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Music Instruction Music Instruction

Award-winning music lessons, ensembles, and group classes for aspiring musicians of all ages and skill levels — children, teens, and adults.

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Early Childhood Early Childhood

Morning & Full-Day Preschool programs with a full, child-centered curriculum of creative specials like music, science, drama, social and emotional learning, and more!

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Music Therapy Music Therapy

Established in 1966, our pioneering Center for Music Therapy (CMT) uses guided music experiences to help individuals meet life's challenges.

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Bop Stop Bop Stop

BOP STOP at The Music Settlement is Cleveland's premier listening room: an intimate, acoustically pristine performance venue with sweeping views of Lake Erie.

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Faculty

Faculty
linda-allen

Linda Allen

Administrative Assistant; Accompaniment Department Head; Instructor, Piano, Music Theory

Linda Allen has been with The Music Settlement for over forty years and served as Registrar from 1978-2012. She previously was a music instructor for the Cleveland Public Schools Supplementary Center for 9 years, and also taught theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music and CWRU. She earned her BM... Expand

Linda Allen has been with The Music Settlement for over forty years and served as Registrar from 1978-2012. She previously was a music instructor for the Cleveland Public Schools Supplementary Center for 9 years, and also taught theory at the Cleveland Institute of Music and CWRU.

She earned her BM and MM degrees in composition at CIM, where her major teachers were Arthur Loesser, piano and Marcel Dick, composition. She received many scholarships and awards, including the CIM Bloch Award and the Aspen Music Festival composition prize.

A former long time member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Robert Page Singers, she is currently organist and choir director at St. James Anglican Catholic Church. She is also a member of the keyboard/percussion section of the Lakeside Summer Symphony and the Cleveland Women's orchestra.

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jane-berkner

Jane Berkner

Instructor, Flute; Ensemble Director, Magnolia Flutes; Ensemble Co-Director, Flautrageous Flute Choir

Jane has extensive background in conducting flute ensembles, and with Linda White co-directs The Music Settlement’s Flautrageous Flute Choir. She is also the director of the Magnolia Flute Ensemble. Jane is currently the Director of a summer Flute Choir Camp for adults at the Interlochen Cent... Expand

Jane has extensive background in conducting flute ensembles, and with Linda White co-directs The Music Settlement’s Flautrageous Flute Choir. She is also the director of the Magnolia Flute Ensemble.

Jane is currently the Director of a summer Flute Choir Camp for adults at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and was Coordinator of the National Flute Association’s High School Flute Choir, Director of the Northeastern Ohio Flute Association’s Flute Ensembles, and Director of the Summer Flute Experience flute choirs at the University of Akron. Under her direction, The University of Akron Flute Ensemble was invited in both 2006 and 2014 to perform for the National Flute Association, and in 2010, she took the group on a performing tour of Italy.

Jane Berkner was described by Flute Talk Magazine as “a versatile performer...(and) outstanding musician". Named Outstanding Musician in the 2019 Akron Arts Alive Awards, She has played in the Akron, Ashland, Canton and Youngstown Symphonies, the Ohio Ballet Orchestra, and the Botzum Summer Festival Orchestra, as well as for touring shows at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, Playhouse Square in Cleveland, and Blossom Center’s Porthouse Theater. As a chamber musician, she has performed with the O’Neil Chamber Players, Garth Newel Chamber Players, Solaris Wind Quintet and the Chamber Music Society of Ohio.

Along with guitarist Stephen Aron, she formed The AronBerkner Duo (www.aronberknerduo.com), and they have performed extensively across the US and in Italy and France. Soundboard Magazine said of the duo “both…are gifted with lovely tone, exceptional technique, and a sense of unanimity that bespeaks much experience playing together.” Her CD with pianist Kim Bakkum, “In Cynthia’s Garden”, was described by Cleveland Classical as “wonderfully charming…and magnificently performed.” Together, they have performed at the National Gallery in Washington, DC, as well as Sere Musicale and Corofest Assisi in Italy.

Jane is a well known flute instructor in the Cleveland area, having taught at The University of Akron for 25 years. She has successfully worked with students of all ages, from beginner to masters level. Her students have been winners of National Flute Association, Central Ohio Flute Association, Northeastern Ohio Flute Association and Tuesday Musical Club competitions. They have participated in the Cleveland, Akron and Canton Youth Symphonies, won concerto competitions, and been accepted into prestigious programs, conservatories and universities such as Interlochen, Brevard, Tanglewood, Northwestern, Eastman and Shenendoah.

Education
M.M., Flute Performance - University of Akron
B.M., Flute Performance - Georgia State University Close
rachel-bernstein

Rachel Bernstein

Instructor, Suzuki Cello

Rachel has more than 25 years of teaching in both traditional and Suzuki cello methods, and in teaching general music to young children. She is certified in Suzuki cello books 1 through 10 and completed her practicum studies in 2012. In addition to her extensive Suzuki method training, Rachel is ce... Expand

Rachel has more than 25 years of teaching in both traditional and Suzuki cello methods, and in teaching general music to young children. She is certified in Suzuki cello books 1 through 10 and completed her practicum studies in 2012.

In addition to her extensive Suzuki method training, Rachel is certified in level 1 of the Orff Schulwerk method for children and is trained in the Music Together¨ early childhood music program.

After moving to Cleveland in 1998, Rachel became a member of "The Strings" chamber group with members of the Cleveland Orchestra, and has performed as a free-lance musician. Ms. Bernstein's teachers include members of the Boston Symphony at the Tanglewood Institute and Anne Cole of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rachel performed in a master class with the late Mistislav Rostropovich and as principal cellist under the baton of Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Institute. She has also performed with composer and pianist Marc Neikrug as part of the Santa Fe Chamber Music series and Grammy award winner Marc Doss in recital at The Music Settlement.

Education
BA, Cello Performance Close
savanna-butcher

Savanna Butcher

Instructor, Voice

Savanna Butcher, from Jane Lew, West Virginia, is a vocalist, music educator, and composer. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, double majoring in music education and music composition, and she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in vocal performance a... Expand

Savanna Butcher, from Jane Lew, West Virginia, is a vocalist, music educator, and composer. She received her bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University, double majoring in music education and music composition, and she is currently pursuing her master’s degree in vocal performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Savanna has been involved in various choral ensembles from a young age and has training and experience in classical singing as well as musical theater.

Savanna assists in teaching voice at Cleveland School for the Arts, is currently a section leader at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland, and has also sung with University Circle’s Church of the Covenant. In West Virginia, she taught private voice lessons at Fawley Music and with WVU’s Community Music Program.

Savanna has been seen on the stage in CIM’s recent productions of Poulenc’s Dialogue of the Carmelites and Massesnet’s Cendrillon, in Hawaii Performing Arts Festival’s production of Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, and in WVU Opera Theater’s productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Massenet’s Cendrillon. She has also been featured as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden, Dorothy in the The Wizard of Oz, and Little Red in Into the Woods.

In addition, Savanna has written and premiered a total of 10 original compositions with varying instrumentation, one of which premiered in Vienna, Austria at the Vienna Summer Music Festival.

Education
Pursuing M.M. Vocal Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music B.A. Music Education, West Virginia University
B.A. Music Composition, West Virginia University Close
matthew-charboneau-bm-mno

Matthew Charboneau, BM, MNO

Chair, Center for Music

Matthew earned his Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and Master of Nonprofit Organization from CWRU’s Weatherhead School of Management. For the past twenty years he has been a freelance bassist, entrepreneur, manager of performing groups, ... Expand

Matthew earned his Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, and Master of Nonprofit Organization from CWRU’s Weatherhead School of Management. For the past twenty years he has been a freelance bassist, entrepreneur, manager of performing groups, and has provided leadership to the arts-based small business and nonprofit community.

Previously, he served as Assistant Director of Education at Beck Center for the Arts; Director of the COSE Arts Network; and Associate Director of Roots of American Music. Matthew served on the Board of Trustees of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, one of the nation's leading public arts funding agencies, from 2010 to 2016.

As a musician, Matthew is interested in many different styles and genres of music, with a focus on performing jazz, Afro-Cuban, rock, Americana/traditional, bluegrass, and neo-folk music across NE Ohio and beyond.

Education
MNO, Case Western Reserve University; BM, Oberlin College Close
nikki-claverie

Nikki Claverie

Manager, Center for Music

Nikki brings to The Music Settlement an established background in customer service, program coordination, and education. Her varied career includes tenures with several international organizations and non-profits, including Give Kids The World, Hilton Worldwide, and The Walt Disney Company. As a mu... Expand

Nikki brings to The Music Settlement an established background in customer service, program coordination, and education. Her varied career includes tenures with several international organizations and non-profits, including Give Kids The World, Hilton Worldwide, and The Walt Disney Company.

As a musician, Nikki performed with Encore! Cast Performing Arts at the Walt Disney World Resort, where she sang in charity concerts and performed alongside Jackie Evancho as part of the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC. She also has experience as a professional teaching artist in both theatrical and visual arts.

A Cleveland native and avid volunteer, Nikki is passionate about baking, performing, board games and spending time with her family.

Education
BA, Communications and Theatre Arts, Heidelberg University
BA, Early Childhood Education, Heidelberg University Close
nicole-castleberry-clouser

Nicole Castleberry Clouser

Instructor, Bass, Suzuki Bass

Mrs. Clouser had a rock-n-roll start, playing electric bass in rock bands. Her love of all music ultimately brought her to classical orchestral performance and the passion of instilling the love of music to others through music education. Mrs. Clouser received her BM from the Manhattan School of Mu... Expand

Mrs. Clouser had a rock-n-roll start, playing electric bass in rock bands. Her love of all music ultimately brought her to classical orchestral performance and the passion of instilling the love of music to others through music education.

Mrs. Clouser received her BM from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City studying with Orin O’Brien and continued with graduate studies at the Julliard School and ultimately received her MM from McGill University in Montreal.

Nicole is an active freelancer, performer and educator in the Cleveland area regularly performing with the Cleveland Pops and is devoted to teaching instrumental music at Shaker Heights Middle School and Woodbury Elementary in Shaker Heights, OH. She has performed with orchestras across the country as well as engagements at Blossom Music Center.

When she is not doing musical “things” she is hanging out with her family and wielding another bow in tournament archery.

Education
M.M., McGill University (Montreal, CA)
Graduate Studies, Julliard School
B.M., Manhattan School of Music Close
jennifer-cluggish

Jennifer Cluggish

Instructor, Suzuki Violin

Violinist Jennifer Cluggish is a registered violin teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and began teaching Suzuki in 2005. Ms. Cluggish has held positions on the faculty of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department, Miami University of Oxford Ohio, and Washi... Expand

Violinist Jennifer Cluggish is a registered violin teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and began teaching Suzuki in 2005.

Ms. Cluggish has held positions on the faculty of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Preparatory Department, Miami University of Oxford Ohio, and Washington Conservatory of Music in Washington D.C. She also served as the director of the Cincinnati Suzuki School in Cincinnati, Ohio from 2006-2016.

Her pedagogy training includes Suzuki books 1-7 with Doris Preucil, Ed Kreitman, Michelle George, and Nancy Jackson. Additional pedagogy studies include courses with Mimi Zweig at Jacob’s School of Music, Kurt Sussmanshaus at the College-Conservatory of Music, and Rebecca Henry at the Peabody School of Music. Ms. Cluggish is also experienced in the Paul Rolland method, Music Mind Games theory curriculum, and Musikgarten early childhood classes.

In addition, Ms. Cluggish is a freelance musician and performs with the West Virginia Symphony, Richmond Symphony, and Huntington Symphony. Ms. Cluggish’s other projects include performing chamber music for weddings and other events.

Education
MM, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
BM, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Close
patricia-console-mt-bc

Patricia Console, MT-BC

Instructor, Piano, Suzuki Piano, Suzuki Theory

Patty Console, MT-BC is a retired music therapist from the Center for Music Therapy. She began working at The Music Settlement in 2006. She received her teacher training in Suzuki Piano, Book 1 in 2016 and began accepting beginning piano students within a music therapy context. She now teaches begin... Expand

Patty Console, MT-BC is a retired music therapist from the Center for Music Therapy. She began working at The Music Settlement in 2006. She received her teacher training in Suzuki Piano, Book 1 in 2016 and began accepting beginning piano students within a music therapy context. She now teaches beginning piano students in the Center for Music.

Education
Western Michigan University Close
melanie-emig

Melanie Emig

Department Assistant, Suzuki; Instructor, Suzuki Piano

Melanie Emig is a Suzuki piano instructor and music educator. Raised in a musical family, she realized at an early age that music was her life's passion. She began studying Suzuki piano at the age of three and continued on to study voice and flute. A graduate from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music ... Expand

Melanie Emig is a Suzuki piano instructor and music educator. Raised in a musical family, she realized at an early age that music was her life's passion. She began studying Suzuki piano at the age of three and continued on to study voice and flute.

