Trumpet and High Brass
Dr. Richard Holland-(DMA-Michigan State University) (Trumpet) Owner of Holland Music. A versatile musician and veteran performer with musicians and organizations such as the Louie Bellson Big Band (Chicago Based Band), Jimmy Dorsey, Hendrik Meurkens, Buddy De Franco, Natalie Cole and the Terry Gibbs Big Band. Rick Holland brings a wealth of experience and musicality to each performance.Holland has now recorded 5 albums as a leader and co-leader with national and international labels. His most recent release, In Times Shadow, featuring the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, was recorded in the summer of 2005. It features the writing of Bill Dobbins (co-producer), Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin and Kerry Strayer. Rick has agreed to release this album under the Blujazz label, one of the top Jazz independent labels in the world today. Other releases include, Positive Settings, (Cadence, 2001) and (There Will Never Be Another You, Cadence, 1999), featuring the Rick Holland Quartet. These albums were highly praised by periodicals such as the All Music Guide, Jazz Improv Magazine, Cadence Magazine and Detroit Jazz. Rick also has made two significant recordings with long-time playing partners Hendrik Meurkens, You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To, (Cadence, 2002) and with Kerry Strayer, (Rhombus Records, Speak Low, 2003). These albums were also praised by the All Music Guide, All About Jazz and the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors, JAM Magazine. Rick has now been teaching privately for the last 25 years. He has maintained studios in Chicago, Ill., the Central and Western Michigan areas and Central New York. He has taught people of all ages, from beginning students to Doctoral candidates in Music. He is currently writing 5 volumes on Jazz Improvisation, and wanting to complete a beginning volume for trumpet for beginning trumpet players. Rick’s students can be heard from Professional circles to Community ensembles. In 2005, Rick received his Doctoral degree in Classical performance from Michigan State University. He is a Yamaha Performing artist, active performer and clinician and has served on the music faculties of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. www.myspace.com/rickhollandjazz
Click here to view Dr. Holland’s Resume
Jeff Ostroski (Trumpet) - Jeff resides in Rochester, NY. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree at Lawrence University, where he studied with John Daniel & Fred Sturm. At Lawrence, Jeff participated in many ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble and various jazz small groups. In 2005, Jeff had the honor of playing lead trumpet in the IAJE All-Star Jazz Ensemble in Chicago, IL. As a writer, Jeff has arranged a big band work for legendary saxophonist, Benny Golson, as part of a feature in a Jazz Artist Series Concert at Lawrence University in 2006. Jeff has also written horn arrangements for a Connecticut/New York rock band, Willie Mays Haze, as well as numerous other jazz small group compositions/arrangements. As a player, Jeff has shared the stage with such artists as Tim Hagans, Kenny Wheeler, Clark Terry, Benny Golson, Jose Encarnacion, John Daniel, Dane Maxim Richeson, Mark Urness and Matt Turner. Jeff is currently a student at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies with Clay JenkinsJeff also serves as a road rep. for Holland Music.. www.myspace.com/jeffostroski
Steven Zimmerman (M.Ed.Queens College) (French Horn) - Steve Zimmerman currently serves as High School Band Director in the Wheatland-Chili School District. A native of Long Island, New York, he received his Bachelor of Music degree in Brass Performance from Boston University in 1983. Upon graduation, Mr. Zimmerman secured a position with the Puerto Rico Symphony. In 1985, he was appointed Principal Horn of the Savannah (Georgia) Symphony and, after several years in that position, was invited to perform with the National Touring Company of the Tony Award winning show, Les Miserables. Upon returning to New York in 1992, Mr. Zimmerman appeared in the orchestras of numerous Broadway musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard, and Ragtime. In 1997, Mr. Zimmerman was appointed Band Director of the Kings Park (NY) High School, and in 2001 completed his Master’s degree in Music Education at Queens College.
