Orchestra

Dana Green
Orchestra Director
(847) 932-2163

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Ben Voigt
Assistant Orchestra Director
(847) 932-2162

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We strongly encourage all VHHS orchestra students to take private lessons, whether here at the high school with one of our private string teaching staff, or outside the school at a local music academy or private studio.  Lessons at VHHS may be scheduled before school, after school, during lunch/study, or during orchestra class. Feel free to contact Mr. Green @ dana.green@d128.org with any questions regarding private lessons.

Why Take Private Lessons?

• Students that participate in private lessons excel at a higher level and are very motivated. 

• Obvious benefits: “to get better,” “to do well on my next playing test,” “to receive a scholarship,” “to become first chair,” “to get into youth orchestra,” “to make it into ILMEA”. 

• Less obvious benefits: “learning to solve problems independently,” “learning to work within timelines to complete projects,” “learning to cope with stress,” “learning how to get back on the horse after we fall off,” “learning how to take pride in an accomplishment,” and “learning how to work as a member of a team”.

• Allows students a chance to work individually and directly with a teacher, at their own rate of progress, with the process of learning. 

• Private teachers act as a guide to the process of self-discovery through music.

ILMEA Orchestra Audition Information

Director of Orchestras, Vernon Hills High School
Director of Debut Orchestra, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Coach, OPUS Chamber Music
 

Dana Green is a violinist, educator and conductor. With the support of his parents, Dana began studying the violin when he was five years old with Steve Bjella. In the course of his education as a musician, Dana went on to study with Brian Groner, Laura Miller, Hilel Kagan and Theresa Fream.

Dana graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from DePaul University in 2004 and went on to earn his Masters in Music with a specialization in Music Education from Northern Illinois University and more recently studied rehearsal techniques at Indiana University under the tutelage of Dr. Cliff Colnot. Since graduating, he has logged thousands of hours on the podiums of Vernon Hills High School, Naperville North High School, Mill Street and Naper Elementary Schools, the West Suburban Youth Orchestra and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

At Naperville North, Mr. Green grew the program from 46 to 154 students while simultaneously tripling the orchestras at both Naper and Mill Street Elementary Schools. Mr. Green created three extra-curricular ensembles at the high school involving over 130 string players.

Dana has led ensembles to place first in national music competitions in Seattle, San Francisco, Boston and New York. Orchestras under Mr. Green’s baton from both Naperville and Vernon Hills have been selected as featured performers at the Illinois Music Educators Conference.

For 10 years, Mr. Green served as one of the directors of the West Suburban Youth Orchestra. While in that role, he worked with students in grades 4 through 11 on symphonic literature. Mr. Green continues to serve as a chamber coach for the OPUS Chamber Music Program, where he works with student ensembles on string quartet performance practice. 

Dana is a highly sought-after music educator and serves regularly as contest adjudicator and festival guest conductor. His energetic and inspiring style have served to engage students and communities throughout the Midwest.

Mr. Green is currently the Director of Orchestras at Vernon Hills High School and director of the Chicago Youth Symphony’s Debut Orchestra where he continues to spread the joy of music.  

Angelica Kreul holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. At VHHS, she teaches guitar and orchestra, and also offers private violin and viola instruction.

Kelley Gossler

Assistant Director of the Symphony Orchestra

Kelley Gossler is currently the Director of Bands at Vernon Hills High School. She previously taught at Lincoln Park High School, and Westinghouse College Prep in CPS where she established the instrumental music program. While at Westinghouse, she was the recipient of the Mr. Holland's Opus Grant and Ted Oppenheimer Teacher Incentive Grants. She is currently a member of the Northshore Concert Band where she plays clarinet. Kelley earned her master's of music in wind conducting at Northwestern University and bachelor's of music education at the University of Colorado at Boulder.