Originally from Chicago, violist Chad Kaltinger studied with Emanuel Vardi at the University of Illinois and with Heidi Castleman at the Aspen Music Festival where he received an Orchestral Fellowship and placed 1st in the E. Nakamichi Viola Concerto Competition. Currently, Chad is Principal Violist with Opera San Jose, the Santa Cruz Symphony, Musica Vitale Chamber Orchestra and Ensemble Monterey and has also appeared as principal viola with the Illinois Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Monterey Symphony and South Bend Symphony. Chad has participated in many music festivals including the Cabrillo Music Festival, Arizona Music Fest, Monterey Jazz Festival and South by Southwest Music Festival. Chad is also busy as both a chamber musician and soloist and is an active recording artist, arranging and recording string parts for many west coast bands. Chad is the founder and webmaster of www.lessonmaestro.com, an online music teacher directory service.