DREW LECHER

Drew Lecher

Teaching over 36 years, 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.

Two honors were recently given. Most singularly, that of a Stradivarius violin, c.1721, being named after him in the Doring book, “How Many Strads” (rev’d. ed.), and secondly, being listed in 2005-06 National Register’s “Who’s Who” in Executives and Professionals.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Drew was a precocious student of the violin.  When he was barely out of his teens, the young prodigy’s extraordinary talents as a freelance violinist led rapid-fire 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. 

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.

Presently residing in Naperville, Illinois with his wife, Victoria VerHoven, soprano––and 3 standard poodles––he is a prominent teacher of Violin, Viola & Chamber Music. Drew is Director/Founder of the Stradivari Ensemble of Chicago and has performed in joint recitals with Ms. VerHoven. He has played chamber music and solos for the Public Broadcasting System and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and, on the lighter side, recorded jingles for McDonald’s and numerous other corporations.

Drew Lecher now maintains a private studio in Naperville, Illinois.

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