Nichole & Friends
If you are interested in having an ensemble perform for your event, please ask Nichole for more information regarding the various ensembles and musicians that she performs with.
These instruments work well with the harp:
Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello, Guitar, Oboe, & Trumpet
Volare Ensemble
The Volare Ensemble, based in the Chicago area, combines the sweet melodies of flute, violin, viola, cello, and harp to create an elegant sound. Whether you are looking for musicians for a wedding ceremony or other special events, Volare Ensemble can provide a charming and tasteful performance for you and your guests.
They are available to perform as Duo, Trio, Quartet, or Quintet for your special event!
Volare Ensemble Members
Dr. Jennifer
Gosack Darwell, Flute
Chicago flutist, Jennifer Gosack Darwell D.M.A. has been praised for her vibrant tone, polished technique, and outstanding musicality across a broad range of styles. Jennifer received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Flute Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 2016. She also received her Master’s and Artist Diploma degrees from CCM. In 2008, Jennifer graduated from the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago, where she studied with Mary Stolper. In 2007, Jennifer traveled to Casperia, Italy, where she studied with Grammy Award- winning flutist, Rhonda Larson. From 2012-2014, Jennifer was a member of the flute faculty at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.
She offers quality flute instruction to more than forty dedicated students of all ages throughout the Chicagoland area. In recent years, Dr. Darwell's students have achieved top placement in their school ensembles,have earned distinguished awards in many national flute competitions, and have achieved placement in prestigious flute studios such as the Eastman School of Music, the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, the DePaul University School of Music, and others.
Jennifer is currently principal flutist of the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. She performed with the CCM Philharmoina Orchestra, the CCM Chamber Winds, and the Queen City Chamber Opera. Jennifer is also a member of the Volare Ensemble, Duo Stiletto, and Sunflower Flutes. She was featured soloist with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2012 and 2018. Jennifer also received prizes in the South Carolina Flute Society Young Artist Competition and the Raleigh Area Flute Association Young Artist Competition. Jennifer is dedicated to a life of sharing her talent and passion for classical music with others.
Check out Jen's website!
Andrea McStay, Violin
Andrea Withers is an active performer and violin teacher in the Chicago area. She studied music at Lewis University, Joliet Junior College, and Grace College, leading to the completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Music Merchandising from Lewis University. Miss Withers has extensive experience performing in chamber ensembles and is a founding member of the Sveltezza Ensemble and Volare Trio.
Additionally, she has performed with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, serving as concertmaster for three seasons, Symphony of the Lakes, and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. Over the past several years, she has gained teaching experience as a violin instructor for MOSAIC Enrichment, Bristol Grove Music, Midwest Homeschool Fine Arts, and at her home studio. She recently attended the Chicago Suzuki Institute for teacher training and currently teaches group lessons with Joliet Area Suzuki Strings. In addition to being a teacher and performer, she is the music librarian for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra
Colleen Kuraszek,
Viola
Colleen Kuraszek began playing the viola at the age of 10 and has not stopped since. Decades later, she holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Viola Performance and has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions along the way. Colleen studied at Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University.
A full-time musician, Colleen’s resume includes performing with professional orchestras and chamber ensembles (among them Peoria Symphony and Heartland Festival Orchestra) and performing regularly for countless weddings across the Midwest. She also serves as a contract musician for touring musical acts and is a studio musician and recording artist. Her career as a performer has led her to world famous concert halls and theaters and provided her the opportunity to perform at popular festivals such as Country Thunder and Summerfest.
Colleen currently plays and sings in two bands: the Judson Brown Band and Mellencougar (John Mellencamp tribute). Both bands have been direct openers for national and international acts including Wynonna Judd, Sister Hazel, and High Valley. Colleen currently averages 140 performances a year on viola, violin, and her Mark Wood Viper electric violin.
Jessica Ondracek, Cello
Jessica Ondracek has always been musically gifted. From a young age, she was singing, performing, and playing a both the cello and piano. Throughout the course of her musical career, Ms. Ondracek has won over the hearts of music lovers from all walks of life; performing at a variety of venues, making loads of public appearances, all the while recording new music.
Notable performances include performing with The Buckinghams, as well as premier performances of The Great Cry and The Ripper.
Throughout the years she has accrued many musical achievements and honors: Winner and soloist of the Metropolitian Youth Symphony Orchestra concerto competition, winner and soloist of the Youth Symphony of Dupage Orchestra concerto competition, and Soloist with the Youth Symphony of Dupage for the Illinois premier of Tan Dun’s symphony “Mankind.” She earned superior ratings at the Piano Federation Festivals where she was chosen to perform in the honor recitals on several occasions.
Jessica is an adjunct faculty member at Lewis University, as well as a private cello instructor at Waubonsie Valley Highschool and proprietor of the Ondracek Music Studio.
Nichole Young, Harp
Nichole Young began playing the harp at the age of ten through the harp program in the Freeport, Illinois Public School District. Nichole received a Bachelors degree in Harp Performance from Northern Illinois University and a Masters degree in Harp Performance from Northwestern University where she studied with Elizabeth Cifani, the former principal harpist of the Lyric Opera.
Nichole is currently an active free-lance musician and performs throughout Illinois and Iowa. She is the principal harpist for the Peoria Symphony and DuPage Symphony. She also performs with many regional orchestras including the Elgin Symphony, New Philharmonic, Rockford Symphony, Quad City Symphony, and Dubuque Symphony. Nichole is the harp instructor at Fox River Academy of Music and Art in Oswego, IL, at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, and also at North Central College in Naperville, IL
Volare Ensemble
Volare Ensemble
See Amid the Winter's Snow, John Goss
The Holly and the Ivy
I Wonder As I Wander - Appalachian Carol
H.O.T. Trio
The unique combination of the Harp, Oboe, and Trumpet is impressive both in looks and in sound! Available for special events, holiday events, and recitals. We are Mike Brozick (Trumpet), Margie Arito (Oboe) and Nichole Luchs (Harp).
H.O.T. Trio Members
Mike Brozick, Trumpet
Mike Brozick is a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and principal trumpet of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. He has performed regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Grant Park Orchestra. Mr. Brozick has recorded Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony with the CSO and performed in New York's Carnegie Hall and Vienna's Musikverein. Mr. Brozick holds degrees from Duquesne University, Rice University, and was a Fulbright Fellow studying in Germany.
Check out Mike's website!
Margie Arito, Oboe
Margie Arito is considered one of Chicago’s most versatile and busiest oboe players. She has performed in numerous theatre pits including Les Miserable’s, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, King and I, Phantom of the Opera as well as many others. Margie has been principal oboist of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra for over nineteen years. As a member of the orchestra, Margie performs regularly as featured soloist with the orchestra. As principal member of the orchestra, Margie performs many educational concerts and service concerts with the DSO woodwind quintet. As a freelance musician, she has performed in other orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the “City Lights Orchestra”, “Park Ridge Symphony”, “Downers Grove Chorale Society.” Margie is also a liturgical musician and performs on a regular basis.
