ANDREW ARRIAGA • GUITAR
Andrew received his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Connecticut State University. His studies included classical guitar under Andrew LaFreniere and jazz guitar with Chris Morrison. Andrew has performed extensively in the region as a soloist, choir accompanist, and in orchestras and jazz ensembles. In August 2005 he traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland where he was guitarist for the musical production of “Twelfth Night”. He also teaches piano and guitar at The Silas Dean Middle School in Whethersfield, CT.

SVETLANA BELL • VIOLIN • VIOLA
Svetlana attended Western Connecticut State University and received a B.A. with concentration in music from Charter Oak State College. She received her teacher’s certification for music from the CT State Dept. of Education. As a child she attended the Central Music School for Gifted and Talented Students in Saransk, Russia. Svetlana earned a degree from the Saransk Music Institute which qualified her as a licensed instructor and performance artist of violin. She attended Morodvian State University, was director for the Octobrist Cultural Union and taught violin and music theory at the Luhovskaya Music School in Saransk. Svetlana is currently string instructor at the Cider Mill School in Wilton, CT and a member of the Danbury Symphony Orchestra. She has been teaching for 20 years.

KURT BERGLUND • PERCUSSION
Kurt received his B.M. from Western Connecticut State University where he won the Music Chairman’s Award upon graduation. He has been teaching drums for 18 years. Kurt has studied with many noted jazz artists including Kenny Washington, Joe Morello, and Joel Rosenblatt. He was drill instructor for the drum line at Newtown High School 1994-2004 and accompanied them to the Rose and Citrus Bowl Parades. Kurt has performed in various styles, including New Orleans Funk, Reggae, and Jazz styles.

STEPHANIE BIELLO • PIANO
Stephanie received a B.M. Cum Laude in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University and is currently working on her Masters in Composition at SUNY Purchase College. Her studies include classical piano, composition, improvisation and jazz theory. Stephanie has been teaching piano for 4 years.

JEAN EARLY • PIANO • GROUP PIANO
Jean received an A.A. with highest honors in Piano Performance from Montgomery College. She has been teaching piano for 30 years. Jean is also an organist, and has performed with and directed numerous choral groups.

RUSSELL HARDY • VOICE • GUITAR
Russell received a B.M. in Voice from Western Connecticut State University where he studied with Perry Price. He has lead and provided guitar accompaniment for folk choirs. Russ is also a solo performer, and tenor section leader at St. Thomas Moore Church in Darien.

JOHN HARTFORD • PIANO
John studied theory, composition, and piano at Julliard for four years. He has also studied harpsichord. John has worked as a teaching assistant to Sylvia Rabinof and has 20 years experience teaching piano. He is a member of The American Bach Society, Music Teachers National Association and the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association.

LAURIE HASKINS • PIANO • GROUP PIANO
Laurie received her B.S. degree in music education from Western CT State University and has been teaching piano for eight years. She taught Kindergarten through 5th grade music at the Fraser Woods School in Newtown and 4th through 8th grade music at the Unquowa School in Fairfield. Her classroom experience includes general music, guitar classes, chorus direction, musical theater production, music history, and Orff-Kodaly method. Laurie is a piano accompanist and a member of the Connecticut Master Chorale.

ELLIOT ISAACSON • VIOLIN • VIOLA
Elliot earned a Bachelor’s of Music degree in viola performance from the Julliard School and a Masters degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. He received a grant from Julliard to teach viola lessons in a New York City public arts magnet elementary school. He has performed with the National Orchestral Institute, the Ridgefield Symphony, the New York String Orchestra, and the Blossom Festival Orchestra. His early string training included studies at the Music Learning Center.

STEVE ISAACSON • PIANO
Steve Isaacson has 25 years of piano teaching experience in both traditional and Suzuki settings. He graduated from Hunter College in New York City. He has performed in many chamber music ensembles, as an accompanist with soloists and choirs, and is currently a member of the Danbury Community Orchestra. He studied piano with Howard Tuvelle and Michael Boriskin.

WALTER JAKOBOSKI • PIANO
Walter has studied piano from the age of four, instructed by Bruce Simons, the director of Yale Music School. He has taught piano and music theory lessons since 1966 to students of all ages. In addition, Walter has performed studio promotion concerts. He holds a degree from the University of New Haven in another field of study.

MAUREEN KELLY • PIANO • VOICE
Maureen began her vocal studies at Cornell University where she received a voice scholarship for non-music majors. Maureen directed the sixth grade chorus at the Bethel Middle School for two years. She currently is music director, with her husband, at the Newtown Congregational Church.

JOANNA M. KING • PIANO
Joanna received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Western CT State University. Joanna was the recipient of the Hamden, CT Arts Commission's "Salute to Young Artists", and has been awarded first place at the Minotti Music Festival on three separate occasions since 1999. Joanna was selected to serve on the staff of WCSU's Summer Music Program and is Treasurer of the local chapter of the Music Educators National Conference. She has been teaching piano for 5 years.

