Elementary Orchestra

The violin is a string instrument that is played with a bow. It is the smallest and highest-sounding instrument in the string family. Players move the bow across the strings or plucking them with their fingers, to create beautiful melodies.

The viola is a string instrument that looks like a violin but is a little bigger. It has a deeper, warmer sound and plays the middle voice in the string family. It is played with a bow, like the violin, but makes a lower sound.

The cello is a large string instrument that sits on the floor and is played while sitting down. It has a rich, deep sound and can play both low and high notes.

The bass is the largest instrument in the string family. It stands on the floor and is played with a bow or by plucking the strings with your fingers. It makes the lowest sounds in the orchestra.

Ms. Grace Valentine

Greenwood (Mon. & Tue.) 815-648-2606
Olson (Wed. - 5th Grade Orchestra)
Mary Endres (Thur. & Fri) 
Email: gvalentine@wcusd200.org

Grace Valentine began her violin studies at the age ten through her school district’s orchestra program and her vocal studies at six years old through a local community youth program. She continued her collegiate music studies under the direction of Mrs. Eleanor Bartsch, Mr. Taka Matsunaga, and Ms. Paula Johannesen during her time at Elmhurst University. As an active musician, Grace has performed at numerous renowned venues, including at Symphony Center at Orchestra Hall, Foellinger Great Hall at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University, and the Hemmens Cultural Center. She is a recipient of the
Elgin Community College Honors Program full-tuition scholarship, among other
academic- and performance-based scholarships, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree
in music education with a concentration in strings education from Elmhurst University.

Grace currently serves as the 4th and 5th grade orchestra director in several Woodstock
District 200 elementary schools, and as the orchestra director at Woodstock North High
School. Additionally, she is on staff at the Midwest Fine Arts Society, where she is the
Music Director for the Midwest String Orchestra (MSO) and the Orchestra Manager for
the Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) based in Elmhurst, Illinois. Grace
maintains a private lesson studio around the Chicagoland suburbs and is a frequent
performer as a collaborative, orchestral, and pit musician.

Qualifications: BA Music Education

Ms. Lyndra Tingley

Prairiewood (Thur. - 5th grade after school)
Email: ltingley@wcusd200.org

Lyndra Tingley is the Orchestra Director at Creekside Middle School and Woodstock High School. This year she also is teaching Prairiewood 4th and 5th Grade After School Orchestras!  

Lyndra was born and raised in Batavia, IL. At age 13, she moved to Michigan to attend Interlochen Arts Academy. She attended Michigan State University where she received her BA with a focus in music education, and later received her MA in music education from University of Nebraska-Kearney.  

Prior to her tenure in Woodstock, Lyndra conducted the Mason Philharmonic, and performed with the Iris Isle String Quartet, Four Seasons String Quartet, and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. 

Lyndra began teaching in Woodstock in 2013 when the orchestra program was entering its third year. Her drive, passion, and rapport with students have helped transform the program into a dominant force with a culture of excellence.

She is extremely proud of her students and the D200 Orchestra Program. She thanks the community and administration for the support they have provided to ensure we have such an awesome orchestra program in Woodstock!