Washington Conservatory of Music Faculty

t is my pleasure to introduce you to
the outstanding faculty of the Washington Conservatory of Music.

Kathy Judd, Director

KATHY JUDD, Executive and Artistic Director (violin): M.M.A., Yale University, B.M., New England Conservatory of Music, Wichita State University. Former member, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Idyllwild Trio, Mariposa Piano Trio, concertmaster, Boulder (CO) Bach Festival, Las Vegas Symphony. Lead commercial musician, Las Vegas. Orchestral, chamber music, festival performances throughout the U.S., Europe and Taiwan. Faculty, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Idyllwild (CA) School of Music and the Arts. Instructor, Elizabethtown College. National and State grants panelist. Executive and Artistic Director, Music at Gretna (PA) chamber music and jazz concert series.

PIANO

MICHAEL ADCOCK (piano): D.M.A., M.M., Artist Diploma, Peabody Conservatory; B.M., Oberlin Conservatory; studies with Leon Fleisher, Ellen Mack, Julian Martin, Joseph Schwartz; adjunct faculty, Peabody Conservatory; faculty, Musicorda Summer Festival; associate faculty, Sarasota Music Festival. Winner, Lili Boulanger Memorial Prize, first prize, Kosciuszko Chopin Competition, Washington International Piano Competition prize winner, finalist, Concert Artists Guild Competition; soloist with Baltimore and Richmond Symphonies, recitals at Carnegie Recital Hall, La Gesse Festival, France, Phillips Collection, Embassy Series; chamber music at Kennedy Center, Corcoran Gallery. Performances with Denyce Graves, St. Petersburg String Quartet, Ani Kavafian, Jamie Buswell.

LORA BARONIAN (Piano, Music Theory): Master of Pedagogy, Master of Philology, Kalinin State University, Russia; B.M. Moussorgsky College of Music, St. Petersburg; piano, music theory, music history instructor, St. Petersburg, Russia. Founder and Music Director, Gostinitza Leningrad, vocal and instrumental performance group; teacher, St. Petersburg School of Music, teacher, Jazz School of Music, St. Petersburg.

BRADFORD GOWEN (Piano): M.M., B.M., Eastman School of Music. First Prize winner, 1978 Kennedy Center/Rockefeller Foundation International Competition for Excellence in the Performance of American Music. Soloist with National Symphony with conductors Aaron Copland, Mstislav Rostropovich, Maxim Shostakovich. Performances at Library of Congress with the Kronos Quartet and Guarneri String Quartet. Adjudicator, William Kapell International Piano Competition, Gina Bachauer, Sydney competitions. Faculty, University of Maryland School of Music. Duo performances with Maribeth Gowen.

MARIBETH GOWEN (piano, early childhood music): M.M., University of Alabama; B.M., B.M.E., Emporia State University; studied with Nelita True, Manahem Pressler, Guarneri Quartet members. National Winner, 1980 MTNA Collegiate Artist Competition, 1990 Baltimore Chamber Music Award. Performances at Kennedy Center, the Barns at Wolf Trap, Constitution Hall, Phillips Collection, National Gallery, Baltimore Symphony, National Chamber Orchestra, Lake Placid Summer Chamber Festival, Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Chicago Symphony Hall, Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Kredi Arts Festival at Topkapi Palace, Istanbul; appearances in Yucatan, live radio recital in Rotterdam, Holland, soloist on public television's "Debut" series. Duo piano performances with husband, Bradford Gowen.

CHRIS GRASSO (jazz piano): B.M. University of Michigan (classical piano), studies at Peabody Conservatory. Law degree, University of California-Berkeley. Prizewinner National Chopin Competition, winner, University of Michigan concerto competition, soloist, Syracuse Symphony. Performances at major Washington DC jazz venues including One Step Down, Blues Alley, Twins Jazz, Bohemian Caverns, the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe, and the Kennedy Center. Performed with vocalist Sharon Clark at the Cape May Jazz Festival and appears annually at the East Coast Jazz Festival.

