Cello
Ashley Hofer has played in the cello section of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2006. She received her B.M. degree in music education from St. Olaf College in Minnesota.
While at St. Olaf she was principal cellist in the St. Olaf Philharmonia, served as the group’s equipment and personnel manager, and was a featured soloist on several concerts. She was also a member of the St. Olaf Orchestra. With those groups she toured all over the U.S. and in Norway (where they played for the Norwegian King and Queen!).
Ashley has been a conductor and cello section coach for the Cannon Valley Youth orchestra. She also was a teacher and chamber music coach for the St. Olaf Summer Music Camp. Locally, Ashley also plays cello with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. She plays in the viola section of the Fox Valley Philharmonic in Aurora, and last winter she performed a cello concerto with that ensemble.
Ashley has been an orchestra teacher in the Saint Charles school district since 2005, where she teaches 3rd-5th-grade strings. Besides teaching and playing cello, she enjoys dancing. She was a member of the St. Olaf Dance Team and currently dances at several studios in the Chicago area. She also enjoys singing with the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Choir and directs their youth handbell choir.
