|
|
|
Aaron White
Guitars & Voice
Aaron White began playing and reading music twenty-one years ago, when he played trombone in the Pleasant View Middle School Concert Band. He is still studying music today and is currently taking music courses at Columbus State. Over the years, he has learned to play many other instruments, including percussion, brass, strings, and keyboard. He has played electric guitar and bass in several local Columbus bands. More recently, he has focused on developing a solo act that features his vocal and acoustic guitar skills. He performs a range of classic rock, folk, and pop songs along with a few he has written himself.
Aaron White has been instructing Columbus, Ohio children and adults in music and guitar for the past eight years. As a guitar instructor, his focus is on playing and performing rock and pop guitar, and also understanding the theory that defines Western music. Instruction in playing and songwriting with multiple guitars and other instruments can also be provided.
|
|
Alex Donaldson
Guitars
Alex Donaldson started his musical career at the age of 14 where he was a regular performer at the local blues and rock clubs of Columbus, Ohio. At the age of 18, Alex ventured off to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music. Alex graduated from Berklee with a Bachelor's of Music in Guitar Performance. He also completed the Bachelor's program a year ahead of schedule, with Magna Cum Laude honors. Other notable accomplishments at the college were performances in the Advanced Guitar Performance Ensemble and private studies with Joe Stump.
Teaching guitar is a true passion of Alex's, and he aims to inspire every student he comes across.
|
|
Tad Melton
Guitars
Tad has been playing guitar for fourteen years and began taking private lessons studying technique and music reading ten years ago. Tad has three years of experience teaching the guitar and four years teaching experience as a lifeguard instructor and swim instructor for eighteen-month-old children to adults.
Tad's focus is on technique and improvisation. He enjoys teaching the blues, jazz, pop, alternative rock, and rock. He approaches every student with enthusiasm and always makes lessons both fun and productive.
Tad has been performing in the Cleveland and Columbus music scene for seven years. He currently performs in the Columbus area in a rock band called American Mediocre that performs weekly.
|
|
Stefanie Gant
Guitars
Stefanie's first attempt at the guitar was as a young girl trying to play along with her parent's collection of classic rock and oldies on a toy 6-string. At age 13 she got her first real guitar and began focusing on how to play more contemporary rock. While attending college at Ohio State she began writing her own music and lyrics. More recently she has been playing live shows as the guitarist in an acoustic trio and has also done solo sets.
Always striving to learn and improve, Stefanie tries to step out of her comfort zone to work on playing new techniques and styles for the guitar.
Stefanie is thrilled at being able to share her love of music with others, and to also share the sense of accomplishment that goes along with learning.
|
|
Ryan Craycroft
Guitars
Ryan Craycroft has played the guitar since age twelve. In the Spring of 2009, He graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Music in jazz studies. During his education at OSU, he absorbed many musical styles and currently specializes in jazz, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and other World styles.
In 2008, Ryan started his own jazz quartet, Quinn, which performs locally. In the winter of 2009, he was a member of Sarava Brazilian Combo, performing on a weekly basis. He currently works professionally as a freelance musician in Columbus, Ohio.
Ryan is a major advocate of music education and is passionate about sharing the joy of music with others.
|
|
Casey Chanatry
Guitars
Casey Chanatry developed an appreciation for music from the time he was born. His mother was a fitness instructor in California who used music to help motivate herself and those she worked with. From then on, encouraged by his parents, Casey began taking Violin lessons and performing in small groups through public schools. Something wasn't quite right with the violin, so he soon traded it in for a trumpet and had his first taste of improvising with a group via jazz and concert band. Now the guitar is his main source of expression though he continues to appreciate the value of alternate instrumentation.
Now a graduate of OSU in communication and music, Casey can often be found performing around town with group Jahman Brahman. He has been teaching guitar privately for a couple of years now and is eager to meet new students who are equally excited to learn. He is willing and able to teach all styles of playing but encourages experimentation and the reach for one's own musical voice.
|
|
Andy Sartain
Guitars
Andy has been playing guitar since 1981 and has played in a number of bands in and around Columbus. He grew up playing piano, primarily inspired by ragtime, and subsequently discovered guitar as a teenager. Growing up as a guitar player in the '80s, he developed a love of theory and it's creative application in songwriting and improvisation. He taught guitar at Encore Music Studios from 1993-2001 when he became a Mr. Mom for his baby twin boys.
Andy has been developing his audio engineering skills in parallel with his musical development (having purchased his first 4 track in 1982) and is now the proud owner and head engineer at Mindfield Recording Studio.
|
|
Jason Horner
Guitars
Jason began his musical experience by playing the trumpet for his middle school band in 1990. He moved on to the guitar in 1995, after receiving an electric guitar and amp for his high school graduation. Jason has taken music courses while attending OSU and has read and utilized over twenty books on introductory to advanced guitar chords and theory. Jason specializes in fingerstyle acoustic picking and rhythm guitar. He is a licensed PK-3 teacher and believes that encouraging and fun lessons are vital to a young guitarist's success. He founded a weekly Guitar Club at his former elementary school, teaching guitar to students ranging from First to Fifth Grade.
|
|
Kristen Malarkey
Guitar, Cello, Voice & Piano
Kristen has been playing the cello for 12 years. She studied with various teachers at the Cleveland Institute of Music for six years before attending college. In high school she indulged her passion for contemporary music by participating in the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Kristen continued her musical studies at Denison, participating in: various chamber music groups, symphony orchestra, cello lessons, gospel choir, bluegrass ensemble, and guitar lessons. At Denison she traveled to Italy with a small chamber orchestra and performed in Venice, Milan, and Florence.