A graduate from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in vocal performance, Melanie performed with early music groups Apollo's Fire, Quire Cleveland and with Trinity Cathedral Chamber Choir. In 2018, she was a part of the world premiere of Cenk Ergun's FORMARE performed at the Cleveland Museum of Art. In 2019, she curated her first show entitled "SAMPLES" with the organization Fresh Perspectives.

As an educator, Melanie models her instruction after Dr. Suzuki's belief that we "should strive to deeply instill a beautiful, sensitive heart and splendid ability in children, believing that every child can develop into an adult who has these basic characteristics." She believes in fostering good habits and advocating for healthy, efficient, and intuitive playing.

Education
MM, Oberlin Conservatory of Music
BM, Oberlin Conservatory of Music Close
patricia-evans

Patricia Evans

Instructor, Piano

A scholarship student of Lithuanian pianist Andrius Kuprevicius, Patti Evans earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Cleveland State University. Further certifications in child brain development, significant experience with Dorothy Taubman’s groundbreaking approach to piano... Expand

A scholarship student of Lithuanian pianist Andrius Kuprevicius, Patti Evans earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Cleveland State University. Further certifications in child brain development, significant experience with Dorothy Taubman’s groundbreaking approach to piano technique, 20+ years of homeschooling, and her respect for family culture give her exceptional pedagogical insight.

Patti is an active member of NE-OMTA (Northeast Ohio Music Teachers Association), OFMC (Ohio Federation of Music Clubs), and coordinates the Jr. Fortnightly Musical Club of Cleveland. Her award-winning students regularly participate in festivals, recitals, workshops, masterclasses, and competitions. She is on the piano faculty at Lorain County Community College and joined The Music Settlement in 1992. Her studio accepts students as young as age four.

Education
BM, Piano Performance, Cleveland State University
Certifications: Child Brain Development, IAHP (Philadelphia PA); Dorothy Taubman Seminar (NYC); Keyboard Wellness (TX). Close
meredith-evans

Meredith Evans

Instructor, French Horn

Always up for a challenge, Meredith Evans picked up the horn at the age of 9, and never looked back. She is a Freelancer in the Cleveland area, and can be found collaborating with friends in groups such as The Cleveland Pops, The Youngstown Symphony, The Erie Philharmonic, Cleveland Playhouse, The ... Expand

Always up for a challenge, Meredith Evans picked up the horn at the age of 9, and never looked back. She is a Freelancer in the Cleveland area, and can be found collaborating with friends in groups such as The Cleveland Pops, The Youngstown Symphony, The Erie Philharmonic, Cleveland Playhouse, The Ashland Symphony, Akron & Canton Symphonies, The Mansfield Symphony, Firelands Symphony Orchestra, and many others. She has also shared the stage with many interesting artists, including Juan Diego Florez of The Met, Sarah Brightman, Hanson, and more.

Despite her classical background, Meredith quickly found joy in expanding her musical repertoire and started a long joy-filled relationship with the world of theater. She has played in over 100 total productions, including Beauty & the Beast, The Producers, Parade, Man of La Mancha, Oliver, and many others that she often has a hard time remembering. She has been the long term principal horn for productions at the Beck Center for The Arts, a sub with Cleveland Playhouse, as well as freelancing at many community theater productions throughout Northeast Ohio. There are also rumors that she was heard playing trumpet on A Little Night Music, Dreamgirls, Legally Blonde, and a few others - but she has yet to confirm this rumor!

In the midst of her freelancing career, Meredith took a chance and won the Low Horn position at the Orquesta Sinfonica de Yucatan in Merida, Mexico. In a whirlwind two weeks, she accepted the position, and moved to Mexico for the experience of a lifetime. She spent 4 years in Mexico before returning home to her family and her eclectic freelancing career.

Meredith also holds a full time ‘day job’ where she is Manager of the Pre Access Department at Southwest General Health Center. She spends what little free time she has lifting heavy things at the gym, hiking and biking through Ohio’s glorious parks, and spending time with family and friends.

Education
M.M, Kent State University M.M., Horn Performance, Baldwin Wallace College Close
darren-frate

Darren Frate

Instructor, Electric Bass Guitar; Ensemble, J@MS

Darren Frate has been playing bass for more than 35 years, including 15 as a teacher. He specializes in electric bass, music theory, and ensembles. He has toured and played with a variety of national acts, including Herman's Hermits ("I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am"), Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothe... Expand

Darren Frate has been playing bass for more than 35 years, including 15 as a teacher. He specializes in electric bass, music theory, and ensembles. He has toured and played with a variety of national acts, including Herman's Hermits ("I'm Henry the Eighth, I Am"), Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothers ("Ramblin' Man"), Gary Lewis and the Playboys ("This Diamond Ring"), Mitch Ryder ("Devil With a Blue Dress On"), Ian Hunter ("Cleveland Rocks"), Gerald Levert ("Casanova"), and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

Darren has also recorded several CDs with his own folk and jazz groups. The latest release by his current group, Velvet Voyage, features legendary jazz guitarist Mike Stern, known for his work with Miles Davis.

Education
Film Scoring, Berklee College of Music Close
annie-fullard

Annie Fullard

Ensemble, Chamber Music Intensive

Violinist Annie Fullard joyfully celebrates a life devoted to the performance of chamber music and to the collaborative bonds with students and colleagues developed in more than 30 years as first violinist of the Cavani String Quartet. A leader in the field of chamber music advocacy and education, M... Expand

Violinist Annie Fullard joyfully celebrates a life devoted to the performance of chamber music and to the collaborative bonds with students and colleagues developed in more than 30 years as first violinist of the Cavani String Quartet. A leader in the field of chamber music advocacy and education, Ms. Fullard recognizes the empathy and connectivity of chamber music as a metaphor for the kind of communication that we should strive for between cultures and nations. Currently serving as Distinguished Artist and Charles and Mary Jean Yates Chair in Chamber Music at The Mc Duffie Center for Strings at Mercer University, Program Director for Encore Chamber Music String Quartet Intensive and Teaching Artist -in – Residence for ChamberFest Cleveland, Ms Fullard and her Cavani colleagues served as faculty Quartet- in- Residence at The Cleveland Institute of Music from 1988-2018. Currently The Cavani Quartet is proud to be The Ambassador Ensemble- In- Residence directing Chamber Music Intensive Program at The Music Settlement, Cleveland, Ohio as well as Artistic Directors of Arts Renaissance Tremont.

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ann-gilbert

Ann Gilbert

Instructor, Suzuki Upright Bass, Upright Bass, Piano

Ann began her musical studies on piano at age 8. At age 11, she continued piano studies with Marianne Mastics and began string bass studies with George Wisneskey. In high school, she studied string bass with Harry Barnoff at The Cleveland Music School Settlement (dba "The Music Settlement"). She als... Expand

Ann began her musical studies on piano at age 8. At age 11, she continued piano studies with Marianne Mastics and began string bass studies with George Wisneskey. In high school, she studied string bass with Harry Barnoff at The Cleveland Music School Settlement (dba "The Music Settlement"). She also studied string bass with David Perlman, principal bass for The Cleveland Orchestra and John Schaeffer, principal bass for the New York Philharmonic.

Her classical performance résumé includes appointments as principal bass with the Symphonic Orchestra of the State of Mexico in Toluca, Mexico, assistant principal bass with the Oregon Symphony in Portland, Oregon, and in the Symphonic Orchestra of Seville, Spain.

She has played in orchestras backing up Kenny Rogers, Scott Hamilton, Kenny Loggins, Roger Daltry, Luciano Pavarotti, Jewel, Dennis DeYoung, the Three Tenors, Andrea Bocelli and the Moody Blues.

Ann has taught music at public and private institutions throughout Northeast Ohio. She currently plays principal bass with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra and is a member of the Firelands Symphony.

Education
Ph.D., University of Akron
M.M, Julliard School of Music
B.M., Cleveland Institute of Music Close
mckenna-glorioso

McKenna Glorioso

Instructor, Suzuki Violin, Suzuki Viola, Violin, Viola

McKenna Glorioso is a violinist, violist, and music educator based in Cleveland. McKenna has two degrees in Violin Performance: a Bachelor of Music from McGill University and a Master’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. They studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the C... Expand

McKenna Glorioso is a violinist, violist, and music educator based in Cleveland. McKenna has two degrees in Violin Performance: a Bachelor of Music from McGill University and a Master’s Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. They studied Suzuki Pedagogy with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the Cleveland Institute of Music and received additional pedagogy instruction from Prof. Andre Roy at McGill University. Although their primary instrument is violin, McKenna enjoys playing many instruments including the piano, electric bass, and theremin.

McKenna worked as a Teaching Artist in Rainey Institute’s El Sistema program from 2018 - 2022, which fostered a belief in accessible music education for all and a deep connection to the Cleveland community. Along with teaching in the El Sistema program, McKenna also worked in Rainey’s Development office as the organization’s Grants Manager, through which they expanded and diversified funding for Rainey’s programs and operations.

As a performer, McKenna is a violinist in the Akron Symphony Orchestra and Principal 2nd Violin of the Suburban Symphony. They also play frequently with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, Firelands Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and Cleveland Opera Theatre. In 2023, McKenna joined the national tour for “Our Planet: Live in Concert,” performing over 50 shows and traveling to over 30 states in just three months. McKenna also founded and manages Ensemble Mercury, a string quartet that plays for events around Northeast Ohio.

Finally, McKenna made their debut as a composer in 2023 through Maelstrom Collaborative Arts’ Cadre showcase. Along with their collaborators, they curated, presented, and performed in the work “Human/Nature,” an interactive art, music, and dance installation.

Education
MM, Violin Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music BM, Violin Performance, McGill University Close
ellie-glorioso

Ellie Glorioso

Instructor, Suzuki Cello

Ellie Glorioso (they/them) is an American cellist based in Cleveland, Ohio. They instruct at the Cleveland Institute of Music, The Music Settlement, and serve as Director of Strings at Notre Dame College, drawing students from all around Greater Cleveland. As a proud founding member of the Clevelan... Expand

Ellie Glorioso (they/them) is an American cellist based in Cleveland, Ohio. They instruct at the Cleveland Institute of Music, The Music Settlement, and serve as Director of Strings at Notre Dame College, drawing students from all around Greater Cleveland.

As a proud founding member of the Cleveland Music Exchange, Ellie helped develop an organization that connects skilled teachers with developing global music communities. Through CME Ellie has collaborated with music programs in Harare, Zimbabwe and Chihuahua, Mexico.

Ellie is also an active chamber and orchestral musician performing with ensembles such as Cleveland Opera Theatre, Opus 216, and the Young Artist Debut Orchestra. They take particular pleasure in performing at house concerts, bringing the beauty of chamber music to intimate audiences.

Education
MM, Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy, Cleveland Institute of Music
BM, Cello Performance, Butler University Close
robert-gruca

Robert Gruca

Instructor, Guitar, Suzuki Guitar; Ensemble Director, Guitar

Robert performs a wide range of solo, chamber, and concerto repertoire. Accomplishments include touring the eastern United States and Europe with The Cleveland Orchestra, performing Mahler's Symphony No. 7 under the direction of Franz Welser-Most. He has earned several first prizes in national guita... Expand

Robert performs a wide range of solo, chamber, and concerto repertoire. Accomplishments include touring the eastern United States and Europe with The Cleveland Orchestra, performing Mahler's Symphony No. 7 under the direction of Franz Welser-Most. He has earned several first prizes in national guitar competitions. He received the 2007 Distinguished Alumni award from Grand Valley State University, and has released two compact discs titled "Robert Gruca Classical Guitar" and "Handel - Arrangements for Guitar."

In addition to performing, Robert Gruca is a highly motivated and dedicated guitar instructor. Robert recently completed Every Child Can! and Guitar Unit 1 of the Suzuki Method of music instruction.

Together with TMS faculty flutist Linda White, Robert performs as part of the Gruca White Ensemble (www.grucawhiteensemble.com), an ensemble-in-residence at The Music Settlement. Their debut CD, "A Different Take," was released on November 13, 2020.

