Charlene Kluegel

Charlene Kluegel serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music (Violin) at Carthage College, renowned for her "unsentimental verve, musical feeling and great technical skill" in transcending classical genre boundaries. An active performer, she co-founded Duo FAE and has appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center, Tonhalle Zurich, and Ravinia Festival while collaborating with ensembles including the New York Philharmonic and Chicago Lyric Opera.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctor of Music from Indiana University (recipient of Artistic Excellence Award)
• Master of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma from Peabody Institute
• Studies at Hochschule der Künste Bern, Switzerland

Dr. Kluegel's artistic practice spans classical repertoire, contemporary commissions, and cross-genre exploration, notably through her GRAMMY-nominated Latin Jazz album 'Canto America'. She actively premieres works by living composers including Dan Visconti and Julia Adolphe while mentoring emerging artists through masterclasses and educational initiatives.

Her distinguished recognition includes:

• GRAMMY Nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album (2016)
• Indiana University Artistic Excellence Award

In educational leadership, she serves on the American String Teacher Journal Editorial Board, chairs the Illinois ASTA Concerto Competition, and directs the Twisted Spruce Music Foundation. Her pedagogical impact extends through residencies at Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, and the McDuffie Center for Strings.

As co-founder of Duo FAE, she champions violin sonatas as chamber music's most intimate expression while maintaining artistic partnerships with Cuarteto Casals, Third Coast Percussion, and prominent soloists. Current projects include commissions from Iranian-American composers Sepehr Pirasteh and Ramin Akhavijou.