About Chamber Music on the Fox
Chamber Music on the Fox (CMOTF) is a world class chamber music series serving the Fox Valley region with engaging, enriching, and immersive live performances. Founded by cellist Sara Sitzer and bass trombonist Mark Fry in 2014, CMOTF presents concerts with high-caliber professional musicians in intimate settings, giving its audiences a unique chamber music experience. CMOTF provides a classical concert series in various locations along the Fox River Valley from October through May, as well as community events at local parks and libraries throughout the year. In all of its programming, CMOTF seeks to serve its community by providing engaging musical experiences that are accessible, enjoyable, and enriching.
Mission & Vision Statement
The mission of Chamber Music on the Fox is to present enriching cultural experiences to its audiences, and enhance the cultural life of the Fox Valley and its Environs through high-caliber, engaging chamber music performances.
Chamber Music on the Fox is committed to a vision where all persons have access to engaging and immersive musical experiences within their own communities.
Elizabeth Rupp
Managing Director
Email Elizabeth
Elizabeth Rupp graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 2011, specializing in vocal music. After graduation, she worked as an elementary general music teacher, as well as middle and high school choir teacher, before returning to her home state of Illinois. Her career in arts administration began in 2012 with her tenure at Elgin Master Chorale, serving as the Institutional Advancement Manager before becoming Executive Director in 2015. Elizabeth then went on to work as Managing Director for Children’s Theatre of Elgin in 2019, where she worked for over four years. Most recently, Elizabeth served as Managing Director for Lifeline Theatre in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. In addition to her work as an arts administrator, Elizabeth loves being involved in all aspects of the performing arts; she has worked as a vocal and piano private instructor and singer, and has led numerous children’s musical workshops and camps. Elizabeth is thrilled to have this chance to work for Chamber Music on the Fox and looks forward to leading this wonderful organization.
Sara Sitzer
Artistic Advisor & Board Secretary
Sara Sitzer, whose playing has been described as “rich” and “lustrous” by the Chicago Classical Review, is an active and versatile freelance cellist and entrepreneur in Chicago. A member of the Elgin Symphony, Sara has also performed regularly with orchestras and ensembles including the Milwaukee Symphony and Chicago Opera Theater, as well as on Broadway in Chicago. Ms. Sitzer was founding Artistic Director of the Gesher Music Festival in St. Louis, MO, and founding Executive Director of Chamber Music on the Fox in Elgin, IL. Sara holds performance degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Boston University, and completed a 3-year fellowship with the New World Symphony in Miami under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In her nonmusical life, she organizes software competitions for developers (hackathons), raises monarch butterflies on her front porch, and can be seen galavanting around town with her two daughters, Talia and Lena.
Board of Directors
Tish Calhamer, President
Tatiana “Tish” Calhamer, MLIS, was born in Santiago, Dominican Republic in 1968. From an early age, Tish was an enthusiastic amateur musician, playing piano and violin. She was a precocious supporter of the arts, listening to everything from classical to pop to Nepalese throat singing to American protest songs. She grew up in La Grange Park, IL, where she attended Lyons Township High School, graduating in 1986. Tish went to U of I/Urbana-Champaign, where she spent seven years earning two unemployable degrees in music and crushing on Gustav Mahler, before finally earning her Masters in Library & Information Science in 1993. She was promptly employed by the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin and has remained there ever since. (Her student loans are paid off.) Currently she is the Director of Community Engagement, encouraging people to participate in community and civic life through literacy and library services.
Tish has resided on the east side of Elgin since 1998. (Her mortgage is paid off.) She serves on the boards of the Elgin History Museum and Family Service Association, in addition to CMOTF. She also serves as a Kane County election judge. Tish speaks Spanish and German, but searches for words in English. She enjoys cooking, reading, and knitting, under feline supervision.
Linda Knight, Board Member
I was born in Elgin and was raised in Elgin and Hampshire. I attended NIU, majoring in English and Political Science. I moved to the Quad Cities in my 20s and spent my career life as a paralegal, mediator, and arbitrator. After retiring, I volunteered in the Elgin area with YWCA Elgin (Board member 10 years; Board Chair 4-1/2 years), AAUW (Board member 5 years), League of Women Voters, Women On the Brink, CASA Kane County, Gail Borden Public Library, and various other time-by-time volunteer opportunities.
I’m married and have the world’s best 3 stepsons, 2 daughters-in-law, and a beautiful granddaughter. My hobbies are bridge, reading, writing, needle crafts, and I’m getting back into playing keyboard. Also, I love baseball! Steve and I are supporters of the ESO, EYSO, and obviously, Chamber Music On The Fox. Music makes the world a beautiful place. My friends are my delight!
Paul Grzemski, Treasurer
Paul Grzemski has been in the Chicago area all his life, and a resident of Elgin for 20 years. He has spent the last 35 years at International Motors (previously Navistar and before that International Harvester). He currently works in Dealer Network Operations as Manager of Dealer Administration. His education includes a University of Illinois in Champaign for Accounting and he also received a Masters there while studying for his CPA exam. He is a recent addition to the board for CMOTF. Paul’s hobbies include spoiling his dogs, as well as gardening. He took up running about 10 years ago and, in particular, running marathons. He has run a marathon in all 50 States and is currently working on doing round two of all the states.
Martin Nobs, Board Member
Martin Nobs has lived in Elgin for over 35 years. In addition to CMOTF, Martin serves on the Boards of Shared Harvest and Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
Leslie Wolko, Vice President
Leslie Wolko truly enjoys chamber music and has been with Chamber Music on the Fox since our first season. She brings her graphic design skills to assist with our marketing efforts and maintains the CMOTF website. Leslie has previously served as Board President. Her interests include art, theatre, knitting and spinning, and playing with her beloved Chihuahua pack.
