Jonathan Swartz, Artistic Director
Praised by The Strad for his “impeccable playing” and “gorgeously viola-like tone,” violinist Jonathan Swartz enjoys a multi-faceted career. His solo CD, Suite Inspiration (Soundset Recordings), received much critical acclaim. John Terauds of Musical Toronto comments, “Swartz sounds as if his bow were strung with threads of silk rather than horsehair,” and calls his performance of Bach’s Chaconne “something to treasure.”
A devoted pedagogue, Swartz serves on the faculties of Arizona State University and Madeline Island Chamber Music. He has previously taught at the University of Texas at El Paso, Domaine Forget Academy, Round Top Festival, Interlochen Arts Camp, Innsbrook Institute, and the Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory. Sought after as a master clinician, and frequent presenter at the American String Teachers Association National Conferences, his approach to bow technique was featured in a STRINGS magazine article in 2006.
Swartz is the founder and Artistic Director of the Visiting Quartet Residency Program at Arizona State University, a chamber music program that integrates visiting resident artists with a comprehensive chamber music curriculum. He has also been instrumental in shaping the curriculum for the violin program at the Domaine Forget Academy. He presently serves as Artistic Director for Madeline Island Chamber Music, a program of MacPhail.
Alyssa Saint, Director of Operations
A native of Kansas City, MO, Alyssa Saint holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in violin performance from Arizona State University. Passionate about chamber music, she participated in ASU’s Visiting Quartet Residency Program, where she was coached by members of the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Ying Quartet, Brentano String Quartet, The Juilliard String Quartet, and Tokyo String Quartet. She has since utilized the skills developed in the practice room to establish a career as an arts administrator, having held admissions and development positions at San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Opera, Aspen Music Festival and School, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
As the Director of Operations, she is responsible for oversight, direction, and assessment of the operations for Madeline Island Chamber Music. Along with overseeing the finances, facilities, and seasonal staff, she manages student enrollment and is a resource for applicants and prospective students.
Jonathan Kresha, Director of Campus Operations
Jonathan Kresha’s first association with Madeline Island Chamber Music was as a viola student in 1998 when he graduated high school. He attended another two summers after that while studying viola at Indiana University in Bloomington where he graduated with a degree in viola performance. He has held various positions with MICM over the years beginning as a counselor and continued to add other responsibilities including recording concerts, assisting with house keeping, and stage managing. His current position as Director of Campus Operations includes facilities management and maintenance, supervising the housekeeping and kitchen staff and managing all aspects of concerts from climate control, recording, to stage lighting and setting up concessions. During the school year Jonathan teaches High School Spanish and Middle School Exploratory languages in French, Spanish and German in Duluth, Minnesota. He also performs with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and teaches viola lessons.
