Matthew W. Schlesinger
A recent review by John von Rhein in the Chicago Tribune states that “Matthew Schlesinger wielded the ideal Monteverdi tenor: light, clear, technically solid and musically accomplished.”
Matthew holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Music Education from Western Illinois University. He is proud to be the Choral Director at Hoffman Estates High School, and is formerly the Choral Director at Plainfield High School, Central Campus. Matthew also continues to perform around the Chicago area with groups such as the Chicago Symphony Chorus (where he is currently the AGMA union delegate and has had the opportunity to solo with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Berlioz's Romeo and Juliet), the Oriana Singers, Opera Potpourri and the Grant Park Symphony Chorus. Even with all of these experiences, his greatest joy in life is spending time with his wife Melissa and daughters Emily and Elyse.
Michael Benshish
Michael Benshish has been performing on the piano, organ, and synthesizer throughout the Chicago area and occasionally around the world since 1988. After graduating with honors from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, he returned to his roots in the Chicago area, immediately establishing himself as a respected working musician in the clubs and smaller venues of the area. In addition to his accompanying and technology-related duties at Hoffman Estates High School, he is active as a professional church music director, band member/leader, and recording artist. He is also a published songwriter, score composer, and musical computer programmer. Mr. Benshish has performed and conducted concerts in cities around the world including London, Vienna, Oslo, Prague, Budapest, Paris, and Honolulu, not to mention locations across the continental U.S.A.
Mr. Benshish has continued to write, produce, and arrange for dozens of projects for the live performance and recorded media markets for the past 20 years. Currently working in his own private studio, virtually any project can now be done "in-house" with the depth of industry-standard technology and equipment on hand.
Whether performing as a accompanist, soloist, ensemble leader, or part of the exceptional "Al Sofia Band" that he has been a part of since 1996, Mr. Benshish’s artistry is evident in each of his musical endeavors.