“As a creative person first and foremost, I bring decades of training, experience, and a passionate spark to everything I do. Playing the cello is the tip of the iceberg…
My mission is to use music to build community and create a space to dream, wonder, reflect, and grow. Whether through collaborations with other art forms, teaching, public speaking, writing, or curating events, I try to reach beyond the stage to bring inspiration and beauty to the world around me.”
Known for her soulful, expressive playing style, Jean Hatmaker is one of the most versatile and sought-after cellists in the Chicago area with a diverse portfolio of solo and collaborative projects, including several chamber ensembles and regional orchestras across the Midwest.
Jean is a founding member of Chicago-based Kontras Quartet, a beloved ensemble known for its well-crafted performances, diverse programming, and accessible audience relations. She appears regularly on the Bach Cantata Vespers Series in River Forest, IL, is principal cellist with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, and is a rostered member of Kalamazoo Symphony, Madison Symphony, and the Chicago Philharmonic.
One of Jean’s main aspirations as a musician is to use music to connect with people; she inspires future generations of musicians as a teacher at Grace Lutheran School of River Forest, as well as at her private studio in her home in Oak Park. She was faculty at Elmhurst University from 2013-2023 and frequently teaches as a guest clinician at schools all across the country.
Jean received both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance from Indiana University, where she studied with Helga Winold and Janos Starker, and plays a modern cello by Lawrence Wilke, using Hill, Bearden, and Arcus bows.
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Jean Hatmaker 