Lauren Becker-(MM-Eastman School of Music) (French Horn) - Lauren is an active freelance musician and educator in the Western New York region. In addition to winning the University of New Hampshire Concerto Competition (2005) and Keith Polk Horn Scholarship Competition (2001), Lauren has performed with many chamber ensembles and orchestras, including the Portland Ballet Orchestra and Rochester Chamber Orchestra. As a member of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, she performed and recorded an album with the Canadian Brass in 2007, and has appeared on other recordings for the Toronto Blue Jays, University of Rochester Medical Center, and University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony. She served as a graduate teaching assistant at the Eastman School of Music and has instructed clinics and private horn lessons throughout New England and upstate New York. Lauren has taught individual and group lessons, ensemble coachings, and music theory at several summer programs, including the Summer Youth Music School at the University of New Hampshire and Kendall Betts Horn Camp in Lyman, New Hampshire. Lauren holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Music in Horn Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. Her primary horn instructors include W. Peter Kurau, A. Kendall Betts, and John Boden.
www.laurenbeckermusic.com
Low Brass and Trombone
Evan Dobbins- Evan Dobbins received his Master’s degree in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Harvard University. Has extensive performing experience with the likes of The Phil Woods Octet in NYC, John Hollenback and numerous shows. He is also a gifted teacher and serves on the faculty of Monroe Community College where he teaches music theory and jazz history.He currently is co-leader of the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band and the Uptown Society Orchestra's. He plays numerous show for Geva and is the in-demand trombonist in the Rochester and WNY area. Evan will also be serving as Holland Music's Road Representative for public school services, and will also head our Low Brass division at Holland Music Studios.
Nick Finzer (Trombone) - Nick is currently in his senior year of study at the Eastman School of Music, pursuing a degree in jazz trombone performance. Aside from being a student, Nick is an active teacher and performer in the Rochester, NY area. Nick can be heard playing regularly with the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, the Dave Rivello Ensemble, Orquestra Antonetti, the New Energy Jazz Orchestra, the Po Boys Brass Band, and DubbleStuff. Nick also has five years of teaching experience, ranging from private trombone lessons, to leading rehearsals of ensembles with 100+ members. Upon graduation from high school, Nick was chosen by The Commission Project to premiere four pieces (one each year of his studies at Eastman) by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon for both a jazz sextet and a big band. These pieces feature Nick and have been premiered around Rochester at local high schools. Nick leads two of his own jazz groups around Rochester: The Nick Finzer Sextet and jazz-funk project DubbleStuff. Nick is devoted to the pursuit of advancing and modernizing jazz in the 21st century, by fusing more contemporary styles with traditional ones, which can be seen in his wide range of musical output. Having thus far established a strong foothold in the Rochester area, Nick enjoys his constantly evolving role in both playing and teaching. (please see www.myspace.com/nickfinzer
Erik Jacobs (Trombone) - Erik often says he was born in Indiana, raised in Florida, but grew up in New Orleans. Erik moved away from his native state of Indiana with his mother and younger sister when he was seven, after his parents divorced. His mother moved the family to her childhood home of Fort Myers, FL. It was in Florida that Erik fell in love with music and picked up the trombone. After high school, Erik opted for the Marines, and after basic training, combat training, and a brief stint at the Armed Forces School of Music, Erik was stationed with the U.S. Marine Band New Orleans. Erik has toured as part of the Marine Band New Orleans extensively throughout the entire country and briefly abroad. As a member of the band’s Liberty Brass Quintet, Erik performed all over the country from New York to California, and everywhere in between, for two U.S. Presidents, various flag officers and congressmen, and several celebrities. He also performed at several Mardi Gras Parades and secret-society Mardi Gras Balls. After his tour in the Marines, Erik left the service to freelance in Florida. There he performed with the Southwest Florida and Charlotte Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Sarasota Opera Orchestra. Erik also performed with several small ensembles, private events, jazz combos and big bands. Erik is currently attending the Eastman School of Music where he studies applied music and music education. He also is a founding member of The Po’Boys Brass Band, a throwback to his New Orleans years, and performs extensively with them. Erik resides in West Irondequoit with his wife Erika, daughter Addyson, and two basset hounds, Dook and Daisy.