At the Ohio State University she continued to study music, participating in: cello lessons, piano lessons, string pedagogy classes, jazz improvisation classes, and gospel choir.
Currently Kristen plays cello with a country/folk/R&B band, sings with a hip hop band, plays guitar, writes and sings original songs, and regularly performs at open mics and jam sessions around Columbus. Kristen is dedicated to sharing her passion for music and is excited to work with students who want to learn and grow.
|
|
|
|
Pamela Villareal
Piano & Voice
Pam has been a classically trained pianist for 16 years and has studied with various institutions in Cleveland, Ohio, including the Cleveland Music School Settlement. Also a vocalist, Pam's knowledge covers various musical styles, including baroque, classical, romantic, jazz, modern, and musical theater, along with an extensive background in theory, notation, and composition.
Pam has been teaching piano and providing vocal coaching in the Columbus area for three years. Currently, Pam is also the Music Director and Accompanist for the Capital University Cabaret Theatre.
|
|
Matt Opachick
Strings, Guitars, Piano & Voice
Matt received his Music Education degree from Capital University in 2009. He originally grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before establishing his residence in central Ohio. While in High School, he participated in the Pennsylvania State Orchestra as a violinist, and he was also a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.
As an active musician in the Columbus area, Matt currently plays frequently in a variety of jazz, classical, and bluegrass ensembles. Several of these groups include Couch Forts, The Happy Trails Band, and The Bexley String Quartet. Most Notably, Couch Forts was recently named a "2009 Bands to Watch" in Columbus Alive.
He is very excited to teach a variety of different styles and greatly enjoys motivating students to achieve their own personal goals in music!
|
|
Rachel L. Kelly
Piano, Voice, & Woodwinds
Rachel began her musical journey playing the piano at age 6. She later participated in her school's band and choral programs, playing flute, percussion, and saxophone.
Rachel attended Capital University to pursue a degree in Music Education. During her undergraduate career, her private study included saxophone, clarinet, piano, and voice. Since graduating, she has become an elementary instrumental and vocal teacher in Columbus City Schools. Rachel has been teaching privately for 6 years.
|
|
Carolyn Duro
Voice
Carolyn has studied voice for 8 years, 4 of which were at Capital University's conservatory of music. She graduated in 2009 with her Bachelors degree in Music Education.
While at Capital she toured Europe singing in the Capital University Chapel choir and sung in several theatre productions some of which include; Little Shop of Horrors, the Mikado, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Big River and Children of Eden. She was also the vocal coach for Eden players summer theatre production in 2008.
Carolyn has experience with both classical singing and musical theatre. Her background in education also makes her excellent for teaching a wide range of ages.
|
|
Tim Gartner
Voice
Tim is a graduate of the Capital University Conservatory of music. He has studied voice for six years, four of which were at Capital University. Tim received his bachelor degree in vocal performance.
Tim performed in several shows while at Capital including The Magic Flute, The Mikado, Cosi Fan Tutte, and Into the Woods. Tim also sang in the Capital University Chapel Choir for four years and was a frequent soloist within the group. As a vocalist for the Capital University Rock Band, Tim expanded his repertoire and knowledge of the style and technique of more modern day music. Tim has been a part of the Opera Columbus Chorus for two seasons and recently spent two months in New York playing the part of Willard in Footloose off Broadway.
Currently he is performing with Flow Theatre here in Columbus. Tim's experience allows him to teach in several different styles and makes him ideal for the diverse singer.
|
|
|
|
Justin Herdman
Drums & Guitars
Justin is an experienced instructor and highly seasoned performer. He has been playing the drums for 18 years and has played hundreds of shows around Columbus and the Midwest. Justin has knowledge in rock, pop, jazz, funk, and Latin music. He also has experience with marching and concert band percussion. Having had years of music theory training and being able to play the guitar and sing, Justin is a well rounded musician who approaches the drum set with thoughtfulness, sensitivity and energy. Justin could surely help you ready yourself for ensemble performance.
|
|
Paul Valdiviez
Drums, Piano, Guitars, and Voice
Paul Valdiviez's musical career began in Omaha, Nebraska. He played percussion in the NMEA All-State Orchestra his junior year and drumset/vibraphone in the NMEA All-State Jazz Band his senior year. He studied percussion at Capital University and graduated with a Bachelor's of Music in Music Technology in 2009.
