Violist Jessica Altfillisch is a doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa where she studies with Christine Rutledge. In addition to her studies there, Jessica serves as violist for the Aiyanna Piano Quartet and Center for New Music.Jessica has fifteen years teaching experience with all age groups, including students with special needs. While a student of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Iowa, Jessica's research focused on teaching music notation to students with dyslexia. During her tenure at the Cedar Rapids Symphony School she has directed the Suzuki program, created the Ceolas Irish Ensemble for advanced students and adults, trained teachers in the use of Music Mind Games music theory curriculum, and taught students of all ages to play the violin and viola in classroom and studio settings. Jessica has also worked with educators in many public and private schools in east-central Iowa.As an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa, Jessica performed with the Northern Iowa Chamber Orchestra in Moscow and St. Petersburg. She finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, earning her Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction as a student of Michael Kimber. Since then she has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan. Jessica has also played professionally as a member of the Dubuque and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony orchestras, and is currently a violist with Orchestra Iowa.
Jessica Altfillisch
Preferred Instrument: Viola
Biography
Violist Jessica Altfillisch is a doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa where she studies with Christine Rutledge. In addition to her studies there, Jessica serves as violist for the Aiyanna Piano Quartet and Center for New Music.Jessica has fifteen years teaching experience with all age groups, including students with special needs. While a student of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Iowa, Jessica's research focused on teaching music notation to students with dyslexia. During her tenure at the Cedar Rapids Symphony School she has directed the Suzuki program, created the Ceolas Irish Ensemble for advanced students and adults, trained teachers in the use of Music Mind Games music theory curriculum, and taught students of all ages to play the violin and viola in classroom and studio settings. Jessica has also worked with educators in many public and private schools in east-central Iowa.As an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa, Jessica performed with the Northern Iowa Chamber Orchestra in Moscow and St. Petersburg. She finished her undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas, earning her Bachelor of Music degree with Distinction as a student of Michael Kimber. Since then she has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician in Iowa, Kansas, and Michigan. Jessica has also played professionally as a member of the Dubuque and Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony orchestras, and is currently a violist with Orchestra Iowa.