Community Concerts
This concert is free and open to the public.
Performer Information
Michael Santoro is a native of Cincinnati where he studied piano with his Uncle Edward Santoro, and violin with a number of teachers. He has performed piano concerti with various orchestras including the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis where he has also played the violin for 43 years. Michael is a chamber music collaborator, and performs at various venues including Thursday Musical with his wife. Michael is professionally trained in Chemistry and Environmental Engineering and held various management positions in environmental management at 3M. Michael is also affiliated with Lyngblomsten a Care and Senior Living Facility in St. Paul where he is Treasurer, and a Foundation Board member.
Shirley Lillehaugen Santoro attended St. Olaf College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Minnesota. Having studied with Louis Krasner, Raphael Druian and Eduard Melkus, she counts her work with Mischa Elman as especially inspirational in her career. She has been an adjunct violin teacher at the University of Minnesota In l989, she received the “Teacher of the Year” award from the Minnesota Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.
Ms. Santoro played professionally with the Florida Symphony in Orlando, the Aspen Festival Orchestra and the San Antonio Symphony and has been a freelance performer with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, and the Plymouth Series. She retired as the concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis. With her pianist husband Michael Santoro, she has performed in many recital venues in the Midwest area. They have recorded a CD “Soul of Scandinavia” which features Norwegian music.
Ona Pinsonneault retired from Normandale Community College after having taught Music Theory and Ear Training there for many years. She holds a D.M.A. in clarinet performance from the University of Minnesota where she studied with John Anderson. She currently performs with the Normandale Concert Band and the OTL Clarinet Quartet and writes a Music Theory column for Clapper Chatter, the newsletter of Area VII Handbell Musicians of America. Ona’s scale study Clarinet Agility is available from Jeanné, Inc.