Ms. Adessa received her Bachelor of Music from the Mannes College of Music in NYC and completed her post graduate studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London. Her extensive performing career includes roles in major operas and oratorios, as well as solo recitals around the world. Ms. Adessa has performed in such venues as Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, and the Royal Academy of Music. She has taught voice lessons throughout the New York area. Ms. Adessa  performs and teaches all styles of music from opera to musical theater to popular music.

Mr. Adler received his Bachelors degree from New England Conservatory. He has been featured in the Boston Globe, The Village Voice, Vancouver's Razer TV show "969", the National Public Radio show "Eric in the Evening," Musique Machine Magazine, All About Jazz, Cadence Magazine, Performer Magazine, Jazz Review, free103point9, Seattle's KBCS and many other media sources.  His music and compositions have also been used in film and they have been featured at the South by Southwest film festival in 2008.  In addition to his performing, Mr. Adler has extensive teaching experience.   He is on faculty at Rose Hill Music, Hoff Barthelson Music School, and maintains his own private teaching studio.   He also taught alongside Ran Blake for his Development of Long Term Melodic Memory course and Hankus Netsky with his Jazz Theory course, both at the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Mr. Allen received his Bachelors from the Manhattan School of Music in Jazz Performance .  At the young age of 16, Mr. Allen was recognized by Guitar Player Magazine as a talent to watch.   Mr. Allen has been teaching, composing and leading his own groups for over 15 years and has worked with many of the most respected musicians in New York, such as David Liebman, Ravi Coltrane, Mark Turner, Jeff Ballard, Seamus Blake, and Drew Gress. Mr. Allen has released two critically acclaimed recordings, "Untold Stories" and "Real and Imagined",  which feature his original music. He can be heard performing at The Blue Note, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, The 55, and many other venues in New York.  His groups have performed throughout Europe and the U.S.   Mr. Allen has been teaching guitar and composition and giving master classes for the past 15 years.

Violinist, Rachel Alexander began her violin studies at the age of 9. Rachel is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory program where she studied with Stanley Bednar. Her post-secondary education was received at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College where she studied with Laurie Smukler and Calvin Wiersma. Rachel also holds her MA in Music Education from Hunter College. Her professional performance career includes several chamber music recitals throughout New York City as well as the participation in the Wall to Wall: Stravinsky Concert held at Symphony Space NY, NY. Rachel has also performed in such venues including Avery Fisher Hall, Tilles Center, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the Pepsico Performing Arts Center and the Eastman School of Music. She can be heard on movie soundtracks and recordings of several bands and singer/songwriters. Rachel is currently an active member of the One World Symphony. As a passionate and dedicated musician and educator, it is Ms. Alexander’s objective to introduce students to a diverse selection of musical styles, instruments, theories and experiences in order to make music an accessible, meaningful and enjoyable medium. She currently teaches within several schools and privately.

Ms. Balbeisi received her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance and her Master of Music degree in viola performance from Penn State University. She received a Professional Studies Diploma from Mannes College of Music. Ms. Balbeisi has an extensive background in education and is a Suzuki trained teacher and Level I certified Orff Schulwerk teacher. She has taught at Penn State University and the Virginia Commonwealth University Community School for the Performing Arts. She is active as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician appearing in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Avery Fisher.

Mr. Blostein received his Bachelor of Music degree from The Manhattan School of Music where he studied with Mark Turner, Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts and Dave Liebman. In 2002 he performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland as a competitor in the White Foundation Saxophone Competition.  In 2003, Matt formed the group, Blostein–Sperrazza Quartet, along with drummer Vinnie Sperrazza, shortly after their meeting at the Banff Jazz Workshop. The group has performed all over the east coast and in NYC. They released a self-titled CD in 2004, and are currently working on material to record for a new release.  Recently,  Matt toured with the Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Noveau and toured and recorded with the Tim Collins Group featuring Ingrid Jensen. Matt has performed at the Ravinia Festival, Aspen Snowmass Jazz Festival, Kennedy Center, Thailand Cultural Center, Cape Cod Jazz Festival, Utica Jazz Festival, Clarion Jazz Festival, and NY jazz clubs such as the 55 Bar, Cornelia Street Café, Smoke, Marie’s and Smith’s. Matt has taught extensively in NY,  including positions at the Manhattan School of Music Prep Division,  JCC on the Palisades, Third Street Music Settlement, and Greenwich Music School.