Education
M.M., Cleveland Institute of Music Close
anna-grudskaya

Anna Grudskaya

Instructor, Suzuki Piano, Piano

Anna Grudskaya is a classically-trained pianist and pedagogue. Winner of Santa Clara University's Concerto/Aria Competition, Van Waynen Piano Competition, and the 2017 Hartt Chamber Music Competition, Dr. Grudskaya has performed in concert halls in the United States and abroad. Festival appearances ... Expand

Anna Grudskaya is a classically-trained pianist and pedagogue. Winner of Santa Clara University's Concerto/Aria Competition, Van Waynen Piano Competition, and the 2017 Hartt Chamber Music Competition, Dr. Grudskaya has performed in concert halls in the United States and abroad. Festival appearances have included the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria; International Keyboard Institute and Festival; Aspen Music Festival; and Beijing International Music Festival and Academy. Grudskaya has earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts at The Hartt School, as well as degrees from Mannes College, New York University, and Santa Clara University. Having completed Suzuki Teacher Training at The School for Strings, Grudskaya's approach to teaching includes a unique blend of both traditional and Suzuki methods. Aside from her work at The Music Settlement, she serves as piano instructor at The Hartt School Community Division and summer piano faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp.

Education
D.M.A, The Hartt School
Mannes College
New York University
Santa Clara University Close
stephan-haluska

Stephan Haluska

Instructor, Harp, Suzuki Harp, Suzuki Theory; Ensemble Director, Harp Ensemble

Stephan Haluska is a harpist, composer, arranger, and improviser whose music spans from classical and traditional, to jazz, pop, and experimental. Stephan attempts to expand the harp beyond its preconceived notions and stereotypes, creating new roles and opportunities for the instrument. He examines... Expand

Stephan Haluska is a harpist, composer, arranger, and improviser whose music spans from classical and traditional, to jazz, pop, and experimental. Stephan attempts to expand the harp beyond its preconceived notions and stereotypes, creating new roles and opportunities for the instrument. He examines the harp’s unique textural, harmonic, and percussive qualities. He focuses on including non-traditional harp techniques, adding preparations and tools, and explores harp sounds only possible through the use of electronic effects pedals and computer processing.

Stephan holds an MFA in Harp Performance with a concentration in Improvisation from Mills College in Oakland, CA where he studied with Zeena Parkins, Roscoe Mitchell, Fred Frith, and Karen Gottlieb. Stephan received his BA in Music Theory and Composition from Bowling Green State University where he studied with Mikel Kuehn, Elainie Lillios, and Chris Dietz. Stephan grew up in the Cleveland area where studied harp with longtime TMS harp teacher, Jocelyn Chang. Stephan releases original music for solo harp and with collaborative groups under his own name.

Stephan has been with The Music Settlement since 2017 where he teaches private harp students, group harp outreach classes, and group Suzuki music theory. He performs as a soloist and collaborator at venues around the Cleveland area, including several performances at BOP STOP at The Music Settlement.

Education
MFA, Harp Performance (concentration in Improvisation), Mills College
BA, Music Theory and Composition, Bowling Green State University Close
helen-hawersaat

Helen Hawersaat

Instructor, Cello

Cleveland native Helen Hawersaat picked up the cello at age four and has been playing (and participating in events at TMS!) ever since. She has completed training in all units of the Suzuki method, and is committed to personalized, holistic teaching. She fully believes that any willing child or adul... Expand

Cleveland native Helen Hawersaat picked up the cello at age four and has been playing (and participating in events at TMS!) ever since. She has completed training in all units of the Suzuki method, and is committed to personalized, holistic teaching. She fully believes that any willing child or adult can learn to make music.

A student of Richard Aaron, she graduated maxima cum laude from the University of Michigan School of Music in 2017. She began teaching at The Music Settlement in 2018 as an outreach instructor and a private teacher. She has also taught at the Toledo Symphony School of Music and the Avon School of Music.

Helen is also active as a chamber musician in the Cleveland area. She regularly coordinates and performs music for concerts, weddings, and other events, and recently has appeared on the BrownBag Concert Series at Trinity Cathedral in 2021 and 2022, in the CityMusic Cleveland 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Pantheon Ensemble, and on The Music Settlement’s Signature Series in 2019. She and harpist Celisa Gutierrez released their debut album, Immaculate Heart, in 2018.

Education
University of Michigan School of Music Close
glenn-holmes

Glenn Holmes

Instructor, Electric Bass Guitar, Upright Bass; Ensemble, J@MS

Glenn Holmes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has performed as a guest soloist both in the classical and jazz idioms. He is a former member of the Wichita Symphony and a published composer. He is also a past member of the Jazz faculty of Wichita State, Friends University and Cleveland State University.... Expand

Glenn Holmes, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has performed as a guest soloist both in the classical and jazz idioms. He is a former member of the Wichita Symphony and a published composer. He is also a past member of the Jazz faculty of Wichita State, Friends University and Cleveland State University.

Performances have been with Benny Golson, Sean Jones, Doc Cheatum, Earl Warren, Jerry Hahn, Richie Cole, Charlie Rouse, Andy Narell, Keith Copeland, Eddie Daniels, Steve Houghton, Don Braden, Joe Williams, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Watson, Frank Mantooth, Dennis Wilson, Benny Bailey, Ignacio Beroa, Uhron Israel, Robin Eubanks, Vanessa Rubin, Antonio Hart, James Newton, Clark Terry, Nancy Wilson, Javon Jackson, Charlie Haden, Russell Malone, Cindy Blackman-Santana, the Jazz Heritage Orchestra and others.

Currently, Glenn has his own quartet and works as a freelance bassist. He is currently on the faculty of The Music School Settlement (Cleveland, OH).

Education
MM, Theory/Composition, Wichita State University
BM, String Bass & Music Theory, Miami University (Ohio) Close
brandy-hudelson

Brandy Hudelson

Instructor, Flute

Brandy Hudelson is a dedicated educator and accomplished artist, an internationally renowned flutist, chamber musician, and composer. As a classical flutist, Brandy has performed on the stages of esteemed orchestras such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, CityMusic Cle... Expand

Brandy Hudelson is a dedicated educator and accomplished artist, an internationally renowned flutist, chamber musician, and composer. As a classical flutist, Brandy has performed on the stages of esteemed orchestras such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, CityMusic Cleveland, the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and many others.

She also performs throughout the U.S. with her pioneering wind trio The Aurea Silva Trio. The trio has commissioned and premiered several new works, including award winning composer Patrick Harlin’s Dead Reckoner and Michael Schachter’s Trio for Flute, Bassoon, and Piano.

Brandy has a wide range of teaching experience, having served on the faculties of Oakland University and Interlochen Arts Camp, leading workshops and flute festivals, and teaching students of all ages. She enjoys working with students on their own unique paths and helping them enjoy playing the flute to the fullest. She is equally at home teaching beginner and intermediate students, adult amateurs, university-level students, professionals, and working on college audition preparation.

Brandy is also widely known as a beatbox flutist and composer. Her popular works are performed all over the world and have earned the distinction of First Prize in the National Flute Association Newly Composed Music Competition Solo Flute and Chamber Music categories.

Brandy holds a B.M. in performance from Michigan State University, a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Advanced Flute Studies from Carnegie Mellon University where she studied with Jeanne Baxtresser.

When Brandy is not performing and teaching, she spends time with her husband and daughter, and enjoys gardening, foraging, making fermented foods, and cooking.

Education
Certificate, Advanced Flute Studies, Carnegie Mellon University
M.M. University of Michigan
B.M., Michigan State University Close
christopher-jenkins

Christopher Jenkins

Head of Musical Community Engagement; Instructor, Violin & Viola

Christopher Jenkins, Associate Dean for Academic Support at Oberlin Conservatory, is an educator, administrator, and performing violist. At Oberlin, he is a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Conservatory Liaison to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. He was Deputy Director and professor of... Expand

Christopher Jenkins, Associate Dean for Academic Support at Oberlin Conservatory, is an educator, administrator, and performing violist. At Oberlin, he is a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Conservatory Liaison to the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. He was Deputy Director and professor of viola and violin at the Barenboim-Said Foundation in Ramallah, West Bank, from 2013-14, and served as Dean of the Sphinx Performance Academy (SPA), the Sphinx Organization’s summer music program for minority youth, for seven years. In 2005, he was a laureate of the Sphinx Competition. Through a Curriculum Diversification Grant from the American Society for Aesthetics, in 2017 Mr. Jenkins published an annotated bibliography of works pertaining to African-American participation in the field of classical music, and presents on issues of diversity within classical music.

In 2011, Mr. Jenkins earned a master's degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, focusing on the study of human rights and conflict resolution. His international engagement has included performances and teaching in Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Israel, China, Colombia, and South Africa, including a performance with the Jordan National Symphony at the World Heritage Site of Petra in 2016. In the summer of 2017, he served as a guest artist and teacher at the Afghan National Institute of Music in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is currently earning a DMA in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a PhD in Historical Musicology from Case Western Reserve, where his work focuses on the music of African-American composers. His teachers have included Lynne Ramsey, Michael Tree, Martha Katz, Karen Dreyfus, Karen Ritscher, Michelle LaCourse, and Carol Rodland. Previous alma maters include Harvard University, New England Conservatory, and the Manhattan School of Music.

Education
M.A., Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs Close
seth-johnson

Seth Johnson

Instructor, Guitar, Electric Bass Guitar

Seth L Johnson is an established guitarist, a passionate composer and dedicated educator of all ages and skill levels. Born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in Cleveland, he began playing and experimenting with guitars at age 10. Largely self-taught, Seth has had the opportunity to share the stage or reco... Expand

Seth L Johnson is an established guitarist, a passionate composer and dedicated educator of all ages and skill levels. Born in Buffalo, NY, and raised in Cleveland, he began playing and experimenting with guitars at age 10. Largely self-taught, Seth has had the opportunity to share the stage or record with diverse and noteworthy artists such as Pharoah Monch, Jean Grae, Camp Lo, Andy Allo, Mob Deep, and countless others. His festival performances have taken him to Rotterdam, Singapore, and Morrocco.

Johnson grasps and interprets a well-rounded, expansive scope of musical genres. He plays Jazz, Western Classical, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, Brazilian, African, Country, Funk, Bosa Nova, Hip Hop, and any popular North American styles. From free improvised music, to Rock, to Jazz standards, he will have fun with all of it, taking the music as far as his body allows.

Education
M.M, Mason Gross School of the Arts
B.M., Jazz Performance, San Francisco State University Close
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Arthur Kane, Jr.

Piano Department Head Emeritus; Instructor, Piano, Harpsichord, & Organ

Arthur Kane joined The Music Settlement's faculty in 1973. Since 1990 he has been Head of the Piano Department, and teaches piano, harpsichord, and organ. He has been Director of The Music Settlement's Piano Camp since its inception in 2001. He has performed widely in the U.S. and Europe, including ... Expand

Arthur Kane joined The Music Settlement's faculty in 1973. Since 1990 he has been Head of the Piano Department, and teaches piano, harpsichord, and organ. He has been Director of The Music Settlement's Piano Camp since its inception in 2001. He has performed widely in the U.S. and Europe, including his own compositions. Arthur is the Director of Music and Liturgy at Our Lady of Hope in Bedford, OH, and has served as the organist at synagogues around Greater Cleveland.

Education
MM, Piano and Music History, Ohio University
BM, Piano, Cleveland Institute of Music Close
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Ella Karasik

Instructor, Piano

Pianist Ella Karasik has been teaching at The MusicSettlement since 1990. Ella has a unique teaching style, personalized for each student, that combines professional standards with the joy of learning to play piano. She takes particular pride in the many accomplishments of her students who consisten... Expand

Pianist Ella Karasik has been teaching at The MusicSettlement since 1990. Ella has a unique teaching style, personalized for each student, that combines professional standards with the joy of learning to play piano. She takes particular pride in the many accomplishments of her students who consistently win or place high in international, state, and local competitions. Many of her students have performed at Carnegie Hall (New York), Severance Hall (Cleveland), the United Nations, among other notable stages. Many of them have also performed as soloists with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Lakeside Symphony, World Piano Competition orchestra, and others.

Education
MM, Piano Performance
Artist's Diploma, Azerbaijan State Conservatory Close
dina-khudayberdieva

Dina Khudayberdieva

Instructor, Piano

Dina Khudayberdieva learned her first piano piece at the age of six years. After completing her degree, she began teaching piano in the Preparatory Department of the Tashkent Conservatory. For 20 years, Dina specialized in preparing students for competitions and conservatory auditions. She was a lau... Expand

Dina Khudayberdieva learned her first piano piece at the age of six years. After completing her degree, she began teaching piano in the Preparatory Department of the Tashkent Conservatory. For 20 years, Dina specialized in preparing students for competitions and conservatory auditions. She was a laureate and prize winner of many national piano competitions, and performed regularly as a soloist with the Uzbekistan Philharmonic Orchestra. Currently, Dina teaches at The Music Settlement and serves as a choir director at the Reformation Lutheran Church. She was also a faculty member of the Cleveland Institute of Music where she taught for 9 years. Dina's students perform in many annual recitals, participate in music festivals, Buckeye Auditions, Cleveland State University recitals, and have competition opportunities throughout the year.

