Teaching since 1970, DREW LECHER has published two books—”Violin Technique: The Manual” and “Viola Technique: The Manual.”
Anyone seeking confirmation of DREW LECHER’s exceptional abilities as a violinist and teacher need look no further. Teaching and playing professionally since the age of 19, he was appointed, at age 24, Professor of Violin, and later Viola, at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London. He further honed his teaching skills working with gifted children as Specialist Instructor of Violin, Viola & Chamber Music at the Wells Cathedral School in Somerset, England, and on the faculty of the City of London’s Pimlico School.
Embracing opportunities to refine his mastery and learn to effectively instruct others, he accepted invitations to pursue advanced studies at international centers of excellence for violin performance and pedagogy, including the Meadowmount School of Music in New York with Professor Ivan Galamian of The Juilliard School; the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, England with Professors Yfrah Neaman and William Pleeth (chamber music); and the Academie Internationale Ecole d’été in Nice, France, with Professor Neaman and Professor Pierre Nerini of the Paris Conservatoire. He also studied under Leonard Sorkin and The Fine Arts Quartet (with Dr. Abram Loft, Bernard Zazlov and George Sopkin), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Edward Mumm, former Concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Dr. Won Mo Kim, visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Raymond Brown, private instructor. They were kind, generous, wise, knowledgeable and inspirational—truly wonderful mentors.
Several honors have been received. Most singularly, that of a Stradivarius violin, c.1721, being named after him in the Doring book, “How Many Strads” (rev’d. ed.), being listed in 2005-06 National Register’s “Who’s Who” in Executives and Professionals, and awarded Illinois ASTA, Studio Teacher of the Year, 2009.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, DREW was barely out of his teens, when the young violinist’s talents as a freelance musician led rapidly to positions as Concertmaster of the Milwaukee Ballet, Skylight Theater, Milwaukee Opera, Summer Operetta Festival Orchestra and Music Under the Stars Symphony Orchestras—and, notwithstanding his youth—the number one substitute violinist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Drew went on to add Concertmaster of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in Madison, Wisconsin, and Concertmaster of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to his list of accomplishments.
Upon moving to the Chicagoland area, DREW became one of the top subs with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and was frequently found in the recording studios doing commercial projects. He has played chamber music and solos for the Public Broadcasting System and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He was also previously on the faculty of the Chicago Musical College, Roosevelt University.
Presently residing in Naperville, Illinois with his wife, Victoria VerHoven, soprano, and their standard poodles, he is a prominent teacher of Violin, Viola & Chamber Music.
DREW LECHER now maintains a private studio in Naperville, Illinois.
Schools:
- Meadowmount School, New York
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, England
- Académie d’été-Nice, France
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Teachers:
- Ivan Galamian of the Juilliard School, New York
- Yfrah Neaman of GSM&D, London
- Pierre Nerini of the Paris Conservatoire
- Dr. Won Mo Kim of the University of Wisconsin
- Leonard Sorkin of the Fine Arts Quartet, UW-M
- Raymond Brown, Milwaukee, WI