University Chamber Orchestra
Trumpeter and conductor Timothy Semanik has extensive experience working with university musicians of various levels at Northwestern University, the University of Michigan, Tanglewood, and numerous festivals and workshops. He is a seasoned conductor of Gilbert & Sullivan operas having stood at the podium at Light Opera Works and The Savoyaires. Currently, Semanik is the Music Director at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove and a graduate student at Northwestern University. He has studied with Kurt Masur, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Robert Spano, Michael Morgan, Helmut Rilling, John Alexander, Duain Wolfe, Victor Yampolsky, Kenneth Kiesler, and Gustav Meier.

University Wind Ensemble
Trombonist and conductor Christopher De Stefano is currently the Director of Bands at McCracken Middle School in Skokie. Having developed the band program into a nationally recognized ensemble, De Stefano adds to his successes an invitation to perform at the 2006 Midwest Clinic, receipt of the 2006 Sudler Silver Cup from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, and several appearances at the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference and University of Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival. The ensemble has procured many commissions and touts a CD recording project. De Stefano is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Middle East Music Ensemble
Trained in both Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions, violinist Wanees Zarour is well versed in genres from free jazz to Macedonian folk. The musician, educator, performer, and composer of Middle Eastern music currently teaches Middle Eastern Rhythm, Maqam Theory, and other subjects at Old Town School of Folk Music. Zarour is an Artist-in-Residence with Chicago Artist Partnership in Education (CAPE), St. Xavier University, and the Chicago Public Schools. He has also conducted lectures and workshops at DePaul University, Elmhurst College, University of Pittsburgh, and Ohio State University.