Music Faculty Bios

Theodore Arm (violin) has delighted audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan with his artistry. Mr. Arm has been a member of the highly acclaimed chamber group TASHI since 1976 and has performed with Lukas Foss, Chick Corea and Gary Burton, among others. He has had several works written for him, including a chamber violin concerto by Gabriela Frank that he performed at Carnegie Hall in November of 2004. Mr. Arm is a favorite with summer chamber music festival audiences throughout the United States. He has recorded for RCA, Delos, Koch, Musical Heritage Society and ECM. Mr. Arm is a Professor of Violin at the University of Connecticut. He holds a Doctorate in Performance from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Christine Dethier and Joseph Fuchs.

Rich Baccaro (percussion/jazz) plays a wide range of styles from jazz and commercial to big band and theater.  A former writer for Modern Drummer magazine, his publications include Textbook of Drum Set Exercises and Snare Drum Extensions.

Bob Bloom teaches hand percussion courses for children and for adults at colleges and learning centers throughout New England. He is certified as a "Master Teaching Artist" by the Connecitcut  Commission on the Arts. His experience includes over a decade as a performance member of Dr. Babatunde Olatunji's troupe "Drums of Passion."

Dorothy Bognar (piano) holds music degrees from the University of California (Santa Barbara and Berkeley) and an MLS from UC Berkeley. Since retiring from UConn as Head of the Music Library in 1997 she has thoroughly enjoyed teaching piano, playing keyboard in the swing band Flamingo, and performing both solo and ensemble music (including annual recitals of two-piano music with Bob Richardson). She belongs to the Music Teachers National Association, the Connecticut State Music Teachers Association and the Musical Club of Hartford. Dorothy teaches students from age 7 to 77.

Sarah Bouchard (flute) received her B.M. Flute Performance from the University of Connecticut in 2003. She continued on to become a certified educator in 2005 and is recognized throughout Connecticut as a highly skilled, motivated and enthusiastic teacher and performance artist. Sarah performs in the Charter Oak Flute Choid, with Blackledge Music, and was the winner of the University of Connecticut Annual Concerto Competition in 2002. She currently teaches instrumental music at the Daisy Ingraham School.

Clayton Burns (viola/violin), B.M., M.M., Indiana University. Formerly an Applied Lesson Instructor at the Lovett School in Atlanta Georgia, Mr. Burns is an active musician who has performed with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Terre Haute Symphony, and Columbus Symphony orchestras. Also an active freelance musician, Mr. Burns has performed in Baroque and Classical ensembles as well as opera productions in the United States and Europe.

Tom Calabro (cello), B.A., Bennington College; M.Mus., Syracuse University. A freelance cellist since 1983, Mr. Calabro has performed with numerous symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, dance, theatre and improvisational groups throughout the U.S.A. and other countries. Currently he performs with the Vivante Trio, Bennington Cello Quartet, New Britan Symphony, Hop River Chamber Players and others.

Janice Castle (Treblemakers) is in her 13th year teaching general music at Center School in Willington, CT. She teaches 275 students from Kindergarten through 3rd grade and directs a 3rd grade chorus of 35 students. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Music degrees in Music Education from the University of Connecticut. In addition to accompanying Treblemakers, Mrs. Castle is a substitute organist for area churches, teaches private piano lessons, and conducts a children's choir at Storrs Congregational Church.

Scott Chaurette (bass) has performed throughout the United States with a variety of ensembles including the Portland Symphony, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, New Hampshire Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, and the Illinois Symphony. He has held the position of Principal Bass with the New Bedford Symphony, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and the Symphony by the Sea Chamber Orchestra. The grand prizewinner at the 1999 International Fame Festival Solo Double Bass Competition, he has performed in recital and as a soloist with ensembles in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Illinois.

In addition to an active performance schedule, Mr. Chaurette is passionate about music education and community-based arts education. He is currently the Music Director of The Seven Hills Symphony as well as the Orchestra Director at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT. Scott also teaches Double Bass at the University of Connecticut and the University of Massachusetts at Boston, as well as Music Appreciation at St. Joseph’s College. He was reviously a faculty member at Western New England College and the director of the Cambridge All-City Orchestra.

Susan Barone Chrzanowski (Treblemakers Director) has served as the Choral/Vocal Director at the Loomis Chaffee School since 1998. Mrs. Chrzanowski is festival chairperson for the CT Independent School Music Festival, serves on the Executive Board of CT American Choral Directors Association as High School Repertoire and Standards Chair, and is Member-at-Large representing CT Independent Schools on the Connecticut Music Educators Association SAC board. She co-directed the Windsor Island Girls rom 1999-2003 and served as the Chorus Chair for the 2003 and 2004 CT Northern Regional Music Festival.

