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I was born in Chicago and have lived in and around Chicago most of my life.  My father encouraged my two brothers and I to play trumpet - music was a big part of his life!   Frank Siniatra and Harry James were always playing around the house, and my parents loved to dance to the great music of that era.  Then I heard the Chicago Symphony while attending DePaul University.  Wow!  I never  heard such a sound of power one minute and beauty the next - and often at the same time.  It was mind boggling.  It was time to set course in a new direction.  I was so fortunate to have studied with Mr. Herseth, Mr. Vosburgh and Mr. Jacobs.   Mr. Beacraft at DePaul University clearly demonstrted this Chicago style and I was off to study with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.   Those years of study resonate deeply with me today and it's a great joy to share that with my students both beginner and advanced. 

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In 1989 I won an audition and was awarded a full scholarship and teaching stipend at the University of Tennessee as a Graduate Assistant.  What a joy to make music in the Smoky Mountains!  While at UT I met a wonderful Tai Chi Master.  We would meet 6 nights a week with a small student medical community for 30 minutes. It had a lasting effect on me and to this day I still practice Tai Chi daily... even on vacation >>>

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My wife, Kristine, is a violinist, photographer and analyst. My son, Michael, recently graduated Naperville North High School and is now attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he will double major in Film Scoring and Composition and minor in Conducting. He sings, plays violin, and throughout his early teens he was an actor at Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago... more info on him here: www.MichaelSemanic.com.  Kristine manages and performs with a string quartet, and together we founded the Brass String Chamber Ensemble back in 1990 - just one year after we met.  www.theBSCE.com. We currently live in Naperville, IL and enjoy being a part of the vibrant community.

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