Gail Ann Quillman

Gail Quillman, beloved mother, sister, teacher, and friend peacefully passed away on February 1, 2024, at Terra Vista in Oakbrook Terrace Illinois. She is survived by her son, Daniel Czerwinski and his wife Sharon Metzger, sister Karen Kessler, nieces Tashi Kessler and Mei Wah Kessler, and nephew Anthony Kessler.

Gail is known for her accomplishments as a concert pianist, recording artist and piano teacher. Raised in Coal City, Illinois, Gail began her music studies at the age of four, and at age nine began lessons with Grace Welsh at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. As a college student at the American Conservatory, she continued her piano studies with Grace Welsh and studied theory and composition with Leo Sowerby.

Gail appeared frequently as a recitalist and as soloist with orchestras in the United States, Italy, Spain, Uruguay, Germany, and England, and won numerous competitions and medals in those countries.

In 1984, Gail established and served as Artistic/Executive Director of the International Grace Welsh Prize for Piano for 20 years, and in 1989 established the Leo Sowerby Foundation, served on the Board of Directors, and was a coordinator for JUBILEO, a worldwide festival of performances in observance of the composer’s birth. In 1994 she was the recipient of Lake View Musical Society’s “Service to Music Award” in recognition of her “continuing enthusiasm, high standards and complete dedication to providing resources for the education of talented young pianists and the promotion of their careers to a professional level”.

Ms. Quillman recorded 3 CDs of Sowerby’s works: Leo Sowerby Piano Works (1988), Leo Sowerby Piano Trios with the La Musica Gioiosa Trio (1990), and Leo Sowerby Music for Violin and Piano (1995). Shortly thereafter, Gail started her own piano studio in Clarendon Hills where she taught 100s of students of all levels, supported local piano competitions, and continued to perform.

Upon retirement at age 77, Gail spent 2 years in Thailand working and living in a Buddhist temple in Wat Bolo, Nakorn Sri Bhammaraj Province. She then returned to the United States, settling in the western suburbs of Chicago, spending time with her family and friends.