MSM Summer

Phil Goldenberg, Classical Guitar
Mr. Goldenberg recently won first prize in the 2015 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition. In 2015, he was a fellowship recipient at the Crown of the Continent guitar festival in Bigfork, Montana. Mr. Goldenberg was a prize winner at the 2012 Philadelphia Classical Guitar Competition, a prize he won while playing a guitar of his own construction. He has been a featured artist at the Bethlehem Guitar Festival, the Cleveland Classical Guitar Society, and the Woodbury Fall Arts Festival. After graduating from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Music in guitar performance, Mr. Goldenberg went on to receive a Masters in guitar performance with honors from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Grammy winner Jason Vieaux.

Sean Richey, Electric Guitar
Sean graduated from Manhattan School of Music’s jazz arts program in 2012. He has been the recipient of two student composition awards for “Best Original Songs” from DownBeat Magazine. He has also received the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Gerald Wilson Big Band Composition Award and the New York Regional Scholarship Award for Jazz Guitar from NFAA Young Arts. Sean has performed at venues such Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Monterey Jazz Festival, The Cutting Room, Central Park SummerStage, Rockwood Music Hall, National Center for the Performing Arts, The Mahindra Blues Festival, and many others. Sean has worked with the True School of Music in Mumbai as head of the guitar department and director of the foundations and professional certificate programs. Sean has also taught at the Larchmont Music Academy and Camp Encore/Coda. He currently runs a teaching studio in Brooklyn.

Mark Broschinsky, Conducting
Trombonist Mark Broschinsky has been praised by the Rapid City Journal as a “true virtuoso on the instrument.” A zealous advocate of new music, he has commissioned numerous solo pieces, performs regularly with ensemble mise-en, and has appeared with New York-based ensembles Argento New Music Project, Talea Ensemble, and Tilt Brass. An active chamber musician, Mark is a founding member of The Guidonian Hand Trombone Quartet. He has performed as a guest artist at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico and with orchestras including the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Britten-Pears Festival Orchestra in England and has presented solo recitals at numerous universities. Mark was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music. www.slidetrombone.net

Mark Brown, Latin Music, Conducting
Mark Philip Brown was born in Queens, NY. As a child, his family moved to Venezuela and his interest in jazz led him to the bass and saxophone as his primary instruments. Mark composes music in several styles, including jazz, samba, son, calypso, and several styles of Venezuelan folk music, including joropo, merengue and danza zuliana. Mark attended Manhattan School of Music and obtained his Bachelor’s (’96) and Master’s (’98) degrees. Mark has been teaching music at the MSM summer programs since 1995 and has composed for and conducted the jazz and Latin jazz bands, as well as teaching saxophone, theory, composition, and other courses. Mark has performed on bass and saxophone all over the world, including concerts in China, Turkey, Austria, France, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Costa Rica, among others. Mark currently lives in Caracas, Venezuela. He is finishing a book of lead sheets of Venezuelan traditional music, having transcribed over 450 songs from the mostly oral tradition since 2001.

Kayla Fuentes, Acting
Kayla Fuentes is originally from Starkville, Mississippi. She is a recent graduate with a master of music degree from Manhattan School of Music and studies voice with Mignon Dunn. She graduated from Mississippi College in 2014 with a B.M. in Vocal Performance. While at Mississippi College she performed the roles of Old Maid from Old Maid and the Thief, Madame Thenardier from Les Miserables, Emma Goldman from Ragtime, and as part of the chorus in many other productions. She has had the opportunity to collaborate with members of the Mississippi Symphony and worked with the Mississippi Opera Company Chorus. She currently works for The National Opera Center America as an Education Associate working with the Opera Teens program and NOTES, an educational resource for teachers nationwide.

