Frank Lestina

Frank Lestina received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Roosevelt University and his Master’s Degree in Administration from the University of Illinois.

Mr. Lestina started his teaching career in Danville, Illinois where he taught orchestra at Southview Middle School and Danville High School.   In 1986, Mr. Lestina accepted the Orchestra Director position at Libertyville High School, Libertyville, Illinois.   During his tenure at Libertyville, the program grew from one orchestra of 30 students to two orchestras with 90 string players.  The Symphony Orchestra was invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic in 1991 and again in 1996.  In addition, the LHS Orchestras traveled extensively, including three tours to Europe.  In the fall of 2000, Mr. Lestina accepted the position of Fine Arts Supervisor and Orchestra Director at the new school in District 128, Vernon Hills High School.  The string enrollment at Vernon Hills High School grew to150 students in three orchestras, which is more than ten percent of the total school enrollment.  Mr. Lestina and the Vernon Hills orchestras performed at the ILMEA All-State Conference in Peoria, Illinois in 2004, the Music Educators National Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2008 and the Midwest Clinic in 2009.  The VHHS Orchestras have also continued the tradition of travel including tours to China in 2001, Spain in 2006, Italy in 2008 and Prague/Austria in 2012.  Mr. Lestina retired from Vernon Hills High School in June of 2013 to focus on guest conducting and presenting clinics.  In addition, he holds a part-time position at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin as conductor of the Chamber Orchestra.

Mr. Lestina is a member of American String Teachers Association and was very active in the Illinois Music Educators Association where he served on the ILMEA State Board as the District 7 President for two terms.  Mr. Lestina currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Council of Orchestras.

Mr. Lestina is very active as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator and has served as guest conductor for many of the ILMEA District Orchestras at both the Middle School and High School levels.  Most recently, Mr. Lestina conducted the ILMEA All-State Orchestra for the 2014 Conference in Peoria.