Education
Combined Degree, Piano Performance and Music Pedagogy, Tashkent Conservatory of Uzbekistan Close
ok-sim-kim

Ok-Sim Kim

Instructor, Voice

Ok-Sim Nam Kim has been a member of The Music Settlement's voice faculty since 1990. Her opera roles include Violetta (La Traviata), Micaela (Carmen), and Gilda (Rigoletto). She taught music at Kangwoon High School, Seoul, Korea for ten years. Ok-Sim won the first prize at a contest for music teache... Expand

Ok-Sim Nam Kim has been a member of The Music Settlement's voice faculty since 1990. Her opera roles include Violetta (La Traviata), Micaela (Carmen), and Gilda (Rigoletto). She taught music at Kangwoon High School, Seoul, Korea for ten years. Ok-Sim won the first prize at a contest for music teachers sponsored by Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea. She is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon. She has served as Soloist for the Fairmount Presbyterian Church choir, Cleveland Heights; Conductor, Euclid Lutheran Church choir; and has directed and conducted the choir for Temple Israel Ner Tamid in Mayfield Heights since 2000. Ok-Sim has been a member of Governing Council of the Arts Song Festival since 2007.

Education
Artist Diploma in Voice, CIM;
MM, Voice and Choir Conducting, Ouachita Baptist University;
BM, Hanyang University (S. Korea) Close
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Marsha Kincade

Instructor, Oboe, Bassoon, Outreach

Marsha Croskey Kincade is an oboist and music educator. She has taught private lessons for over a decade and has also coached middle school and high school double reed sectionals. Marsha is the principal oboe of the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra and also performs yearly with Winds of the Mountai... Expand

Marsha Croskey Kincade is an oboist and music educator. She has taught private lessons for over a decade and has also coached middle school and high school double reed sectionals. Marsha is the principal oboe of the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra and also performs yearly with Winds of the Mountain Empire in Big Stone Gap, VA. Her primary teachers are Tedrow Perkins, Jacqueline Leclair, and Lynne Mangan.

Throughout her career, she has taught in a variety of classroom settings in Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia schools. This includes teaching elementary general music, elementary strings, and elementary, middle, and high school band. At The Music Settlement, Marsha serves as an instructor for private lessons and Music Safari Camp. She also serves as the director for Magnifi-Pops, a pop orchestra outreach program at Magnificat High School.

Along with her work at The Music Settlement, she is also the music and band teacher at Our Lady of Angels School. Marsha has also served as an instructor for Single Reed Pedagogy and Double Reed and Flute Pedagogy at Case Western Reserve University.

Along with teaching, she has presented sessions at professional development conferences and presented research at state and national level conferences. She is a member of the Ohio Music Education Association, The National Association for Music Education, the International Double Reed Society, and the National Band Association.

Education
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
M.M., Comprehensive Music Education, Bowling Green State University
B.M., Instrumental Music Education, Youngstown State University Close
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Julie King

Instructor, Cello

Julie Myers King, cellist, is a member of the Akron Symphony, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony (and serves as Personnel Manager), the Blossom Festival Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and often performs with the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, as well as at Playhouse Square and the Cleveland Play... Expand

Julie Myers King, cellist, is a member of the Akron Symphony, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony (and serves as Personnel Manager), the Blossom Festival Orchestra, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and often performs with the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, as well as at Playhouse Square and the Cleveland Playhouse.

Ms. King has been on the faculty of The Music Settlement since 1993. She holds degrees in cello performance from Indiana University and Louisiana State University. She is an active freelancer in the Northeast Ohio area, and spent thirteen winters as the Assistant Principal Cellist of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra as well as seven summers participating in The Spoleto Festival. She is the cellist with The Athena Quartet and she has also performed as baroque cellist with the Cleveland Camerata and the Case Western Reserve Baroque Orchestra.

Ms. King has played with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Rod Stewart, Paul Shaffer, The Three Tenors, Clay Aiken, Sarah Brightman, Dennis DeYoung, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, Roberta Flack, Don Henley and Mannheim Steamroller. In addition, she can be heard on the Albany Record label as well as the soundtrack for the movie, “Across the Universe,” and seen on the HBO special “The 2012 Rock Hall Inductions.” She resides in Cleveland Heights with her husband Richard, their children Charlie and Amelia, and their dog, Ernie.

Education
M.M., Cello Performance, Louisiana State University
B.M., Cello Performance, Indiana University Close
paul-kirk

Paul Kirk

Instructor, Fiddle; Coordinator, Old-Time Jam

Paul Kirk has been playing bowed string instruments since 1980 and has been teaching them privately in classroom settings and workshop formats since 1988. He studied music theory, composition, music education, music history, and musicology at Cleveland State University. While at CSU, Paul played vio... Expand

Paul Kirk has been playing bowed string instruments since 1980 and has been teaching them privately in classroom settings and workshop formats since 1988. He studied music theory, composition, music education, music history, and musicology at Cleveland State University. While at CSU, Paul played violas da gamba, krummhorns, and recorders in early music ensembles. He was a founding member of Good Company: A Vocal Ensemble and has founded many of his own bands over the years including A Hundred Thousand Welcomes Celtic Ensemble, Knives and Forks English Country Dance Ensemble, and Down the Road Old-Time String Band. He has composed over 500 folk tunes in a variety of styles.

Paul has closely studied the music of Appalachia, the history of American old-time fiddling, source fiddlers, as well as the social aspects of the music. Since July 1, 2018, he has been creating and sharing videos each Sunday through his Old-Time Tune of the Week series on YouTube. Paul puts a great focus on fiddle bowing patterns and techniques and has devised practical methods for teaching with excellent results. One of his specialties is teaching old-time fiddle to crossover students, especially those coming from a background in classical violin and other musical traditions.

In 2022, Paul was designated as a master old-time fiddler and received a Traditional Arts grant from the Ohio Arts Council to work with an apprentice of his choice.

Paul taught viola, choir, music history, and assisted with drama and art for ten consecutive summers at orchestra and fine arts camps for The Music Settlement when it was known as the Cleveland Music School Settlement.

Education
Cleveland State University Close
callista-koh

Callista Koh

Suzuki Department Head; Instructor, Suzuki Violin

Callista Koh has been a full time Suzuki violin instructor at the Music Settlement since September of 2001, and the Suzuki Department Chair since August 2010. Prior to her appointment at The Music Settlement, Callista was on the Suzuki faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Fairmount F... Expand

Callista Koh has been a full time Suzuki violin instructor at the Music Settlement since September of 2001, and the Suzuki Department Chair since August 2010.

Prior to her appointment at The Music Settlement, Callista was on the Suzuki faculty at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Fairmount Fine Arts Center, where she was also Assistant Director of their Suzuki program. From 2003-2008, she served on the faculty of the East Cleveland Suzuki Strings Program, the first Suzuki program of its kind in the United States, along with Michele Higa-George, then Director of the Sato Center at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Callista had the opportunity to take the performing group from ECSS, Rainbow Strings, to the 2004 National Suzuki Conference in Minneapolis, where they performed during the opening ceremony. She presented a workshop during the conference as well. Callista has also been on the faculty for the Evergreen Music Festival in Washington State and the Vermont Youth Orchestra Festival.

An active freelance violinist in the area, Callista has performed with the Akron, Canton, and Wheeling Symphony Orchestras, the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, and The Cleveland Orchestra. She has also performed at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Playhouse, Blossom, Porthouse Theater and the Cleveland Museum of Art, playing a wide variety of music ranging from classical to Broadway musicals and rock concerts. In 2006, she had the opportunity to perform for President Clinton, and was also invited to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra when the ceremony came to Cleveland both in 2009 and 2012.

Callista founded Arts for Us in December 2007, a concert series at The Music Settlement dedicated to providing individuals with special needs and their families an opportunity to enjoy the highest quality live musical performances in a comfortable and welcoming setting. The series was inspired by her son, Evan, a child with special needs who loves music, and the desire to share the concert experience together.

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kate-kooser

Kate Kooser

Instructor, Voice

Kate Kooser is a singer songwriter and educator from Cleveland, OH. She received her degree in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University in 2013, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Akron. Kate is a soloist at St. Dominic Church in Shaker Hei... Expand

Kate Kooser is a singer songwriter and educator from Cleveland, OH. She received her degree in Jazz Studies from Bowling Green State University in 2013, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Akron.

Kate is a soloist at St. Dominic Church in Shaker Heights and the director of music at The Church in Silver Lake. She has participated in vocal ensembles around the Northeast Ohio area. She is a private voice instructor, and teaches voice lessons and classes at The Music Settlement, Tri-C Creative Arts Academy, Cleveland Montessori through Roots of American Music, and other locations. Kate served as the director of the New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camps for 4 years in Bowling Green, OH, Ithaca, NY, and Ptuj, Slovenia. In 2018, Kate co-directed a chorus for the Contemporary Youth Orchestra's performance with Kenny Loggins. She also sang background vocals on the concert with Loggins. In 2019, she directed the Tri-C Vocal Arts Mastery Chorus in two sold out shows with Contemporary Youth Orchestra and Jason Mraz at Severance Hall.

Kate performs mostly folk and country music, drawing influences from the Texas songwriter traditions, and contemporary folk artists. She has performed around Cleveland at establishments like The Barking Spider, Brothers Lounge, Nighttown, The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, and the GAR Hall (Peninsula), as well as regionally in Michigan and New York. In addition to being a solo performer, Kate finds great joy in singing harmonies. She has had the pleasure of backing up Kenny Loggins, Terence Blanchard, Catie Curtis, Charlie Mosbrook, Laura Webster, GS Harper, and more. You can also hear Kate as a part of the duo Juniper Dust, performing two part harmonies and guitar work with Matt Harmon.

Education
BM, Jazz Studies, Bowling Green State University Close
nathan-kruse

Nathan Kruse

Instructor, Theory; Ensemble Director, Adult Orchestra

Nathan B. Kruse is Associate Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music Education at Case Western Reserve University. Kruse joined the CWRU faculty in 2013 and teaches courses in research methods, music cognition and learning, vernacular music, and classroom guitar. Pr... Expand

Nathan B. Kruse is Associate Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music Education at Case Western Reserve University. Kruse joined the CWRU faculty in 2013 and teaches courses in research methods, music cognition and learning, vernacular music, and classroom guitar. Prior to his appointment at CWRU, he served as Assistant Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Music Education at the University of North Texas. He earned music education degrees from Butler University (BME), the University of New Mexico (MM), and Michigan State University (Ph.D.).

Kruse’s research interests include adult music education and lifespan learning, ethnographic traditions of community music, and school-university partnerships. He has presented research at national and international conferences in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, China, Thailand, Greece, and Canada, and his publications have appeared in books and peer-reviewed research journals, including the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Arts Education Policy Review, the International Journal of Community Music, the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Research Studies in Music Education, the Journal of Music, Technology, and Education, Contributions to Music Education, and Visions of Research in Music Education. He is currently an editorial board member of the Journal of Music Teacher Education and Visions of Research in Music Education.

Kruse taught middle school and high school instrumental music in New Mexico and Michigan, and remains an active public school colleague as a conductor, clinician, and performer. He is a member of the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA), Pi Kappa Lambda, Mu Phi Epsilon, and Kappa Kappa Psi. In addition, Kruse was a graduate fellow in the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (2006-2007), and was a recipient of the Excellence-in-Teaching Citation at Michigan State University (2007), the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Adult and Community Music Education Special Research Interest Group (2008), and was nominated for the J. H. Shelton Excellence in Teaching Award at the University of North Texas (2010) and the John S. Diekhoff Award for Graduate Mentorship at Case Western Reserve University (2015).

Education
Ph.D., Michigan State University
M.M., University of New Mexico
B.M.E., Butler University Close
kimberly-lauritsen

Kimberly Lauritsen

Voice Department Head; Instructor, Voice, Violin, Suzuki Violin, Suzuki Theory; Ensemble Director, The Settlement Singers

Mezzo-soprano Kim Lauritsen frequently appears with The Cleveland Orchestra, most recently as soloist in The Lord of the Rings Symphony at the Blossom Music Center under the direction of the composer Howard Shore, and at Severence Hall in Debussys Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien under the baton of Mat... Expand

Mezzo-soprano Kim Lauritsen frequently appears with The Cleveland Orchestra, most recently as soloist in The Lord of the Rings Symphony at the Blossom Music Center under the direction of the composer Howard Shore, and at Severence Hall in Debussys Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien under the baton of Matthias Pintscher. She has performed lead roles with Opera per tutti, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Opera Cleveland on Tour, CIM Opera Theater, the Janiec Opera Company, and UNL's Opera Theater. A champion of new music, Ms. Lauritsen recently debuted roles in Jim Harris and Mark Hayes' new musical "Civil War Voices", Monica Houghton's opera "The Big Bonanza", and Randall Eng's opera "Florida".