Elad Kabilio, Music History
Praised by The New York Times for his playing “vibrantly”, “full of texture and nuance”, and with “marvelous imagination”, Israeli cellist Elad Kabilio is an active soloist, chamber musician and teaching artist. Among his recent performances are Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Morgan Library and the Joyce Theater in New York City. He has also performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Young Artist Festival in Bayreuth – Germany and was featured on WQXR Radio. Mr. Kabilio collaborates frequently with dancers from top ballet companies such as New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theater, and served as the music director of Ballet Next (2011-2014). Mr. Kabilio is committed to bringing music to new audiences and is the founder of MusicTalks, a chamber music series devoted to breaking down the barriers between musicians and audience. www.eladkabilio.com

Amir Khosrowpour, Composition, Accompanying
Described by the Los Angeles Times as having “irresistible verve, unpretentious directness, and fingers of steel,” pianist and composer Amir Khosrowpour “seeks out what is new and vital and delivers it with passion” (NY Concert Review). He recently toured Bulgaria, performing his original score to a puppet theater piece, as well as solo improvisational concerts. His keyboard duo, Corky Has a Band, released their second album, featuring prepared piano and electronics. He works in the music department at The Horace Mann School. Amir received his Bachelor’s of Music at University of Kansas, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Manhattan School of Music. He has been living and working as a professional musician in NYC for ten years. www.amirpiano.com

Remy LeBoeuf, Composition, Songwriting
Saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf envisions his approach to composition and improvisation as never veering far from the roots of language. Le Boeuf often employs literary elements to fuel his compositions as in his recent collaboration with Le Boeuf Brothers + JACK Quartet, “imaginist,” commissioned by Chamber Music America. He has performed with the Grammy-winning Bob Mintzer Big Band, Linda Oh, Aaron Parks, Donny McCaslin, Dayna Stephens, and co-leads Le Boeuf Brothers. In addition, he has received commissions and awards from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the American Composers Forum, SFJAZZ, and The ASCAP Foundation. Le Boeuf currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. www.RemyLeBoeuf.com

Sean Richey, Composition, Songwriting
Sean graduated from Manhattan School of Music’s jazz arts program in 2012. He has been the recipient of two student composition awards for “Best Original Songs” from DownBeat Magazine. He has also received the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Gerald Wilson Big Band Composition Award and the New York Regional Scholarship Award for Jazz Guitar from NFAA Young Arts. Sean has performed at venues such Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Monterey Jazz Festival, The Cutting Room, Central Park SummerStage, Rockwood Music Hall, National Center for the Performing Arts, The Mahindra Blues Festival, and many others. Sean has worked with the True School of Music in Mumbai as head of the guitar department and director of the foundations and professional certificate programs. Sean has also taught at the Larchmont Music Academy and Camp Encore/Coda. He currently runs a teaching studio in Brooklyn.

Alice Tsui, Piano for non-majors
Alice gave her first performance when she was seven years old and was awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence in the Brooklyn Technical High School Orchestra. Allice was awarded the Eva Van Gelder Piano Scholarship to study at Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege division; at NYU, Alice was awarded the Steinhardt Education Scholarship and the Eileen E. Zaglin Scholarship for Showing Exceptional Creativity and Promise in the Arts. Alice graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education. Alice is the founding music teacher at P.S. 532 New Bridges Elementary, a new arts-integrated elementary school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Alice is currently pursuing her doctorate in Music Education through Boston University. www.alicetsui.com

Dustin Kaufman, Jazz percussion
Dustin Kaufman is the drummer for the band St. Lucia. He has been on tour with the band throughout the world, performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and appeared on multiple late night programs including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers. In 2015, Dustin performed a drum solo tribute to the Oscar winning film Whiplash at the 87th annual Academy Awards ceremony for E! Entertainment. Dustin was a 2012 semifinalist in the Thelonius Monk International Drum Competition. The New School (BFA); Manhattan School of Music (MM); Teachers College Columbia University (EdM)

Jeremy Levine, Classical percussion
Jeremy holds Principal Timpani positions in several orchestras, including the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and Symphony in C (formally known as the Haddenfield Symphony Orchestra). Levine has also traveled all over the world performing as timpanist including the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Spain. He often played in the Broadway pit orchestra of the hit musical Something Rotten. Jeremy has a substantial private teaching studio and is the timpani professor at New Jersey City University. Mannes College of Music (BM); Manhattan School of Music (MM).

Nancy Chamberlain, Accompanist
Nancy Chamberlain is a pianist and vocal coach in the musical theater and opera departments of the Precollege Division at Manhattan School of Music. Nancy won the Premier Prix in Piano and Chamber Music from the Conservatoire National in Nice, France, where she studied as a Rotary Foundation Scholar. While in Europe, Nancy performed with the Aspremont Quartet, winning First Prize in the National Chamber Music Competition in Tradate, Italy. Nancy has taught K-12 vocal/choral/theatrical music in New York City and New Jersey as well as conducted extensive classical and theater repertoire. She has more than two decades of experience as a professional choral accompanist, church pianist, and organist in the tri-state metropolitan area. Nancy holds an M.M. in Piano Performance from Manhattan School of Music.

