Martha Stiehl, continuo organ, recently relocated to Illinois from Wisconsin. She has performed as soloist and continuo player with many organizations such as Milwaukee Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Bach Babes, Great Lakes Baroque, and with faculties of SIU-Carbondale and UW-Milwaukee. Critically acclaimed, Martha was reviewed by The New York Times has having a style that is “an utter joy.” Martha studied organ with Marie Claire Alain, Wolfgang Rubsam and Anton Heiller; and studied harpsichord with Mirium Duncan and Arthur Haas. Her degrees are from Millikin University, University of Illinois, and doctoral studies were done at Northwestern U. and U. of Kentucky. Martha has had the privilege to perform with some of the world’s finest baroque musicians, such as Phoebe Carrai (cello), Jed Wedtz (flute), Elizabeth Blumenstock (violin), Emma Kirkby (soprano), Paul Leenhouts (recorder), and Mary Springfels (viola da gamba). With their last child settled at Washington U., Martha and her husband, Dr. James Stiehl, decided to move to her small hometown in downstate Illinois, Salem. Her playing for grade school programs and high school musicals isn’t like her playing for conductor Nic McGegan, but Martha’s convinced baroque music is a genre that can be encouraged and enjoyed anywhere!
