The Chicago Bassoon Trio is comprised of bassoonists Elizabeth Heller, Lynette Pralle, and Susan Nigro – who also plays the contrabassoon. All three of them are long-established freelance musical artists in the Chicago metro area who have performed together extensively. Their repertoire is varied and wide-ranging and includes original works as well as arrangements, some made for them.
Elizabeth Heller received her B.Mus. degree in bassoon and piano from American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where she was a student of Willard Elliot. She earned her M.M. in bassoon performance at Northwestern University, continuing her studies with Willard Elliot. Ms. Heller then headed south to play one season with the Savannah Symphony and then 14 years with the Alabama Symphony as Assistant Principal bassoonist. She next moved to Portland OR, where she played with the Portland Columbia Symphony, the Rose City Chamber Orchestra, plus the Vancouver, Washington, and Newport Symphonies. Beth now plays principal bassoon in the Harper Symphony Orchestra and previously played with the Skokie Valley and Park Ridge Orchestras.
Lynette Pralle received her B.Mus. degree in performance from DePaul University where she was a student of Willard Elliot. She subsequently continued her studies with Lewis Kirk and John Gaudette. Ms. Pralle is second bassoon with the Harper Symphony Orchestra and second bassoon in the New Philharmonic of DuPage. She has been a soloist with the Harper Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Indiana Symphony, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra. Lynette has played bassoon and contrabassoon with the Elmhurst Symphony, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra.
Susan Nigro received her B.M.E. and M.M. degrees in music from Northwestern University, and an M.A. degree in education at Roosevelt University. She acquired orchestral training at Tanglewood and in the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and studied with Burl Lane, Willard Elliot, Wilbur Simpson, Ferdinand Del Negro, and Arnold Jacobs. Ms. Nigro specializes on contrabassoon, has nine commercial CDs available, and does solo appearances, solo recitals, and solo recordings on this exotic instrument. Sue is contrabassoonist with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Philharmonic of DuPage. She is an active freelance bassoonist, a long-time regular substitute with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and received Honorary Membership status from the International Double Reed Society in 2022.
