STRINGS

We offer violin, viola, cello, and bass lessons for Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and beyond. What is unique about our Strings Department, more than any particular method, is our instructors. Though they come from vastly different schools of thought, they are equally committed to inspired students toward a lifelong love of music. Their students keep pushing through the many challenges that these instruments pose because their instructors have mentored and inspired them to do so. Any of their parents can attest to this.

Our method is based upon Suzuki school principles, especially for young beginners. Aside from classical violin instruction, we also offer lessons in Irish fiddling and jazz. Quite a few of our students have been accepted into one of Chicago's leading youth orchestras, the Elgin Youth Symphony.

FACULTY

VICTORIA JACOBSON, violin
Owner of Bellas Artes, Head of Strings Department

Victoria Kraiuhina Jacobson (University of Louisiana ’06) grew up in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Mongolia, where she was trained in the Russian violin school. She received her B.A. in Music Education at the University of Louisiana with a concentration in Violin Performance. While there, she worked as the conductor for the Conservatory Preparatory Orchestra and founded her own violin studio. She served for two and a half years as the head of the strings department and orchestra director for a school in the Independent School District in Houston, and while there, brought close to 200 young students from no knowledge of the violin to a proficient beginner level. She has 17 years of teaching experience.

Given her cross-cultural background, Victoria brings to her studio a refreshing and insightful approach to the instrument and to music pedagogy. Certified in the Suzuki Method (though not bound strictly to it), she has learned how to tailor her teaching to each student's individual needs, while not neglecting the crucial role that parents can play in their child's musical education. She believes that every child can learn and succeed. Teaching children, youth, and adults alike, Victoria has built an encouraging and friendly rapport will all of her students.  

Her experience as an orchestral conductor and also as a high school and middle school orchestra teacher has equipped her to easily switch between individual and large group ensemble instruction. Her lessons are always fun and interactive, involving games, songs, and exercises (which vary depending on the age of the student) to enhance the learning experience. Her goal is not to rush the student through a method book, but to ensure lasting results through patient and creative practice. She also incorporates technology in her studio, making it possible for students to have an accompanying soundtrack and recording software at home, to aid their practice.

LINSSEY MA, violin

Linssey Ma is an educator, researcher, orchestra player, and a charity-recitalist. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Linssey was exposed to music at a very young age when her mother was practicing some songs for a special program at church and discovered her singing behind the background. That is when her mother realized she could sing and started giving her voice lessons. A few years later, Linssey began Suzuki violin and actively participated in the outreach program at the St. Cecilia Music Foundation.

Linssey has studied violin with nationally and internationally-known artists from Czechoslovakia, Italy, Norway, Russia, and from the States. She continued studying the violin with the award-winning conductor, Libor Ondras, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in music at Grand Valley State University.  It was there that she studied violin with international concert artist, Gregory Maytan. She also received her Master of Arts in Musicology at Western Michigan University, focusing her research on Latin American Baroque Villancicos as well as continued violin studies with David Lisker.

She is an active player in the Battle Creek and Holland Symphony Orchestra. She performs for other local chamber orchestras such as the Grand Rapids Vintage Parlor and Hinsdale SDA church. She is well acquainted with vocal training and has participated in Kalamazoo's professional group, Celebris Ensemble. Linssey served as music director and conductor at the Grand Rapids Adventist Academy, where she led instrumental and choral programs. 

Linssey traveled abroad to Florence, Italy where she gave several solo performances at l'Accademia Europea di Firenze and Villa Aurora University.  She recently collaborated in a benefit recital with Mexico City's concertmaster, William Harvey, to help musicians from Afghanistan to continue their education in Mexico. Currently, she is working on another recital to continue helping Afghan children refugees to have better education.  Linssey loves discovering new music and sharing it with her audience. She believes her purpose as both an educator and musician is bridging communities together through music.

ELLEN MALONEY, violin

Ellen Maloney is a violinist, educator, and emerging arts administrator within the Chicagoland area. She has a deep passion for classical music and a drive to inspire the next generation through performance, instruction, and serving the community around her.

