Deborah Grimes, Director
Deborah Grimes holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Education from the Hartt School of Music, Connecticut and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Catholic University, Washington, DC. Ms. Grimes’ primary instruments are violin/viola; she is also proficient on piano, cello and trumpet. She has over 20 years experience in working with young children, the last 12 as Director of the Smiling Strings program. A member of the American String Teacher’s Association where she was a 2006 National Conference presenter, her public school orchestras consistently receive superior ratings at the CPS Elementary Music Festivals and she often appears as a guest conductor for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Ms. Grimes is also the Music Director and co-founder of the Northside Youth Symphony, a 70 member non-profit organization that rehearses at Northside College Prep HS representing students from approximately 25 schools. Last year NYS was chosen to compete at the National Orchestra Festival in Kansas City. Many of its string players are Ms. Grimes’ students.
Johanna Yeager
Johanna Yeager (Bachelor of Music Education, DePaul University) is an active teacher in the Chicago area. She works in many schools through Smiling Strings and also serves as a string sectional coach with the Northside Youth Symphony. Ms. Yeager is also a faculty member at the Merit School of Music, teaching in the Preparatory and Allegro Strings programs.
In addition, Johanna maintains an active private studio, teaching violin and viola. The rest of her time is happily devoted to her two young daughters and husband; and keeping up with them!
Cynthia Lambert
Ms. Lambert began her musical studies in 1996 at Belmont Elementary School, where she learned to play the clarinet. She continued studying music, and during her sophomore year of high school, she took up the cello. It quickly became her musical passion. Since beginning her studies, Ms. Lambert has performed in a number of settings including the West High School Orchestra in Manchester, New Hampshire (principal chair), Manchester City String Day (principal chair), several productions of Jesus and the City, and Northside College Prep's recent production of Guys and Dolls, as well as musical participation in church services, several small ensembles and solo recitals.
She is currently studying at North Park University pursuing a double major in Music and Biblical and Theological Studies, and is also a member of the North Park University Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal chair. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading, and correcting poor punctuation everywhere.