Rupert Boyd - Acoustic and Electric  Guitar and Electric Bass

Mr. Boyd  holds a Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) degree from the Australian National University School of Music, a Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and an Artist Diploma degree from the Yale University School of Music. He has performed throughout the United States, Spain, Italy, France and Australia, and among numerous prizes is the recipient of the Andrés Segovia Award from the Manhattan School of Music.  Mr. Boyd is on  faculty at 92nd Street Y, Greenwich House School of Music and The New York Conservatory.

Vito Chiavuzzo - Winds and Piano

Mr. Chiavuzzo received his Bachelor of Music degree from William Patterson University and his Master of Music degree from The Manhattan School of Music. His performing career has included appearances with The Henry Mancini Institute, The Manhattan Symphonia, and The American Musical Theater Ensemble. His numerous recordings include the Grammy-nominated recording with the Henry Mancini Institute Big Bands at Capital Records. Mr. Chiavuzzo has taught at the Manhattan School or Music Educational Outreach Program, University of North Carolina and at several New Jersey High Schools.

James Clark  - Piano (Jazz and Classical)

Mr. Clark received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University, where he was the recipient of the Harry Winokur Outstanding Achievement in Music Award, and his Master of Music degree from NYU. Upon graduation Mr. Clark taught piano performance and jazz harmony at NYU. In addition to his work as a teacher, he regularly performs throughout the northeast with jazz, classical, and rock ensembles.  He has performed with Saturday Night Live Music Director Lenny Pickett, noted jazz artists Wayne Krantz and Ralph Alessi, and at venues including The Blue Note, The Jazz Gallery, The Knitting Factory, and Small’s Jazz Club.  Mr. Clark is also an accomplished composer and writes for jazz ensembles as well as film and multi-media projects. His discography includes Look to Your Left, Wish I Knew, No Forwarding Address, and Softly Sing.

David DeJesus  - Woodwinds and Piano

Mr. DeJesus received his Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Purchase and his Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Mr. DeJesus was a semi-finalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Competition. He has performed throughout the world with such groups as the Mingus Big Band, The Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and is currently performing with "In the Heights" on Broadway. His extensive teaching background has included positions at Brein McMahon High School in Connecticut, Manhattan School of Music, and he is currently on faculty at SUNY Purchase College Conservatory.

Kelly Fenton - Woodwinds

Ms. Fenton received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina with a double major in Music Education and Jazz Studies. She received her Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She is a certified K-12 music teacher and has taught  general music and concert band. She also teaches at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory division.  She founded the Kelly Fenton Jazz Orchestra, a 20 piece big band that performs throughout New York City and is currently writing her debut album scheduled for release in Fall 2007.

Mr. Garey received his Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University and his Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas. His extensive teaching experience includes positions at The Music Conservatory of Texas, Hutchinson Community College, and Ithaca College. He performs regularly throughout the New York area and has released two CD's with the Lily Maase Quintet. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Mr. Gray received his Bachelor of Music degree from Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and his Master of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed throughout the world and toured extensively throughout Northern Europe and the east coast of the United States. Mr. Gray has recorded several records for the labels Umlaut Records and Flattened Planet Records. His CD "Corpulent" features Miles Davis Band Alum, Gary Thomas. He has taught in Stockholm, the Yarmouth, Maine Public Schools, and maintains an active teaching schedule in New York.

Mr. Ingram received his Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory and his Bachelor of Music degree from USC. His has performed throughout the United States at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center, Birdland, Hawaii International Jazz Festival, and The International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. Mr. Ingram was one of four pianists selected from a worldwide audition to perform at Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Ingram has taught at the University of New Hampshire and The Wheeler School as well as maintaining a private studio in Boston before moving to New York.

