Elizabeth Kapitaniuk Principal - Clarinet

Elizabeth Kapitaniuk is a musician, director, and educator who is passionate about positively impacting individuals and communities through compelling and collaborative musical experiences. She currently resides in the Chicago suburbs where she is completing her third year as a member of  Civic Orchestra of Chicago.  Her orchestral experience includes performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera and Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, Ballet Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra, Adrian Symphony Orchestra, DuPage Symphony Orchestra, and National Repertory Orchestra.

Her work as a pedagogue includes serving on the faculty of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (IL) as Guest Lecturer of Clarinet. Additionally, she teaches high school students at West Aurora high school, Wheaton Warrenville South, Carl Sandburg high school, and maintains a private studio. Previously she has worked as a long-term substitute band director at multiple schools in the Indiana Prairie School District 204 and taught at Birch Creek Summer Music Festival in Door County WI.

Elizabeth also has experience working as a music director and conductor. She has held positions of music director at two different churches where she planned and led all aspects of the worship and music ministries. She has conducted orchestras, bands, and choirs and has been a guest conductor on several occasions, including the premier performance of Shawn Okpebholo’s choral work Sing Dumb.

Originally from Wheaton, IL, Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Wheaton College (IL) and a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from DePaul University.  Her principal teachers include Steve Williamson, Trevor O’Riordan, Jon Manasse, Wagner Campos, and Julie DeRoche. During her undergraduate degree she also studied conducting with Daniel Sommerville and John W. Trotter and music education with Timothy Yontz. As the winner of the winds concerto competition, she performed as a soloist with the orchestra on tour to California. She was the assistant conductor of the Wheaton College orchestra, band, and the Concert Choir, which included performances on tour to South Korea. She also is a recipient of the Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award.