ALEJANDRO HERNANDEZ-VALDEZ (piano): D.M.A., M.M., University of Texas; B.M. (magna cum laude), Shenandoah Conservatory of Music; studies, Escuela Superior de Musica Sagrada, Guadalajara, Mexico. Winner, Virginia Music Teachers Association Collegiate Artists Music Competition. Solo and chamber music performances in Mexico and U.S., including Terrace Theatre, Kennedy Center, Aspen Music Festival. Instructor, class piano, and coordinator, Piano Project, University of Texas; faculty, Orpheus Academy of Music, Austin Chamber Music Center.

ANASTASSIA IVANOVA (piano): D.M.A., University of Maryland, M.M., B.M. (with Distinction), Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory; post-graduate studies, Trinity College of Music, London, UK. First prize, International Piano Competition Petar Konjovic, Belgrade and Homer Ulrich Award, U of MD. Performances at Caramoor NY, also in Yugoslavia, Germany, UK, Switzerland, Grand Hall of Moscow State Conservatory, Pushkin State Museum of Art, Teatro Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica, Alti Hall, Kyoto, Japan; Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

DIONNE LAUFMAN (piano): B.A., Sarah Lawrence; further studies at Peabody Conservatory; pupil of Leon Fleisher (1966-'73) and pupil of Konrad Wolff and Frank Glazer. Chamber music studies with members of the Fine Arts Quartet, New York Woodwind Quintet, and pianist Frank Glazer. Winner, 1975 Concert Artists Guild Competition. Performed throughout U.S., Europe, Canada. East coast concert venues have included Carnegie Recital Hall, Kennedy Center, Phillips Collection, Wolf Trap, Dumbarton Concert Series, Corcoran Gallery, 13 embassies (first Americans ever to perform in the Russian Embassy and Russian Compound, 1992). Former pianist and co-director of Summer Serenades Chamber Music Festival, Strathmore Hall. Repertory member of the Washington Music Ensemble since 1987; participating member of Embassy Series since 1995. Radio and TV broadcasts in U.S. and over Voice of America. Co-founder, Washington Conservatory, with Liova Kaplan, Miron Yampolsky and Diana Young.

SANA LEBEDEV (piano): Graduated with honors from Baku State Conservatory in the former Soviet Union. Teaches at the Peabody Preparatory School (Baltimore) and accompanies at Towson State University and Goucher College. Performs extensively in Washington-Baltimore area with members of the Mt. Vernon, Baltimore and Alexandria Orchestras.

JAEWON LEE (piano): B.A , M.A. (piano performance) Seoul National University; Artist Diploma, The Cleveland Institute of Music; Advanced Studies, New England Conservatory of Music; Private studies, Sergei Babayan. Prize winner, William Kurzban award, CIM; Winner, Seoul National University concerto competition. Faculty member, The Cleveland Music School Settlement; Director/Founder CMSS Piano Camp; Concerto performances with Cleveland Philharmonic, Cleveland Central Philharmonic Orchestras, Lakeside and Suburban Symphony Orchestras; Solo recitals, Fortnightly Musical Club of Cleveland Concert Series, Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland.

RUTH ROSE (piano): BM, MM, Peabody Conservatory, studies with Walter Hautzig. Former faculty, Utrecht Conservatory, American University. Braille music transcriber, Amsterdam Library for the Blind. In the Netherlands, radio recordings and appearances in the main venues such as the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and De Ijsbreker. Founding member, Onafhankelijk contemporary music series, Amsterdam. Recital, concerto and chamber music performances throughout South America, Europe and the USA include San Diego Repertory Theater, Merkin Hall, Corcoran Gallery, Anderson House. Collaborations with Contemporary Music Forum, In Series. CD "Spanish and Latin American Piano Music" released by Americus Records.