Ms. Lauritsen performs with the Opera Cleveland Chorus, is Music Director of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, and teaches voice, violin, and theory at The Music Settlement. She is the recipient of the Boris Goldovsky Prize in Opera, the Vassos Prize in Art Song, a Special Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and is a student of George Vassos.

Education
MM, Voice, Cleveland Institute of Music Close
ken-leegrand

Ken LeeGrand

J@MS Department Head; Instructor, Saxophone, Clarinet; Ensemble Director, J@MS

Ken has performed with Arthur Fiedler, Freda Payne, Jean Carne, Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Miracles, Michael McDonald, The Funk Brothers, and Aretha Franklin (to name a few). With his group Horns and Things, Ken has had the privilege of being the opening act for the late Dexte... Expand

Ken has performed with Arthur Fiedler, Freda Payne, Jean Carne, Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, The Miracles, Michael McDonald, The Funk Brothers, and Aretha Franklin (to name a few). With his group Horns and Things, Ken has had the privilege of being the opening act for the late Dexter Gordon, El DeBarge, Freddie Hubbard, Ronnie Laws, Phillip Bailey and Joe Sample.

Ken has also done pit work for numerous plays at The Cleveland Playhouse and in Playhouse Square. LeeGrand has also performed at venues including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jacobs Field, Gund Arena, and Blossom Music Center. As a traveling musician, Ken has performed extensively throughout The United States and Europe.

For the last 16 years, Ken has been the resident artist for the Grammy Signature School Shaker Heights School District Music Department that has 1000+ students from grade 5 through 12.

Education
BM, Clarinet, University of Akron Close
victoria-marra

Victoria Marra

Instructor, Clarinet

Clarinetist Victoria Marra graduated from Baldwin Wallace College where she studied in the Conservatory with Dr. Alan Squire. Further studies were at the Johannessen International School of the Arts, Canada. As soloist she performed in Cleveland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Toronto. She has presented w... Expand

Clarinetist Victoria Marra graduated from Baldwin Wallace College where she studied in the Conservatory with Dr. Alan Squire. Further studies were at the Johannessen International School of the Arts, Canada. As soloist she performed in Cleveland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Toronto. She has presented world premieres of solo, chamber, and orchestral compositions by Ohio composers. Victoria was soloist with the Cleveland Composers Guild and the Guild of Temple Musicians. For thirteen summers she performed with the Blossom Festival Band. She is principal clarinetist of the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra and is guest conductor of that ensemble. Her students are members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, Contemporary Youth Orchestra and World Youth Symphony.

Education

Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music

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Gabriela Martinez

Instructor, Voice, Piano

Gabriela Martinez began her musical studies at the Alejandro Garcia Caturla Music Conservatory in Havana, Cuba. She completed the high school music program at The National School of Music in Havana. Later on, she moved to Santiago, Chile where she obtained the Bachelor Degree in Choral Direction and... Expand

Gabriela Martinez began her musical studies at the Alejandro Garcia Caturla Music Conservatory in Havana, Cuba. She completed the high school music program at The National School of Music in Havana. Later on, she moved to Santiago, Chile where she obtained the Bachelor Degree in Choral Direction and Vocal Performance at the University of Chile. In 2011, she received her Master Degree in Vocal Performance at The Cleveland State University(CSU).

Among all the musical and artistic activities performed in Chile, Mrs. Martinez was an active member of “Bellas Artes” Chamber Choral Group, touring important venues in South America and Europe. As the Music Director of the Chorus of the Municipal Theater of Temuco, Chile, Gabriela performed symphonic and operatic repertoire. She played different roles in operas such as Traviata, Madame Butterfly and La Boheme, as well as performing soloistic parts in important symphonic vocal works.

In 2009 she performed with the Cleveland Orchestra in operas such as Cosi fan tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro.

She worked at Beck Center for the Arts teaching voice and piano from 2012 until 2016. Gabriela is currently a member of the Voice Faculty at Cleveland State University and she is also the Music Director at the North Olmsted Methodist Church, where she conducts the choir and bell choir.

Mrs. Martinez has been an active performer, appearing in different and important local concert venues performing works such as Handel’s Messiah with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Faure’s Requiem, Lifesongs by David R. Gillingham with the Cleveland State University’s band and operatic arias and art song repertoire at solo recitals with piano as well as accompanied by various instrumental ensembles.

Education
M.M. Vocal Performance, Cleveland State University
B.M. Choral Direction and Vocal Performance, University of Chile Close
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James May

Ensemble, J@MS

James May is a native Clevelander and Music Director/Bandleader for a 21-piece not-for-profit community jazz/praise big band, called Gabriel’s Horns. Members include professional and amateur musicians, music educators, college students and talented youth. The band has a rich history of local p... Expand

James May is a native Clevelander and Music Director/Bandleader for a 21-piece not-for-profit community jazz/praise big band, called Gabriel’s Horns. Members include professional and amateur musicians, music educators, college students and talented youth. The band has a rich history of local performances including Severance Hall MLK Jr. Concert, Cleveland State University’s Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival, Cleveland Ingenuity Festivals, Cleveland Art Museum, The House of Blues, The Bop Stop, Cleveland’s Tall Ship Festival, Cuyahoga County Fair, Worship Centers, Assisted Living Facilities and Trinity Cathedral Brown Bag Noon Concert Series. Gabriel’s Horns considers the mentoring of young musicians an integral part of its mission.

Gabriel’s Horns has featured local and world renowned jazz artists and vocalists, such as Eddie Baccus Sr., Ron Davis, Maria Jacobs, Evelyn Wright, Sabra Dodge, gospel singer Kelly Chapman, Gospel Group Chairo! Praise, pianists Jackie Warren, Saxophonists Eddie Baccus Jr., Bobby Selvaggio, Chris Coles, Jim Noel, Nathan Davis, Johnny Cochran, trumpeters Dennis Reynolds, Theresa May, Mark Russo, Melvin Burkes, Joe Trczinski, Doug James, Bassists Jesse Dandy Jr., Glenn Holmes, percussionist Bill Ransom, Ralph Jackson, Neil Chastain, and trombonists Dick Wooley and Chris Anderson.

Mr. May has over 20 years of big band and brass banding experience. He received his formal music/trumpet training from Cleveland State University and brass banding, conducting from world renowned Salvation Army Bandmasters and Composers such as Dr. Keith Wilkinson, Dr. Ronald Holz, Dr. Anita Hunt and Dr. William Himes. He was solo cornetist and Deputy Bandmaster in The Salvation Army Northeast Ohio Brass Band. In addition, Mr. May is a bass/baritone vocalist in The Martin Luther King Jr. Mass Choir, which performs yearly at Severance Hall.

Education
Cleveland State University Close
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Eve McPherson

Instructor, Voice

Eve McPherson is Associate Professor of Music at Kent State University at Trumbull. She earned a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master’s in ethnomusicology from Tufts University. Her research focuses on voice studies and Turkish music practice... Expand

Eve McPherson is Associate Professor of Music at Kent State University at Trumbull. She earned a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a master’s in ethnomusicology from Tufts University. Her research focuses on voice studies and Turkish music practices. McPherson also holds a master’s degree in voice from the University of California at Santa Barbara. As a performer, she has most frequently appeared as the Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), which the Bay State Banner described as “note perfect…and formidable.” She has especially enjoyed premiering new works such as the role of Anchee Min in William Kraft’s Red Azalea and ErtuÄŸrul OÄŸuz Fırat’s Gerçek, Simge, Oyun, which was subsequently released on AK records and broadcast on the TRT (Turkish National Radio). Other favorable reviews of performances have appeared in publications such the UK’s Opera Now, the LA Times, the Santa Barbara Independent, and the Lansing State Journal. Locally she enjoys partnering with the Music for Our Children benefit concert series in Cleveland and the Arts on Atlantic series in Warren, Ohio. She is a staff singer at Christ Episcopal Church in Warren.

Education
Ph.D., Ethnomusicology, University of California at Santa Barbara
M.M., Ethnomusicology, Tufts University
M.M., Voice, University of California at Santa Barbara Close
joseph-miller

Joseph Miller

Instructor, Trumpet

Joseph H. Miller is one of the most asked-for trumpet players in Northeast Ohio. His big sound, joyful approach, and high-energy solo work can be heard from Playhouse Square to the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and many places in between. Joe is currently the Principal Trumpet at Playhouse Square, secon... Expand

Joseph H. Miller is one of the most asked-for trumpet players in Northeast Ohio. His big sound, joyful approach, and high-energy solo work can be heard from Playhouse Square to the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and many places in between.

Joe is currently the Principal Trumpet at Playhouse Square, second chair/split lead and soloist with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and performs locally and regionally with his own group and several jazz, salsa, and funk groups. He has performed for many internationally touring Broadway shows, as well as dozens of solo artists including Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Tony Vega, La India, Johnny Mathis, Frankie Valli, and more. He toured internationally with the Acid Jazz group, Liquid Soul, and with Bobby Caldwell. Joe’s recording credits are also many and varied, including a Grammy-nominated recording with Doug Johns; the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra; The Jack Schantz Jazz Unit; Paul Ferguson’s Jazz Orchestra; Sammy Deleon; the late Gerald Levert; and many more.

Joe has been a member of the Music Faculty at Cleveland State University since 2011, specializing in Jazz and Commercial music, and has been with The Music Settlement since 2017. He has been teaching trumpet in and around Cleveland for more than 25 years. In that time, he has been a resident coach and artist with many schools in the area, and has built a reputation for helping students with sound, range, and technique. Joe is a proud Cleveland State University alum and former (and forever) student of Charles Couch (Cleveland Orchestra, retired) and jazz great Kenny Davis.

Education
Cleveland State University Close
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Eva Mondragón

String Department Head; Instructor, Violin & Viola

Violist Eva Mondragón has cultivated an engaging and diverse career as a music collaborator and educator. Originally beginning her classical musical studies on violin, Eva switched to viola in high school, and then pursued her undergraduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory under the guidan... Expand

Violist Eva Mondragón has cultivated an engaging and diverse career as a music collaborator and educator. Originally beginning her classical musical studies on violin, Eva switched to viola in high school, and then pursued her undergraduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory under the guidance of Victoria Chiang. After completing her undergraduate degree, Eva began her Master of Music degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of Cleveland Orchestra violist Mark Jackobs. It was during this time that Eva discovered her passion for teaching and working with the next generation of musicians, which ultimately inspired her to pursue her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Maryland in College Park. While at UMD, Eva collaborated with UMD faculty and guest artists in community engagement concerts, performing traditional and contemporary works in new and creative ways. She also pursued her pedagogical interests, and received training and credentialing in Suzuki violin and participated in a variety of workshops and seminars, such as the Karen Tuttle Workshop at the University of Delaware.

After completing her DMA, Eva happily returned back to the Northeast Ohio area. As an active freelancing musician, Eva frequently performs with the Akron, Canton, Ashland and Firelands Symphony Orchestras, as well as continuing to perform as the Assistant Principal in the New Orchestra of Washington, based in Washington DC. Eva has attended the ENCORE School for Strings, the Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, in addition to performing in the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Verbier, Switzerland, and the Grant Park Festival Orchestra as a member of the Project Inclusion string quartet.

Currently, Eva lives in Akron where she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time with her husband and cat.

Education
D.M.A. University of Maryland at College Park
M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music
Peabody Conservatory Close
joseph-mook

Joseph Mook

Instructor, Piano, Keyboard Explorers, Group Youth Piano, Keys to Musicianship

Joseph Mook is a private music teacher in the greater Cleveland area, teaching children, teens, and adults, piano, violin, trumpet, and other musical instruments, as well as to love and enjoy music. He additionally is the worship team leader at his church, Gateway Church Downtown, where he plays key... Expand

Joseph Mook is a private music teacher in the greater Cleveland area, teaching children, teens, and adults, piano, violin, trumpet, and other musical instruments, as well as to love and enjoy music. He additionally is the worship team leader at his church, Gateway Church Downtown, where he plays keyboard, directs the church band in rehearsals, and leads the congregation in worship on Sundays.

Joseph has played violin in several community orchestras, most recently with Symphony West Orchestra. He occasionally performs for gigs at weddings and accompanies other musicians on piano. Joseph also has been enjoying being the keyboardist for a local rock cover band, Hero II, which performs mostly rock from the 70s-today in smaller venues around town. He's picked up many different performance styles and music tech knowledge just from his short time with Hero II.