New York City-based cellist, Maria Bella Jeffers, has two bachelors' degrees from the University of North Texas in Music Education and Music Performance and a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music in Cello Performance.   She has taught privately at all levels since the year 2000 and has directed and taught high school, middle school, and elementary orchestras.  She has guided young cellists at the Birch Wathen Lenox school in Manhattan and teaches at the Huntington Performing Arts Center in Huntington, Long Island.   Maria's performances have recently covered a wide variety of genres.  She performs with the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the string quartet, Osso, an indie-rock chamber-pop group, My Brightest Diamond, and the jazz trombonist Alan Ferber's nonet.    She has been heard in major films, Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Late Night Show with Conan O'Brien and the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon.  Maria has toured the United States, Europe and Japan.

Jess Jurkovic -  Piano (Jazz, Classical)

Mr. Jurkovic received his Master of Music in jazz and commercial music from the Manhattan School of Music. He has played throughout the United States in jazz bands such as the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Disney College Jazz Band, and the Steve Wright Big Band. His teaching experience ranges from his private studio in New York and Minneapolis to teaching jazz harmony and counterpoint at the Manhattan School of Music.

Landon Knoblock -  Piano (Jazz, Classical)

Mr. Knoblock received his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz performance and his Master of Music degree in jazz pedagogy from the University of Miami. He has taught extensively including at the University of Miami, Southwestern Community College,  and The Actor's Playhouse. He was the recipient of the Downbeat Award in 2004 and invited to the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. His performing career has taken him to venues such as Young Jazz in Town Festival and The Art Blakey Jazz Club in Italy, Twins Jazz in Washington,  D.C., and the Knitting Factory in New York. His numerous CD's include The Heartbeat, The Breath, Children's Crusade, Uncarved Block, Listening Between, and Harmonium.

Laurie Kono - Piano

Ms. Kono received her Bachelor of Music degree from USC and her Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music. She has a strong pedagogical background including positions teaching piano, theory and improvisation in California and the New York metro area. Her performing career has taken her to such places as Okinawa, Los Angeles and Madrid. She won the acclaimed Okinawa International Competition and the Puigerda International Competition in Spain.

Geoffrey Kraly - Double Bass, Electric Bass, Electric and Acoustic Guitar

Mr Kraly is active on the New York creative music scene, and in demand as a rock and studio bassist and guitarist. Before coming to New York, he studied at Northwestern University, where he earned a B.M. in Music Cognition, studying the cognitive processes involved in learning, performing, and listening to music.  While in the Chicago area he studied with Steve Rodby.  Kraly cites weekly performances with pianist Rick Montalbano and several appearances with Victor Wooten as important and favorite landmarks among his early experiences as a musician.  He has taught ensembles and private guitar and bass students at Queens College CPSM preparatory school, Landmark & Coalition Public Schools, Northwestern University’s NHSMI.  He currently teaches at JCC On The Palisades in Tenafly, NJ and Larchmont Music Academy.

Nathaniel LaNasa  - Piano

Mr. LaNasa received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. His performing career has included an impressive four concerto performances; Berg Kammerkonzert,  Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 2, Haydn Piano Concerto in D Major  and Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue.  With the Manhattan School of Music Educational Outreach Department he has taught in the New York City Public School system. He has also taught at St. Brendan's Community Music School, and in Seattle, Washington.

Mr. Le Boeuf received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music as the recipient of the Michael W. Greene scholarship.  Additionally, he has studied songwriting and electronic music at the Berklee College of Music.  Pascal has garnered over twenty national and international awards and accomplishments, the most notable being the ASCAP/IAJE Commission honoring Quincy Jones, which premiered at the 2004 IAJE conference and featured tenor saxophonist Chris Potter.  Pascal has also received awards from Downbeat Magazine, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, and dominated the 2006 Independent Music Awards, winning Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Song for his prior release Migration.  Most recently,  the track Code Word off his new album House Without A Door received 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition.  Pascal performs frequently throughout New York with his twin brother Remy, Myron Walden, Clarence Penn, and Mike Ruby.  His career as an educator has taken him around the country. He worked as jazz guide for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts,  maintained a  private studio,  and has been on faculty at the Stanford Jazz Workshop.

