About Mr. PRICOPE (director/teacher)


Mr. Pricope ("Mr. P") has performed widely in Europe and the USA, has repeatedly lectured at American String Teacher's Assn. (ASTA) National Conferences, and has recently been interviewed for STRINGS Magazine. Dozens of his students have participated in elite youth orchestra programs throughout the Chicago area (Chicago Youth Symphony, Midwest Young Artists, Elgin Youth Symphony). 

EDUCATION
  • Performer Certificate Diploma (Post-Master’s, cello)
  • M.M. (String Performance and Pedagogy), Northern Illinois University
  • GMusRNCM (Honors), Royal Northern College of Music, England
  • Junior Strings Project, the pioneering European program for string teachers (Royal Northern College of Music, England, 1990-1994; private lessons and group classes on violin, viola, and cello)
String Education classes:
  • String Materials and Techniques (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass)
  • Principles and Methods of Music Education
  • History of String Pedagogy
  • Stages of Children's Cognitive and Emotional Development
  • Survey of the following music education methods: Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Kodaly, Orff Schulwerk, Kindermusik, and Musikgarten
  • Music Performance & the Body: Alexander Technique, Feldenkreis Method
  • String Pedagogy practicum leading towards M.M. (String Performance & Pedagogy)
  • Conducting classes

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
  • private studio since 1990, in Park Ridge and NW Chicago since 1997
  • substitute teacher at Naperville Music Academy, former teacher at The Music Room (Palatine)
  • teaching assistant to cellist Marc Johnson (Vermeer Quartet), NIU, 1994-1997
  • long-term substitute in D64 Instrumental Music program (over 100 students in 4 orchestras and small group classes; 2007-2008)
  • three years instructing visually impaired student; also experience working with students with ADD, autism, Asperger syndrome, dyslexia and fine motor control challenges. Please note that Mr. Pricope is neither trained nor certified in either special education or music therapy.

CONDUCTING / COACHING EXPERIENCE​
  • director of piano/string program at Ebinger Elementary School (Chicago), 2014-2022
  • director of string program at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School (Park Ridge), 2010-2013
  • director of piano/string program at St. Philip School (Chicago), 2008-2013
  • director of string program at St. Andrews School (Park Ridge), 2006-2010
  • director of piano/string program at St. Monica School (Chicago), 2003-2007
  • guest conductor for Dist. 64 Combined Concert Orchestras, 2006
  • guest clinician for string sectionals, Dist. 64 Chamber Orchestra
  • guest clinician for string sectionals, Dist. 207 Orchestras
  • chamber music coach (Dist. 64 and 207, Midwest Young Artists, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music)
  • Orchestra Director, Dist. 64 (Beginning Orchestra Washington School, Beginning Orchestra Field School, Concert Orchestra 2 Lincoln School, Concert Orchestra 2 Emerson School; over 100 string students