Bennett, Leigh

Professional artist who paints, makes jewelry and engages in a variety of other creative endeavors, including ballroom dancing.   Her prior career was as a ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer. She was part of three world-renowned ballet companies. The Royal Ballet in England, The Stuttgart Ballet company in Germany, and the National Ballet of Canada and its feeder school, the National Ballet School where she taught. Additional information on Leigh and her artwork can be found at www.leighbennett.com .

Felden, Cynthia

B.A. Elementary/Early Childhood, The University of West Florida ;

NTE-Core Battery and Specialization, Elementary Education;

North Carolina Professional Certificate Pre-K-6; Ohio Professional Certificate K-8; Graduate Courses: Advanced Studies in Children's Literature, Eastern Carolina University; Psychology Applied to Teaching, Lake Erie College; Inclusive Strategies for the Classroom Teacher, Lake Erie College .

B.F.A. in Illustration & Advertising Design, Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC); Teaching Licensure, Notre Dame College; Professional Artist whose works have been featured in more than 25 art shows including: “International Juried Show” Art Center of Northern NJ, New Milford, New Jersey, “6 th Annual Art Inter/National, Here and Abroad” Boxheart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA, “52 Works/52 Weeks” The Pop Shop Lakewood, Cleveland, OH, “The World As I See It” Mosaic the Gallery, Cleveland, OH, “Artist Open Studios” Lake Erie College, Painesville, OH, “The Figure Unveiled” Center for the Creative Arts, Yorklyn, Delaware. Substitutes as an arts educator in area schools.

Marschall, Michaelle

B.F.A. Visual Art, B.A. English, Lake Erie College . Also teaches art and dance full-time at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (West) and children’s classes at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Patterson, Sandy

M.A. & B.A. University of Louisville. Attended the Art Institute of Chicago on scholarship for 6 years. Taught at St. Xavier College , Chicago; Beverly Hills Fine Arts Association, Chicago; Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI; Lakeland Community College, Mentor. Has art work in the permanent exhibits of Louisville , KY Art Museum, The Phillip Morris Collection and The Providence , RI Art Club. Listed in Who’s Who in American Art.

Peck, David

A.A., Lakeland Community College, B.A. in English Secondary Education, Art Secondary Education and Lutheran Teaching Diploma, Concordia University, Ann Arbor. Certified K-12 arts instructor currently teaching 7th and 8th grade at St John-Nottingham School. He has extensive experience in developing integrated curriculum and in preparing students for high school and college acceptance. He is also the art instructor for FAA's Summer Theatre Arts Camp.

Sheridan, Nancy

B.F.A. Cleveland Institute of Art, receiving Mary C. Page Traveling Scholarship ( Europe ). Faculty member at Cleveland Institute of Art. Has instructed at Case Western Reserve University , Cleveland Art Museum , and Ursuline College .

Licensure in Art Education, Cleveland State University; B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing, Montserrat College of Art; Accademia di Belli Arte, Viterbo, Italy (Landscape painting & history of Etruscan Art).  Teaches Visual Arts at Eleanor Gerson High school.  Admissions Rep. for prospective art students for Montserrat College.

Stiver, Dianne

B.F.A. Cleveland Institute of Art. Completed work-study program in ceramics at Cleveland Institute of Art . Visiting artist at local elementary schools. Exhibited in national, regional and local shows.

Wolf, Robert

M.A. Ohio State University , B.F.A. Ohio State University , B.S. (Education) Ohio State University . Certified Art Educator. Has taught at the School of Fine Arts since 1958. Retired Mentor School Art Teacher.

Allen, Theresa

B.A. from Baldwin Wallace College , majoring in Sports, Arts & Dance Management.  Has choreographed and performed in shows throughout Ohio , PA and Michigan .

Czekaj, Jacklyn

B.A. in Dance, University of Akron; M.A.T. in Secondary Education, Kent State University. Dance focus in ballet, modern, tap and jazz. Performed with The University of Akron Dance Company, Choreographers’ Workshop and Touring Ensemble while at the University of Akron. Also performed with Cleveland Dancing Wheels, Marron Prater Dance and Music Company, Louder than Words Dance Company and at the 2002 American College Dance Festival in Baltimore, MD.