ILYA SINAISKY (piano): D.M.A. candidate, (Collaborative Piano) University of Maryland, M.M., (Piano Performance) Tel Aviv University; Professional Studies (Piano and Accompanying), Cleveland Institute of Music, B.M., Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Instructor, Cleveland Music School Settlement. Prizewinner, 2004 Darius Mihaud Performance Competition, Cleveland; recipient, 2004 Rosa Lobe Memorial Award for Accompanying at Cleveland Institute of Music; recipient, 2004 and 2005 Robert McCoy Prize for Collaborative Piano at University of Maryland. Participant at Music Academy of the West Festival in Santa Barbara (CA) and 2006 Cleveland Art Song Festival. Performances in the greater DC area and with members of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, Israeli Opera, faculty members of the Haifa and Kyriat Tivon Conservatories of Music in Israel

HASKELL SMALL, Chair, Piano Dept. (piano and composition): San Francisco Conservatory and B.F.A. Carnegie-Mellon University. Piano studies with Leon Fleisher, William Masselos, Harry Franklin and Jeanne Behrend, composition studies with Roland Leich and Vincent Persichetti. Award winner, Johann Sebastian Bach International Competition. Featured in PBS special, "A Celebration of the Piano." Recorded numerous CDs. Concerts in London, Paris, Berlin, Italy, Vienna, South America, Japan, China, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Spoleto Festival. Commissions by Phillips Collection, including Renoir's Feast celebrating 2006 return of Renoir's painting, “Luncheon of the Boating Party. Other commissions from Washington Ballet, Three Rivers Piano Competition, Georgetown Symphony, Paul Hill Chorale. Winner, Marin Ballet Dance Score Competition. Composer-in-Residence, Mt. Vernon Orchestra, 2002-03.

JEFFERY WATSON (piano, theory): D.M.A.,University of Maryland;M.M.,Eastman School of Music; B.M.,DePauw University. Associate Professor of piano, DePauw University, teaching fellow, University of Maryland, former faculty member,Levine School of Music. Soloist with Honduran National Symphony, Pan American Symphony, Rosario (Argentina) Chamber Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra with the Kirov Ballet. Pianist with the internationally acclaimed tango quintet, QuinTango, including performances with the Wichita Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica Sinaloa de las Artes (Mexico), at Piccolo Spoleto Festival,U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Buenos Aires, and the International Tango Festival in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Associate conductor for the Kennedy Center's award-winning production of Sunday in the Park with George as part of the Center's 2002 Sondheim Festival; music director and coach for the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland, directed productions of Fatal Song, Tale of Two Cities and Noel & Cole.

THEORY/COMPOSITION

LORA BARONIAN (theory): See piano biographies.

JOSHUA BAYER: See guitar biographies.

CHAD LEADER: See guitar biographies.

MARCEL MAICAN: See brass biographies.

HERMAN MEYER (theory): See guitar biographies.

HASKELL SMALL (theory and composition): See piano biographies.

FRED WILCHEK (theory): See guitar biographies.

STRINGS

FLORENCE ALTENBURGER (violin): D.M.A., Catholic University; M.M., Indiana University, Fulbright scholarship; advanced study diploma, Banff Centre, Canada; M.M., Conservatoire National Supérieur de Lyon, France; B.M., Conservatoire National de Région de Boulogne, France. Performed, recorded throughout Europe as a chamber musician and as a member of the London Symphony Orchestra and the string sextet "Sextet de l'Artois", Salzburg Soloists, and European Union Chamber Orchestra. Performed with Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, National Gallery Orchestra, Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, Baltimore Opera and Musica Aperta Washington.

ELKE BAKER (Scottish fiddling, Celtic music class): B.A. (cum laude), Biochemistry, Harvard University. U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion. Performed in 34 states and five countries on three continents. Featured performer on the soundtrack of the television film "The Boyhood of John Muir." Recent CDs include "Over the Border" and "Terpsichore: Scottish Dance Music" with Liz Donaldson.

DEBORAH MILAN BRUDVIG (cello): M.M., University of Maryland; B.M., Boston University; studies at University of Michigan. Principal cellist, Washington Concert Opera. Chamber performances at the Corcoran, Phillips Collection, Smithsonian and Terrace Theater. Premiers of contemporary music in Washington, DC and New York. Frequent performances with orchestras at the Kennedy Center, National Cathedral, Wolf Trap and Arena Stage.

