MEET THE PROJECT INCLUSION STRING QUARTET
Project Inclusion is a partnership with the Chicago Sinfonietta to provide professional development opportunities for early-career minority musicians. Project Inclusion fellows perform with the Grant Park Orchestra, receive one-on-one mentoring from orchestra musicians, and perform free neighborhood concerts across the city.
Visit gpmf.org/project-inclusion to learn more and find out where you can see these outstanding young musicians perform live.
MARIA ARRUA
Violin
Born in Paraguay, Maria Arrua began her musical training at the National Conservatory of Music of Paraguay. In 2007, she came to the U.S., attending Louisiana State University and Penn State University, and is currently earning her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Violin Performance at the University of Illinois. She has performed with the Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Paraguay.
What is your favorite kind of music to perform? I enjoy playing music of all time periods and styles. One aspect of Romantic music that I enjoy is the freedom of expression it grants the performers - the many different interpretations mean no limit to passion!
What interested you in the Project Inclusion program? The opportunity to play with the Grant Park Orchestra. Also, the community outreach that the festival provides through the PI String Quartet and other venues is extremely valuable. The quartet is preparing to play in a variety of educational concerts for kids, young adults, and adults in an effort to spread our love of music.
What has been your favorite part of Project Inclusion so far? Getting to spend each day rehearsing and performing great music with wonderful musicians, under the guidance of amazing coaches!
KYLE DICKSON
Violin
Kyle Dickson, a native of Detroit, has studied at Winans Academy of Performing Arts, Michigan State University College of Music, and will begin graduate studies at DePaul University in Fall of 2014. Kyle was a prize-winning laureate at the NANM National Concerto Competition, the Simon Clements Music Competition, and the James Tatum Foundation for the Arts Scholarship Competition. Kyle has served as Concertmaster of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra in Branson, MO, and recently joined the violin section of the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra.
What is your favorite kind of music to perform?
I love it all, but I have a special affinity for jazz. There's something about the intricate harmonies that gets me everytime!
What would you be if you were not a musician?
I was really interested in medicine in high school, for a little while I wanted to be a cardiovascular surgeon.
What interested you in the Project Inclusion program? What has been your favorite part so far?
I was really excited about what PI was all about and how it's committed to the changing the face of the symphony orchestra to reflect the faces of the community it serves. I love our coachings with Carlos Kalmar and beautiful view from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. I can never get too much of learning from and sharing ideas with such incredible musicians.
MARLEA SIMPSON
Viola
Marlea Simpson is currently a freshman at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and previously attended the University of Texas at Arlington. Marlea made her solo orchestra debut with the Allen Philharmonic after winning first prize in their concerto competition. She attended the Credo Chamber Music Festival in the summers of 2011-2013, where she took part in many community service projects including the Joyful Noise program where students use music to reach out to kids in inner-city Cleveland. She is a native of Allen, Texas.
What is your favorite kind of music to perform?
Chamber Music from the late Classical and Romantic eras
Who is your musical hero?
My professor, Peter Slowik
What has been your favorite part of Project Inclusion so far?
Meeting so many wonderful musicians! I love my chamber group and the orchestra members have been so welcoming and great mentors. I really wanted to be a part of a program that does more than just play music, by going out into the community!
VICTOR SOTELO
Cello
Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Victor Sotelo is an active performer in the Chicago area. He was named a prizewinner in the Alexander & Buono International String Competition and the American Opera Society Auditions. Victor made his solo debut in 2002 with the Louisville Orchestra after winning their Young Artist Competition. Victor is an alum of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the touring ensemble, Sphinx Virtuosi. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Beinen School of Music.
Who are your musical heroes?
Miklos Perenyi, Joni Mitchell, Kendrick Lamar, Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Gary Hoffman, Isaac Stern, Tim Eddy, Jaap van Sweden, Bernard Haitink, etc.
What interested you in the Project Inclusion program?
Getting to play with a great orchestra and working with a serious quartet.
What would you be if you were not a musician?
A food critic.