Thompson, Samantha

B.A. of Fine Arts with a concentration in dance from Lake Erie College. 2005 LEC Dance Team Captain. Danced with Danc'letics of Rochester (New York) in Walt Disney World in '99 & '01and was an assistant teacher at the studio. Continuing her education with Dance Masters of America certification.  Teaches Tap, Jazz, Ballet and Hip Hop.

Pavlock, Rebecca

B.A., Kent State University . KSU Dance Team Captain; Director, Dance Warehouse; ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and lyrical teaching experience at various studios in several states.

Smith, Janice

Imperial Society of Teachers for Dance ( London , England ) Fellowship, Enrico Cecchetti Final Diploma. Certification in Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Dance (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance). Certified Pilates instructor/teacher trainer. Training completion through Yoga Fit. Resist-a-Ball â core trainer. Certified personal trainer A.C.E., A.F.A.A.

Imbornoni, Laura Christian

M.Ed., R.Y. T.-500. An enthusiastic student of yoga for 20 years, she is registered with the Yoga Alliance Teachers Registry as a Professional Level Yoga Instructor. She has completed training at the In-Motion School of Movement Therapy. She is certified to lead DansKinetics Spirit-in-Motion™ and as a Holistic Health Educator by the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. She also studied yoga in India at the Lakulish Institute in Kayavarohan.

Baker, Charles

(clarinet)

M.A. Case Western Reserve University ; B.M. Oberlin College Conservatory. Studied with Robert Marcellus, Alfred Zetzer, George Waln, Alois Heine and Thomas Thompson. Also studied at the Mozarteum Akademie in Salzburg, Austria.  Performs in Lakeland Civic Orchestra (first clarinet) and taught in Wickliffe Public Schools. Freelance musician in orchestras and bands. Listed in "Who's Who in America ."

Black, Dave

(percussion)

Studies in Music Education, Ohio University; Played w/the Navy Bands (1989-1995); freelances as a professional musician.

Brandelis, Bella

(piano/violin)

M.A. Cleveland State University , B. A. Moscow Conservatory. Member of Suburban Symphony Orchestra (violin). Suzuki teacher training in violin and piano. Member of National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Ohio Music Teachers Association.

Bush, Lee

(guitar)

Guitarist, arranger, composer, producer, recording engineer and educator. Education includes degrees from Baldwin-Wallace College , the University of Missouri and private study of music theory and composition with Phil Rizzo. Also studied guitar under Lloyd Casterline, Dick Lurie and George Morel. Co-leads the Nice Jazz Trio and plays with the Ernie Krivda Fat Tuesday Big Band, Swing City and other ensembles. Member of the Jazz Studies faculty at Cuyahoga Community College .

Cervencic, Ann

(Suzuki & traditional violin/viola)

M.M. Viola Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music; B.M. Violin Performance, Western Michigan University; Graduate level Suzuki training, Indiana University, studied with Mimi Zweig.  Contract violinist with Akron Symphony and Blossom Festival Orchestra, frequent sub with Canton Symphony.  Initiated and directed first Suzuki program at Cleveland Music School Settlement.

Carleton, Dennis

(guitar)

Denny has been a long lasting figure in the Cleveland music scene, having played with notable 60’s bands "The Choir" (It’s Cold Outside) and the Lost Souls.  Worship leader at St Cosmas and Damian, in Twinsburg, a group that performs festivals of praise throughout the Cleveland Diocese.  Acoustic singer songwriter who blends original material with an eclectic blend of folk, rock and acoustic influences. Denny's original music has appeared on 300 college and public radio stations in the U.S. and Canada. He is a prolific songwriter in the folk, rock and gospel field and has also composed music for 5 plays.  Denny hosts two radio shows, one on the local Cleveland Music scene on WELW 1330 Am and a Christian talk and music show on 1220 Am The Word.  He has written many short essays with topics ranging from music therapy to cell phones, and also organizes concerts with various performers under the title Denny Carleton and Friends at The Fine Arts Association.

Clark, Timothy

(voice)

M.M. Cleveland Institute of Music and Case Western Reserve University . B. Mus. Ed. Houghton College . Leading and featured roles with Lyric Opera Cleveland and Cleveland Opera. Music teacher with Cleveland Municipal Schools since 1992. Member of MENC/OMEA.