Ellen earned her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music on a full-tuition scholarship, under the guidance of Grigory Kalinovsky. During her undergraduate years, she gained valuable experience as a chamber, orchestral, and solo musician, participating in masterclasses with renowned artists such as Julia Bushkova and Jorja Fleezanis. Ellen also served as a substitute violinist for the various regional symphony orchestras in Indiana. As a longstanding member of the Camerata Chicago String Orchestra, Ellen has soloed in works such as Mozart’s Rondo in C, Bach’s Concerto in A Minor, and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins. There, she has worked as a helping teacher with the Academy Orchestra during their summer camp, preparing young students for their upcoming performances. She also spent her summers at the Music Mountain Festival, Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the virtual Heifetz International Music Institute during the pandemic year of 2020.

After completing her undergraduate studies, Ellen was selected for the Graduate String Quartet-in Residence position at Jacobs, where her chamber group worked closely with the members of the Pacifica Quartet. Her quartet excelled, winning first prize at the Glass City Chamber Music Competition, reaching the semifinals of the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition, and performed various recitals at Jacobs. Ellen’s quartet particularly enjoyed collaborating with Osvaldo Golijov while showcasing one of his works, and spent time performing in Palo Alto, CA while working with the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

Following the end of her time with the quartet, Ellen has enjoyed working within the public elementary schools of Columbus, Indiana. There, she cherished the opportunity to introduce young students to the joys of music, guiding their first encounters with the violin and fostering a foundation for their ongoing musical journey. As Ellen transitions to Chicago, she will continue her work as a performer in the area as she shares her knowledge and love of music within the realm of private music instruction and community engagement.

Ellen embraces the Suzuki Method as a starting point, yet remains flexible, adapting to the unique needs and voices of each child and their family. Her teaching approach, influenced by classes with Mimi Zweig and Brenda Brenner during her undergrad, is centered on creating an enjoyable learning environment. She believes that patience, discipline, and accountability are essential to not only learning the violin, but also to developing a student’s character in their everyday life. 

In her free-time, Ellen enjoys running and staying active, hoping to set an example for the importance of balance and well-being.

CLAIRE PAOLONE, viola/violin

Claire is an accomplished musician and educator with a master's degree in Viola Performance from DePaul University.

She has been actively involved in various orchestras and ensembles throughout her academic journey, including DePaul's Concerto Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra,  and New Music Ensemble. She also received her Bachelors in Viola Performance cum laude from Northern Illinois University. Claire has a passion for chamber music and has attended prestigious summer festivals such as Credo Music Festival and Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival. She currently plays with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra as an assistant principal violist and has soloed Cecil Forsyth's Viola Concerto as the winner of NIU's concerto competition. 

She has received specialized training in the Suzuki method and has taught in several music schools privately and in private homes. Claire also has a love for group teaching having 2 years experience in general music and has taught kindermusik classes and mozart mouse piano group classes.  

Outside of her musical pursuits, Claire enjoys collecting plants and cherishes quality time with her husband, son Benjamin and dog Rambo.

AMANDA PEREZ, viola/violin

Amanda Perez is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where she studied with Anthony Devroye and earned a Bachelor in Music in 2024. Amanda first developed a love for music in the Sphinx Performance Academy and soon after was selected as an inaugural fellow in the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative where she studied with Helen Callus. 

She is an alumna of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she was awarded a Luminarts Scholarship in 2020. She was a winner of the Illinois American String Teachers Association Competition in 2021, and in 2023, was awarded a Sphinx Empower Artist Grant. Amanda is currently pursuing a Master's Degree at DePaul University where she is studying with Ann Marie Brink.

Amanda began teaching in 2018 for students at the William Fremd Highschool. At that time, she also began to develop a private studio that still exists today. Amanda is excited to continue teaching at Bellas Artes and work with her new students. She believes in developing young talent and working with each student as an individual to fit their specific goals.

MOLLY RIFE, cello

A native of Tucson, Arizona, Molly Rife began playing the cello at age 10. Growing up in a family full of musicians, it was no surprise that she developed a passion for music as a youngster. Molly decided to brave the cold and is now an active performer and teacher in Chicago. Molly holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from Arizona State University where she studied with Thomas Landschoot. She received her Master of Music degree in Performance from DePaul University under the tutelage of Stephen Balderston.

Molly has played with orchestras including the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Iowa, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the New Philharmonic Orchestra.

Molly is enthusiastic about various genres of music and thrives on adding cello to a wide scope of musical ensembles. Molly is a member of the 30-piece ensemble called Mucca Pazza and a local Chicago band, Urban Twang. She has performed live on stage with artists such as Kygo, Whitney, and Noname. She has also performed and recorded with bands and artists including Intoitoverit, Sir the Baptist, Kweku Collins, Joe George, B Forrest, Gia Margaret, Molly Coleman, New Context, Ephraim Bugumba, Da$htone, Inho and the Violet Suns, and Sidewalk Chalk, among others. Molly has performed at festivals including Lollapalooza, Electric Forest, and Summerfest. Molly has also recorded on soundtracks for films including The Dark and the Wicked, Scrooge and Marley, and the Shedd Aquarium Aquatic Show.

In addition to performing, Molly loves to teach aspiring cellists of all ages, both as a Suzuki and traditional instructor. Molly believes that anyone can learn how to play the cello.  Her goal as a teacher is to provide the student with the knowledge, skill, inspiration, and motivation that will aid them in learning their instrument and enjoying the process. She helps her students set goals and make daily progress as musicians, as well as encouraging them to use their personality and creativity to experiment and explore their own musical ideas through self-expression.

When Molly isn’t playing the cello, she is most likely journaling, taking pictures, drinking coffee, and playing with her dog, Biscuit.

SEAN RZEWNICKI, upright and electric bass

Sean Rzewnicki is bassist, composer and educator from Chicago, Illinois. He has experience performing in a variety of settings from jazz & classical to rock & funk; giving him a deep bag to pull from when teaching or in the studio. Sean enjoys teaching and works to develop a unique program for the needs and desires for individual students and groups.

Sean earned his associates degree in electric bass performance from the Musicians Institute (2011) and completed his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies at California State University, Northridge (2020), where he studied with renowned educator Gary Pratt. He also studied classical bass with Dr. David Young at the Colburn School of Music in LA. Currently, Sean is pursuing his Masters Degree in Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University and is performing and teaching in the Chicagoland area.

Sean performed with a variety of groups while living in Los Angeles including: Phat Cat Swinger, The Battle of the Big Bands, The Opera by the Glass Orchestra, The Christian McBride Big Band, CSUN Jazz A Band and the LAPD Jazz Orchestra & Concert Bands. He has recorded and toured with rock bands Elodie & The Free Notion, The Evening Guests, Toy District and Stumpwaller. Additionally, he has maintained residencies at the famous Hollywood Piano Bar, Harvard & Stone, Disney California Adventure & the Hotel Constance in Pasadena.

In his 10 years of teaching experience, Sean has developed exciting and individualized lesson plans. He understands that all students have diverse goals, and Sean works diligently to help his students develop the skills to succeed in any situation. Sean teaches both electric and upright bass covering all musical styles. An emphasis on developing musicianship & technique will allow students to thrive wherever their musical aspirations take them! Whether you are preparing for college auditions, playing in a local band or just starting out on the bass, Sean is here to help on your musical journey.

In 2020, Sean moved with his wife to Seoul, South Korea. In addition to studying the Korean language and working as an actor, he performed at Club Evan’s and Burn in Hal Jazz Clubs as wells as playing the Daegu International Jazz Festival. Sean returned to Illinois in the fall 2021 and can now be found performing with the NIU Jazz Orchestra, NIU Jazztet & Jade Moon Jazz band. When not engaged in his studies or career as performer and educator, Sean can be found biking, reading & enjoying live music throughout Chicago.

Sean’s passion for music is inspiring, and he looks forward to applying his knowledge and experience to helping many upcoming musicians succeed in their dreams!