www.myspace.com/poboysbrassband
Double Reeds
Bassoon
Heather Wagner (MM Akron University) (DMA in Performance-Eastman)- Heather is Pursuing DMA in Bassoon at the Eastman School of Music studying with John Hunt. Previously she received her Master of Music in Performance at The University of Akron. At the University of she studied with Barrick Stees, principal of the Cleveland Orchestra. She received her Bachelors of Music in Performance and in Music History and Literature, at the University of Akron, where she worked with Renee Anthony Dee.
Oboe
Patricia Rolland (Oboe) (MM in Performance, University of Iowa)-Patricia Rolland is originally from the Rochester, NY area, and has returned to her roots in Upstate New York. She is an active performer as an oboist, and provides private instruction on woodwind instruments and beginning piano. In addition to teaching private lessons since 1995, her teaching experience includes instruction at the college level, and a “Before and After School” program. As a freelance oboist, she has performed with orchestras and ensembles in New York, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, and California. Currently, she is a member of the Flower City Wind Trio.
Patricia has also been a fifer with Towpath Volunteer Fife and Drum Corps since 1988, and currently directs the Honor Guard.She received her BA from S.U.N.Y. Oswego, and MA in oboe performance from the University of Iowa.
Woodwinds and Saxophone
Matt Stuver(Saxophone)Matt Stuver was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. He began playing alto saxophone in the sixth grade band. He switched to tenor in high school and then at JMU during his undergrad degree in music education began to seriously study baritone sax. Matt enrolled at the Eastman School of Music in the fall of 2003 to study Saxophone Performance and Literature. In May of 2004, Matt went on the Japanese tour with the Eastman Wind Ensemble playing baritone saxophone and a little bass clarinet. Matt also performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble on baritone and bass saxophones at Carnegie Hall in January 2005. In the spring of 2004, Matt was accepted into the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Masters Degree at the Eastman School of Music. Matt studied with Walt Weiskopf, Clay Jenkins, Harold Danko, and Bill Dobbins and performed in school jazz groups with David Liebman, Clark Terry, Bob Shepard, Peter Erskine, and Byron Stripling. After graduating with both Masters Degrees in May 2006, Matt played lead tenor in the Henry Mancini Institute this summer. This fall, Matt began his DMA studies at Eastman with a concentration in Jazz Saxophone Performance. He currently teaches as Jazz Saxophone intern for the Eastman Community Music School, plays lead tenor with the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, soprano/tenor with the Dave Rivello Ensemble, baritone/tenor with Gap Mangione, baritone with Prime Time Funk and baritone/alto with the Orquestra Antonetti. Matt also plays and records with his own small group in the Rochester, NY area..
Megan Stone(Saxophone) -Bio to be Added!.
Mike Pendowski (MM-Northwestern University) (Saxophone) - Mike Pendowski has been an active force in the commercial music industry for over a decade. He has written and produced music for TV and radio commercials and industrials for the last fifteen years, including campaigns for many major corporations. His work has won several awards including two Golden Lions and an Eddy. His film projects include the Grammy-winning Dead Presidents, Orson Welles' Othello (restored), and Our Father. In addition, he has worked as composer/arranger/producer on over a dozen albums. Mike has published dozens of compositions and is an active clinician and educator. He has worked as a freelance performer, appearing with Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Carol Lawrence, George Shearing, Ray Charles, and The Jazz Orchestra of America. He received a master's degree from Northwestern University and has served on the faculty at DePaul University, Vandercook College of Music, Harper Community College, and Wheaton-Warrenville High School, as well as directing jazz ensembles at Northwestern University. Mike is a member of N.A.R.A.S. and is on its Board of Governors.
