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 currently performs with Camerata Chicago (principal), New Millenium Orchestra, Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, and Chicagoland Pops Orchestra among others. An avid proponent of new music, he has performed with the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) and Anaphora, and has recorded commercially for Chicago composer Augusta Read Thomas. Mr. Armbrust can be seen regularly on the Chicago Symphony's MusicNow Series at the Harris Theater.

When not playing the viola, Armbrust can be found sea-kayaking in the Apostle Islands, hunting through dusty bins for (vinyl) records, and creating haute cuisine. He considers performing with Corky and Chamber Blues to be one of the singular highlights of his musical life in Chicago.