In 2001, he was a finalist in the National Anne Adams Awards. In 2002, he was invited with Dr. Ann Yeung to give a presentation on the Roslyn Rensch Collection and Papers at the American Harp Society’s National Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has co-authored an article on the collection in the Summer 2003 issue of The American Harp Journal. His article, “Roslyn Rensch: the harpist and the harp,” with Ann Yeung, is included in the Summer 2010 issue of The American Harp Journal.

Dr. Lynch is a founding member of The HarpCore 4, a harp quartet that performs original “not-what-you-expect-to-hear-on-the-harp” arrangements of popular music. They have been featured at the 2008 Boneyard Arts Festival in Illinois, 2007 AHS National Summer Institute in Chicago, and given the opening concert for the 2004 Illinois Summer Harp Class. He also performs regularly with flutist Kimberlee Goodman, as part of the duo From the West. Recently, they have presented recitals throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio and have been invited to perform at the 2011 National Flute Association Conference this August. He is active as a chamber, orchestral, and solo harpist throughout central Illinois and northwest Indiana. Dr. Lynch currently serves as the adjunct harp faculty member at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana, and Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Stephen Squires

Mr. Squires received his musical training at the Preparatory School of the Eastman School of Music and the Crane School of Music, in his home state of New York.  He earned his Master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting/Trumpet Performance at California State University, Northridge.  Further conducting studies were with Helmuth Rilling, Maurice Abravanel, Daniel Lewis, Tsung Yeh, and at the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. Squires has conducted recordings for the Delos, Spring Hill (a division of EMI), MEDR, Editions de la Rue Margot, and Centaur labels.  His most recent recording (in progress) is for the Albany label, featuring the music of Victoria Bond.

Stephen Squires is Professor of Conducting in the Music Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University.  Prior to this appointment he served on the artist faculty of the Northern Illinois School of Music for nineteen years, where he received the prestigious “Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.”

Mr. Squires’ current professional appointments include Resident Conductor of the Elgin (IL) Symphony Orchestra (currently a finalist for the position of Music Director), Music Director of the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra (Rockford, IL), Music Director of the Millar Brass (Evanston, IL), and Music Director of the Illinois Brass Band.   He is the former Music Director of the Illinois Chamber Symphony.  Mr. Squires has guest conducted the Chicago Symphony, the Syracuse Symphony, and has made numerous guest appearances with the Green Bay Symphony. This year he guest conducts the Chicago Composers Orchestra. In addition, he is an accomplished recital accompanist, freelance trumpeter, and frequent guest conductor at educational festivals throughout the country.

Travis Cook is a Chicago area musician who performs on bass trombone, tenor trombone, and euphonium.  A native of Farmington Hills, Michigan, Travis received his Bachelor’s Degree in Trombone Performance & Music Education from the University of Michigan.  In 2010 he completed his Master’s Degree in Trombone Performance at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.  Travis has studied with many world-class musicians including Jay Friedman, Randy Hawes, David Jackson, and Mark Fry.

While studying at Michigan, Travis held the position of bass trombonist with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, where he was also a mentor to high school musicians.

Most recently Travis has performed with the orchestras of Dubuque, IA and Peoria, IL, but he also performs with other Chicago area groups such as the Elgin Symphony, Chamber Opera of Chicago, and the Chicago Composers Orchestra.  In the summer, Travis performs with the Wheaton Municipal Band on euphonium and bass trombone. Travis is also the bass trombonist for the Shout Section Big Band, a jazz ensemble performing in the Chicago area.