Amir Khosrowpour, Piano
Described by the Los Angeles Times as having “irresistible verve, unpretentious directness, and fingers of steel,” pianist and composer Amir Khosrowpour “seeks out what is new and vital and delivers it with passion” (NY Concert Review). He recently toured Bulgaria, performing his original score to a puppet theater piece, as well as solo improvisational concerts. His keyboard duo, Corky Has a Band, released their second album, featuring prepared piano and electronics last year, and he is working on a solo album of improvisation to be released in early 2017. He works in the music department at The Horace Mann School and teaches at Camp MSM in the summer. Amir received his Bachelor’s of Music at University of Kansas, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Manhattan School of Music. He has been living and working as a professional musician in NYC for ten years. www.amirpiano.com

Mina Kusumoto, Piano and Accompanist
Mina Kusumoto has performed in many world-renowned venues such as The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, Steinway Hall, DiMenna Center, Yamaha Salon in NY, Tokyo Metropolitan Arts Hall, Minatomirai Hall in Japan, Oxford Town Hall, and Jacqueline De Prez Memorial Hall in the United Kingdom. In 2007, Mina gave a NY debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as a winner of the Artist International Competition. She was also a prize winner in the International Arts Federation Competition and the All Japan Soloists Competition.  She has worked as a staff pianist of the Precollege Division at Manhattan School of Music and the evening division at The Juilliard School. A native of Japan, Mina earned her Bachelor of Music Degree at Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo. She received her Master of Music Degree from Manhattan School of Music.

YinJia Lin-DeMercurio, Piano
Chinese pianist YinJia Lin has drawn international attention since her concerto debut at the age of 15 with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta,Dr. Lin completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. An experienced and versatile musician, Dr. Lin plays the harpsichord and the organ in addition to orchestral and choral conducting. Her recent performance of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 with Coral Gables Opera was broadcast on PBS channel thirteen. A Steinway Education Partner, Dr. Lin resides in NYC and is on faculty at the Avenues School and SAR Academy.

Richard Sears, Jazz Piano
Brooklyn based pianist Richard Sears possesses an original voice as an improvisor and composer. His compositions have been recognized by grants from the Aaron Copland Fund and the Los Angeles Jazz Society. As a performer, Richard has appeared with the Billy Hart Quartet, the Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra, Joshua Redman, Chick Corea, Ralph Alessi, Eric Revis, and others.  His most recent release, “Altadena”, earned 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine, naming it one of the Best Albums of 2017.

Alice Tsui, Piano
Alice Tsui was awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence in the Brooklyn Technical High School Orchestra. At Manhattan School of Music where Alice studied piano, she was awarded the Eva Van Gelder Piano Scholarship; at NYU, Alice was awarded the Steinhardt Education Scholarship and the Eileen E. Zaglin Scholarship for Showing Exceptional Creativity and Promise in the Arts.  In May 2012, Alice won the American Music Teachers League Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the Young Musicians Concert. Alice graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education. She is the founding music teacher at P.S. 532 New Bridges Elementary, a new arts-integrated elementary school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Alice is currently pursuing her doctorate in Music Education through Boston University. www.alicetsui.com

Rafael Betancourt, Violin
Rafael Betancourt is a frequent guest on concert stages around the world. Born in Venezuela, he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees with full scholarships at Florida International University (with Robert Davidovici) and Lynn University (with Elmar Oliveira and Stephen Majeske) respectively. In Germany he worked intensely with Professor Ida Bieler (Robert Schumann Hochschule Duesseldorf). He has performed in orchestras such as the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and Florida Grand Opera among others. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with artists from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra, and other major ensembles. He has given master classes in Europe and North and South America, and his students have won prizes in numerous competitions. www.betancourtviolin.com/rafael/

Timothy Cho, orchestra conductor
Yoon Sang Timothy Cho has been with MSM Summer Orchestra since 2016 and is currently active as the Music Director and Conductor of Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (New Jersey). Mr. Cho also has under his direction, Amadeo Philharmonic Orchestra, Sinfonia Orchestra of Children’s Orchestra Society and New York Classical Youth Orchestra. Mr. Cho conducted the New York Premier of the Opera, Seonbi: The Noble and Wise Man with the Chosun Opera Company in Carnegie Hall (main stage). He has been featured as a guest conductor with orchestras such as K-Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and Union City Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Cho has worked with world-renowned conductors such as Kurt Masur and Leonard Slatkin as a conducting fellow and is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at Manhattan School of Music under the tutelage of George Manahan.

Max Jacob, Double Bass
Max Jacob, as a musician-entrepreneur, is the co-founder, executive director, and bassist of the conductorless string ensemble “Shattered Glass.” Max studied with Metropolitan Opera bassist Jeremy McCoy at Manhattan School of Music to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in orchestral double bass. Doubling on electric bass, Max has performed with Talib Kweli and Pumpkinhead. He currently performs and tours with Zusha as bassist and music director. As an active composer/arranger, Max has had string arrangement commissions from Kinetics & One Love, Vita Chambers, and Zusha. Max Jacob plays on an exceptional Milanese double bass from the early 19th century as well as a G&L L2000 electric bass.

Elad Kabilio, Cello
Praised by The New York Times for his playing “vibrantly”, “full of texture and nuance”, and with “marvelous imagination”, Israeli cellist Elad Kabilio is an active soloist, chamber musician and teaching artist. Among his recent performances are Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Morgan Library and the Joyce Theater in New York City. He has also performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Young Artist Festival in Bayreuth – Germany and was featured on WQXR Radio. Mr. Kabilio collaborates frequently with dancers from top ballet companies such as New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theater, and served as the music director of Ballet Next (2011-2014). Mr. Kabilio is committed to bringing music to new audiences and is the founder of MusicTalks, a chamber music series devoted to breaking down the barriers between musicians and audience. www.eladkabilio.com

Irena McGuffee, Viola
A native of Bulgaria, violist Irena McGuffee has appeared in recitals, chamber music concerts and orchestral performances throughout North America and Europe. She has performed under the baton of many renowned conductors, Leonard Slatkin, Pierre Boulez, Gunter Schuller, Charles Dutoit, and Kurt Masur, among others. She received her Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music and  her Bachelor degree Summa Cum Laude from the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University. Irena regularly performs with the Berkshire Bach Ensemble, Mark Morris Dance Group, DCINY Orchestra, and in chamber music settings in New York City, where she currently resides. Past credits include performances with the Rochester Philharmonic, Princeton Symphony and Matilda The Musical on Broadway.

Everhard Paredes, Violin
Everhard Paredes has appeared as soloist with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Venezuelan Chamber Orchestra, Chacao Symphony, Pan American Symphony, Orchestra Celebrate and others. Mr. Paredes is one of the products of the famous music program “El Sistema” in Venezuela. In November 2008, he was one of the two performers representing “El Sistema” to perform for the Quincy Jones Prize. He has also been featured multiple times at the “Strad for Lunch” concert series at WMP concert hall, playing on a three-million-dollar Stradivarius. Mr. Paredes has been on faculty at many music schools including the Youth Orchestra of Simon Bolivar Conservatory in Venezuela, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Noel Pointer Foundation in Brooklyn; he currently teaches at The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, New Jersey. Mr. Paredes plays on a 1797 Jean Francois Aldric violin loaned to him since 2005.

Caroline Cox Turek, Violin
Awarded first place in the 2012 Collegiate String Division at the National Music Teachers National Association competition in New York City, Caroline Cox Turek has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. In 2015, she won the Manhattan School of Music Classical Concerto Competition. Caroline holds a Bachelor of Music degree from East Carolina University in violin performance and piano performance and a Master of Music degree from Mannes College of Music in violin performance. She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music.

Derek Cooper, Theory & Composition
Earning his Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition in 2009 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Derek Cooper studied with American Prix de Rome winner Daniel Perlongo while also taking lessons with Jack Stamp, Christopher Marshal, and Richard Danielpour. Derek continued to study with Richard Danielpour, earning his Master’s degree from Manhattan School of Music in composition in 2014. In the Fall of 2014, Derek returned to Manhattan School of Music to begin his doctoral studies under Dr. Reiko Fueting as a doctoral teaching fellow. In 2016, Derek joined the ICEBERG collective, a select and diverse group of emerging New York composers. His music has been performed by groups including Contemporaneous, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania wind ensemble, Yarn/Wire, and the Blueshift Ensemble.

