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Principal Recital Series


Check back soon for future Principal Recital series dates!

Our most recent performances featured:

Penelope Turgeon - flute
Suzi Crookshank, Kim Scharf - clarinet
Mark Ponzo - cornet, trumpet
Garth Anderson - trumpet
Ian Fitzwater - trombone
Matt Kowalski - trombone

Accompanied by JeongSoo Kim - piano

Performing works by Karl Hohne, Herbert Clarke, Giovanni Gabrieli, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and more!


Pénélope Turgeon is a native of Québec and has recently moved to Illinois from California to study at Northern Illinois University and complete a Performer’s Certificate. She obtained a B.A. and M.M. in Flute Performance from the University of California at Los Angeles where she also acted as orchestra manager for the university’s flagship orchestra.
Pénélope went on to do an internship in orchestra management with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. and then worked as orchestra manager with the Napa Valley Youth Symphony. During her time in California, Penelope performed with the UCLA Philharmonia, the Young Musicians Foundation Debut! Orchestra and the Kensington Symphony, among others.
She currently plays principal flute with the Fox Valley Orchestra, volunteers administrative help to the PianoForte Foundation in Chicago and works at a fine art gallery in downtown Chicago. In her spare time, Penelope writes grant proposals for non-profits, gardens avidly, jogs and continues to improve her flute playing. Illinois.

Suzi Crookshank is principal clarinetist in the Fox Valley Orchestra. She earned degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (DMA), Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (MM), and the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL (BM) and has studied with J. David Harris, Eric Mandat, and Margaret Donaghue-Flavin, respectively. In addition to the Fox Valley Orchestra, Dr. Crookshank performs in the Fox Valley Concert Band, Wheaton Municipal Band, and two woodwind quintets. She teaches clarinet lessons in Aurora at St. Mark’s Music Academy and at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, where she also leads clarinet sectionals and masterclasses.

Mark Ponzo holds the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music with the Performer's Certificate.  Dr. Ponzo is a Full Professor at Northern Illinois University, where he joined the faculty in 1990.  His principal teachers include John Hagstrom, Barbara Butler, Charles Schlueter, George Coble, and Richard Jones.  Mark is the Solo Cornet with The New Sousa Band and Illinois Brass Band as well as Principal Trumpet of the Fox Valley Orchestra and Antiqua Baroque Consort.   He has been a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Mexico City Philharmonic, and Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.  Mark is a regular substitute with the Elgin Symphony and Chicago Brass Quintet and has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Music of the Baroque, Illinois Chamber Symphony, Chicago Sinfonietta, Illinois Philharmonic, Millar Brass, Light Opera Works, as well as numerous local orchestras.
He has been a featured soloist with The Music of the Baroque, Elgin Symphony, The New Sousa Band, Southern Tier Symphony, Fox Valley Orchestra, Kishwaukee Symphony as well as the NIU Philharmonic, Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony.
Mark has released three solo recordings; Music for Trumpets by Dexter Morrill (CPS-6857) – Capstone, Dexter Morrill: Three Concertos (CRC 2604) – Centaur and The Trumpet Music of Verne Reynolds (4843-MCD) – Mark Master Recordings. Dr. Ponzo was a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble for the CBS/Sony Masterworks recording Live from Osaka (SK 47198).
Garth Anderson received his performer's certificate from NIU in spring 2012, and his master’s in trumpet performance in 2011. He earned a bachelor’s of music education degree from DePauw University in 2009. While at NIU, he studied with Professor Mark Ponzo and played principal trumpet for the NIU Philharmonic, was section leader for the NIU Wind Ensemble, and played with the Graduate Brass Quintet. At DePauw, he played jazz as well with the DePauw Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. He is currently teaching beginning band and general music in the Sycamore public schools. Garth currently performs as a regular member of the Fox Valley Orchestra, the Chicago Metropolitan Brass Ensemble, and has played principal trumpet for the Chicago Bach Ensemble. Garth has also subbed principal trumpet with the DuPage Symphony and is the personnel manager for the Wheaton Municipal Band and Fox Valley Orchestra. He has taught private lessons since 2004.
 
Ian Fitzwater, originally from Wichita, Kansas, moved to Illinois in 2010 and is in his first season as principal trombonist with the Fox Valley Orchestra.  He has held the principal trombone position with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra since 2010 and has recently been appointed the 2nd trombonist with the Chicago Metropolitan Brass Ensemble.  His teachers include Jeremy Moeller, Joseph Rodriguez, Michael Powell, Christopher Dudley, Russell Widener, and Reed Capshaw.  Ian holds a Master’s degree in trombone performance from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s degree in trombone and euphonium performance from Wichita State University.
In addition to performing, Ian also teaches privately in Batavia, Naperville, and Glen Ellyn.  In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, cooking, and spending time with his family.
 
Matt Kowalski, originally from the Chicagoland area grew up with a musical background from an early age. Originally a trombonist from Downers Grove, he participated in The Merit School of Music under the direction of Tim Riordan, gaining experience as both a jazz and classical trombonist. After high school Matt pursued his bachelors at The Eastman School of Music, studying under the wisdom of John Marcellus, graduating in 2014 with his Performer's Certificate.

Matt participates in a wide range of musical activities. Between Salsa and Rock bands, Jazz Bands and Small groups as well as solo classical repertoire, Matt hopes to bridge the gap between musical styles. He is currently leading his own group, The Matt Kowalski Quintet which can be heard throughout the western suburbs playing swing, funk and his own original compositions. Matt is also currently recording for his debut CD release "Bridging the Gap" with pianist Belford Hernandez and drummer Justin Kono.

Dr. JeongSoo Kim is Associate Professor of Piano at Northern Illinois University where she teaches applied piano, piano literature, and piano pedagogy. Dr. Kim received her bachelor’s degree from Seoul National University, her master’s degree from the New England Conservatory, and her doctorate in piano performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music, where she worked as a piano class and applied piano teaching assistant and as a Graduate Award accompanist.
As an active performer and teacher, she has had numerous solo and chamber music performances throughout the United States and South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Costa Rica, and has participated in the Aspen and Chautauqua music festivals. Her solo recitals have been radio broadcasted in Buffalo, New York, and South Korea, and she has performed as a soloist with Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra, Kun-San City Orchestra, and NIU Philharmonic Orchestra. Her recent performing activities include solo, chamber, and piano duo recitals at Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, Boston University, Philippine Women’s University, Sook-Myung University, Seoul City University, Kawai Piano Concert Hall, and Taiwan National Normal University.
Dr. Kim has presented lecture recitals at the College Music Society International Conference in Costa Rica and the Illinois State Music Teachers’ Association Annual Conventions. She has published in the piano performance and pedagogy journal American Music Teacher, and has contributed many articles and concert reviews for Korean piano journals including Piano Music and International Piano Music.
As an active member of MTNA, Dr. Kim serves as a Northwest District Chair for the Illinois State Music Teachers Association and co-vice president of ISMTA Naperville chapter.