Kenneth S. Clark (piano), B.M., in piano from Ithaca College of Music. Mr. Clark did graduate work in music theory at the Eastman School of Music, and is currently taking doctoral courses at the University of Connecticut. He has been teaching class piano at UConn since 1981, and has worked with the partment of Dramatic Arts in over sixty productions since 1979.

Christina Castillo de la Gala (mezzo-soprano)

BM California State University, Northridge, BA University of California, Irvine.  Christina’s career includes performances in the United States and Europe.  She has performed opera roles in Albert Herring and The Medium.  She sang at the Hollywood Bowl under John Mauceri and the Disney Concert Hall under Esa Peka Salonen.  Her Hollywood experience includes work with Barbra Streisand, Russell Watson, Barry Manilow, and David Foster.  An active recitalist and concert soloist, Christina has also performed for several dignitaries, including First Lady Nancy Reagan and Lady Lee Annenberg.  She is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree from the University of Connecticut with Constance Rock.

She is currently finishing her MM here at UConn and will be in the DMA program next year.  She will only accept voice students 16 and older. If they wish to prepare for a recital, they will need to arrange for an accompanist to be in the lesson for several weeks leading up to said recital.  The office will help coordinate that, but the students will need to pay for it.  She encourages younger students to be involved in Children's Choir program or piano lessons, (or VPS lessons), but she does not teach VPS lessons herself.

Nancy Dimock (oboe) holds degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the New England Conservatory. She regularly performs throughout the northeast as a member of the Vermont Symphony, Albany Symphony, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston and as a guest with the Boston Lyric Opera, Portland Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic and the Boston Pops. She has been the principal oboist of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, and performs with the Chameleon Arts Ensemble, the Auros Group for New Music and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra. Nancy is also a lecturer in oboe for the Department of Music. 

Melinda Fields (piano), B.M., Memphis State University, and a M.M., Northern Illinois University. Ms. Fields has performed in numerous recitals and chamber music concerts. He current activities include working as a lecturer for the University of Connecticut, teaching piano and landscape design at the CSA and freelance accompanying.

Rebecca Francis (Treblemakers) received her Bachelor of Music, piano performance, Ithaca College. Rebecca has been teaching private and classroom music for 6 years. She has worked with the Simsbury Summer Theater for Youth, the Killingly Repertory Theater, the Seven Angels Theater, and the Bradley Playhouse. Rebecca won the First Prize at the Talcott Mountain Piano Concerto Competition and the Audrey Thayer Piano Competition. Rebecca is also on faculty of the Loomis Chafee School. In addition to teaching, Rebecca has substantial performance and accompanist experience.

Andrea Graffam (cello), B.M.Ed., Hartt School of Music; B.M., Hartt School of Music; M.A., University of Connecticut. Ms. Graffam has been a member of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for 33 years, and is a former member of the Aspen Festival Orchestra, the Springfield Symphony, and the Arioso Chamber Ensemble. She is also a former organist and choir director, and a public school drama and music specialist.

Tamara Hardesty (voice), soprano, has significant experience in performing, teaching and directing. She has performed leading roles with opera companies across the country, been a featured soloist with regional orchestras, and recently made her Kennedy Center debut. She is also an active recitalist. Ms. Hardesty is a professor of voice at New York University's Steinhardt School in Music and Performing Arts Professions and maintains a private studio in Connecticut. Her recent directing credits include the University of Connecticut Huskies on Stage production of Mozart's Impresario, for which she wrote an original updated script. Ms. Hardesty earned her Bachelor's Degree from Manhattan School of Music and her Master's degree from Curtis Institute of Music. She is currently a DMA candidate at the University of Connecticut.

Ronald Haroutunian (bassoon)  attended New England Conservatory of Music, and Boston University, studying with Matthew Ruggiero and Sherman Walt.  He also studied reedmaking with Louis A. Skinner. Mr. Haroutunian has been a member of the Springfield (MA) Symphony Orchestra, and served as Principal Bassoon with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra during the 1986-87 season. He currently performs as Principal Bassoon with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, and is an extra player with the Boston Symphony, performing as second bassoonist during  the 1999-2000 season. Other organizations Mr. Haroutunian performs with are the Boston Ballet, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Boston Lyric Opera, among others in the New England area. He has been a soloist with the Boston Pops, Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, and Hartford Symphony. He teaches  bassoon at Tufts University, Boston University, and the University of Connecticut. He made his Carnegie Recital Hall debut with the New England Conservatory Scholarship Woodwind Quintet, and has recorded on Phillips, Sony, Koch, among others.