Flute and Clarinet
Calvin FalwellCalvin Falwell: currently serves as Principal Clarinet with the Sigmund Romberg Orchestra and the Hollywood Concert Orchestra as well as Second Clarinet in the Naples Opera Orchestra. Summer appointments include The Blue Lake Festival Orchestra and Band.
Calvin has held positions with The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, The Bronx Symphony Orchestra, Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and The American Wind Symphony. Calvin has also appeared with the Louisville Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, McKeesport Symphony, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and Symphony in C (formerly Haddonfield Symphony).
In addition to his orchestral positions, Calvin has enjoyed performing as a soloist in both recital and orchestral settings. Solo appearances have included performances with the Beaver Valley Philharmonic, University of Louisville Wind Ensemble, Duquesne University Wind Symphony, and the Duquesne Contemporary Ensemble. With a strong interest in contemporary classical music, Calvin has performed numerous pieces by some of America’s most promising young composers, including the 2008 premieres of Concertos for Bass Clarinet by composers Todd Goodman and Joseph Hallman. Calvin's most recent addition to the classical contemporary world is being co-founder of Content Under Pressure (CUP). CUP is a contemporary chamber ensemble that uses traditionally classical instruments (flute, violin, viola, bass clarinet, piano, drums) to perform transcriptions of popular rock tunes.
Calvin currently serves on the Clarinet faculty of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and has served on the faculties of Holy Family University, Lancaster Bible College, and Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. His principal teachers and mentors include Ron Samuels (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), Tim Zavadil (Minnesota Orchestra), Dallas Tidwell (Louisville Orchestra), and Paul Demers (Philadelphia Orchestra). Both Calvin's BM and MM are in Clarinet Performance from the University of Louisville and Duquesne University respectively.
Sally Ann Hart - holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Case Western Reserve University, a Masters in Flute Performance from Juilliard and an MBA from University of Rochester. She counts several flute legends as her as her renowned teachers: Maurice Sharp (Cleveland), Arthur Lora, Harold Bennett and Samuel Baron (all New York City). She is a long-time private studio teacher and founding Board member of the Rochester Flute Association. In 1997 she introduced the Suzuki Flute School Program to Hochstein School of Music & Dance. Her workshop Listen to My Flute! (bringing together body, breath and brain for flutists) has been presented at Hochstein and at the Florida Flute Association Flute Fair. A frequent performer of chamber music in the Rochester area, her ensembles, Flute Caprice and the Brockport Chamber Trio, contribute significantly to community service.
Matt Stuver (Flute)--Matt Stuver was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. He began playing alto saxophone in the sixth grade band. He switched to tenor in high school and then at JMU during his undergrad degree in music education began to seriously study baritone sax. Matt enrolled at the Eastman School of Music in the fall of 2003 to study Saxophone Performance and Literature. In May of 2004, Matt went on the Japanese tour with the Eastman Wind Ensemble playing baritone saxophone and a little bass clarinet. Matt also performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble on baritone and bass saxophones at Carnegie Hall in January 2005. In the spring of 2004, Matt was accepted into the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media Masters Degree at the Eastman School of Music. Matt studied with Walt Weiskopf, Clay Jenkins, Harold Danko, and Bill Dobbins and performed in school jazz groups with David Liebman, Clark Terry, Bob Shepard, Peter Erskine, and Byron Stripling. After graduating with both Masters Degrees in May 2006, Matt played lead tenor in the Henry Mancini Institute this summer. This fall, Matt began his DMA studies at Eastman with a concentration in Jazz Saxophone Performance. He currently teaches as Jazz Saxophone intern for the Eastman Community Music School, plays lead tenor with the Eastman Jazz Ensemble, soprano/tenor with the Dave Rivello Ensemble, baritone/tenor with Gap Mangione, baritone with Prime Time Funk and baritone/alto with the Orquestra Antonetti. Matt also plays and records with his own small group in the Rochester, NY area.