Mr. Le Boeuf received his Bachelor of Music and Master for Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. Among his numerous awards he was the 2008 recipient of the National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts Astral Grant, the ASCAP Foundation Young Composers Awards for an unprecedented five years in a row. Mr. Le Boeuf has performed throughout the U.S. and Canada including such venues as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Banff and the Henry Mancini Institute. He is featured on more than ten recordings. Mr. Le Boeuf maintains a busy teaching schedule including positions at the Manhattan School of Music Educational Outreach Program, The Kappa IV School and MS 167 in New York City.

Roger Lent works as a trumpet player as well as a pianist  in New York city.  Over the years he has performed with many different musicians around the world. They have included in no particular order, Gerry Mulligan, Red Rodney, Jon Hendricks, the David Berger Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Charli Persip, David Murray and the Next Legacy Orchestra, Jason Moran, Chico O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra,, Maynard Ferguson, Luis Migel as well as many others.  The Roger Lent Octet is an original project which he writes for and performs with in jazz venues around New York city.  He leads a piano trio every Monday night at Cleopatra's Needle Jazz Club on the upper west side of Manhattan.   He also performs classical brass music with the Uptown Brass Quintet regularly around New York.     His trumpet teachers were Don Jacoby and Bill Fielder.   He was a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Trumpet Competition in 1997 held in Washington D.C.    He teaches at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and the Larchmont Music Academy.

Rick Quantz - Viola, Violin

Mr. Quantz received his Bachelor of Music degree from Eastman School of Music and his Master of Music degree from NYU. He has performed widely as both a chamber and orchestral musician. His recent performances include performances at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Bargemusic, The Blue Note, and Seoul Arts Center with the New Jersey Philharmonic. Mr. Quantz maintains an active teaching schedule. He is an adjunct professor at NYU, and has taught in Hartford, CT, Houston TX, and Hudson, NY.

Cory Ramey - Violin, Viola, Piano

Ms. Ramey received a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory. She received her Master's degree from Columbia University. Her extensive teaching career began in Ohio where she taught in Oberlin from 2001-2007. Her studio consisted of students of all level and age. Her performances have taken her throughout the U.S. including the Aspen Music Festival.

Jason Rigby -- Woodwinds (Classical, Jazz)

Mr. Rigby received his Bachelor of Music from Youngstown State University and his Master of Music in jazz saxophone from the Manhattan School of Music. He has taught all woodwind instruments and piano throughout the New York City area, including the Queens Conservatory, The New School University, City College of NY, Stony Brook University, Hartwick College, Woodside Music Studio, and the Steiner School in New York City. He has received numerous awards for his performances and recordings, including Downbeat magazine's "Best College Instrumentalist". Mr. Rigby has received notable acclaim for his performances and recordings from The New York Times, TimeOutNY, Cadence and DownBeat.

Lauren Riley received her Bachelor of Music Degree form Boston University and her Master of Music degree from NYU. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate at NYU. Her performing career has taken her throughout the United States and she has been featured in a CD "Seymour Glass" and in the movie "The Greatest Travesty". She is a member of the Silhouette String Quartet and has performed such prestigious groups as the New Jersey Philharmonic, and One World Symphony.  Ms. Riley is on faculty at NYU, Great Neck Music Conservatory and is part of the NY Pops Mentors program, and the New York State Summer Music Festival.