Crowe, Elizabeth (cello)

B.A. the American University in Paris. Freelance cellist in the Cleveland area. Ms. Crowe studied cello in Paris, France, with Dmitry Markevitch, at the Russian Music Conservatory. Member of several musical groups, including the Ancestors, a Ukranian Folk band, the Afro-Caribbean ensemble of TRI-C and in several classical ensembles. Regular performer at the Cleveland Zoo for Zoo Lights, Boo at the Zoo, and other holiday events.

Elias, Judith

(flute)

B.M.E. Youngstown State University . Graduate study Kent State University . Studied with Maurice Sharp and Raymond DeMattia. Faculty member of Cuyahoga Community College and Lake Erie College , principal flutist with Lakeland Civic Orchestra and The Fine Arts Woodwind Quintet. Listed in "Who's Who in America 's Teachers."

Gasser, Gloria

(voice)

M.M. West Virginia University; B.A. in Mus. Ed. and B.A. in Communications and Theatre Arts, West Liberty State College. Member of OMEA, AOSA, NEA and Kappa Kappa Iota National Teaching Honorary. Music instructor for Stow-Monroe Falls City Schools. General music and choral music instructor.

Giordano, Kevin

(saxophone, clarinet)

Godfrey, Lauren

(Suzuki and traditional violin)

B.M.E. Heidelberg College , Suzuki teacher training, Ithaca College . Further studies with Alvaro deGranda. Member of S.S.A. Lakeland Civic Orchestra member.

Guentner, Vincent

(trombone)

M.M. The Juilliard School , B.M. Duquesne University . Member of the Mansfield Symphony. Regular performer as Principal Trombone with Ohio Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland Opera, Cleveland Ballet, Erie Philharmonic, Cleveland Pops and Ashland Symphony. Formerly Principal Trombone with Teatro Massimo in Palermo , Italy . Freelance work in New York including American Symphony, Brooklyn Opera, Greenwich Philharmonic, NEPA Philharmonic.

Guerrieri, Alfredo

(bass guitar, upright string bass)

B.M. Bass Principle, Magna Cum Laude, Berklee College of Music (Boston); Associate of Arts, Professional Performance, Bass Principle, Musician’s Institute (Hollywood CA);

Associate of Arts, Lakeland Community College.  Has performed or recorded with: Horizontal Pary, Optimis Prime, Detagoh, Sophie Stern, Adam Bones, and Chad Szeliga (Breaking Benjamin)

Hollings, Joe (trombone)

Hughes, Kenneth

(tuba/low brass)

M.M. Northwestern University; B.M. Ohio State University . Retired from Conn-Selmer, Inc. and is a member of the Suburban Symphony Orchestra, Lakeland Civic Band and Heights Chamber Orchestra Seasonal Brass.

Kearns, Sanni

(piano)

M.A. in Music History and Literature, Kent State University, B.M.E. with emphasis in piano performance, Baldwin-Wallace College; Graduate Studies in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Carnegie-Mellon and Lowell Universities. Suzuki teacher training, professional organist and accompanist. Member SAA, SANO

Klonowski, Barbara

(piano)

Graduate Studies at Cleveland Institute of Music and Peabody Conservatory, B.M.  in Piano Performance, Miami University, 4-year talent scholarship; chamber music Bowdoin College, CIM Preparatory School. Nationally certified by MTNA. Adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Performing member of the Fortnightly and Cecilian Musical Clubs.  Member Western Reserve Piano Teachers. Has appeared frequently as a collaborative artist in NE Ohio, throughout the Midwest and on both coasts of the U.S.Recorded with mezzo-soprano Aldona Stempuzis-Svedas.  Pianist in the Encore Chamber Trio.  Ms. Klonowski's students have garnered recognition at the local, regional, state and national levels.  She is a second generation artist-teacher.

Kuegeler, John (trumpet)

B.A. Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance, Kent State University . Former Artist-In-Residence at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Young Audiences of Cleveland . Taught Jazz History at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff , AZ and was a Music Specialist for the Montessori Schools of Flagstaff . Also taught at several music studios in northeast Ohio and performed extensively as a studio musician, in pit orchestras and with various ensembles throughout the United States .

LaBonne, Feroza

(Suzuki & traditional piano)

Piano Teaching Diplomas (LTCL and LRSM) from the Royal Schools of Music and the Trinity College of Music, London . Masters in Music Education from CWRU-CIM Joint Music Program, with emphasis on Piano Pedagogy and Performance. Permanent National Certification from MTNA. 1985 Music Critics Association Fellowship for excellence in newspaper music criticism. Judge for National Guild of Piano Teachers. Former adjunct piano faculty, Union College, New York. Frequent chamber music  recitalist in upstate New York and concerto soloist with the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. Currently member of the piano-cello Duo Fantastique at Fine Arts and  a freelance area pianist.  Former student was a semi-finalist in the 2007 Cleveland International Piano Competition.