Piano
Chris Ziemba (Piano)-A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Chris majored in Jazz Performance and Music Education. Christopher Ziemba is already a highly acclaimed jazz and classical pianist, conductor, composer and arranger. At the age of 7, Chris made his debut on the concert state, appearing with the Buffalo Philharmonic, Rochester Philharmonic, and Amherst Symphony Orchestras. In 2000, Chris conducted the Buffalo Choral Arts Society in the world premier of his composition, "Soft and Silent." In April 2002, Chris, as composer-pianist and story subject, was honored as part of the production team for SGRZ-TV2 that received an EMMY Award in the category of Religious Programming. In the fall of 2000, the Niagara University Theatre Department commissioned Chris to compose original incidental music for the North American premiere of a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectationss. The Buffalo News wrote of his work: "Also on the plus side.... a haunting musical score by the young pianist....set a mood of dark enchantment." After the Associated Press wrote a nationally circulated article about his music abilities, Chris was featured on CBS This Morning and American Journal and appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. A finalist in Marvin Hamlisch's 2002 Star Search competition, The Buffalo News stated: "His hands flew like hammers....Ziemba played with warmth and grace....very self-possessed...." In 2004, Chris was the recipient of the Eastman School of Music's prestigious Howard Hanson Scholarship and Rochester International Jazz Festival Scholarship. In 2003, he was awarded the Dean L. Harrington Scholarship for Outstanding Performance at the New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA). His jazz composition, "Ambienz," was the only student work selected for performance by e school's faculty in concert at the Skidmore Jazz Institute, featuring jazz notables Ed Shaughnessy, Vince DiMartino, Curtis Fuller, Todd Coolman, and the late Frank Mantooth. Since arriving at Eastman, Chris has been the pianist of choice for outstanding jazz musicians, such as Dave Rivello, Mike Kaupa, Rich Thompson, Dave Mancini, Clay Jenkins, and Jeff Campbell. He has appeared regularly at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Strathallan Hotel, Bobby McGee's, Little Theatre, Lodge at Woodcliff, and Shea's Performing Arts Center. Chris has also toured with The Irish Tenors. During the summer months, Chris is a featured jazz performer at the world-renowned Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. www.myspace.com/chrisziemba
Corinne Keirsbilck-Has been teaching piano for 8 years. She now is pursuing her certification in the Suzuki piano method. A Berklee alumnus, Corinne also plans to be a certified NY state teacher, with her focus in Elementary education. Her private instruction concentration is young children, and she demonstrates a very patient and kind approach to teaching kids. Recently Corinne has published a series of compositions and methods. (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJV04jEF7Xc ) She has studied with renowned pianist Ji Yeon Oh (Korean Conservatory Pianist) and New England Conservatory Chairperson, Malcom Peyton.
I Ching Chen Cotton-holds a Master of Arts in piano performance from Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. She also received a Master’s degree in piano pedagogy and an artist diploma in piano performance from the University of Music Saarland in Saarbrucken, Germany. As a versatile and outstanding pianist, I-Ching has performed at various music festivals in Germany and was invited to give a live performance and interview on Deutschlandsradio (Radio Germany). She also performed several Mozart Piano Concertos with the Homburger KammerSinfonie Orchester; one of which was a live radio broadcast. A highly sought-after instructor, she has held positions at the Texas Woman's University and Texas Woman’s University Community Music School, The Music Conservatory of Texas, and in Germany, she was on the faculty at the Obertshausen Music School. She believes that making music is a great way to express oneself and communicate with each other. Using the piano as a tool to explore the world plays an important role in her musical career. As a teacher, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with her students. In the lessons, students will learn the repertoire, technique, music theory, etc.; in an easy-going and fun
Klansee Reynolds(MM Eastman School of Music) (Violin, Viola, Suzuki Strings) - Klansee Reynolds, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, is currently finishing a Master of Arts in music theory at the Eastman School of Music. Klansee holds a Bachelor of Music in violin performance from Southern Methodist University. She has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player with professional and semi-professional ensembles across the country and abroad. Klansee has maintained a private studio and taught privately in public schools and community music schools since 1996. Her Suzuki training was completed with Carrie Reuning-Hummel and she is registered with the Suzuki Association of the Americas as a violin teacher of books 1-3. Klansee also teaches traditional violin lessons, as well as Suzuki and traditional viola lessons.