Amir Khosrowpour, Theory & Composition
Described by the Los Angeles Times as having “irresistible verve, unpretentious directness, and fingers of steel,” pianist and composer Amir Khosrowpour “seeks out what is new and vital and delivers it with passion” (NY Concert Review). He recently toured Bulgaria, performing his original score to a puppet theater piece, as well as solo improvisational concerts. His keyboard duo, Corky Has a Band, released their second album, featuring prepared piano and electronics. He works in the music department at The Horace Mann School. Amir received his Bachelor’s of Music at University of Kansas, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees at Manhattan School of Music. He has been living and working as a professional musician in NYC for ten years. www.amirpiano.com

Erica Ashley Arrington, Jazz Voice Faculty
Erica Ashley Arrington is a singer, songwriter and music teacher from Birmingham, AL. She was a backup vocalist for the internationally renowned band St. Paul and the Broken Bones, as well as the Birmingham-based band Downright. She has performed as a backup vocalist for the NYC based band The Young Presidents and can be heard on their album Firehorse. She is an active performer in the NYC jazz scene and enjoys a monthly residency at the 55 Bar and Juke Bar. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education Arts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Music in Vocal Jazz from Manhattan School of Music.

Tiffany Bizup, Voice Faculty
Originally from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, Tiffany is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree under the guidance of Patricia McCaffrey. Currently Tiffany is a performer and educator based in Manhattan, and is the Administrative Director for the Precollege Division of Manhattan School of Music. Tiffany has performed at venues including Symphony Space and the Villa Mazzotti; she has worked with the Martina Arroyo Foundation and with the early music quartet The Good Pennyworths. Tiffany continues to perform throughout the New York City area.

Sarah Childers, Voice Faculty
Sarah Childers (mezzo-soprano) is a New York City based opera singer and music educator. Some of Sarah’s performance credits include Rusalka, The Mikado with the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra, Pirates of Penzance, and Die Zauberflöte with Festival South.  As an educator, Sarah worked closely with Mississippi Opera and The University of Southern Mississippi’s Linkup programs. She is an associate conductor and voice technician with the National Children’s Chorus (Manhattan division). Sarah received her BM in vocal performance from The University of Southern Mississippi and Masters of Music in vocal performance from Manhattan School of Music.

Ashley DiFranza, Musical Theatre Assistant Director
Ashley DiFranza is a singer, actress, and director based in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and received her BA in Theater from Quinnipiac University. Directing and assistant directing projects include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Nine, Beauty and The Beast Jr., Iolanthe, Twelfth Night, Spring Awakening, Guys & Dolls Jr., Carousel, Legally Blonde Jr., and Into the Woods Jr.

Laquita Mitchell, Voice Faculty
Soprano Laquita Mitchell consistently earns acclaim in eminent opera companies throughout North America and Europe. Already in her young career, she has led performances with the Los Angeles Opera, San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Washington National Opera, Opéra Comique in Paris, among many others. In her compelling debut as Bess in Porgy and Bess with the San Francisco Opera, Opera News said “Soprano Laquita Mitchell, in her first outing as Bess, dazzled the SFO [San Francisco Opera] audience with her purity of tone and vivid theatrical presence.” She has since reprised the role with New Jersey State Opera, the Atlanta Opera; Madison Symphony, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (at both Tanglewood and Symphony Hall), and also the Robert Russell Bennett Porgy and Bess Suite with the Cleveland Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Sheboygan Symphony and with the Polish Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in Sopot, Poland. Hailed in the New York Times for her portrayal of Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata in New York City Opera’s 2012 season opener said “Ms. Mitchell’s voice is rich, shimmering and sizable, her singing was tender and expressive.” M.M., P.S., Manhattan School of Music; B.M. Westminster Choir College www.Laquitamitchellsoprano.com

Giuseppe Spoletini, Musical Theatre Director
Canadian baritone Giuseppe Spoletini has performed widely throughout Canada and the United States. A member of the Manhattan School of Music Precollege vocal faculty, Mr. Spoletini is also co-director of the musical theater programs of both the Precollege division and MSM Summer. Additionally, he is the music director at the Greenville Community Church in Scarsdale, New York and a founding member of the renowned classical crossover ensemble, O Sole Trio. The trio has performed sold-out concerts at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Redlands Bowl, CA (to a crowd of 6,000+), Ronnie Scott’s, London, and tours extensively all over the United States, Canada, and the UK. For more information please visit www.osoletrio.com

