Our Leadership...

Andrea LaFranzo

Artistic/Executive Director
and Founder

Conductor and cellist Andrea LaFranzo has served the Chicago area for over 20 years as performer and teacher. A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, she has performed with a number of ensembles, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Civic Orchestra, Quincy Symphony, New England Philharmonic, and Illinois Chamber Symphony. Additionally, Mrs. LaFranzo has served as guest conductor for several Boston ensembles, focusing on collaboration in premieres of new works. Mrs. LaFranzo has dedicated her career to music education and performance both with youth and adult learners. She has a large cello studio in Warrenville and Elburn where many of her students have gone on to successful music careers of their own. Andrea currently directs the Fox Valley Youth Orchestra and performs as principal cellist with the Fox Valley Orchestra, in Aurora, IL. She is adjunct instructor of strings at Aurora University, directing the AU String Ensemble. Andrea holds a graduate degree in orchestral conducting from Northern Illinois University, serving as NIU Philharmonic’s Assistant Conductor for the past two seasons. In September 2018, Mrs. LaFranzo founded the Fermi Community Orchestra, and in September 2021, the Fermi Community Strings, in an effort to provide more playing and performance opportunities to adult musicians, and in turn making the performing arts more accessible to our communities with local, free family-friendly concerts.

Cathy Kovach

FCO Concertmaster
and FCS Assistant Director

Contact Cathy Kovach

Cathy Kovach is an accomplished violinist, educator, and community leader with a deep commitment to music and public service. Since 1999, she has been nurturing a love for the violin through private instruction, and she also shares her expertise as a preschool music teacher. Cathy has played an integral role in the local music scene, having assisted in teaching the Kaneland Youth Orchestra and the Fox Valley Youth Orchestra. In addition to her work with the Fermi Community Orchestra, Cathy is former member of the Fox Valley Orchestra. She continues to inspire young musicians through her involvement in these ensembles. Beyond her musical endeavors, Cathy serves her community as the Kaneville Assessor and volunteers as a Kaneville Firefighter/EMT. Her diverse roles reflect her dedication to both the arts and public service, making her a respected and valued member of the community.

Board of Directors and Staff

Contact the Board of Directors

President

Terry Renner

Terry Renner is a retired scientist/engineer and an amateur musician for many years. Over time he has played with several community and university orchestras in the Chicago suburbs. Since 2019 he has been an active member of the viola section of the Fermi Community Orchestra.

Vice President

Bob Atac

Robert Atac is the President of Astronautics Corporation of America, an aerospace company based in Oak Creek Wisconsin. He started to play the violin about 20 years ago. He has enjoyed playing in the Fermi Community Orchestra since its inception.

Secretary

Anne Heavey

Anne picked up the cello on a whim at the age of 45, and after taking lessons on and off for a few years, she began studying with Andrea. In 2018 Andrea was ready to start a community orchestra, and Anne was ready to join. She has been an enthusiastic FCO member ever since and is excited to support the orchestra in her role on the board. Anne is a scientific editor at Fermilab with a background in physics, and she helped choose the orchestra's name!

Treasurer

Christine Liechti

Christine Liechti is the Controller at Fox Valley Orthopedics. She and her husband have lived in the Fox Valley for over 30 years. Her family has always placed a high value on music and creativity. She picked up the cello as an adult, and was thrilled when she found the Fermi Community Strings. She feels lucky to be part of such a supportive group of musicians.

Member at Large

Jeremy Janik

Jeremy started playing music in elementary school when he took up the drums. He played throughout high school and college before taking up the violin as an adult, without looking back. In his regular life he works in the financial services sector as a specialist in anti-money laundering.

Librarian

Rachel Harbold

Rachel Harbold is the Librarian for Fermi Community Orchestra and plays cello with Fermi Community Orchestra. She has been with Fermi Community Orchestra since its first season in 2018. She grew up in a family of musicians that fostered a lifelong love of music. She experimented with clarinet, piano and violin before choosing cello. She studied music while in college with an interest in Music History and Music Theory. She ultimately received her Bachelor of Arts in History. Rachel currently works full time for an international company as a Trade Compliance Specialist. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, volunteering with her church’s Sunday School program, and singing with her church choir. She is also the mother of three active teenagers.

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