Linsenmeier, Dr. Carol

(Suzuki & traditional violin/viola)

Ph.D. in Special Education Research, Kent State University; M. Mus. Ed. University of Georgia; B. Mus. Ed., College of Wooster; Suzuki Teacher Training Ithaca College. Frequent performer with area folk and classical ensembles. Listed in Who’s Who in America , Who’s Who in American Women and Who’s Who in American Education .

Mattson, Doreen (vocal & general music)

Graduate Study College of Mt. St. Joseph , B.M.E. (Music Education) Wittenberg University , Level I Orff-Schulwerk Certification. Studied at Lakeland Community College and Cleveland Institute of Music with Irving Bushman.   Professional soloist.  Perfomed with Lakeland Civic Chorus for 17 years. Directs the Chancel Choir at Advent Lutheran Church, in Mentor.

Messina, Maryann

(piano)

B. Mus. Ed. Cleveland State University.  Professional study with area jazz performers.  Graduate classes taken in Piano Pedagogy. Professional freelance keyboard/pianist.

Minnis, Timothy

(piano)

D.M.A., Ohio State University, M.M., Manhattan School of Music. Has taught at Kenyon College, Ohio State, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the Metropolitan Music School of New York City, where he was also director, and at the Beck Center for the Arts. A frequent recitalist and chamber musician in New York and the Midwest, he is the author of a book on the piano music of Albert Roussel.

Morris, Sharon (children's choir)

M.M. Music Education (includes certification in Kodaly I and Kodaly II); B.M. K-12 General & Vocal Music – Miami University.  Teaches music at Wickliffe Middle School & Wickliffe Elementary.  Pianist & Assistant to the Choir Director at Erieside Church; Past Assistant Director and Accompanist of Euclid Children’s Chorus.  Has been a Music Director and/or Accompanist for area community theatres and has taught private piano and keyboard instruction. Member of the Ohio Music education Association.

Pope, Thom

(guitar)

B.A. in Music w/special emphasis on film scoring, Berklee College of Music;

10 years study focused on guitar, 2 years spent under Be-Bop artist Jack Pezanelli;

Operated as composer, copyist, editor, conductor and co-producer on a re-score of the independent film, Le Lion et L’Agneau; experienced in jazz studies, classical and electric guitar.

Proegeler, Meghan

(bassoon)

B.M.E. Ohio State University . Member of the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association and Sigma Alpha Iota.

Rapier, Chris

(French horn)

B.M. University of Massachusetts, concentration on French Horn Performance and Instrumental Music Education; participant in Blossom Summer Music School Camp, and Sewanee Summer School. Teaches at Mercyhurst College ( Erie , PA ). Principal horn for Erie Philharmonic & Erie Chamber Orchestra. Performs with Opera Cleveland, West Virginia Symphony and Canton Symphony.

Rapier, Melody

(harp)

M.M. and B.M. in Harp Performance from University of Michigan School of Music . Post Graduate Study at Cleveland Institute of Music with Alice Chalifoux and the Salzedo Harp Colony. Principal Harpist for West Virginia Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Erie Chamber Orchestra. Second Harp/ Assistant Principal Harp Opera Cleveland.

Ridgeway, Brett

( Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, 5-String Banjo, Autoharp, beginning acoustic guitar and beginning mandolin)

Brett began playing 5-string banjo as a teenager and continued playing while in college, teaching others to earn extra money. His love for Appalachian instruments grew and soon he was learning and acquiring others, including the hammered dulcimer. In 2001, he founded the Laurel Highlands Dulcimer Workshop (Pennsylvania) which he continues to oversee and teach. He and his wife Serenity play together, frequenting festivals. Since ’03, Brett has taught annual workshops for Historical Roscoe Village and plays for various festivals there.

Ridgeway, Serenity (fiddle)

Serenity has been playing fiddle since she was a child. She has been involved in music instruction since 2001, presenting programs and workshops in schools through a program called “Anyone Can Make Music.”