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Ben Thomas (BM-Eastman School of Music)-Ben Thomas is from Windsor, Connecticut where he studied music with Doug Maher and Jimmy Greene. He now lives in Rochester, New York in the middle of his third year at the Eastman School of Music where he has finished studying with James VanDemark and is currently under Jeff Campbell's inspiring and watchful eye. In the Summer of '08, Ben was fortunate to attend the School for Improvised Music in Brooklyn, NY and study under master musicians Ralph Alessi, Tim Berne, Drew Gress, Jim Black, and Tony Malaby, all of whom have had a significance impact on his musical thoughts and ideas. Ben's future is bright and filled with exploration with his new trio "CHAMP" featuring current Eastman students: Aaron Staebell and Wills Mckenna. Look for Ben all over rochester in a variety of groups; he hopes to meet you and hear how you sound too!
Voice
Kerri Lynn Slominski hails from Spencerport, New York and is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music, of the Johns Hopkins University. Under the instruction of Dr. Steven Rainbolt, Ms. Slominski received her Bachelors in Music for Voice and the Lillian Mann Prize in Voice. She was cast as the Mother in Peabody Opera Outreach Hansel and Gretel and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni for Peabody's Conductor's Orchestra's Opera Scenes performance in the 2008-2009 season. She was the third place senior women recipient and the first place junior women recipient of the NATS Vocal Competition for the state of Maryland. She also premiered Bryan Reis' opera etude Koré in 2008. In June 2009, Ms. Slominski studied abroad in Urbania, Italia at the Centro Studi Italiani's Opera Festival "Si Parla Si Canta" Program. She had the opportunity to be under the instruction of Benton Hess, Robert Cowart, Hugh Murphy and Brian Osborne. Throughout her career, Ms. Slominski has gone on to perform at various events such as the esteemed Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, has been a returning Guest Artist for the Eastman Community Recital Series and a Guest Artist at the Strong National Museum of Play's Making American Music Concert Series: An Evening of Romantic Operetta. She was part of the creation of a benefit recording, Ever The Winds, with her mother and colleague Ann Mitchell, which raised awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research.
Nancy Kelly (Voice Instructor)-Nancy Kelly’s refined vocal style is a study in phrasing, style and the ability to swing. Kelly’s powerful singing has captured many awards and the ears of many jazz fans around the globe. Kelly’s stage presence, style, grace, and the ability to quickly capture the emotions of her audience isn’t the only thing that places Nancy in a league of her own--the lady was "Born to Swing", and she means business. Starting at age four in her hometown of Rochester, New York, Nancy studied piano, clarinet, drama and dance with private instructors, and voice at the Eastman School of Music.During her thirty-plus year career she has honed her trademark swing/bop take no prisoners style in front of audiences across the U.S. and abroad--from Singapore to Switzerland, France, Turkey to her 3 tours of Japan.Nancy appears regularly in New York City including performances at The Blue Note, Birdland and The Rainbow Room,Dizzy's Jazz Club at Lincoln Center. She works frequently in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as countless jazz clubs, festivals, and symphony orchestra engagements across the country.
Downbeat magazine’s reader’s poll voted Kelly the title of "best female jazz vocalist" two years in a row.