Teri Herel (clarinet) performs professionally with the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, the Blackledge Woodwind Quintet, the Paul Surapine Clarinet Ensemble, the Hartford Pops Band, and the Claflin Summer Winds. In addition to being a member of the CSA music faculty, Ms. Herel is on the music faculty of The Hartford Conservatory, and the Pakachoag Music School in Worcester.

Elizabeth Huebner (Alexander Technique) has been practicing the Alexander Technique since 1981. She founded the Connecticut Center for the Alexander Technique in 2001. She has taught the AT and performed dance in Europe and the US. In 2007 she presented at the The American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT) national meeting, published in the AmSAT News and was featured on two radio programs. She maintains a private practice, conducts workshops, and works with actors at the University of Connecticut and The Hartt School.

Mi Jeong Huh (voice), soprano, B.M., Yeungnam University, M.M., Temple University, and D.M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received the Verdell Frazier Young Award at the University of Illinois. In her D.M.A., she researched British woman composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979), and performed most of Clarke’s beautiful songs in public. She has also performed as a soloist in several Bach Cantatas and various Oratorios such as Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Fauré’s Requiem. She has given many solo recitals throughout the United States.

Gary Kirsch (low brass, conducting), B.A. in Music, B.S. in Music Education, University of Connecticut. Performs throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts including the Connecticut Repertory Theater and the Worchester Symphony. A frequent clinician, Gary also arranges and performs works for Brass Quintet. For the past five seasons, Gary has served as conductor for the East Woodstock Cornet Band.

Hannah Klinetob (Suzuki violin) received her BA in music performance from Houghton College (NY), where she studied with Ellen Rathjen and Mark Hartman, and her M.M. from Hartt School of Music in violin performance and Suzuki Pedagogy, where she studied with Katie Landale. Her Suzuki teacher trainer was Linda Fiore. She has performed with the North Carolina School of the Arts: Festival Orchestra Tour, summer 1999 (France and Italy), and studied under James Buswell and Lucy Robert at Aria International Music Academy, summer 2001 (London, Ontario). She currently teaches at CSA, and performs throughout the New England area.

Kangho Lee (cello) has been a sought-after soloist and chamber musician worldwide since his orchestral debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at the age of twelve. He has performed in Korea, the United States and Europe with leading orchestras such as the KBS (Korean Broadcast Service) Symphony, the Korean Symphony, the Seoul Academy Symphony, the Suwon Philharmonic, the Euro-Asia Symphony, Yale Philharmonia, the Haddonfield Symphony, the Round Top Festival Orchestra, the Sofia National Academy Orchestra and the Halle Philharmonic. In 2001, he was a featured soloist for the New Year’s Eve Gala Concert with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

As a highly respected pedagogue, Mr. Lee has presented master classes at the University of Texas – Austin, the University of Iowa, Philadelphia Biblical University, the University of Delaware, the University of New Mexico, the University of Missouri - Kansas City, the University of Ulsan, the Summer Music Academy in Muju and Kyong-Hee University in Korea.

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Swarthmore College, Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degree from New England Conservatory. Prior to his appointment at the University of Connecticut, Mr. Lee was Associate Professor of Cello and Theory at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he taught from 1998 to 2005.

Minyoung Lee (piano), B.M., Seoul National University, M.M. and Artist Diploma, Yale University, and D.M.A., Rice University. Dr. Lee has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia as a soloist and a collaborative artist. She was on the faculty of Idyllwild Arts Academy, Community Music School of Webster University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Principia College.

Sooran Lee (piano), has enjoyed her musical career with numerous appearances in recital and chamber music. Most recently Ms. Lee performed with the Hartt Symphony Orchestra as a soloist.In 2005, Ms. Lee made her New York debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall presented by Artists International. As a winner of the Miami String Quartet Competition, she had honor of performing with the Miami String Quartet.
Ms. Lee has been a prizewinner in several competitions including Puigcerda Music Festival Competition in Spain, the Korean-German Brahms Competition, the National Seoul Young Chamber Music Competition in Korea, and Paranov Concerto Competition at The Hartt School. She has also performed at prestigious music festivals such as the Vienna Music Festival in Austria, the Puigcerda Music Festival in Spain, and Manchester Music Festival in Vermont and Chamber Music Institute in Nebraska.
Korean-born Sooran Lee began her musical studies at the age of four under her mother’s tutelage. After graduating Yewon School and Seoul Arts High School, Ms. Lee received her bachelor's degree at the Ewha Woman’s University and master of music at the Hartt school at University of Hartford. Ms. Lee is continuing her studies at The Hartt School where she studied with Oxana Yablonskaya and is currently a student of Paul Rutman.