Additionally, Joseph has been asked by the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs (OFMC) to help adjudicate solo piano entries for their Junior Music Festivals since 2020, giving students honest feedback and insight in how they performed and how to grow as musicians.

He gained his Bachelor’s of Music Education from The Ohio State University in 2012, cum laude and with Honors, where he studied his principal instrument of piano under Dr. Steven Glaser primarily, but also with Drs. Rina Shimizu-Grow and Ryan Behan. During his free time, he enjoys basking in the cultural opportunities of University Circle in Cleveland, and especially hearing a pitch-perfect concert by the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra.

Education
B.M.E, The Ohio State University Close
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Daniel Pereira

Instructor, Cello

Daniel Pereira, from Caracas, Venezuela, enjoys a multifaceted and versatile career as a cello teacher, chamber music coach, orchestral performer and chamber musician. Since 2005, he has been a member of the cello section of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. He performs regularly with the Charlesto... Expand

Daniel Pereira, from Caracas, Venezuela, enjoys a multifaceted and versatile career as a cello teacher, chamber music coach, orchestral performer and chamber musician. Since 2005, he has been a member of the cello section of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. He performs regularly with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and New World Symphony. From 2006 - 2017, Pereira served as a regular substitute with The Cleveland Orchestra. During that period he was able to work under some of the world’s leading conductors including Franz Welzer-Möst, Herbert Blomstedt, Alan Gilbert, Vladimir Ashkenazy and Stéphane Denève, among others, and travel throughout the United States and Europe.

Education
MM, University of Southern California
BM, University of Wisconsin-Madison Close
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Luke Pernici

Ensemble Director, Rock & Pop Academy; Instructor, Guitar, Ukulele

Luke Pernici is a local musician who has played in a variety of bands in and around Cleveland, including ET King and the Determination, Liz Bullock and the Tremonts, GROUP and others. While his primary instrument is guitar, he also plays bass, piano, drums, ukulele, and has been known to sing (somet... Expand

Luke Pernici is a local musician who has played in a variety of bands in and around Cleveland, including ET King and the Determination, Liz Bullock and the Tremonts, GROUP and others. While his primary instrument is guitar, he also plays bass, piano, drums, ukulele, and has been known to sing (sometimes). He has taught a variety of students over the seven years he's been active in the music scene, and utilizes these skills to give students an enjoyable, informative experience. He caters his lessons to the way a student learns best, and tries to indulge their tastes, while also injecting music that he thinks is important.

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Amanda Powell

Instructor, Outreach

Amanda Powell, soprano, has been praised as “the star of the evening” (Seen and Heard International, UK) and "charismatic and theatrically arresting” (San Francisco Chronicle). A highly versatile musician, she is at home in repertoire from Monteverdi to Mozart to Ravel, and has tou... Expand

Amanda Powell, soprano, has been praised as “the star of the evening(Seen and Heard International, UK) and "charismatic and theatrically arresting (San Francisco Chronicle). A highly versatile musician, she is at home in repertoire from Monteverdi to Mozart to Ravel, and has toured internationally as soloist in baroque opera, oratorio, and crossover folk programs. Her tour performances with GRAMMY-winning baroque orchestra Apollo's Fire (Jeannette Sorrell) include such venues as the National Concert Hall of Ireland in Dublin, the Irish National Opera House, the Aldeburgh Festival (UK), the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the National Gallery in Washington, and Zellerbach Hall in San Francisco, among others. Her 2019 debut as Messiah soloist with the Calgary Symphony won kudos as "the soloist of the night... singing to perfection."

As a recording artist, Ms Powell has been featured on several Apollo's Fire albums including Sugarloaf Mountain, Sephardic Journey, and Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain, all of which received rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic and debuted in the top ten on the BILLBOARD Classical Chart. Her 2015 solo debut album, Beyond Boundaries, is an intimate program of folk, jazz, and global music. She is a fluent improvisor and has collaborated with such artists as Bobby McFerrin and Sheila Jordan.

Ms. Powell is the Community Arts Liaison for the Cultural Arts Center at Disciples Church (Cleveland Heights) and is on the voice faculty at Cleveland State University.

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dan-price

Dan Price

Percussion Department Head; Instructor, Drum Set, Percussion

Dan started playing drums and percussion when he was 8 years old. By the time he was in high school, he had dedicated his life to his love of music. He went on to study percussion performance at Bowling Green State University. Since then he has spent time touring and recording with various original... Expand

Dan started playing drums and percussion when he was 8 years old. By the time he was in high school, he had dedicated his life to his love of music. He went on to study percussion performance at Bowling Green State University.

Since then he has spent time touring and recording with various original acts from the Cleveland area, as well as teaching private lessons around Cleveland. He taught himself how to record music, and these days splits his time between drumming and producing records for some of Cleveland’s local talent. He plays and records the most with his bands, Herzog and The Cross Brothers, in Cleveland and other cities around the midwest and east coast.

Dan teaches snare drum, drumset, marimba, timpani, and other classical percussion.

Education
Bowling Green State University Close
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Peter Quigley

Senior Registrar

Peter comes to The Music Settlement with a background in public transit administration at GCRTA and as a former adult student on piano and electric bass. He earned a degree in Computer Science from Cleveland State University while working at the Rock & Roll of Fame in customer service and I.T. ... Expand

Peter comes to The Music Settlement with a background in public transit administration at GCRTA and as a former adult student on piano and electric bass. He earned a degree in Computer Science from Cleveland State University while working at the Rock & Roll of Fame in customer service and I.T.

In his free time, Peter enjoys playing and writing music, seeing wildlife and nature, and sharing meals with friends. Peter is excited to join the enrollment team and supports The Music Settlement's mission and community, helping to build connections through music.

Education
B.S., Computer Science, Cleveland State University Close
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Stephen Renko

Instructor, Outreach

Steve Renko is an award-winning drummer and percussionist. After his first professional engagements at the age of 9, Steve became a widely sought sideman with Jazz, Blues, Rock and Funk outfits in his hometown Cleveland, Ohio. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree from the New School for Jazz in New Yor... Expand

Steve Renko is an award-winning drummer and percussionist. After his first professional engagements at the age of 9, Steve became a widely sought sideman with Jazz, Blues, Rock and Funk outfits in his hometown Cleveland, Ohio. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree from the New School for Jazz in New York, he has studied with world renowned musicians like Bobby Sanabria, Matt Wilson, Jamey Haddad Bob McKee and The Clayton Brothers. Steve has carved out a professional career performing and touring with a variety of groups from Cleveland, New York City, Detroit and Hartford, CT. A regular in the recording studio, Steve has also worked with acclaimed songwriters and producers in New York City and Cleveland, Ohio. As an educator, Steve has over a decade of experience teaching individual and group drum set and percussion lessons with Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, as well as in his private studio. Steve also recently completed his M.L.S. at Queens College with a Certificate in Archives and Preservation of Cultural Materials.

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Eric Richmond

Brass & Winds Department Head; Instructor, Baritone, Trombone, Tuba,

Eric Richmond received his undergraduate music education degree from The Ohio State University and his Master of Arts from Case Western Reserve University. He has also taught music in the Cleveland Municipal Schools, East Cleveland City Schools and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools Di... Expand

Eric Richmond received his undergraduate music education degree from The Ohio State University and his Master of Arts from Case Western Reserve University. He has also taught music in the Cleveland Municipal Schools, East Cleveland City Schools and the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools Districts. In addition, he was instrumental music instructor for the REACH program at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio. Eric has performanced with Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, The Sounds of Sousa Band, The Allegheny Summer Music Festival with Clark Terry, and the Suburban Symphony Orchestra. Eric has performed at the Place, Ohio and State Theaters with soul music artists such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Dells. Also, he has performed with Broadway legends such as Mitzi Gaynor and Diane Carol.

Presently, he is on staff at The Music Settlement as the low brass instructor and serves as Brass/Woodwind Department Head. He is a regular guest lecturer at Kent State University’s music education department. As member of local of the American Federation of Musician, Eric continues freelance playing the euphonium and the trombone.

Education
MA, Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor's degree, Music, The Ohio State University Close
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Ed Ridley

Ensemble, J@MS

Well respected and seasoned, Ed Ridley's musical abilities have impacted Northeast Ohio, the US, and abroad for over 35 years. Ed's versatility can be seen through his varied experience of accompanying major artists, including Walter Hawkins, Aretha Franklin, Jon Hendricks, Vanessa Rubin, Peter Yar... Expand

Well respected and seasoned, Ed Ridley's musical abilities have impacted Northeast Ohio, the US, and abroad for over 35 years.

Ed's versatility can be seen through his varied experience of accompanying major artists, including Walter Hawkins, Aretha Franklin, Jon Hendricks, Vanessa Rubin, Peter Yarrow and Lauryn Hill. Having dozens of recording credits, over 100 professional theater credits, and numerous composer and arranger credits, Ed's world is constantly full of musical adventure.

Performer, composer, arranger, producer, conductor, musical director, and educator are all roles that Ed has maintained consistently throughout his musical career.

Education
Voice and Piano: The Ellington School of the Arts Music Composition: The College of Wooster Close
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Cory Roberts

Instructor, Suzuki Guitar

Cory Roberts is a classical guitarist based in Lakewood. Suzuki guitar has been a life-long learning process for him that began at the age four. Studying under his mother Marylou Roberts, who played a roll in developing the Suzuki books and became the first certified Suzuki Guitar Teacher trainer in... Expand

Cory Roberts is a classical guitarist based in Lakewood. Suzuki guitar has been a life-long learning process for him that began at the age four. Studying under his mother Marylou Roberts, who played a roll in developing the Suzuki books and became the first certified Suzuki Guitar Teacher trainer in the world, Cory became one of the first students to complete all nine Suzuki Guitar books. He began studying with Jason Vieaux with once a month road trips in 2006 and began his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 2008. During his time at CIM, in addition to solo performing, Cory studied pedagogy and gained experience in ensembles. In 2012, he graduated from CIM with a bachelor of music in guitar performance. Cory continues his musical education by studying Suzuki guitar, this time from a teacher’s perspective. He has completed teacher training in Suzuki Books 1-4.

Education
B.M., Guitar Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music Close
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Graham Rosen

Instructor, Outreach, Dalcroze, Suzuki Theory, Keyboard Explorers; BOP STOP Operations

Graham Rosen is a recent graduate from The Cleveland Institute of Music with a bachelors of music degree in Audio Recording and a minor in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Raised in Portland, Oregon, Graham immersed himself in music during his school years. His ventures ranged from playing keyboard for a gara... Expand

Graham Rosen is a recent graduate from The Cleveland Institute of Music with a bachelors of music degree in Audio Recording and a minor in Dalcroze Eurhythmics.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Graham immersed himself in music during his school years. His ventures ranged from playing keyboard for a garage band to being center snare for his high school drum line and competitive winter percussion team. At CIM his skill for rhythm and precision lead to a deep interest in the Dalcroze Eurythmics method and he dedicated his time to understanding how it could be implemented in new music composition.

Graham founded a new music collaboration with students at CIM, working under the name “Elephant Ornament”. Upon graduation he was awarded the Darius Milhaud award for unparalleled creativity, dedication to new music, and academic honors.

Currently, Graham teaches Dalcroze Eurhthmics and Music Theory classes through The Music Settlement, as well as a Live Sound Engineer at Beachland Ballroom and freelance Audio Engineer.

Education
B.M., Audio Recording, minor in Dalcroze Eyrthymics, Cleveland Institute of Music Close
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Helen Rucinski

Instructor, Suzuki Violin, Suzuki Viola, Violin, Viola

Helen Rucinski is a violist and teacher from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a section violist in the Akron Symphony Orchestra and a regular substitute with the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra. Previously, she served as co-principal violist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a section violist in the Canton ... Expand

Helen Rucinski is a violist and teacher from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a section violist in the Akron Symphony Orchestra and a regular substitute with the BlueWater Chamber Orchestra. Previously, she served as co-principal violist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, a section violist in the Canton Symphony Orchestra, and has performed as a substitute with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. During the summer, Helen has been a Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, the Pacific Music Festival in Japan, and a student at the Heifetz International Music Institute.

As a teacher, Helen completed her Suzuki violin pedagogy training in units 1-6 with Kimberly Meier-Sims at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and she coaches the second violin section of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra. Helen also has experience teaching students outside of classical music. She has worked as a college access advisor and ACT program teacher for College Now Greater Cleveland, as an AmeriCorps member and program assistant for the Jumpstart preschool education program in Chicago, and as a Fellow and mentor for Northwestern University’s Arts & Music Programs for Education in Detention Centers (AMPED).