NATALIA KOLENCIAK • PIANO • GROUP PIANO
Natalia has been teaching piano for 10 years. She has a Master in Performing Arts, Piano Teacher degree from the Moscow State Institute of the Arts. Natalia is an accomplished piano teacher and accompanist having held teaching positions at Moscow State College of Fine Arts, Voronezh State Music College, and Lipetsk State Music School.

TARA LESCO • PIANO
Tara received a B.M. from the Hartt School of Music in music history with performance practices and a concentration in piano. Her studies included music theory, music conducting, and the Kodaly method of ear training. Tara is currently completing her State of CT teaching certification. She has been a cast member with Up With People, as well as an accompanist for church groups. Tara has been teaching piano for 8 years.

JEFF McGILL DIRECTOR • PIANO • JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Jeff received a B.A. from St. Lawrence University with additional studies at the Crane School of Music and Berklee College of Music. His first teaching experience came as a member of the faculty at the Gunnery in Washington, CT, where he became chairman of the Arts Department and developed the music curriculum. Since 1985 Jeff has led his own jazz quartet and performed at jazz festivals and clubs throughout the tri-state area. In 1993 he co-founded the Music Learning Center where he teaches jazz piano, ensembles, and works with students and instructors alike on the use of technology in music education.

MARGARET McKERROW • VOICE • PIANO
Margaret received a B.S. and Master of Science in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT. She studied vocal repertoire and church music at Westminster Choir College. Margaret has performed operatic roles in Lucia di Lammermoor, La Traviata, and The Magic Flute, just to name a few. She has performed as a soloist with concert choirs and choruses, and has gathered extensive experience in church music serving as cantor and choir director.

CLAUDIA MICKELSON • CLARINET • SAXOPHONE
Claudia holds a B.M. in Clarinet Performance from Indiana University and a B.A. in Music Literature from the University of Washington. She has been teaching privately since 1987 and also was a full-time instructor in several schools in Elkhart, Indiana. Claudia has performed with the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, the Danbury Community Orchestra, Western Connecticut State University Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, and Hudson Valley Wind Symphony.

SHANE PETERS • GUITAR
Shane received his B.M. cum laude in jazz performance from Western Connecticut State University. He is currently completing his education certification. Shane has been teaching various styles such as jazz, rock, and country guitar for five years. He has taught at the WCSU Summer Camp. Shane performs regularly throughout the tri-state area, leading his own acoustic trio.

JOANN RANDI SUZUKI • PIANO
JoAnn received her Masters Degree in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University and has been teaching piano since for over 30 years. JoAnn holds a New York State Certificate in Music Education and is currently teaching in the Ulster County Public School System.

MARY ROSS CELLO • VIOLIN • VIOLA
Mary received a certificate in Music Performance from Dutchess Community College and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University. She also received a Master’s degree from WCSU and is currently director of the strings program at Danbury High School and Broadview Middle School. Mary has been teaching privately for 8 years.

KEVIN SANDLER • BRASS
Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Connecticut State University, where he performed with the Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, and Orchestra. He has also performed for several local orchestras and bands, including the Danbury Community Orchestra, as Principal Chair, and Danbury Symphony Orchestra. Kevin has been teaching brass for 11 years.

DONNA SCOZZAFAVA • PIANO
Donna holds a Master of Science in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University. She taught music in the New Fairfield Public School System for 8 years and has been teaching piano for over 35 years.

SARA VOKES ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR • VOICE • PIANO
Sara received her Bachelors of Music from Ithaca College, and her Masters of Music from the University of Illinois.  She has performed leading roles with opera companies in the United States and has either won or placed as a finalist for a number of competitions including the Florida Grand Opera, the National Association of Teacher’s of Singing Award, the NOA/Marjorie Gordon Award, and the St. Louis Symphony.  She was a leading artist in the Merryall Arts and “Divas of Soul” Festivals and she performs in concert as a part of the Vokes-Walker Duo. Sara serves as director of the a cappella quartet at the First Congregational Church of New Milford, CT as well as soloist for special services. She has been teaching for 18 years.

JAMES WALKER • PERCUSSION
James has earned degrees in percussion performance from Ithaca College and Northern Illinois University.  He has a wide range of performance experience, including jazz vibraphone, pans (steel drums), drum set, and hand drumming.  Additionally, he has performed as a percussionist with the Waterbury, New Britain, and Wallingford symphony orchestras, as well as the Opera Company of the Highlands.  James has been teaching for 17 years, and has had articles published in magazines such as Percussive Notes and Jazz Player Magazine.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS FLUTE • CLARINET • ALTO SAXOPHONE
Ashley received her B. S. in Music Education at Western Connecticut State University, graduation Magna cum Laude. During her time at WCSU, she performed as the principal flutist in the WCSU Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Flute Choir and Woodwind Quintet. She also performs with the Ives Festival Orchestra in Danbury. Ashley has performed for the Julius Baker Master Classes since 2003, and has worked as a counselor and chamber ensemble leader for the WCSU Summer Music Camps since 2005. She has performed in pit orchestras on flute, alto flute, piccolo, clarinet and alto saxophone.


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