DOUGLAS DUBÉ (violin): D.M.A., M.M., B.M., Catholic University. Studies with Guarneri String Quartet, Baroque Performance Institute, Oberlin Conservatory, Conductor's Institute, University of South Carolina. Concertmaster, Baltimore Opera Orchestra, Washington Concert Opera. Member, Washington Chamber Symphony, Washington Opera Orchestra, National Gallery Orchestra, Wolf Trap Orchestra. Substitute, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony. Solo recitals, Corcoran Gallery, Catholic University.

ZINA GENDEL (violin): M.M., B.M., Gnessin Institute, Moscow, Instructor, Gnessin's Musical School and College and St. Petersburg School of Art. Member, Vilnius Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Petersburg Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra, Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of Modern and Ancient Music. Past concertmaster, Arlington Symphony, member, Mt. Vernon Chamber Orchestra. Guest artist, Jewish Community Center Orchestra.

KATHY JUDD (violin): see Executive and Artistic Director.

C. ANN LOUD (violin, viola): Studies with Japp Schröder, Stanley Ritchie; B.M., Converse College. Principal violist, Washington Bach Consort, Wolf Trap Opera Orchestra; Founder/Director, Meherrin Chamber Orchestra and Youth Orchestra; Artist-in-Residence, Chowan College; Director, Baroque orchestra, College of William and Mary; Lecturer, teacher, performer of 17th and 18th century music at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Performed with Virginia Symphony, Chatham Baroque, Portland Baroque Orchestra, solo and chamber music performances in Japan, Germany, Holland, France.

GEORGE OHLSON (viola, violin): B.A., Washington University (St. Louis, Missouri). Member, National Gallery Orchestra, Washington Chamber Symphony and American Chamber Orchestra. Member, Belmont String Quartet. Lecture/demonstrations at Washington-area schools. Violist at Grand Teton Music Festival.

DREW OWEN (cello): M.M., Cleveland Institute of Music; B.M., College Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati. Instructor, Howard, Tulane Universities. Former member, New Orleans Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Performs with Washington Opera, Baltimore and National Symphonies and as principal cello, Baltimore Opera.

MAYUMI PAWEL (violin): M.M.; B.M., Ueno-Gakuen College, Tokyo; studied with Toshiya Eto; M.M., University of Wyoming; studies at Eastman School of Music with Sylvia Rosenberg. Former faculty member, Ueno-Gakuen College. Solo and chamber concerts in Japan and U.S. Performance for Royal Family at Emperor's Palace and Japanese Embassy, Washington. Former member, Cezanne Trio. Member, National Philharmonic and Washington Ballet Orchestra.

NANCY JO SNIDER Chair, Baroque Studies, String Dept. (cello, baroque cello, baroque performance ): M.S. (summa cum laude) B.M., Catholic University. Studies at Le Conservatoire Européen de Musique de Paris. Member, Baltimore Opera Orchestra. Recipient, American University's 2005 Outstanding Teacher of the Year in an Adjunct Appointment Award; Musician-in-Residence, 'cello/chamber music, Music Program Director, American University. Performances in chamber and period instrument ensembles including Modern Musick, The Violins of Lafayette/Opera Lafayette. Participant, Baroque performance Institute at Oberlin Conservatory.

YOONEE VAN DEN EYNDE (harp): Diploma (harp, highest distinction), Royal Conservatory of Music, Brussels; Performance Diploma, University of Indiana; Rissler Prize, Belgium; first prize in solo and chamber music at the International Competition (Union of Female Musical Artists), Paris; prizewinner, Foundation Cziffra a Senlis, Paris. Represented Belgium at the Fourth World Harp Congress in Paris. Performances in France, Switzerland, Denmark, US. Member, Washington Korean Symphony Orchestra.

BENJAMIN R. WENSEL (cello): Bachelor of Music from Cleveland Institute of Music, Master of Music from Eastman School of Music. Assistant to Professor Alan Harris. Former member ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony. Previously Artist Faculty at the Hochstein School of Music. Founding member Tarab Cello Ensemble (www.tarabcello.com). Residencies at Princeton, University of South Florida, and Stetson University. Performances throughout the US and France. Member of the US Army Orchestra, Strolling Strings, and String Quartet. Performances at White House, State Department, Pentagon and with many Washington and Baltimore area ensembles. Recordings with Harmonia Mundi, Summit, and Bridge Records.