Ms. Rubio came to the United States with the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study violin at Indiana University in Bloomington.  Having given several solo and chamber music recitals throughout the U.S., Ms. Rubio has shown her diverse background as a performer of Classical Music, as well as Jazz and the music of Latin America. Ms. Rubio has over  ten years of teaching experience, having taught in Germany and the US. As a Graduate Assistant at Indiana University she has taught music majors, coached string ensembles, and directed concerts. She was awarded several grants for her musical achievements at the GVL Society and the Federal Association of German Foundations, and at age 17 won the First Prize at the Jugend Musiziert Competition.  As a founding member of the violin quartet Solun, she was featured in mixed media performances at Benefit Galas and on German tv. Laura Rubio holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, and a Master of Music degree as well as a Performer Diploma from The Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University.

Erich Schoen-Rene - Cello

Mr. Schoen-Rene received his Bachelors degree from Bard College and his Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music. He has had extensive performing experience both in the United States and Europe as both a soloist and orchestral musician. Mr. Schoen-Rene has performed with the Manhattan Symphony, Garden State Philharmonic, and the American Opera Company. His teaching experience includes positions in Germany, Switzerland,  and at the prestigious School for Strings in New York.

Nicole Sharlow Diaz - Violin (Suzuki, Traditional)

Ms. Sharlow graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University and received her masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music in violin performance. She is an active performer and has played in music festivals and orchestras throughout the world. Ms. Sharlow has background in the Suzuki violin method and has extensive teaching experience in both Pittsburgh and New York.

Angela Scherrah - Voice, Piano

Ms. Scherrah  originally hails from Pittsburgh, Pa. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from  the Manhattan School of Music. There, she studied voice, piano and violin. For her vocal talents she has been awarded the Civic Light Opera Guild Young Artist Award, The Tuesday Musical Club Award (Helen Clay Frick), and The William Haralson Prize for Vocal Technique. She has studied at the International Institute of Vocal Arts (Milan, Italy), and worked with conductors such as Robert Page, the late Paul Ross and Isaac Stern.  She made her Carnegie  Hall debut singing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony as a benefit concert for Darfur. Aside from singing, Ms. Scherrah has many credits as a violinist, pianist, and actress. She was formerly part of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and a student at The City Music Center at Duquesne University where she was a two time winner in the Duquesne Young Artist Competition for Four Hand Piano and Piano Solo. Recently, she has been seen performing in the off-Broadway musical "Bellevue Sketches". Ms. Scherrah has maintained a private studio for  the past seven years.

Andie Springer - Violin, Viola

Ms. Springer received her Bachelor of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University and her Master of Music degree from NYU. She has performed throughout the world with NYU Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Opera, the Arctic Chamber Players and Fairbanks Symphony. Recently she performed at the Tribeca Film Festival and with the Combo Nuvo at the Festival Jazz Peru and Lima, Peru. Her extensive teaching career includes positions as a private instructor and suzuki group teacher. She has taught at New Song Studio, maintains a private studio and she is an adjunct professor at NYU.

Mr. Tewarson received his Bachelors degree in Music from NYU and continued with his graduate studies at New England Conservatory. He has received many awards and accolades, including the prestigious John Lennon Award from BMI. He has taught in the NYC area since 1999.

Mr. Thomas received his Bachelor of Music degree from  Western Michigan University in 2007. Mr. Thomas has received numerous awards for both performing and arranging. In 2008, he was 1 out of 4 pianists nationwide chosen to participate in Fred Hersch's "Solo Duo Trio" workshop and present a concert in Carnegie Hall.  At the Notre Dame Jazz Festival 2 years in a row, Mr. Thomas received  a total of 6 outstanding performance awards and Downbeat Magazine honored him with two different awards. Mr. Logan has been teaching both classical and jazz piano to students of all ages for the past five years. He was the musical director for the "All Ears Theatre Program" in Kalamazoo, MI.

Ms. Tines received her Bachelor's degree in vocal performance from Rhodes College in Memphis and her Master's degree from Oklahoma City University.  While studying at OCU, she earned her Kindermusik license and went on to teach Kindermusik and private voice lessons through the Oklahoma City University Performing Arts Academy.  Following her stay in Oklahoma, Ms. Tines taught all levels of Kindermusik through the Kindermusik of the Woodlands program in Texas.

Timothy Ziesmer - Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Electric Bass