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Doyle Armbrust 

Doyle Armbrust 

Chicago violist and Music Academy alumnus Doyle Armbrust ('01, '03) graduated with honors from Northwestern University and went on to study with Donald McInnes at the University of Southern California where he earned a master's degree in Viola Performance. Mr. Armbrust is a founding member of the Spektral Quartet and formerly, a core member of Ensemble Dal Niente and principal violist of the Firebird Chamber Orchestra in Miami, Florida.

After returning to Chicago having completed a three-year fellowship in the New World Symphony as rotating principal violist under Michael Tilson Thomas, Mr. Armbrust began an active freelance career including commercial engagements as sideman for Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, Richard Marx, Lupe Fiasco, Peter Gabriel, and ...wait for it... The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Mr. Armbrust was also violist for Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues for a lovely, memorable stint of five years. Positions not involving pyrotechnics include sectional coach of the DePaul and Roosevelt University orchestras, as well as adjunct viola instructor at the University of Chicago, where the Spektral Quartet is ensemble-in-residence.

A rabid advocate for new music, Mr. Armbrust is a contributing writer for WQXR’s Q2 MusicChicago Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and formerly, Time Out Chicago and Crain's Chicago Business. He currently writes program notes and essays for UMS (University Musical Society) in Ann Arbor, Michigan as well as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.