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PETER TOLIAS - Director of Orchestras

Peter Tolias received his BA and MM in classical guitar performance with a minor in cello from Wayne State University. He studied classical guitar with Joe Fava and Charles Postelwaite, and pursued post graduate study with Manuel Baruecca and David Russell. He also studied jazz with Charles Harrington and Joe Pass. His principal cello instructors were David Levine and Richard Piippo. Peter taught classical guitar, chamber music and pedagogy at Wayne State University, Marygrove College and Macomb Community College, from 1978 through 1988. In 1989 he joined the Royal Oak School District as orchestra director at Kimball High School. Under his direction the string program grew dramatically in dimension, quality, and scope. In 2003, Peter was appointed director of the North Farmington High School Symphony Orchestra where he currently teaches. His groups consistently receive superior ratings at MSBOA Festivals, and participate in festivals throughout the United States and Canada. Peter is conductor emeritus of the Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra of which he was founder, music director, and conductor. For his contributions to the musical and cultural life in Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Arts Council presented Peter with the Arts Active Award in 2000. In 2001 he was the District IV nominee for the MSBOA Orchestra Director of the year. As a jazz/classical guitarist, Peter is a ubiquitous performer having appeared in numerous venues including Brunch with Bach, Nightcap with Mozart, Kithara Guitar series, Michigan Opera Theater, Guitar Society of Michigan, Montreux/Detroit Jazz Festival, and numerous faculty and solo recitals throughout Michigan and Canada. As a cellist he remains active in local community orchestras and chamber music ensembles.