Topher Logan (trombone), B.M., University of Connecticut; M.M., Baylor University, Texas. A former member of the Waco Symphony, Mr. Logan is principal trombone of the Thayer Symphony in northern Massachusetts and is active as a freelance jazz and classical musician throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Jana MacDonald (flute, Trablemakers) received a BS in Education and a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut in 2000. From there, she went on to earn credits towards a Master of Music degree at Ithaca College in upstate New York. Jana has performed in the University of Connecticut and Ithaca College Wind Ensembles, Symphony Orchestras and chamber groups. In 1998, Jana appeared as a soloist with the University of Connecticut Symphony Orchestra after winning the annual Concerto Competition.

Jana has also performed at Carnegie Hall with the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble and has appeared with the renowned flute duo, Zawa! More recently, Jana has performed with the Willimantic Orchestra, the Northeastern Connecticut Concert Choir and in the CSA production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers.  Jana also appears on the most recent Treblemaker’s CD, Jazz it Up, and continues to be a much sought after flautist.

Jana is a certified music educator who taught in the public schools for two years. She is currently a faculty member at the Community School of the Arts where she teaches flute and Early Childhood Music Classes. Jana is a frequent clinician of flute throughout the area and is often invited as a guest music educator at local preschools.

Sarah Masterson (piano) received a B.A.in Physics from DePauw University. Ms. Masterson has performed in many recitals, competitions, and ensembles, including as soloist with the Evansville Philharmonic, and she taught privately for several years in Indiana. She is currently pursuing a M.M. in piano performance at the University of Connecticut.

Kathryn McNulty (Treblemakers) has taught Music and Chorus at P.R. Smith Elementary School in South Windsor, CT for over 17 years. She has specialized in children's voices and literature for her entire career. Having graduated as Salutatorian from The Hartt School, she earned a Master's Degree in Music Education from CCSU. She also studied the Kodály Method at KMTI and as a teacher in the Wet Hartford Public Schools. She served for seven years at South Congregational Church in Hartford as director of Sacred Arts. This is her fourth year with the Treblemakers program, and she enjoys an affiliation with UConn as a mentor to beginning music teachers. Professional organizations include CMEA, ACDA, OAKE, and the CTDOE BEST program.

Mi Jeong Huh (voice), B.M., Yeungnam University, M.M., Temple University, and D.M.A., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received the Verdell Frazier Young Award at the University of Illinois. In her D.M.A., she researched about a British woman composer, Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979), and performed most of Clarke’s beautiful songs in public. She has also performed as a soloist in several Bach’s Cantatas and various Oratorios such as Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Fauré’s Requiem, etc. She gave many solo recitals throughout the United States. Her upcoming recital is scheduled in February, 2007.

Peter Olson (trumpet) attended the University of Connecticut having studied with Jeffrey Curnow and Daniel Patrylak.  He has performed with a wide variety of musical groups throughout the area including the Avant Brass Quintet, Hartford Brass Quintet, the Classic Brass, the Little Big Band and the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. As an orchestral trumpeter, Peter has been the former principal trumpet of the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and has appeared with the Connecticut Virtuosi, the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, and the Waterbury Symphony. As a soloist, he has enjoyed playing with both the Windham Concert Band and the Manchester Symphony.

Thorne Palmer (guitar), B.A. Music Composition, University of Connecticut where he studied classical guitar with Mark Davis. Thorne has studied guitar technique with a number of gifted guitarists, including Richard Provost, Judy Handler, Frank Varela, and Tom Majesky. He's played with a diverse array of musical groups from the heavy rock/world music hybrid - Paranoise to the Classical Guitar ensemble of the Connecticut Classical Guitar Society. He's currently active in the creation of the Pioneer Valley Classical Guitar Society based in Amherst, MA. Thorne teaches general music and early childhood music classes at Holy Cross in Springfield, MA and in his home studio in Amherst, MA.