Mark Broschinsky, Trombone
Trombonist Mark Broschinsky has been praised by the Rapid City Journal as a “true virtuoso on the instrument.” A zealous advocate of new music, he has commissioned numerous solo pieces, performs regularly with ensemble mise-en, and has appeared with New York-based ensembles Argento New Music Project, Talea Ensemble, and Tilt Brass. An active chamber musician, Mark is a founding member of The Guidonian Hand Trombone Quartet. He has performed as a guest artist at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico and with orchestras including the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Britten-Pears Festival Orchestra in England and has presented solo recitals at numerous universities. Mark was awarded the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music. www.slidetrombone.net

Heather Dahl, Clarinet
Clarinetist Heather Dahl enjoys a wide ranging career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer and devoted music educator. She is equally at home performing in concert venues such as Carnegie Hall and Chicago’s Symphony Center as she is performing in schools, libraries and senior centers throughout the community. Heather has performed with Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, New Haven Symphony, Reading Symphony, and Chicago Civic Orchestra, is a founding member of Tempest Winds and the Aeros Quintet and has received numerous honors and awards including Grand Prize in the International Clarinet Association Orchestra Competition. Heather received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan and her Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music.

Bert Hill, French horn
Originally from Indiana, Bert relocated to New York City in 2011 after completing his studies at Temple University (MM) and Indiana State University (BS). Bert has recently been heard in performances with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Distinguished Concert Artists International, The Public Theater, 2016 Drama Desk Awards, the 2016 Radio City Christmas Spectacular Orchestra, and Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. An active educator, Bert has a private studio and is a weekly coach with New York City’s Interschool Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed as a teaching artist with Bridge Arts Ensemble and Metropolis Ensemble.

Isaac Kaplan, Trombone
Originally from Long Beach, California, Isaac’s love of music ultimately brought him to New York City for studies at Manhattan School of Music. As a freelance musician, Isaac has performed at Central Park Summerstage, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Segerstrom Hall, and Carnegie Hall and he has performed with artists including George Porter Jr, Los Amigos Invisibles, Patrizio Buanne, and Michael McDonald. Isaac also leads a jazz trio that performs frequently around the New York area. He holds Bachelor (’11) and Master (’13) degrees from Manhattan School of Music. Isaac has a private teaching studio in New York and has been on the Manhattan School of Music Precollege jazz faculty since 2012.

Sungwoo Kim, Flute
Korean American flutist Sungwoo Steven Kim has performed around the world. He served as a Konzertexamen fellow at ‘Hanns Eisler’ Hochschule für Musik and was named Acting Principal Flutist with Nürnberg Staatphiharmonie. As an established soloist, Mr. Kim was awarded 1st prize at the New York Flute Club Young Artist Competition in 2006, Bohuslav Martinů Prize at the 61st Prague Spring Int’l Competition, and Third Prize Winner at the 38th National Flute Association Young Artist Competition. Mr. Kim teaches at the Thurnauer School of Music JCC on the Palisades and New York Music School. In addition to his musical career, he has studied with the acoustic engineering department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. D.M.A. candidate, M.M., B.M. New England Conservatory of Music.

Remy Le Boeuf, Saxophone
Saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf envisions his approach to composition and improvisation as never veering far from the roots of language. Le Boeuf often employs literary elements to fuel his compositions as in his recent collaboration with Le Boeuf Brothers + JACK Quartet, “imaginist,” commissioned by Chamber Music America. He has performed with the Grammy-winning Bob Mintzer Big Band, Linda Oh, Aaron Parks, Donny McCaslin, Dayna Stephens, and co-leads Le Boeuf Brothers. In addition, he has received commissions and awards from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the American Composers Forum, SFJAZZ, and The ASCAP Foundation. Le Boeuf currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. www.RemyLeBoeuf.com

Sam Nester, Trumpet
Sam Nester is an Australian trumpet player based in New York. Mr. Nester has performed for Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival & Lincoln Center Out of Doors, the Beijing Modern Music Festival, Paris Opera Ballet, American Composer’s Orchestra, Stamford Symphony, the Festival of New Trumpet Music, and as soloist for the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program. Mr. Nester graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the Queensland Conservatorium and First Class Honors from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to attend Manhattan School of Music where he received a Master of Music degree in 2012. Mr. Nester is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at Manhattan School of Music, performs as a teaching artist for Bridge Arts Ensemble, and serves as the artistic administrator of community engagement at The Juilliard School.