Helen received her Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Music degrees from Northwestern University. Her teachers include Almita Vamos, Li-Kuo Chang, Lynne Ramsey, and Jeffrey Irvine.

Education
M.M., Viola, Cleveland Institute of Music
B.M., Viola Performance, Northwestern University
B.A., Sociology, Northwestern University Close
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Max Schlenk

Instructor, Saxophone; Ensemble, J@MS

Max Schlenk is a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory returning to the Cleveland music scene after spending some time in NYC. He started developing his skills under the tutelage of Ken LeeGrand, Chris Burge, Ron Blake, and Gary Bartz. An alumnus of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement) and The Ber... Expand

Max Schlenk is a recent graduate of Oberlin Conservatory returning to the Cleveland music scene after spending some time in NYC. He started developing his skills under the tutelage of Ken LeeGrand, Chris Burge, Ron Blake, and Gary Bartz.

An alumnus of J@MS (Jazz at The Music Settlement) and The Berklee 5 Week Aspire Program during high school, Max gained the skills and knowledge to excel during college and in the professional world of music. Having regular performances around the greater Cleveland area, he has acquainted himself with a multitude of styles such as Jazz, R&B, and Funk. He has collaborated and performed alongside artists such as Luis Perdomo, Camilla Meza, Dion Parson, and Vladimir Cetkar.

Additional work includes years of teaching experience throughout high school and undergraduate, as well as community service performances and projects. He aims to take his teachings and knowledge to create himself as a class act musician and entertainer.

Education
Oberlin Conservatory Close
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Afi-Odelia Scruggs

Creative Aging Department Head; Instructor, Outreach

Afi Scruggs is an experienced musician, songwriter and teaching artist. Her primary instrument is electric bass. She also plays keyboards, mandolin and balaphone, the West African ancestor of the xylophone. She is the staff bassist for Progressive Evangelistic Baptist Church and also plays bass for... Expand

Afi Scruggs is an experienced musician, songwriter and teaching artist. Her primary instrument is electric bass. She also plays keyboards, mandolin and balaphone, the West African ancestor of the xylophone.

She is the staff bassist for Progressive Evangelistic Baptist Church and also plays bass for the youth choir of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, both in Cleveland. In addition to gospel, Afi plays blues and jazz.

Afi has been a teaching artist since 2004. She’s developed arts-integrated curriculum for subjects ranging from social studies to financial management. She conducts songwriting workshops for grades K-6, using the blues to teach literacy. She’s also coached middle and high school students for the “Stop The Hate: Youth Sing Out” songwriting competition sponsored by the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and Roots of American Music.

Afi is also an award-winning author, columnist and reporter, whose work has been featured on NPR, The Plain Dealer and in national and international publications and news sites.

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Richard Seil

Piano Department Head; Instructor, Suzuki Piano, Piano

Richard Seil has a wide background in private and collegiate teaching that extends over 30 years. His private teaching philosophy emphasizes the Suzuki philosophy and pedagogical approach, and he has also taught a wide variety of traditional students. He is extremely excited to be back in Northeast ... Expand

Richard Seil has a wide background in private and collegiate teaching that extends over 30 years. His private teaching philosophy emphasizes the Suzuki philosophy and pedagogical approach, and he has also taught a wide variety of traditional students. He is extremely excited to be back in Northeast Ohio. His teachers include world-famous pedagogues Menahem Pressler (IU), James Tocco (CCM), Karen Shaw (IU), Richard Fields (CCM) and Robert Mayerovitch (BW). Furthermore, Dr. Seil’s Suzuki certification through Book 5 of the Suzuki Piano Curriculum (studied with Rita Hauck) has provided him with a wealth of skills to positively influence developing musical minds of all ages. Professionally, his most recent collegiate position was as a sabbatical replacement for his former teacher, Robert Mayerovitch at BW in Berea, Ohio. Mr. Rich has taught at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Slater Music Academy and Tallant Music Studio in Ft. Thomas, KY, for the past 15 years. Additionally, he has held teaching assistantships at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati.

His teaching philosophy, whether teaching a young beginner, a budding professional, an adult beginner or an adult returning to the piano, can be summed up in one word: adaptive. It is paramount that a teacher be able to adapt to the learning style of any student while, at the same time, keeping a goal in mind. This is probably why he has had success teaching traditional students, Suzuki students, collegiate students, adult beginners, and budding professionals.

In addition to membership in various professional organizations, Mr. Seil enjoys performing in casual and professional settings.

When he is not teaching or performing, Mr. Rich enjoys attending concerts, jogging, watching football, pampering his pets, rescuing animals and, of course, spending time with his fiancée in Parma Heights.

Education
Doctoral Studies, Piano Performance, University of Cincinnati
MM, Piano Performance, Indiana University
BM, Piano Performance, Baldwin-Wallace University Close
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Ran Seo

Instructor, Violin

Originally from Seoul, Korea, violinist, Ran Seo has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as both performer and educator. Ran earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Master of Music at Eastman School and Graduate Performance Diploma at The Boston Conservatory... Expand

Originally from Seoul, Korea, violinist, Ran Seo has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as both performer and educator. Ran earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Master of Music at Eastman School and Graduate Performance Diploma at The Boston Conservatory.

Because violin did not always feel natural to Ran, she spent a lot of time in the practice rooms analyzing and breaking down concepts to better understand them. She has always wanted to be the teacher to help students through the same process while instilling an enjoyment of music. Ran has had opportunities to teach from Indiana University’s String Academy program, Eastman Community Music School as well as other programs during her studies. Before moving to Cleveland, she taught at The Neighborhood Music School in New Haven. She loves to form strong relationships with her students and treats her studio as family.

Ran is recently married and moved to Solon with her husband and a fur daughter, Nara whom they adopted from South Korea. On her free time, she likes to explore restaurants, travel, hike and cook.

Education
G.P.D., Boston Conservatory at Berklee M.M., Eastman School of Music B.M., Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University Close
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Ethan Sheils

Instructor, Outreach

Ethan Sheils is the lead teacher for the Tremont Montessori Generations of Strings program. Ethan taught classroom and instrumental music from 1998-2006 in the Cleveland Municipal School District, where he earned National Board Certification in Early/Middle Childhood Music, and in the Solon City Sch... Expand

Ethan Sheils is the lead teacher for the Tremont Montessori Generations of Strings program. Ethan taught classroom and instrumental music from 1998-2006 in the Cleveland Municipal School District, where he earned National Board Certification in Early/Middle Childhood Music, and in the Solon City Schools from 2006-2011. In addition to performing as a violinist in orchestras, string quartets, and big bands, Ethan also enjoys playing saxophone in jazz, blues, and rock bands in the Cleveland area.

Education
BME, University of Minnesota-Duluth Close
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Emily Shelley

Instructor, French Horn

Emily Shelley, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently second horn of both The Wheeling Symphony in West Virginia and The Erie Philharmonic in Pennsylvania and is the horn player in Cleveland’s professional woodwind quintet, the North Coast Winds, which took 2nd place at the 201... Expand

Emily Shelley, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is currently second horn of both The Wheeling Symphony in West Virginia and The Erie Philharmonic in Pennsylvania and is the horn player in Cleveland’s professional woodwind quintet, the North Coast Winds, which took 2nd place at the 2015 Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition. As a teacher, Emily has taught privately for over a decade, was the Assistant Horn Faculty at the 2015 Sitka Fine Arts Camp in Alaska and is a Co-Founder of the North Coast Winds Chamber Music Camp. In addition to her performing career she holds the position of Operations Coordinator with the baroque chamber group, Les Délices, and Orchestra Manager with the Cleveland Opera Theater.

Shelley completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in 2010 where she studied with Gabriel Radford and then moved to the United States where she completed her master’s degree at The Cleveland Institute of Music while under the tutelage of Cleveland Orchestra principal hornist Richard King and went on to receive her artist’s diploma at The Oberlin Conservatory where she is studied with Roland Pandolfi. In both Canada and the United States, Emily attended Domaine Forget, Windfest, the Banff Centre, and the Music Academy of the West summer festivals.

Education
The Oberlin Conservatory
Cleveland Institute of Music
University of Toronto Close
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Jeff Singler

Instructor, Cello

Cellist Jeff Singler is a performer and private cello instructor based in the Cleveland area. He has taught at both Youngstown State University and Ohio University, and is an active lecturer and clinician across the region. Mr. Singler regularly performs with the Columbus Symphony and the Erie Philh... Expand

Cellist Jeff Singler is a performer and private cello instructor based in the Cleveland area. He has taught at both Youngstown State University and Ohio University, and is an active lecturer and clinician across the region. Mr. Singler regularly performs with the Columbus Symphony and the Erie Philharmonic, and has performed with Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and West Virginia Symphonies, as well as Blossom Festival Orchestra, and Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, among others. Mr. Singler also performs regularly as a chamber musician, recitalist, and soloist, and with the local jazz group Prism.

Education
MM Cello Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music BM Cello Performance, Youngstown State University Close
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Craig Slagh

Instructor, Guitar, Ukulele

Craig Slagh began his music career in Cincinnati working with Jeremy Collins and Rodney Stuckey at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Prep department. He received his Bachelor of Music Performance in May 2021 from Oberlin Conservatory. At Oberlin, he studied under Stephen Aron and received numerou... Expand

Craig Slagh began his music career in Cincinnati working with Jeremy Collins and Rodney Stuckey at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Prep department. He received his Bachelor of Music Performance in May 2021 from Oberlin Conservatory. At Oberlin, he studied under Stephen Aron and received numerous honors and rewards that included being a finalist in the Jim Stroud All-Ohio Guitar Competition and performing in the Dannenberg Honors Recital.

Education
B.M., Oberlin Conservatory of Music Close
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Joseph Slusarski

Instructor, Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele

Fifteen years ago, Joe Slusarski began playing guitar and has never looked back. With a wide range of music experience in Jazz, Blues, Pop, Classical, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and 3 years of teaching experience, Joe is excited to be at The Music Settlement. Currently studying at Cleveland State for a ... Expand

Fifteen years ago, Joe Slusarski began playing guitar and has never looked back. With a wide range of music experience in Jazz, Blues, Pop, Classical, Rock, Folk, Bluegrass and 3 years of teaching experience, Joe is excited to be at The Music Settlement.

Currently studying at Cleveland State for a M.M. Degree in Music Performance with a focus in Jazz studies, Joe has had the opportunity to study with Robert Fraser and Dan Bruce, as well as other locally established musicians. Being active in the music community Joe plays regularly with bands around Cleveland such as Quick Silver, QS Jazz and Hip to That. When the opportunity comes along, he also enjoys playing in pit orchestras for musicals.

Joe tries to give his students an enjoyable experience while teaching the joy and knowledge of music. He meets his students wants and needs for each lesson to teach them the best he can. In addition to the guitar, Joe can also teach electric bass guitar and ukulele.

Education
B.A. Music Performance, Cleveland State University Close
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Derek Snyder

Instructor, Suzuki Cello; Ensemble Director, Arcos Chamber Ensemble, Beginning Chamber Orchestra, Junior Chamber Orchestra, Snyder Cello Army

Derek Snyder has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in both the United States and Europe, and -- as a chamber musician -- has collaborated with members of some of the country's most exciting ensembles, including the Cavani and Cleveland String Quartets, and the Cleveland, Detroit, Montreal and Ba... Expand

Derek Snyder has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in both the United States and Europe, and -- as a chamber musician -- has collaborated with members of some of the country's most exciting ensembles, including the Cavani and Cleveland String Quartets, and the Cleveland, Detroit, Montreal and Baltimore Symphonies. He is the cellist in the nuevo tango band Oblivion Project, which explores the music of Astor Piazzolla, the Hastings Piano Trio, and a board member of the Cleveland Cello Society.

Derek's arrangements of the music of Graham Nash and Bootsy Collins have been performed by the Contemporary Youth Orchestra with the composers. He has created numerous transcriptions and arrangements for cello ensembles, focusing primarily on the music of Dave Brubeck and Astor Piazzolla. His arrangements of music by Brubeck can be heard on the Naxos label as preformed by the Yale Cellos.

Derek is the founder of the publishing company Cellocelli Music (www.cellocelli.com), a source for unique and contemporary sheet music and recordings for string players.

