Benton Wedge
Violist Benton Wedge received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northwestern University where he studied with Peter Slowik. Based in Chicago, he performs with groups including Lyric Opera, Grant Park Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and Jim Gailloreto's Jazz String Quintet. He also was a member of the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa and the Fidelio String Quartet in Portugal for three years. As a composer, his music has been performed by the Revolution Ensemble, the Covington String Quartet, and members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra.
Benton has appeared with popular favorites, including televised performances with Celine Dion and Enrique Iglesias, appearances on Oprah, as well as WTTW Soundstage shows with Lyle Lovett, Randy Newman, Burt Bacharach, and Aaron Neville. Ben has recorded with Cheap Trick and Mannheim Steamroller, and has performed with popular acts such as Kansas, ELO, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Smokey Robinson, Il Divo, and Andrea Bocelli.