Nadje Noordhuis, Trumpet
Nadje Noordhuis’ journey has taken her from a youth spent studying classical music in her native Australia to a headlong dive into the world of jazz that has earned her acclaim in the music’s mecca, New York. She was one of ten semi-finalists in the 2007 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition and was selected as a Carnegie Hall Young Artist to undertake a residency with trumpet great Dave Douglas in 2010. Noordhuis is a member of several big bands, including Darcy James Argue’s Grammy- nominated Secret Society as well as the Diva Jazz Orchestra. She also leads her own small ensembles and is a member of Rudy Royston’s 303. As a composer, Noordhuis has been commissioned by the Baroque ensemble ThoroughBass, the new music ensemble ExhAust, and by the 2009 Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT). Noordhuis’ self-titled debut album was released in 2012 on the Little Mystery Records label. She has maintained a private teaching studio for thirty years and holds a Masters of Music degree in Jazz Trumpet from Manhattan School of Music. Manhattan School of Music Precollege faculty since 2014.

Phil Rashkin, Oboe
Phil Rashkin, a Los Angeles native, maintains an active schedule as a coach with Face the Music, a conductor with Opera Upper West, and as an oboist with The Manhattan Symphonie and The Chelsea Symphony. Mr. Rashkin is a recipient of The Marin Alsop Entrepreneurial Award with the ensemble A Closer Look, as well as a teacher and coach at the Kaufman Center’s Special Music School and The Horace Mann School. Mr. Rashkin recently toured with Josh Groban for his new album Stages. Mr. Rashkin attended Mannes College The New School for Music, where he received Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Performance. Mr. Rashkin’s musicianship has been described as “particularly ravishing” (The Observer) and “choice, tersely delivered moments from Phil Rashkin.” (Lucid Culture).

Renee Rosen, Clarinet
Renée Rosen has performed with orchestras such as Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Stamford Symphony, Reading Symphony, Eos Orchestra, Dicapo Opera Company, New World Symphony, and New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. She has worked with conductors such as Kurt Masur, James Levine, and Zdenek Macal. Her solo appearance includes Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms Rosen has participated in summer festivals such as UBS Verbier in Switzerland and East-West International Academy of Music in Germany. Ms Rosen holds a BM and MM in Orchestral Performance from Manhattan School of Music and an MM from Northwestern University School of Music. Manhattan School of Music Precollege faculty since 2003.

Taylor Smith, Bassoon
Bassoonist Taylor Smith is an active freelance orchestral, opera, and chamber musician and has performed with ensembles such as the New York Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic and the Imani Winds. Originally from Fulton, Missouri, he holds a bachelor’s degree in bassoon and musicology from the University of Kansas. He earned a Master’s degree in orchestral performance from Manhattan School of Music and a Professional Studies diploma from the Mannes School of Music. Taylor believes that the bassoon is the heart and soul of an orchestra and takes every opportunity to live out his dreams of bassoonery.

Erica Ashley Arrington, Jazz Voice
Erica Ashley Arrington is a singer, songwriter and music teacher from Birmingham, AL. She was a backup vocalist for the internationally renowned band St. Paul and the Broken Bones, as well as the Birmingham-based band Downright. She has performed as a backup vocalist for the NYC based band The Young Presidents and can be heard on their album Firehorse. She is an active performer in the NYC jazz scene and enjoys a monthly residency at the 55 Bar and Juke Bar. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education Arts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Master of Music in Vocal Jazz from Manhattan School of Music.