All of Miss Kelly’s accomplishments and accolades are testament to the fact that a great jazz voice doesn't happen overnight. More than any other instrument the voice gains its resonance and soulfullness from the life experiences of the body that surrounds it. To paraphrase Bird--If you haven't lived it isn't going to come out of your horn. (See this link for Nancy's Teaching Philosophy-- www.hollandmusic.net/jazz-study
www.nancykelly.com
Guitar
Mike Frederick (Guitar) - Mike Frederick began playing guitar at the age of twelve, taking private lessons for approximately six months and then exploring the guitar on his own through high school. By the time he graduated, Mike had won several awards at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and was the guitarist in the 2000 Washington All-State Jazz Ensemble. Mike earned his B.A. in guitar performance from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, studying jazz improvisation with trumpeter Brian Ploeger, saxophonists Geoff Bradfield and Dave Hagelganz, and pianist Brent Edstrom. Performing with the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble, and as an accompanist for the chamber choir, afforded opportunities for travel, including tours of Italy, Hawaii, and several regional tours of the West. During this time, he also studied classical guitar with Dr. Paul Grove, earning the Young Artist award in the guitar division at Musicfest Northwest 2004. After college, Mike worked in show bands and jazz trios on several Carnival cruise ships. During the ‘05-’06 and ‘06-’07 school years, Mike taught guitar and coached jazz small groups at Whitworth University and Gonzaga University, taught guitar classes in high schools, played for theater productions, and freelanced around the Northwest with his trio, Localized Tenderness, and several other jazz and rock projects. In the fall of 2007, Mike started the master’s degree program in Jazz and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He currently maintains an active teaching and performing schedule.
http://www.myspace.com/mikefrederickguitar
Aaron Cotton(Guitar) - holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Texas Woman’s University and is currently pursuing his Masters of Music in Guitar Performance at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. An avid performer, Aaron has given concerts both nationally and internationally. Performance venues have included the San Fernando de los Rios Cultural Center in Madrid, Spain; the Taiwan National University of the Arts in Taipei, Taiwan; Emmanuel College in Cambridge, UK; and at different venues in the United States. He has also been involved in many community outreach performances which include concerts at local schools, libraries, and senior citizen homes.Aaron is an active teacher and has held positions at the Texas Woman’s University Community Music Program, Brookhaven College Arts Academy, and is currently a Teaching Assistant for guitar at the Eastman School of Music. He was also invited to give several master classes in Texas and France. .
Drums & Percussion
Dave Goebel (Drums) - Dave is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz drum set performance. He has been playing music his whole life, starting on piano at age 3 and switching primarily to drums six years later. At this point, Dave began studying privately with Rich Thompson, which would continue throughout his four years at Eastman. Dave was a member of both the symphonic and jazz bands in high school and studied with Howard Potter in the Eastman Youth Jazz Orchestra, eventually competing as a finalist in the Essentially Ellington program at Lincoln Center. At Eastman, he had the opportunity to play, record, listen, and learn with many great musicians, both professional and student. Dave currently lives in Rochester and performs professionally with his group Walri and with other groups of varying genres.
Aaron Staebel (Percussion, Drums) - Currently located in Rochester, NY, Aaron Staebell blends elements of his diverse musical background to create a style that demands a second listen. Aaron graduated from the Eastman School of Music in 2005, and has since continued an active playing schedule in and around Western New York. He is a member of the Brownman Electryc Trio, out of Toronto, and the Bill Tiberio Group and Paradigm Shift, out of Rochester. He leads his own group and continues to write and play, working to expand his reach to a larger audience.