GUITAR AND BASS

JOSHUA BAYER (sight-singing, bass, electric guitar, improvisation, jazz ensembles): D.M.A., composition, University of Maryland; M.M., composition, B.M. (cum laude), theory, composition, Cleveland State University. Performances at Kennedy Center, Detroit Opera House, Harlem Renaissance Festival, World Jazz Festival, One Step Down, New York Museum of Modern Art, Phillips Collection. Performed with Neal Creque, Dick Lurie, Ron Holloway, Marty Nau, Walter Bell Latin Jazz Unit, Federal Jazz Commission, Chris Vadala. Grants from NEA, Prince George Arts Council. Recordings on Jazzheads and Interlace labels.

JOHN BUTLER (classical, jazz, pop and Suzuki guitar): B.M. (magna cum laude), guitar performance, Howard University. Faculty member of Charles County Community College and Prince Georges Community College. Performed at the Kennedy Center, Austrian Embassy and Smithsonian Institute. Orchestra guitarist for musicals such as "Annie" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

CHAD LEADER (classical, jazz, rock, pop guitar): Performance Certificate, Berklee College of Music; B.M., Virginia Commonwealth University; Master's studies, University of North Texas. Guitarist, United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"; faculty, The National Guitar Workshop, New Orleans and Connecticut; Berklee College of Music Harmony Department tutor/assistant; guitarist for various jazz big bands, rock bands and jazz ensembles in Virginia, Texas and Boston; guitarist for USO tour to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan with country musicians Darryl Worley and Mark Wills.

HERMAN MEYER (classical, jazz and pop guitar; music theory; music history): B.M. (Guitar Performance), B.A. (English Literature UMBC 1974), Peabody Conservatory (1980). Has performed and taught in the Baltimore-Washington area for more than 30 years as both a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. His students have been awarded many prizes and distinctions in exams and competitions. Lectures in music history.

STEVE NOVOSEL (acoustic bass, electric bass): Performed and recorded with Andrew White, Roland Kirk, Stanley Cowell, David “Fathead” Newman and Eddie Harris. Performed with other jazz greats including Cedar Walton, McCoy Tyner, Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Sonny Rollins, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Harry “Sweets” Edison, James Moody, Archie Shepp and Blue Mitchell. Accompanied many singers including Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Donny Hathaway, Anita O’Day, Roberta Flack, Betty Carter. Performed on Verve recording releases of singer Shirley Horn. Tours with Red Norvo, Tal Farlow, Al Grey and David “Fathead” Newman. Over 60 recordings. Faculty, University of the District of Columbia.

BERTA ROJAS (classical guitar): M.M., (with honors) Peabody Conservatory, B.M., Escuela Universitaria de Musica, Uruguay. Solo and duo guitar concert performances in UK, Salzburg, Vienna, Bonn, Rome, New York, Budapest, Paris, Brussels, Taipei, Seoul, Washington, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, Caracas, Bogota, Montevideo and Buenos Aires including concerts at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, South Bank Centre in London, and the International First Ladies Summit in Paraguay. Solo recording selected by Gramophone UK to the "Guide to the Best Recording you can buy" for Latin American Music.

FRED WILCHEK (classical, jazz, rock and electric guitar; electric ensembles): M.M., Peabody Conservatory; B.M., American University. Studies in music education and trumpet at Ohio State University. Former head of guitar department at Virginia Commonwealth University. Former instructor, Anne Arundel Community College, the Community College of Baltimore, Bowie State College and at the Silver Spring Nursery School.