While at Capital, Paul played in several diverse ensembles, including Jazz Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, Chamber Percussion Ensemble, and Rock Band. He has studied jazz piano with Mark Flugge privately and classical piano under Pam Fusselman.
Paul is currently actively involved in the Columbus music scene, playing with Banana Bag Groove, in which he plays guitar, steel pan, and sings.
|
|
Anthony Pollina
Guitars, Bass Guitars, Drums & Piano
Anthony is a working bassist and vocalist in the Columbus local music scene with over 10 years of performing experience. He studied bass throughout high school and spent two years studying in the Jazz Performance Department at The Ohio State University. With a Bachelors Degree under his belt from the Fisher College of Business at OSU, Anthony has been able to make performing bass and singing his primary focus by playing gigs 4-5 nights a week among 6 various ensembles. He is well versed in playing pop/rock, funk, blues, bluegrass, jazz and R & B. Areas of teaching would include technique, chords, scales and modes, theory, ear training, reading and writing, improvisation, learning song structures and charts, and understanding groove and the pocket. Anthony currently plays with; The Eddie Pollina Band, Mrs. Robinson and the Graduates, Triple Bill, Soul Annex, The Dfaults, and The Ex-Presidents.
|
|
Jason M. Ferrell
Brass, Woodwinds, Orchestral Strings, Piano & Guitar
Mr. Ferrell has been playing professionally in Central Ohio for over 12 years and teaching privately for 16 years. He graduated from New Albany High School in 1992 and went to The Ohio State University where he majored in music. He was a 4-year soloist for The Ohio State University Marching Band and played lead trumpet in the Jazz Ensemble. After a leave of college, Mr. Ferrell was asked to play lead trumpet for the Big Band show at Capital University. He earned scholarships and finished his degree in Music Education at Capital University, as well as, toured European jazz festivals as the guest artist. He currently plays lead trumpet in the Rick Brunetto Big Band at the airport, leads the Elvis Extravaganza, which is a national act, and freelances throughout the nation.
|
|
Evan Oberla
Brass, Guitars, & Piano
Evan began his musical odyssey with piano and guitar at a young age, followed by trombone in his school band. His trombone playing led him to participate in the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra and other smaller jazz ensembles. He graduated in June 2009 from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies performance. At Ohio State, he was immersed in many different musical situations, including the OSU Jazz Ensemble, Trombone Choir, fusion band, and many other groups of all genres. While in school he was selected for the OMEA Intercollegiate All-Star Jazz Ensemble and won the Ruth Friscoe Prize for Big Band Composition.
Evan is an active performer in the Central Ohio area and plays with/subs with many bands, including Mojoflo, Dejavu Latin Fusion, Hoodoo Soul Band, Conspiracy, the Floorwalkers, Vaughn Weister's Famous Jazz Orchestra, and many more.
He leads two bands, the Trio of Fury!!! and the RFG Quintet. The trio is trombone, bass, drums and plays styles from avant-garde to pop with its own distinct sound. The quintet hosted a popular Tuesday night jam session at Rumba Cafe until recently, and will continue at Ruby Tuesday Music Venue in January 2010.
He has taught privately for 3 years, and enjoys helping guide students along the path of their own musical journey.
|
|
Alex Burgoyne
Saxaphone, Clarinet, & Piano
Alex began his musical studies on piano at the age of 8 and a few years later also began studying saxaphone.. He took lessons and went to solo and ensemble on both instruments throughout grade school and high school. Upon graduating high school, Alex attended Capital University and received a degree in Saxophone Performance. While at Capital, Alex played in many different groups in both the classical and jazz genres and in doing so, received many accolades throughout his collegiate career including outstanding musician awards at music festivals in Chicago and Cincinnati and playing in the OCMEA College honor band.
Since graduation, Alex has been actively performing throughout Central Ohio as well as being fortunate enough to play with many local and regional acts. In his desire to be as musically-diverse as possible, he has been able to play his way into the Latino music community playing with "Sabor Latino", "The Six Apaches", as well as the nationally touring pop artist, "Marisela". In addition, he plays regularly with many different local small and large jazz bands as well as doing composing and arranging in a variety of styles for a multitude of different settings.
Alex also has a sizeable teaching studio with both Piano and Saxophone students playing a variety of styles in a variety of different settings. His students appear annually at the OMEA solo and ensemble competition where they regularly earn superior ratings.
|
|
Arica Donze
Violin
Arica has been involved in music since she started playing violin at the age of 10.
Just two years later, she began studying piano. Arica took private lessons on both instruments throughout grade school and high school.
In high school, Arica participated in her school's orchestra program where she worked her way up to concertmaster.
She continued to play in orchestra and sing in the chorus throughout college.
She also took lessons on other instruments including guitar, organ, and harpsichord.
After graduating from Ohio Northern University with a bachelor's in business with a minor in music, she moved to Columbus, Ohio.
For the past several years, she has been playing violin at her church on a weekly basis and performed in several weddings, musicals, and other events.
Arica has taught violin lessons throughout high school and college and is committed to passing on her love of music to others.
|
|
|
|