Sean Connors- (MM-NorthWestern University) (DMA in Performance-Eastman)(Percussion)- Sean Connors received a master’s degree from Northwestern University where he studied with Michael Burritt and graduated with Program Honors.. At Northwestern, he won the school-wide concerto competition and played the United States premiere of Tobias Brostrom’s ARENA Concerto for Percussion with a Northwestern University orchestra. He previously attended the Eastman School of Music where he studied with John Beck, received a BM in percussion performance and music education, and was awarded the school’s prestigious Performer’s Certificate. While at Eastman, Sean was named a 2004 percussion scholar by the Zildjian Company, received certificates from both the Arts Leadership and World Music programs, and toured Asia with the Eastman Wind Ensemble. Recently, he performed Michael Burritt’s Timeless as soloist with the Northwestern Percussion Ensemble and Ridgewood High School Percussion Ensemble. Sean’s varied interests in music are reflected by his current and recent membership in the Lila Muni Balinese gamelan and Pangaia Steel Band, as well as the Eastman BroadBand, OSSIA, Exposure, and dal niente new music groups. Sean has worked with such renowned composers as John Adams, Augusta Read Thomas, David Lang, Jack Fortner, Chen Yi and Eric Whitacre and performed the world premiere of Syndey Hodkinson's trio Shredded Postcards with respected Eastman faculty Oleh Krysa, violin, and Kenneth Grant, clarinet. Sean is once again at Eastman where he is pursuing a doctorate in percussion performance.
Chris Teal (Drums, Percussion) - Spurred on by a love of early Frank Zappa recordings and Denny Wilson memorabilia, Chris Teal took up drums and percussion at age 11 and began his career in school bands and orchestra. He has since then studied with local drum wizards Dave Wakely, Dan Cox, Daniel Bukvich, Rick Westrick, Paul Raymond and Michael Waldrop and, in 2005, earned his B.A. in Jazz Performance from Whitworth College. In August 2005, Chris participated in the School for Improvisational Music workshop in New York City where he collaborated with a variety of celebrated musicians, including Ben Street and Jason Moran. Chris has recently been performing with Fugu Apprentice, Localized Tenderness, The Tom Molter Big Band, Jigsaw Republic, Don Goodwin and Freefire, and Spokane and Coeur d'Alene Theater Companies. He has also recorded/performed with notable artists Nicholas Payton, Eric Reed, John Clayton, Jeff Clayton, Brent Edstrom, Danny McCollim, Brian Ploeger, Hal Galper, Dan Keberle, the Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the Worlds Oldest Living Sax Section. Other cross-country endeavors include playing for Carnival Cruise Lines beginning in 2003. Chris has been studying with Rich Thompson at Eastman School of Music and playing with the Eastman New Jazz Ensemble, The Po'Boys, Fred Stone, the Downstairs Caberet and more. Chris anticipates the launch of two quartets in early 2008.http://www.myspace.com/christopherteal "> http://www.myspace.com/christopherteal
Mark Maynor (Percussion, Mallets)-Mark Maynor received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance from Baldwin Wallace College and the University of Akron. Mark also studied privately with Richard Weiner, principal percussionist of the Cleveland Orchestra and John Soroka, principal percussionist of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Mark also studied marimba with world renowned marimbist Michael Burritt and drum set with Bob Mckee, drummer for the Michael Douglas show.
Mark’s performing experience includes many years of playing experience as a member of the Akron Symphony and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony. Mark also has many years of experience playing drum set in a wide variety of musical styles. Mark played drum set for the Nick Conti Big Band, Tropical Wind Steel Drum Band and the Wild Moose Band. Mark also performed for several years with the New Music Associates, a new music ensemble in residence at Cleveland State. As a player, Mark has shared the stage with such artists as Ray Charles, Arturo Sandoval, Andy Narell, Carmen Lundy, Billy Childs and David Samuels. Mark has recorded with Telarc International and GM Recordings Inc.
In Ohio, Mark taught percussion lessons and directed the percussion ensemble at Ashland University, Malone College and he maintained a studio of 30-40 private students of all ages and playing ability.
Currently, Mark is teaching music classes at Nazareth College and Rochester Institute of Technology. In Rochester, Mark has performed with the Oratorio Society Orchestra, Mercury Opera and he has played solo marimba on several occasions at Memorial Art Gallery and other galleries around Rochester.
http://www.myspace.com/marimbamusicrochester