Mark Brown, Latin Jazz Band Conductor
Mark Philip Brown was born in Queens, NY. When he was nine years old, his family moved to Venezuela and his interest in jazz led him to the bass and saxophone as his primary instruments. Mark has composed music in several styles, including jazz, samba, son, calypso, and several styles of Venezuelan folk music, including joropo, merengue and danza zuliana. Mark attended Manhattan School of Music and obtained his Bachelor’s (’96) and Master’s (’98) degrees. Mark has been teaching music at the MSM summer programs since 1995 and has composed for and conducted the jazz and Latin jazz bands, as well as teaching saxophone, theory, composition, and other courses. Mark has performed on bass and saxophone all over the world, including concerts in China, Turkey, Austria, France, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, and Costa Rica, among others. Mark currently lives in Caracas, Venezuela. He is finishing a book of lead sheets of Venezuelan traditional music, having transcribed over 450 songs from the mostly oral tradition since 2001.

Max Jacob, Jazz Bass
Max Jacob, as a musician-entrepreneur, is the co-founder, executive director, and bassist of the conductorless string ensemble “Shattered Glass.” Max studied with Metropolitan Opera bassist Jeremy McCoy at Manhattan School of Music to earn a Bachelor of Music degree in orchestral double bass. Doubling on electric bass, Max has performed with Talib Kweli and Pumpkinhead. He currently performs and tours with Zusha as bassist and music director. As an active composer/arranger, Max has had string arrangement commissions from Kinetics & One Love, Vita Chambers, and Zusha. Max Jacob plays on an exceptional Milanese double bass from the early 19th century as well as a G&L L2000 electric bass.

Dustin Kaufman, Jazz percussion
Dustin Kaufman is the drummer for the band St. Lucia. He has been on tour with the band throughout the world, performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and appeared on multiple late night programs including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers. In 2015, Dustin performed a drum solo tribute to the Oscar winning filmWhiplash at the 87th annual Academy Awards ceremony for E! Entertainment. Dustin was a 2012 semifinalist in the Thelonius Monk International Drum Competition. The New School (BFA); Manhattan School of Music (MM); Teachers College Columbia University (EdM)

Remy Le Boeuf, Jazz Band Director; Saxophone
Saxophonist and composer Remy Le Boeuf often employs literary elements to fuel his compositions as in his recent collaboration with Le Boeuf Brothers + JACK Quartet, “imaginist,” commissioned by Chamber Music America. He has performed with the Grammy-winning Bob Mintzer Big Band, Linda Oh, Aaron Parks, Donny McCaslin, Dayna Stephens, and co-leads Le Boeuf Brothers. In addition, he has received commissions and awards from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Jerome Foundation, the American Composers Forum, SFJAZZ, and The ASCAP Foundation. Le Boeuf currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. www.RemyLeBoeuf.com

Nadje Noordhuis, Jazz Trumpet
Nadje was one of ten semi-finalists in the 2007 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition and was selected as a Carnegie Hall Young Artist in 2010. Noordhuis is a member of several big bands, including Darcy James Argue’s Grammy- nominated Secret Society as well as the Diva Jazz Orchestra. She also leads her own small ensembles and is a member of Rudy Royston’s 303. As a composer, Noordhuis has been commissioned by the Baroque ensemble ThoroughBass, the new music ensemble ExhAust, and by the 2009 Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT). Noordhuis’ self-titled debut album was released in 2012 on the Little Mystery Records label. She holds a Masters of Music degree in jazz trumpet from Manhattan School of Music. Manhattan School of Music Precollege faculty since 2014. www.nadjenoordhuis.com

Sean Richey, R & B ensemble
Sean graduated from Manhattan School of Music’s jazz arts program in 2012. He has been the recipient of two student composition awards for “Best Original Songs” from DownBeat Magazine. He has also received the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Gerald Wilson Big Band Composition Award and the New York Regional Scholarship Award for Jazz Guitar from NFAA Young Arts. Sean has worked with the True School of Music in Mumbai as head of the guitar department and director of the foundations and professional certificate programs. Sean has also taught at the Larchmont Music Academy and Camp Encore/Coda. He currently runs a teaching studio in Brooklyn.

Richard Sears, Jazz Piano
Brooklyn based pianist Richard Sears possesses an original voice as an improvisor and composer. His compositions have been recognized by grants from the Aaron Copland Fund and the Los Angeles Jazz Society. As a performer, Richard has appeared with the Billy Hart Quartet, the Muhal Richard Abrams Orchestra, Joshua Redman, Chick Corea, Ralph Alessi, Eric Revis, and others.  His most recent release, “Altadena”, earned 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine, naming it one of the Best Albums of 2017.