Dan Aalto

Director of Instruction
violin, cello, bass

As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Music Education, Dan Aalto has played violin with the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra. He was also a sectional teacher and guest conductor for the Chippewa Valley Youth Symphony. Presently, he plays cello for the Itasca Symphony Orchestra and is the violinist for the ensemble, Harmonic Strings.

Mary LaPlant

violin, viola

Mary LaPlant graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point in Forestry with a minor in music including study in theory, history, ear training and bass technique at University of Wisconsin in Madison. Since 1988, she has served as concertmaster of the Itasca Symphony Orchestra.  As a fiddler, she is the three-time state champion. Mary currently performs with the Not Necessarily Bluegrass band and has produced two CD’s.

Debbie Losik

violin

Born and raised in Wales, Debbie Losik played extensively in orchestras until she left home to attend Trinity College of Music in London. She completed her education at the University of Hull in French and Italian. In America, she trained at the Suzuki Institute at Stevens Point Wisconsin.  Since 1995, she has taught privately in St. Paul and Montevideo, Minnesota, and Alcester, South Dakota. She joined the Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program in the fall of 2008 and now plays violin in the Itasca Symphony Orchestra.