VOICE

NANCY ALMQUIST (voice): M.M., (voice), Indiana University; B.M., North Park University. Studies with Tom Reilly, Maurice Allison, Todd Duncan, Norman Gulbrandsen, Norma Newton. Soloist with Washington Cathedral Choral Society, Hesperus, Folger Consort, Maryland Choral Society, Prince George's Choral Society, New Century Singers. Roles with Annapolis Opera, Opera Americana, The Other Opera Co., Interact Theatre Co., Washington Savoyards. Recitalist at venues including Harmony Hall, National Archives, Hammond Harwood House, St. John's College. Artist faculty at Northern Virginia Community College, St. Mary's College. Director of Music, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.

AURELIUS GORI (voice): D.M.A., M.M., B.M., University of Maryland. Fulbright scholar, at Hochschule für Musik in Munich; award to study at Britten-Pears School for Advanced Musical Studies, UK; special training, American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria. Semifinalist, International Belvedere Competition, Vienna; finalist, National Opera Association Competition, Los Angeles. Soloist with National Symphony Orchestra, Fairfax, Amherst (New York) Symphonies, North York Symphony, Toronto. Concert, operatic, choral society performances. Faculty, Frederick Community College, Northern Virginia Community College, Washington Bible College.

GRACE GORI (voice): M.M. University of Maryland, B.M. Indiana University, guest student, Hochschule für Musik, Munich. Apprentice artist, Sarasota Opera, Natchez Opera Festival, Des Moines Metro Opera. Semi-Finalist, Center for Contemporary Opera Competition, Oratorio Society of New York Competition; finalist, Annapolis Opera Vocal Competition. Appearances, North York (Ontario) Symphony, Amherst (New York) Symphony, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Operatic, concert performances including soloist, Cathedral Choral Society, New Dominion Chorale, Washington Bach Consort, Maryland Handel Festival, soloist, Master Chorale of Washington at Kennedy Center; soloist, Kennedy Center "Sing-Along Messiah."

JOSÉ SACIN (voice): M.M., University of Maryland; B.M., George Mason University. Winner, Montpellier Cultural Arts Center Competition, Annapolis Opera Competition; Instructor, Oyster Bilingual School, Prince George's County Schools, Artists in the Schools at Washington National Opera. Soloist with Washington Opera, Baltimore Opera, Caramoor International Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Opera North, Annapolis Opera, Choral Arts Society, Pan American Symphony Orchestra, Opera Camerata, Washington Bach Consort, Coral Cantigas and others. Artistic Director, Zarzuela Di Si; performed at venues including Kennedy Center, Strathmore Hall, Lincoln Center, Embassies of Spain and Italy, National Gallery, Library of Congress, Corcoran Gallery, Mexican Cultural Institute and in Japan, Russia, Peru, Costa Rica and Honduras.

WOODWINDS

SUZANNE GEKKER (clarinet): Artist Diploma, Yale University, M.M., Cincinnati College-Conservatory, B.M. Northwestern State University (Louisiana). Studied with David Shifrin, Joaquin Valdepenas, Ron De Kant, Carmine Campione. Performances with National Philharmonic, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, National Cathedral Chorus, Wolf Trap, Alexandria Symphony, Smithsonian Chamber Players, Embassy Series and Fessenden Ensemble. Previously performed with Aspen Music Festival, Cincinnati Ballet, American Ballet Theatre (NY), American Symphony (NY), Stamford Symphony (CT), Broadway Show pit orchestras. Taught at Cincinnati public schools, Yavneh Day School, Sylvan Academy of Music (NJ).

BENJAMIN GREANYA (bassoon): M.M., New England Conservatory of Music, B.M., University of Michigan. Performances with Wolf Trap Opera Orchestra, Washington Musica Viva, National Repertory Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Washington Concert Opera, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Choral Arts Society, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. Participant at music festivals including Tanglewood Music Center, Kent Blossom Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival.

CHERYL HILL (clarinet): M.M., State University of New York (Stony Brook); B.M., New England Conservatory of Music. Taught in Concord (Mass.) public schools, Rye Country Day School in New York and Moravian College in Pennsylvania. Past member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra New England and the Quartet of Montage. Participated in Marlboro Music Festival. Member of National Chamber Orchestra and the Baltimore Opera Orchestra.

