Jarvi and Miguel Harth Bedoya. Mr. Landefeld has attended the summer music festivals of Tanglewood, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, National Repertoire Orchestra, Music in the Mountains and Britt. He has performed as Principal Cellist with numerous symphony orchestras including the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra (CWSO), National Repertoire Orchestra, the New World Symphony and most currently, the Plano Symphony and Irving Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber performer, Mr. Landefeld was awarded First Prize in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Most recently, he was also the cellist of the classical, crossover group, Neo Camerata with which he has had the pleasure of playing for enthusiastic audiences all across the United States as well as in Europe in countries such as Austria, France and Belgium. With Neo Camerata he has helped to create what critics have called a “genre-busting,” “technically impressive,” “emotionally stirring” and “totally cool and amazing” experience. Mr. Landefeld’s work as a recording artist can be heard on the CDs of many Dallas/Fort Worth area musicians including Brice Beaird, Heather McCready and Carey Dyer. He has performed live with Brice Beaird and Heather McCready, donning different hats as cellist, guitarist and background vocalist. Mr. Landefeld is featured on Ms. McCready’s songs, “Clarity” and “Maybe” from her album, Give It A Day, which have received significant airplay on National BBC Radio. Mr. Landefeld is equally comfortable in the recording studio as a producer and arranger as he enjoys collaborating with other artist on their music. He has worked with singers and songwriters in Dallas, Fort Worth, Kansas and Seattle. He has also played on recordings made for commercials that have aired nationally.

Creed Miller is a native of Orlando, FL. He grew up immersed in both instrumental and choral music. Beginning his studies of the cello at age seven, Creed was an active youth orchestra musician and church choral musician. He went on to attend Florida State University and completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance. During college, Creed met his future wife, now Allie Miller, in the summer of 2016 when both he and she attended the National Music Festival as participating musicians. Upon graduating from Florida State University, Creed followed Allie out to Texas Christian University, where he completed his Master of Music degree in Cello Performance. Creed enjoys a varied career in the world of music. He teaches 6th-8th grade music at Great Hearts Online. He also serves as the Director of Music at St Alban’s Anglican Church in Arlington, TX. Cello remains an active part of his life and career, as he plays with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, the Irving Symphony Orchestra, and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. His wife, Allie, is an equally accomplished violinist, and also a member of the Plano Symphony and the Board of the Plano Symphony.

Julia Rose grew up in Warwick, Rhode Island and began playing the violin at the age of five years old. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings at Mercer University. In 2016, Ms. Rose relocated to Dallas to pursue graduate studies at Southern Methodist University where she received a Master of Music and a Performer Diploma in Violin Performance. During her graduate studies, she studied with Emanuel Borok who was the former concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Julia is an active performer and is a member of the Plano Symphony Orchestra, Irving Symphony Orchestra and Dallas Chamber Symphony. Previously, she was the Orchestra Director at Covenant Christian Academy and Founders Classical Academy, Frisco. Over the summers, she has performed at various music festivals such as the National Repertory Orchestra, Rome Chamber Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival and the National Orchestral Institute. Julia has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral musician and is passionate about passing her love of music on to the next generation of musicians. She is now serving as the Orchestra Director at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School in Irving ISD.