Arlene Michna
Spirito! Bravura Accompanist

Accompanist Arlene Michna is a graduate of DePaul University, where she received both the Bachelor of Music, and Master of Music in piano performance. Arlene has had extensive experience as a piano soloist, collaborative pianist, vocalist and conductor. As a piano soloist, Arlene has performed not only in the United States, but in England, France, Austria and Poland, as well. She has been heard on Polish national radio, on public radio in the U.S. and Canada, and on Chicago's WFMT radio as a performer on the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series. As a collaborative pianist, she recorded a series of chamber music broadcasts with the Telemann Society for South Carolina Educational Television, and has accompanied various choral groups on tour in Europe. Her expertise as an accompanist is well known, and has resulted in collaborations with numerous vocalists and instrumental soloists. Arlene has served as music director at a number of parishes for the Archdiocese of Chicago, including eight years as the director of music for the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. She is currently director of music at St. Luke Parish in River Forest. Arlene has conducted choirs for a variety of Archdiocesan events, including many at Holy Name Cathedral. She has conducted not only the traditional sacred repertoire, but African, Vietnamese, Polish, and Hispanic music, as well. Her interest in conducting led her to studies in Gregorian chant with the renowned William Tortolano, and also at the Abbey du Solésmes in France. In addition to her considerable experience as a performer, Arlene was also the recipient of an American Symphony Orchestra League Fellowship in arts administration. She is an experienced instructor in piano and voice, as well as teaching courses in liturgical music, which incorporate elements of music history and performance practice. Arlene is a member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Auxiliary Music Staff of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Art and Architecture Commission of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and is an adjunct faculty member at DePaul University.  (Back to Staff Home Page.)