Doyle Armbrust
Chicago violist Doyle Armbrust graduated with honors from Northwestern University and went on to study with Donald McInnes at the University of Southern California where he earned a Masters Degree in Viola Performance. Doyle is a founding member of the Spektral Quartet and principal violist of the Firebird Chamber Orchestra in Miami, FL.
After returning to Chicago having completed a three-year fellowship in the New World Symphony as rotating principal violist under Michael Tilson Thomas, Doyle began an active freelance career including commercial engagements as sideman for Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, Barbra Streisand, The Beach Boys, Richard Marx, Lupe Fiasco, Peter Gabriel, and ...wait for it...The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Doyle was also violist for Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues for a lovely, memorable stint of five years. Positions not involving pyrotechnics include sectional coach of the DePaul and Roosevelt University orchestras, as well as adjunct viola instructor at the University of Chicago, where the Spektral Quartet is ensemble-in-residence.
A rabid advocate for new music, Doyle is a core member of Ensemble Dal Niente as well as a contributing writer for WQXR’s Q2 Music, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Magazine, the Chicago Tribune, and formerly, Time Out Chicago. He currently writes program notes and essays for UMS (University Musical Society) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