Savage, Louise

(voice)

B.M. The Cleveland Institute of Music, graduate study at Cleveland State University and Chautauqua Institute. Concert and recital soloist.

Speirs, Phyllis

(voice)

Majored in Vocal Performance at Kent State U and continued study at CIM and CSU. Soloist of Opera, Oratorio and Recitals. Featured soloist at various venues throughout the Cleveland area including Blossom Music Center with the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art concert series, Suburban Symphony, Lake Erie College, Robert Page Singers and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus under Robert Shaw. Featued soloist on two recordings. Music Director of the Musical "Dames at Sea" at JCC. Experience in Church Music as Soloist and Choir Director and recordings of three CD's under my direction.

St. John, Bonnie

(Music Therapist, adapted piano, piano)

B.S. in Psychology, Clearwater Christian College , Florida . Equivalency in Music Therapy, Ohio University . Board Certified Music Therapist. Member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Ohio Association of Music Therapy. Pianist at local church.

Syroney, Marge

(Suzuki and

traditional piano)

B.M. The Cleveland Institute of Music; B.S. in Education, University of Akron ; M.M. in Music Ed., University of Akron . Private study with Arthur Loesser and William Kurzban and Marie Martin. Sanctioned Suzuki instructor. Elementary Music Teacher in area Catholic Schools. Local church musician-organist and pianist. Member of MENC/OMEA

M.M. in Collaborative Piano/Accompanying, Cleveland Institute of Music; B.M. in Piano Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music; additional study, The New England Conservatory of Music with Gabriel Chodos and Leonard Shure and The Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with Joseph Schwartz and at CIM with Grant Johannesen . Choir Director/Organist for South Euclid Hillcrest United Methodist Church, Temple Emanu El, Temple Israel and Temple Beth Shalom. Experienced Pianist/Keyboardist/Accompanist/Piano Instructor/Vocal Coach.

Wilson, Lisa

(oboe)

B.M. in Music Education, Cleveland State University. Private study with David McGuire and Thomas Moore. Full-time playing member and President of the Board of Directors with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra. Freelance musician playing for various local ensembles and orchestras. Music director for a local church. Member of The Fine Arts Faculty Woodwind Quintet.

D’Apice, Doriann

M.A. in Humanities, John Carroll University . B.S. in Education, Kent State University . Certified to teach English, Speech, Journalism and Theatre for grades 7-12. Actor in many local productions.

Hill , Dawn

B.S. from Miami University in K-Primary/Elementary Education with a concentration in Dramatic Expression. Masters in Elementary Administration, Cleveland State University.   Performs locally in theatre productions.

Hiner, Krista

B.A. Theatre & Fine Arts, Lake Erie College.  Currently the Stagecrafters Youth Theatre Program Associate (Orange Community Education & Recreation).  Was a “Madscience Instructor” as well as Creative Dramatics Instructor through Beachwood Recreation.

Has directed and acted in area theatre performances, including Stagecrafters Youth Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, The Fine Arts Association, Lake Erie College and

Southern Ohio Light Opera.  Krista is a Mezzo-Soprano, trained in stage combat, wrestling, Chinese Silk Ribbon dance, Ballet, Rhythm, Tap, Pilates, Yoga, and does Carpentry; Drawing and Painting.

Kosovich Peck, Sandy

Local actress appearing in many area theatre productions. Also directs youth theatre productions as well as instructs youth drama class.

BA in Theatre, with minors in English and Philosophy, Ashland University.

Active in Theatre as Actor, Teacher, Director and Stage Manager. Previous experience includes Theatre Teacher and Assistant Director at Stagecrafters Summer Theatre Camp as well as at The Fine Arts Association. Has appeared in numerous community productions as Actor, Director and Stage Manager. Productions include: “Beauty and the Beast” (The Beck Centre for The Arts), “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” (The Fine Arts Association), “A Man of No Importance” (The Beck Centre for The Arts), “Woo and Woe” (Ashland University), and “Shelter” (The Cleveland Playhouse). Additionally skills in dance, juggling, playing the violin, stage combat, and singing (baritone).

Tarr, Jennifer M.

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, Point Park University. Experience in teaching and directing youth theater at several area arts centers. In addition to teaching, she has performed with Cesear's Forum, Crew Productions, The Pittsburgh Playhouse, The Beck Center, Six Flags, Wake Up and Live with the Arts and the Cleveland JCC.