Esther Pezzella (piano) earned a B.M. and an M.M. in Music Education from the Manhattan School of Music. She is director of music and organist at Ellington Congregational Church and serves as a general music and choral music teacher in Vernon, Connecticut.

Mary Ann Powers (voice, soprano), has been teaching private voice lessons for the past two years at Robinson Music Inc., and has taught at the Performing Arts Center of the Metro West in Framingham, MA and Music Maker School in Acton, MA.  Ms. Powers has performed a diverse variety of repertoire this past year including a Modern Music Chamber recital, a Bach Chamber Music recital, premiering The Lady of Shalott a trio by Matthew McConnell, and sang with Schola Nocturna which specializes in Early Music. Ms. Powers' operatic repertoire includes Josephine from Story of an Hour, Cis from Albert Herring, Ida Zinga from a contemporized twist of Grease, and Pamina (understudy).  Mary Ann Powers will begin studies for a DMA this fall at the University of Connecticut, holds a MM in Vocal Performance and a MM in Vocal Pedagogy from New England Conservatory, and a BM in Vocal Performance from Ohio University

Cheryl Price (piano), B.M., Westchester State College. Teachers: Joseph Schwartz, Vladimir Sokoloff, Richard Veleta, Craig Nies. Extensive and varied experience as a teacher in the Connecticut area. In addition to teaching piano, Ms. Price enjoys jewelry design and seeking new ways of using the arts to help people with special needs.

Carlynn Savot (cello), Carlynn Savot teaches and performs in the Hartford area. She holds a Master’s Degree in performance and Suzuki pedagogy from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor’s Degree in performance from St. Olaf College. While studying at Hartt, she won the Miami String Quartet Competition and twice was invited to perform at Best of Chamber Music recitals. Strongly committed to encouraging the next generation of performers, Ms. Savot also teaches at The Hartt School Community Division, and The Loomis Chaffee School. In addition, she coordinates the Salvation Army Suzuki Strings in Hartford, a grant-funded program that makes a high-quality string education available to elementary-age students. An active performer, she appears frequently as a member of the West End String Quartet.

Solim Shin (violin) began violin studies at the age of 7. She continued her studies at the Art High School, and graduated from Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul. As the winner of  concerto competition, she has performed as soloist with the Art High School Orchestra and the Sookmyung Women’s University Orchestra. She has been the principal of the Sookmyung Women’s University Orchestra.

Solim Shin Holds her Master of Music degree from the Mannes College of Music, and, she has given many solo and chamber recitals in Korea as well as in the United States.

George Sanders (trombone), B.M. Music Ed., Crane School of Music, New York; M.M., University of Illinois. Member: Berkshire Opera Orchestra; assistant principal trombone, Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Former Music Department Head, Greater Hartford Academy of the Performing Arts. Mr. Sanders is a lecturer in trombone for the Department of Music.

Ruth Shilling (violin/viola), B.M., University of Rhode Island; M.M., University of Connecticut. Former principal viola for New London’s Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra. During her five years in Germany she played for the Berliner Bach Gesellschaft, Berliner Baroque Orchestra and RIAS (Radio in the American Sector) orchestra. Ms. Shilling can be heard on the following CD’s: The Holy Grail, Awake and Desert Rain. She has also recorded with the Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra and the Windsbacher Boys Choir. In 1985, she piloted CSA’s Violin for Adults classes, Chamber Music for Adults and an adult Fiddle Group. In 2000, she started the Adult String Ensemble.

Sarah Shreder (cello), B.M., University of Illinois; M.M., University of Connecticut. Ms. Shreder has performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada. As a soloist, she won the Southern Illinois Young Artists Competition in 2005 and received second place in the 2006 University of Connecticut Concerto Competition. In addition to the Community School of the Arts in Storrs, CT, she has held a faculty position at the St. Louis School of Music. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in cello performance from the University of Connecticut.

Gary Sienkiewicz (tuba), M.M., Yale School of Music. Principal tubist with the Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra, the Central Mass. Symphony and the New England Brass Guild. Also performed with the New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield Symphonies as well as the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Vermont Symphony and the United States Coast Guard Band.

Judy Simonds (guitar), B.A., Westfield State College; M.M. University of Connecticut. Ms. Simonds has also studied jazz guitar at the Hartt School of Music and in Massachusetts. An experienced teacher, Ms. Simonds is a frequent performer throughout CT and MA. She has served as a lecturer in Music Theory at Westfield State College.