CAROLE LIBELO (oboe): M.M., New England Conservatory of Music. Assistant Principal Oboe and Solo English Horn, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Performs for Washington National Opera, Kennedy Center Productions, musicals, educational concerts, and Millennium Stage Concert Series. Other performances include the National Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Featured soloist with the National Gallery of Art Orchestra and the Virginia Chamber Orchestra; founding member, National Gallery of Art Chamber Players. Former faculty of St. Mary’s College, Maryland; current faculty, George Washington University.

DAVID LONKEVICH (flute): B.M., Manhattan School of Music. Studied with Julius Baker, Jeanne Baxtresser, Michael Parloff, and Ransom Wilson. Teaches at George Washington University. Guest principal flute, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; principal flute, National Theater Orchestra, Wolf Trap Opera. Performs regularly with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Recitals at Austrian Embassy, French Embassy as part of the "Embassy Series," and Anderson House Museum.

VIRGINIA NANZETTA (flute): M.M., University of Illinois; B.M., Converse College School of Music. Studied with Charles DeLaney, Samuel Baron, Maurice Sharpe, workshops With Robert Dick, Carol Wincenc, Trevor Wye. Taught at University of Illinois, Stockton State College, St. Mary's College, Tidewater Music Festival, Illini Summer Youth Music. Member, Kapelle Woodwind Trio, Nanzetta Trio, Granby Trio. Nominated, first round Grammy Awards for two recordings with American Camerata for New Music. Collaborated with composers Haskell Small, Alec Wilder, John Stephens, Russell Woollen.

MARTY NAU (saxophone): Former lead alto sax, Navy Commodores. Member, Capitol Quartet. Performed with Tommy Dorsey and Dorsey Brothers orchestras, "Blues Alley Big Band," Bill Potts Big Band, Guy Lombardo, National Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Baltimore Symphony with musicians Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Daniels, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, Maureen McGovern. Lead alto, Great American Music Ensemble. Selmer jazz clinician.

PERCUSSION

HOWARD KADISON (percussion, drumset): performed with artists including Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey, Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Mitchell-Ruff Trio. Recorded with Barbra Streisand, Laura Nyro and others. Clinician, jazz workshops with Jamey Aebersold. Performances in every state in the U.S., in jazz festivals in Singapore, Hong Kong, Norway and for State Department tour in South America.

FRED BEGUN (percussion, timpani): Fred Begun (percussion, timpani): Former principal timpanist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Performed under the batons of Mitchell, Dorati, Rostropovich, Slatkin, Bernstein, Stokowski, and Stravinsky, among others. Holds distinction of four world premiere concerto performances: Concerto For Five Timpani and Orchestra, written for him by Robert Parris, Concerto For Five Timpani and Orchestra, by Jorge Sarmientos, Concertante For Timpani and Chamber Orchestra, by Blas Emilio Atehortua, Three Symphonic Etudes For Timpani and Orchestra, written for him by John Stephens; author of 21 Etudes For Timpani, used in music conservatories throughout the world.

AUBREY V. ADAMS (percussion, marimba): Former principal percussionist and section leader, United States Air Force Band; performances at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall with National Symphony Orchestra; timpanist, Prince William Symphony; performances with Washington Ballet, Washington Bach Consort, National Philharmonic and orchestras in MD, VA, and DC; recordings with ensembles including the U.S.A.F. Band and Orchestra and Capitol Winds; performs all 40 Percussive Arts Society International Rudiments on their website; adjudicator, solo/ensemble festivals and district band/orchestra auditions; composed published solos for snare drum; has written articles for the Instrumentalist and Percussive Arts Society magazines; adjunct faculty, University of Maryland and George Mason University.

BRASS

GUNNAR BRUNING (trumpet): M.M., (trumpet performance), University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music; B.M., University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Member, United States Navy Band, member, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory Faculty Brass Quintet, performed with Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra, Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra; Principal Trumpet, Rome Festival Orchestra; Winner, Alice Peet Faust concerto competition (1999); Finalist, National Trumpet Competition (1997).

