Iris van Eck, Vice President

Member Since: 1985

Elected Director: December 2009

Elected Vice President: 2017

Duties:

  • Symphonic Committee

Biography

Cellist Iris van Eck (www.irisvaneck.com) is currently pursuing a solo/chamber music career. She is the founder of the successful "Chameleon Chamber music series at the Leiser Opera Center" in Fort Lauderdale (www.chameleonmusicians.org) and her recordings can be found both at Eroica Classical Recordings (www.eroica.com/van_eck/music.html) and at Gama Media (www.gamamedialc.com/music).

She is the former principal cellist for the Florida Grand Opera Orchestra and the Florida Classical Orchestra; prior to that she was assistant principal cellist in the Florida Philharmonic. She is the winner of the Edith Stein Concours in the Netherlands (on flute) and the Concerto Competition at Northern Illinois University (on cello).

She was born in the Netherlands where she studied at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague before moving to the United States to continue her studies with the legendary cellist madame Raya Garbousova. She also participated in master classes with Paul and Maude Tortelier, William Pleeth, Lyn Harrell, Misha Maiski Jeffrey Solow and at the Cleveland Chamber music Seminar with Joseph Gingold and the Guarneri Quartet.

“I feel honored to be a part of the Local 655 Board. My vision for South Florida is for it to become a vibrant music and arts community based on mutual respect as well as excellence. I would like to pursue way’s to make the union strong and a source of pride for every-one, musicians and non-musicians alike. Of course we need your help: I would like to encourage every one who is not yet a union member to step up to the plate. Become a member and let’s work together!”