Mary Jo Simonds-Huneger (voice), B.M. & M.M., University of Oregon. Performed with the Eugene Opera and the Oregon Opera Theatre. She recently created the role of Mavis for the world premier of the Opera Tobermory for the National Opera Association and performed as soloist with Helmuth Rilling in the lecture series for the Oregon Bach Festival. Ms. Simonds-Huneger has performed internationally throughout Italy and Switzerland. Currently she performs in New York and at Center Church, Hartford. A teacher with twenty years experience, she most recently taught at the University of Oregon.

David Stangarone (trumpet ), B.A. Music Degree, Berklee College of Music. Currently Featured Soloist for the Hartford Jazz Orchestra, and Current Member of "Souled out", a Tri-State area Soul band. David Played extensively on Cruise ships who's performers included, The Coasters, the Drifters, the Tolkens, 5th Dimention, Bobby Vinton, Yakov Smirnoff, Tony Tillman, and Ben Vareen among others

Jeff Taylor (saxophone) has extensive experience playing and teaching saxophone, clarinet, and flute. Mr. Taylor received his Bachelors of Music (cum laude) in Saxophone Performance. He has played with the Hartford Jazz Orchestra and Hartford Symphony Summer Pops Series, and toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

Adrianna Jarvis Twitchell (piano) completed her graduate studies in piano at the Jerusalem Rubin Academy of Music, Israel, and her undergraduate studies at Texas Tech University as well as the Hartt Schol of Music. She has extensive experience as a piano soloist throughout the United States and is a founding member of the Jarvis Twitchell Duo and the Avery Duo which toured Brazil in 2001. Adrianna has taught at all levels and recently recorded a CD on the Zephyr label.

Hans Twitchell (cello, viola) holds degrees from Brigham Young University(BM 1995) and the University of Hartford (MM 2000). He has also studies with Claudio Baraviera in Buenos Aires and with Shmuel Magen at the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem. He was the principal cellist of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in Texas and the co-principal of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony. In various chamber ensembles he has performed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Brazil and Argentina, including an appearance as guest of the Emerson String Quartet. As a member of the Avery Piano Trio, he participated in the semi-finals of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 2001 and has recorded for the Zephyr and CRI recording labels. Since 1994, he and pianist Adriana Jarvis (Twitchell) have performed virtually the entire standard cello-piano duo repertoire in the U.S. and Israel. Currently he is a member of the Connecticut Virtuosi chamber orchestra and is an active recitalist and teacher. He also performs on the tenor viola.

Megan Van Gomple (Suzuki violin) graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music Education from Valparaiso University in 2001 and is currently earning her Masters in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Hartt School of Music. Among her teachers she includes Joanie Mercy-Johnson, Chicago Lyric opera players June DeForest and Daniel Morgenstern, Dr. Andrew Smith and currently Anton Miller. She has participated in master classes with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart, the Diaz Trio, the Turtle Island String Quartet and the Boston-based group Innuendo. As a player, Megan has embraced being both an orchestral and chamber musician, performing in both settings. She attended the Brevard Music Festival as a chamber music fellow and in 2004 participated in the Stamford International Chamber Music Festival in England. She performed with the Concord Chamber Orchestra of Milwaukee from 2001-2005 and has most recently performed with the Hartt Symphony Orchestra and the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. 

A dedicated teacher of strings, she spent four years working in public schools with students in suburban Milwaukee, WI. Her duties included directing the high school string program as well as teaching elementary string students and general music classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She also worked to create a summer orchestra program in her district which blossomed to enroll over 150 students. Megan has always enjoyed working with young violinists and violists in a one-on-one setting and has been a Suzuki instructor at the Suzuki Music School of Westport since 2005 and is thrilled to join the faculty at the Community Music School at the University of Connecticut. 

Kendra Wieck (Suzuki violin and viola), B.M. Violin Performance, University of Denver, CO. In May 2007 she will graduate with a Masters in Violin Performance with an emphasis in Suzuki Pedagogy from the Hartt School of Music. Kendra completed her first long term Suzuki Teacher training at the University of Denver, CO.

Micah Woods (Suzuki violin), B.M. Performance, College of Wooster, OH; M.M. Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy, Hartt School of Music, Hartford, CT. Micah has participated with various orchestras including the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, Vermont Symphony, and served as concertmaster for the Hartt School Symphony. She has attend the International Musical Arts Institute (Fryeburg, ME) as well as Eastern Musical Festival. In 2005, she was a finalist for the Miami String Quartet Competition. She has been a faculty member at Miss Porters School (Farmington, CT) and the New School of Music (Cambridge, MA).