ROBERT JOHN COUTO (trumpet): M.M., Trumpet Performance, The Juilliard School; B.M., Trumpet Performance, Hartt School of Music; Assistant Solo Cornet, United States Navy Band; member, United States Navy Band Brass Quintet; member, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Symphony Brass Quintet; former member, George Washington University Faculty Brass Quintet. Performances with Hartford (CT), New Haven (CT), Franz Shubert (NY), Harrisburg (PA), Annapolis (MD) and Maryland Symphony Orchestras and Berkshire (MA) Opera Company.

MARCEL MAICAN (trombone, jazz ensemble): Ph.D., M.M., (trombone), M.M., (conducting), Ciprian Porumbescu College of Music, Bucharest. First prize, National Competition for Brass and Wind Instruments. Principal trombonist, National Symphony of Romania. Performed in Europe, Kuwait and Asia as a conductor and soloist with "The Romantics." String Orchestra. Conductor and Director of Jazz, St. Anselm's Abbey School. Chairman of Composition for Washington Music Teachers Association.

CHRISTOPHER SALA (trumpet): M.M., (trumpet performance), Florida State University; B.M., Eastman School of Music, (trumpet performance and music education); member, United States Navy Band, former member, Epic Brass Quintet, Florida State University faculty brass quintet, 1st place winner, 1996 International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition, prizewinner, 1997 National Trumpet Competition, semi-finalist , Vassily Brandt Trumpet Competition in Saratov, Russia. Performances with Boston Modern Orchestra Project, National Lyric Opera, Annapolis, Vermont, Springfield (MA), Portland (ME), Columbus (GA) and Tallahassee Symphonies.

A. SCOTT WOOD, Chair, Woodwind/Brass Dept. (conducting, orchestra): M.M., B.S., University of Illinois. Music Director, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, National Cathedral School Orchestra, Washington Savoyards. Assistant Conductor, Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. Guest Conductor, Amadeus Chamber Orchestra, Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra, Eldbrooke Opera, Signature Theatre, Trujillo Symphony (Peru). Conducted American University Orchestra, Washington Symphonic Brass, American Youth Philharmonic, and numerous youth orchestras. Finalist, International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition, London. Trumpeter, Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Chamber Orchestra, Brass Mosaic at Carnegie Hall.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC

BETH RUBENS (early childhood music): MM in Vocal Performance, San Francisco Conservatory of Music; BA, Vassar College; Orff Schulwerk Level I Certification, Mills College, Oakland, CA; Orff Schulwerk Level II, George Mason University; Current Faculty Musikids, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, MD; Former Faculty, Levine School of Music, Washington, DC; Former K-2 Elementary Music specialist, Walnut Creek, CA; Current performer of Opera, Cabaret, Oratorio, in Greater Washington DC area; Member, Early Childhood Music and Movement Association.

JAZZ

JOSHUA BAYER: See guitar and bass biographies.

JOHN BUTLER: See guitar and bass biographies.

CHRIS GRASSO: See piano biographies.

HOWARD KADISON: See brass and percussion biographies.

CHAD LEADER: See guitar and bass biographies

MARTY NAU: See woodwinds biographies.

STEVE NOVOSEL: See guitar and bass biographies.

FRED WILCHEK: See guitar and bass biographies.

ADMINISTRATION

KATHY JUDD (Executive and Artistic Director): See above.

LUCIA LEITH (Student Services Director): B.A., English (Highest Honors), Principia College; piano studies, Cleveland Institute of Music, Financial Officer, non-profit organization, staff correspondent, Christian Science Monitor, founding board member, D.C./Maryland citizens association.

CHRIS DESROCHER (Director of Registration and Operations): Registrar, Temple University Music Prep, owner, Desrocher Designs. M.M., Jazz Studies, Berklee College of Music; B.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University. Performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pueblo SymphonyOrchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra. Taught at SuburbanMusic School and Temple Music Prep in Philadelphia. Childrens performances at Weinberg Theater, Frederick, MD and in the DC Metro area. Pastmember of groups Dionne Knibb and The Agitators, Popgun7, EasternStandard Time, Time Machine, Volaré, The Liberation. Member, Redskins Marching Band. Faculty, French International School.