Education
MM, New England Conservatory
BM, University of Michigan Close
melina-taylor

Melina Taylor

Registrar, Center for Music

A proud Cleveland native and Settlement alum, Melina is excited to join the team as a Registrar in the Center for Music. She attended TMS for preschool and kept coming back for private lessons and ensembles all throughout middle and high school, gaining a lifelong love of music along the way. From t... Expand

A proud Cleveland native and Settlement alum, Melina is excited to join the team as a Registrar in the Center for Music. She attended TMS for preschool and kept coming back for private lessons and ensembles all throughout middle and high school, gaining a lifelong love of music along the way. From there, she went on to The Ohio State University where she earned Bachelor's degrees in Arts Management and English Literature and performed in several musical and comedy groups on campus. While at OSU, Melina developed her skills in arts administration, public programs, and customer service through internships at 934 Gallery in Columbus, Ohio and The National Archives in Washington, D.C. Melina is looking forward to returning to the Settlement and working with TMS families to ensure that they have the same wonderful experience here that she had growing up.

Education
B.A., Arts Management, The Ohio State University
B.A., English Literature, The Ohio State University Close
tatyana-tolmacheva

Tatyana Tolmacheva

Instructor, Piano

Tatyana Tolmacheva graduated from the prestigious Odessa State Conservatory in the Ukraine in 1971 with a Master's degree in piano, teaching, chamber ensembles, and accompaniment. She has spent the past 40 years teaching children and adults of all ages to play piano and appreciate classical music. D... Expand

Tatyana Tolmacheva graduated from the prestigious Odessa State Conservatory in the Ukraine in 1971 with a Master's degree in piano, teaching, chamber ensembles, and accompaniment. She has spent the past 40 years teaching children and adults of all ages to play piano and appreciate classical music. During her illustrious career, Tatyana performed solo in various concert venues in Europe and the United States and has also performed with her husband, a distinguished cellist.

Tatyana has taught at The Music Settlement for the past 20 years. She believes that classical music is approachable for anyone and also that playing the piano greatly enhances quality of life and develops creativity. She welcomes beginners as young as 3 1/2 years old all the way up to age 80. Many of her students continue to enjoy playing piano well after graduation. Tatyana is very proud of her students and for good reason: many of them have won scholarships from The Music Settlement and received superior ratings in state competitions.

Education
Master's Degree, Piano, Odessa State Conservatory (Ukraine);
BA, Piano and Music Theory, Zaporojhia School of Music (Ukraine) Close
carl-topilow

Carl Topilow

Ensemble Director, Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra

Currently in his 25th year as founding conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Carl Topilow has seen the orchestra become one of Cleveland’s most exciting and vital performing arts ensembles, presenting the best of symphonic pops music to enthusiastic and passionate audiences. Topilow has ... Expand

Currently in his 25th year as founding conductor of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Carl Topilow has seen the orchestra become one of Cleveland’s most exciting and vital performing arts ensembles, presenting the best of symphonic pops music to enthusiastic and passionate audiences.

Topilow has appeared as guest conductor with over 125 orchestras in 37 states and 12 foreign countries. He also holds conducting posts at the National Repertory Orchestra and with the Firelands Symphony. After 37 years as head of the orchestra program at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he was named Faculty Emeritus in 2018.

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loren-toplitz

Loren Toplitz

Instructor, Trumpet

Loren Toplitz is a member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and is the Principal Trumpeter of the Firelands Symphony. Since 2006, Loren has served as 2nd Trumpet of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, and in 2018 served as the Festival’s Principal Trumpeter. Loren performs regularly with the Cleve... Expand

Loren Toplitz is a member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra and is the Principal Trumpeter of the Firelands Symphony. Since 2006, Loren has served as 2nd Trumpet of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, and in 2018 served as the Festival’s Principal Trumpeter. Loren performs regularly with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra. He has played with numerous orchestras throughout the East Coast including The Cleveland Orchestra, Miami City Ballet, Columbus Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Canton Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Chautauqua Symphony, and New World Symphony. He also performed in Carnegie Hall as Principal Trumpet of the New York String Orchestra. In 2022, Loren was a featured soloist with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. In 2004, Loren went on tour to Carnegie Hall with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He has also been a featured performer with Concertante, a chamber ensemble based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He has performed with numerous music festivals including the National Repertory Orchestra, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Chautauqua Music Festival, and the Baldwin-Wallace Bach Festival.

Loren has appeared on NBC performing with the Cleveland Pops and Peter Cetera and Public Television’s “Reading Rainbow” and was heard on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today.” He can also be heard on recordings with the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Cleveland Pops, the Akron Symphony, the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, and the Summit Choral Society.

Loren has performed with Kenny Loggins, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, The Pointer Sisters, The Temptations, Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton, The Beach Boys, Kansas, Vince Gill, and Martina McBride, and Rick Springfield.

In addition to his performance credits, Loren has been on the faculty of the International Music Festival held at Baldwin-Wallace College. He has held a position as faculty trumpet teacher for the Preparatory and Continuing Education Division of the Cleveland Institute of Music since 2002 and also teaches trumpet for Case Western Reserve University. Loren's principal teachers have included Michael Sachs, Philip Smith, Chris Gekker, and Frank Kaderabek.

Photo Credit: Gary Adams

Education
M.M., The Cleveland Institute of Music
B.M., The Juilliard School Close
jim-wall

Jim Wall

Instructor, Drum Set, Percussion, Outreach; Ensemble, J@MS

Jim Wall is a drummer, teacher, recording engineer and music producer. Drawn to the drums from the age of two, music and life became inseparable for him at a very young age. He has performed live since age 7 and has played throughout North America and Europe with numerous artists, including Big Brot... Expand

Jim Wall is a drummer, teacher, recording engineer and music producer. Drawn to the drums from the age of two, music and life became inseparable for him at a very young age. He has performed live since age 7 and has played throughout North America and Europe with numerous artists, including Big Brother and the Holding Company, Grammy award winner; Robert Lockwood, Love Janis: The Musical, Hair, Kristine Jackson, The Jack Fords, Walkin' Cane, and Cuda/Wall/Cuda among others. He owns and runs Blue Buddha Music Studio in Cleveland, Ohio, which has become both Northeast Ohio's state of the art recording studio.

Education
BM, Berklee College of Music Close
ben-webster

Ben Webster

Registrar, Center for Music

Ben Webster is a pianist and arts administrator from Columbus, Ohio. They earned their Bachelor’s in Piano Performance and Music History from Baldwin Wallace University, having studied under Dr. Sungeun Kim and Dr. Robert Mayerovitch. After graduating, Ben found their adoration for arts admini... Expand

Ben Webster is a pianist and arts administrator from Columbus, Ohio. They earned their Bachelor’s in Piano Performance and Music History from Baldwin Wallace University, having studied under Dr. Sungeun Kim and Dr. Robert Mayerovitch. After graduating, Ben found their adoration for arts administration by way of the VIVO Music Festival and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. Ben looks forward to helping cultivate a widespread passion for music here at The Music Settlement!

Outside of TMS, Ben enjoys listening to and making music, spending time outdoors, cooking, watching movies, and reading.

Education
BM, Piano Performance, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
BM, Music History, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music Close
linda-white

Linda White

Instructor, Flute; Ensemble Director, Champagne Flutes, Flautrageous Flute Choir; Coordinator, Musical Mix & Mingle

A dynamic performer and versatile musician, flutist Linda White excels in an array of musical styles and plays the entire spectrum of flutes from the piccolo to the contrabass flute. Linda is an avid chamber musician and champion of contemporary music. She regularly collaborates with the composers ... Expand

A dynamic performer and versatile musician, flutist Linda White excels in an array of musical styles and plays the entire spectrum of flutes from the piccolo to the contrabass flute.

Linda is an avid chamber musician and champion of contemporary music. She regularly collaborates with the composers of The Cleveland Composers Guild and performs on the annual Local 4 Musician’s Union She Scores series.

Linda regularly performs with classical guitarist Robert Gruca as part of the Gruca White Ensemble. The duo stretches the boundaries of the standard classical concert with their improvisations and unique musical arrangements. In 2020, the Gruca White Ensemble released their debut recording A Different Take through PARMA Recordings Big Round label. Linda also enjoys performing with the flute quartet Idle Twittering along with fellow flutists Jane Berkner, Kyra Kester and George Pope.

Linda is a founding member of the Blue Water Chamber Orchestra, and has also performed with the Cleveland Pops, Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland Opera Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, and Canton Symphony.

Linda teaches at The Music Settlement where she teaches individual lessons, co-directs three flute ensembles and coordinates a program for adult amateurs to gather and play chamber music. She has been a guest clinician for the Interlochen Adult Flute Ensemble since 2020.

Education
MM, Cleveland Institute of Music
BA, University of Wyoming Close
dianna-white-gould

Dianna White-Gould

Instructor, Piano

Dianna White-Gould is an active soloist, accompanist and educator. She was born into a musical family. Her father was a cellist with The Cleveland Orchestra and her mother a composer and pianist. She began her early piano studies with her mother, then went on to high school where she was an active p... Expand

Dianna White-Gould is an active soloist, accompanist and educator. She was born into a musical family. Her father was a cellist with The Cleveland Orchestra and her mother a composer and pianist. She began her early piano studies with her mother, then went on to high school where she was an active performing member of The Fortnightly Music Club and, as part of that group, a Gold Cup recipient for outstanding piano performances.

Dianna graduated from Oberlin College Conservatory. She later received a Master’s in Piano Performance from Cleveland State University. She attended L’Ecole de Fontainebleau in France as a student of Gaby Casadesus. She has also toured Germany performing as accompanist and soloist at The Odenwald Summer Music Festival.

Ms. White-Gould has appeared as the featured soloist with The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and twice as soloist with the Heights Civic Orchestra. Other performing appearances include solo and collaborative performances at Severance Hall, Oberlin College, Ursuline College, Cuyahoga Community College, The Music Settlement, Cleveland State University, Cleveland Public Library, Wooster College and The South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago. She has a strong interest in new music and music of African-American composers and has given world premieres by composers Dolores White, H. Leslie Adams, Hale Smith, and George Walker. She is on faculty at The Music Settlement and the Dike School of the Arts, where she directs the Choir and Keyboard program.

Education
MM, Piano Performance, Cleveland State University
BM, Piano Performance and Music Education, Oberlin College Conservatory Close
anne-wilson

Anne Wilson

Instructor, Piano; Accompanist

Anne Wilson is Staff Accompanist and Instructor at Case Western Reserve University, Organist/Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church (Shaker Heights), Rehearsal Pianist for Apollo’s Fire, and a freelance classical and jazz musician about town. She holds two degrees from the College-Conser... Expand

Anne Wilson is Staff Accompanist and Instructor at Case Western Reserve University, Organist/Director of Music at Christ Episcopal Church (Shaker Heights), Rehearsal Pianist for Apollo’s Fire, and a freelance classical and jazz musician about town. She holds two degrees from the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. She is also on the faculty of The Music Settlement and has just finished a long tenure as Organist/Director of Music at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church (Cleveland Hts.).

Anne has won first or second prizes in seven national and international organ competitions and has been featured on National Public Radio’s “Pipedreams” program and Cleveland radio station WCLV’s Not the Dead, White, Male Composers Hour. Her compositions have been performed at such venues as the Chautauqua Institution, the Aspen Music Festival, the Julliard School, and the Amsterdam Cello Biennale.

Anne has two adult daughters, and in her spare time she enjoys playing pickleball and ping-pong.

Education
MM, Organ Performance, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music
BM, Organ Performance, Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music
ChM, AAGO, FAGO, American Guild of Organists Close
beth-woodside

Beth Woodside

Instructor, Violin

Beth Woodside has been a member of The Cleveland Orchestra since 1994. She studied with Josef Gingold and James Buswell at Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree; and with Peter Salaff at the Eastman School of Music, earning a Master of Music degree. While at Indiana Univers... Expand

Beth Woodside has been a member of The Cleveland Orchestra since 1994. She studied with Josef Gingold and James Buswell at Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree; and with Peter Salaff at the Eastman School of Music, earning a Master of Music degree. While at Indiana University, she gained an especially broad range of knowledge, studying contemporary music with Harvey Sollberger and the New Music Ensemble, and studying Bach and Mozart with the greatly revered baroque violin professor, Stanley Ritchie.

Ms. Woodside is a former member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the New World Symphony and has collaborated with numerous other symphonic and chamber ensembles including Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, Mainly Mozart Festival, Cleveland Chamber Collective, and Cleveland Composer’s Guild. She performs as a teaching artist in the Cleveland Public Schools for The Cleveland Orchestra’s Learning Through Music program, and frequently performs on the Orchestra’s Musical Rainbow series geared toward preschoolers.

Beth joined the faculty of The Music Settlement in 2014 and also serves on the board of Reaching Heights. She lives in Cleveland Heights with her playwright/production manager husband, Tom Frattare, 2 teenagers and 2 cats.

Education
MM, University of Rochester, Eastman School of Music
BM, Indiana University School of Music Close
quote
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

Plato, philosopher

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