Charles Pikler joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a violinist in 1978. In 1986, he was named principal violist. Charlie is presently a member of the North Park University and Northwestern University faculties. Charlie also served on the faculty of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival in Sewanee, Tennessee. He was the featured soloist on the Sewanee Symphony’s recording of Berlioz’s Harold in Italy for Solo Viola and Orchestra under Victor Yampolsky’s direction. Charlie has appeared as soloist with many other orchestras including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, and the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra. Charlie has given master classes throughout the world and is an active chamber music performer. He also enjoys coaching viola sectionals and chamber music for Midwest Young Artists, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, as well as those of other orchestras and chamber ensembles.