BIOGRAPHY: DOYLE ARMBRUST

The eldest of three siblings, all of whom are violists, Doyle Armbrust began his studies on the viola at the age of five at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. The orchestral repertoire proved to be his first love as he went on to become principal violist in the Midwest Young Artists, DuPage, and Chicago Youth Symphonies. During his college years, Armbrust was principal violist of the Northwestern University Chamber and Symphony Orchestras as well as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago under Maestro Daniel Barenboim. Most recently, Armbrust enjoyed a three year fellowship in the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.

The most profound period in Armbrust's training began in his studies with renowned violist Donald McInnes during his senior year at Northwestern University and later, as a Masters student at the University of Southern California where he was a merit full-scholarship recipient. During this time, he received first place in the Northwestern University Chamber Music Competition, was a prize winner in the USC Concerto Competition, and made his solo debut with the Filarmonia das Beiras in Aveiro, Portugal.

Mr. Armbrust has also been featured on NPR's "Weekend Edition" and Mozart's "Sundays Live from the LA County Museum of Art" in Los Angeles. An avid proponent of both contemporary music as well as genres outside the realm of Classical, Armbrust has promoted and performed many chamber works by both living and newly-discovered composers.

Mr. Armbrust has recently moved back to Chicago with his fiancé, Rebecca, with whom he performs regularly. His other interests include sea-kayaking as well as the creation and consumption of haute cuisine. Armbrust is eagerly anticipating his first concerts as the newest member of Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues.