Community Music School

Voice

MARIANA ASLAN

Voice, Piano

LYNDOL DESCANT

Name:  Lyndol Descant

From:  Houston, Texas

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  5

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  The Bad Plus, Vincent Van Gogh, Maria from the Sound of Music,

Few people know that I…  also love horses

Education:  Cum Laude Double Major from Texas A&M University, French and International Studies, Post Graduate Studies: 4 years Jazz Piano and Composition, American School of Modern Music,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  The Descant Trio – my own jazz pop project which plays my originals + jazz/pop covers for private events, as well as venues

2 EP’s released under Lyndol Descant – original compositions that I self produced

Currently composing for a variety of projects from film to podcasts

Queens Country Roots – Hard Blues Rock Band that I play keys/backing vocals , Vile Bodies – Psych rock band, I play Synth Keyboard/backing vocals

Those are my current projects, but I’m always expanding

Links:  www.Lyndol.com, https://www.facebook.com/LyndolMusic/, https://twitter.com/lyndoldescant, https://www.instagram.com/lyndoldescant/

Voice, Jazz Vocal Workshop

OLIVIA FOSCHI

Name: Olivia Foschi

From:  Italy (born in California)

How many years have you been teaching music?  7

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  this is my first year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Chet Baker, Carmen McRae, Gil Goldstein, Thelonius Monk

Few people know that I…  Study Konnakkol (Indian vocal percussion), raise oysters and am the mother of two-year-old twin boys

Education:  John Cabot University, BA English Lit (Cum Laude), Universita’ della Musica (Rome, Italy), Music Academy 2000 (Bologna, Italy),

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Voice (also play basic piano and guitar)

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I am currently recording my second record with Ulysses Owens, Gil Goldstein and Alex Sipiagin, which is due for release in the spring. Although my career was stalled by the birth of my sons, I perform with a variety of different jazz combos and have been recording with Brazilian guitarist Sergio Pereira and Italian electronic dub group called Natural Dub Cluster.

Links:  www.oliviafoschi.com, www.facebook.com/olivia.foschi ; www.facebook.com/OliviaFoschiMusic/, , https://www.instagram.com/oliviafoschi/

Voice, Piano

ROSALIE KAPLAN

Name:  Rosalie Kaplan

From:  Virginia

How many years have you been teaching music?  8

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  6

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Goethe

Few people know that I…  How much I love ice cream.

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Voice and piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I co-direct Underwolf Records.

Voice

ANN MCCORMACK

Voice, Piano, Piano Friends

LACY ROSE

Name: Lacy Rose

From:  Texas

How many years have you been teaching music?  10 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  since October

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Franz Schubert, John Dowland, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Alfred Deller, Nick Drake, Dylan Thomas, William Blake, Shakespeare, Anne Carson, Joseph Cornell, Gustav Klimt, Leonora Carrington

Few people know that I…  am the goddaughter of astronaut Charles Lacy Veach

Education:  Loyola University Vocal Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, and Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I collaborate frequently with other New York based artists including dancer/choreographer Coco Karol, classical guitarist Colin Fullerton, composer/poet Alaina Ferris, composer John K Stone, and Osso String Quartet. I am currently composing original songs for a Dylan Thomas play entitled The Doctor and The Devils. This New Year’s Eve I will be performing along side Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley for Phantasmagoria at the Brooklyn Bazaar.

Links:  lacyrosemusic.com, facebook.com/lacyrosemusic, @LacyRoseMusic, @lacyrosemusic

Viola/Violin

JENNIFER AXELSON

Name:  Jennifer Axelson

From:  Wisconsin

How many years have you been teaching music?  23

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  10 in Queens, 3 in Brooklyn.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Stephane Grappelli, Depeche Mode

Few people know that I…  Worked at an amusement park.

Education:  U.W. Madison, BM, NYU, MA,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Violin, Viola

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Astoria Symphony, Verismo Opera, New Rochelle Opera, Outcat Jazz

Links: Jennifer Axelson, @Jenniferaxelson, axelsonjennifer

Violin

LUIS CASAL

Name:  Luis Enrique Casal

From:  Panama City, Panama

How many years have you been teaching music?  24

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  9

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  MY FAMILY

Few people know that I…  worked as a lead salsa singer

Education:  New World School of the Arts – Bachelors in Music (Violin Performanc), Carnegie Mellon University – 2 Masters in Music (one in violin and one in viola) + Indiana University – Performance Diploma in Viola, University of Oklahoma – Doctor in Musical Arts (Viola)

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Violin and Viola

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  La Camerata Washington Heights; Metro Chamber Orchestra; Música De Cámara Chamber Orchestra; Camerata Alfredo De Saint Malo

Links:  www.luiscasal.com

Violin

LILY HENLEY

Viola/Violin

ADRIATIK SEFA

Violin

JESSIE SNOKE

Name:  Jessie Snoke

From:  North Carolina

How many years have you been teaching music?  Since 2012

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Since 2015

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Hilary Hahn

Few people know that I…  Had a college mascot of a Fighting Pickle!

Education:  UNC School of the Arts, Bachelor of Music, Hartt School, Masters of Music in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy, N/A

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Violin

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Handel Festival Orchestra, Chelsea Symphony

Violin

TOM SWAFFORD

Name:  Tom Swafford

From:  Seattle, WA

How many years have you been teaching music?  24

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  5

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  The teachers I had growing up. Particularly my violin teacher Karla Kantner and the conductor of the Seattle Youth Symphony Vilem Sokol. Both were extremely knowledgeable and had a great passion for music. They were demanding teachers, but also creative. Ms. Kantner was also a composer and wrote music for all of her students based on their names. Mr. Sokal had a biting sense of humor- which I loved.

Few people know that I…  I am also a composer. I am currently writing a musical!

Education:  Tufts University. BA in music and clinical psychology, University of California, Berkeley. MA in music composition, University of California, Berkeley. Ph.D. in music composition

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  violin

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I lead the 11 piece ensemble String Power, whose members include several Brooklyn Conservatory faculty members. The group was formed in 2007 and we released our debut album in 2015. We play arrangements of a wide variety of music- including music by Charles Mingus, The Velvet Underground and Egyptian composer Mohammed Abd al-Wahhab; we also play my own compositions.

I wrote the music and lyrics and co-wrote the book for a musical comedy called Bad Actor. We had a successful workshop performance on October 19, 2017 at The Tank in New York City and we look forward to developing it further.

I also do a lot of freelancing in many styles including Bluegrass, Old Time, Classical, Jazz and Experimental Music.

Links:  www.tomswafford.com, https://www.facebook.com/TomSwaffordsStringPower/

Cello

TARA HANISH

Name:  Tara Hanish

From:  Michigan

How many years have you been teaching music?  14 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  2 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My mom and my high school cello teacher, Louis Potter

Few people know that I…  won a You Tube contest in 2008 to play with the Foo Fighters at the Grammy Awards

Education:  University of Michigan; B.M. Cello Performance, University of Miami; M.M. Cello Performance, (note: NOT Doctorate) Cleveland Institute of Music; Professional Studies Diploma

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Cello

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Freelance performer around NYC in both classical and non-classical cello.  Cellist/vocalist for The Whiskey Girls (alternative cello duo).  Manager/cellist of Mayfield Strings (string ensembles for events).  Former Cellist for Seafair (indie rock band).

Links:  www.TaraHanish.com, www.TheWhiskeyGirls.com, www.MayfieldStrings.com, Facebook.com/whiskeygirlsband, , Instagram.com/thewhiskeygirls

Cello

LIA MOONEY

Bass, Piano, Piano Friends

SHAYNA DULBERGER

Name:  Shayna Dulberger

From:  Mahopac, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  12 Years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Shinichi Suzuki, Virginia Dixon, Linda McKnight, Gary Karr, Ralph Bowen, Dave Liebman,

Few people know that I…  Lived on a Glacier for 2 months when I was 18.

Education:  Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University BM,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I play Jazz Standards and Old Timey, Rock, Classical, Noise and Experimental Music.

Links: https://www.facebook.com/shayna.dulberger

Bass

HENSY PEREZ

Name: Hensy Perez

From:  Colombia

How many years have you been teaching music?  30

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  20

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Bach

Few people know that I…  compose music

Education:  University of Valle, Bachelor of Education, City College, Masters of Music Theory,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Bass, Piano, Guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Aguanile Na ‘Ma’ – Latin Jazz, Afro Brazilian Music

Links: HensyPerez.com, Aguanile Na’ Ma’

Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone

CLEAVE GUYTON

Name:  Cleave Guyton Jr

From:  New York, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  30+ years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  about 20

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My dad, Muhammed Ali and all great musicians

Few people know that I…  An avid hunter.

Education:  Berkee College of Music, Bachelor of Music, Aaron Copland School of Music Master of Music., N/A

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  The Woodwind Family

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  The original Ray Charles, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Abdullah Ibrahim, Aretha Franklin bands and too many more to mention.

Links:  CleaveGuyton.com, https://www.facebook.com/CGuytonJr, N/A, N/A

Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone

JOSH SINTON

Name:  Josh Sinton

From:  Cologne, New Jersey

How many years have you been teaching music?  25 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  7 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My wife, my daughter, my father, Steve Lacy

Few people know that I…  am an excellent cook and work part-time at a wine store.

Education:  University of Chicago, B.A. with Honors, New England Conservatory, M.A. in Jazz Performance with Honors, N/A

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Saxophone, flute & clarinet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  My own groups include musicianer and Ideal Bread as well as solo performances. I also perform with the Nate Wooley Quintet and Anthony Braxton’s Tricentric Orchestra. In the past I was a member of Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and Andrew D’Angelo’s DNA Big Band

Links:  https://ilusorecords.bandcamp.com/album/slow-learner & https://cuneiformrecords.bandcamp.com/album/beating-the-teens-songs-of-steve-lacy, https://www.facebook.com/LacyBread/, https://twitter.com/JoshSinton,

Piano, Flute

TONY CIMINO

Name:  Tony Leonardo Cimino, DMA

From:  Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  30 yrs

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  21

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Glenn Gould & daVinci

Few people know that I…  am a fine artist, print maker, published poet & photographer

Education:  Hunter College – BA, Hunter College MA, University of Washington, Seattle • Doctorate in Flute Performance

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Classical Flute & Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Duo with Rene Denis. Forming a Quintet ~ Name to be decided. Working on illustrations of composers & performers for a book.

Flute, Chamber Music

DAVID WECHSLER

Name:  David Wechsler

From:  Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  fortyfive

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  thirtyseven

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Karl Kraber, Julius Baker, Michael Brecker, Johannes Brahms, Thelonius Monk

Few people know that I…  I sing, play alto and tenor saxophones, and in addition to having made a living as a professional classical flute player, I play many styles of music, including jazz, rock, and electronic music.

Education:  Brooklyn College, Bachelor of Science in music (BS), SUNY Stony Brook, Master of Music (MM), CUNY Graduate Center , Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  All flutes, recorder, alto & tenor saxophone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Principal Flute, Queens Oratorio Society, Music Director, The OMNI Ensemble, freelance flutist in many NYC area orchestras, substitute flutist on many Broadway shows.

Links:  www.theomniensemble.org, The OMNI Ensemble

Clarinet, Klezmer Ensemble

MICHAEL WINOGRAD

Trumpet

HUGH ASH

Name:  Hugh Ash

From:  Baldwin, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  10

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Albert Einstein

Few people know that I…  also studied anthropology/archaeology in college

Education:  Ithaca College – Bachelor of Music, SUNY Purchase – Master of Trumpet Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  trumpet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  perform with: The Curiosity Cabinet, Ensemble Mise-En

Links:  hughash.com, @ash.hugh

Piano, Trumpet

ROGER LENT

Name:  Roger Lent

From:  Grew up in Houston but have lived in NYC for adult life.

How many years have you been teaching music?  20

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Since 2005

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  In no specific order… J.S. Bach, Charlie Parker, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Frederic Chopin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Erroll Garner, Chick Corea, George Shearing, Arthur Rubinstein, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Wynton Kelly, Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry, Nat King Cole, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Terence Blanchard, Hank Jones, Kenny Kirkland, Victor Feldman, Don Grolnick, Sonny Clark, The Empire Brass, Phil Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Leif Ove Andses, Bud Herseth, Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, gospel music, Donny Hathaway, Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker, my teachers Don Jacoby, Bill Fielder and William Daghlian, the radio in the 1980s, my wife and my son, New York City,  and many more influences too numerous to mention.

Few people know that I…  Haven’t owned a car since 1993.

Education:  University of North Texas – Music, Rutgers University – Music,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano and Trumpet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  The Roger Lent piano trio, The Uptown Brass Quintet

Links:  www.rogerlent.com, Roger Lent Music page, @rogerlentmusic

Trombone, Big Bad Brass

BRIAN DRYE

Name: Brian Drye

From:  Westerly, RI

How many years have you been teaching music?  25

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My family, my peers and Duke Ellington

Few people know that I…  Can play almost any 80’s pop tune

Education:  University of Miami, Bachelor in Studio Music and Jazz

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Trombone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of: Bizingas (My oldest band w/ Ches Smith, Jonathan Goldberger, Kirk Knuffke, Hank Roberts, guest), The Four Bags (Accordion, Trombone, Clarinet and Guitar – what’s not to love?), Trio Love Call (Conga, Cello and Trombone w/ Hank Roberts and Ches Smith), Brian Drye Trio (Jazz !), Gafieira Trio (Brazilian Samba), Knuffke & Drye (Cornet and Trombone Duo), Drye & Drye (Jazz Sextet w/ my dad), The Chicago Band (w/ Stew from Passing Strange), Guest w/ Wicked Knee (w/ Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood), Banda De Los Muertos (Mexican Banda), Roadtrip Band (Nonet w/ Mike McGinnis), Jabberclaw (Trio with Ben Perowsky and Mike McGinnis), Hank Roberts Sextet, Opsvik and Jennings, The Morpholinos (80’s cover band)

Links: www.briandrye.com, https://www.facebook.com/bizingas/, https://twitter.com/dryebone,

French Horn

ERIC DAVIS

Guitar

CHRIS JENTSCH

Name:  Chris Jentsch

From:  Cherry Hill, NJ

How many years have you been teaching music?  25 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  15 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My wife Bernadette Jentsch

Few people know that I…  …used to be a radio DJ.

Education:  Gettysburg College (B.A. History), N.E. Conservatory (B.M. Jazz Studies), Eastman School (M.M. Jazz Studies), University of Miami (D.M.A. Jazz Composition)

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Jentsch Group (Trio, Quartet, No Net, or Large)

Links:  http://www.chrisjentsch.com, https://www.facebook.com/chris.jentsch.7

Guitar, Guitar Friends

TRISTAN MCCOPPIN

Name:  Tristan McCoppin

From:  Melbourne, Australia

How many years have you been teaching music?  18

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  4

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Johann Sebastian Bach, The Beatles, John Scofield, Eric Clapton.

Few people know that I…  Huh?

Education:  Bachelor of music performance.  Victorian College of the Arts,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Guitar.

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Erin Maya band

Links: www.instagram.com/Tristanmccoppin

Bass

HENSY PEREZ

Name: Hensy Perez

From:  Colombia

How many years have you been teaching music?  30

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  20

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Bach

Few people know that I…  compose music

Education:  University of Valle, Bachelor of Education, City College, Masters of Music Theory,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Bass, Piano, Guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Aguanile Na ‘Ma’ – Latin Jazz, Afro Brazilian Music

Links: HensyPerez.com, Aguanile Na’ Ma’

Guitar

MICHELE TEMPLE

Name:  Michele  Temple

From:  Celina Ohio

How many years have you been teaching music?  Since I was twelve in the 70s, but as an adult since the 80s post college matriculation.

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Since 2000, 17 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My dad,

Few people know that I…  am a foster parent, hoping to adopt

Education:  Ashland University in Ohio BA in Music Theory, Cleveland State University MA in Musicology, NA

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  guitar, bass, piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Pere Ubu (band); Big Apple Circus (guitar sub); Urban Iguana Productions (project recording studio)

Links:  Urbaniguana.com

Piano

DOUGLAS BOOTH

Name:  Douglas Booth

From:  Bronx, New York

How many years have you been teaching music?  25

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  12

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Donny Hathaway, Jose Miranda

Few people know that I…  am also a photographer

Education:  Adelphi University B.S. Social Work

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  piano, guitar

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Riffs & Suites vocal ensemble

Links:  www.facebook.com/riffsandsuites

Piano, Chamber Music

MICHAEL BROFMAN

Name:  Mike Brofman

From:  New York City

How many years have you been teaching music?  10

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  8

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Musical: Franz Schubert Other: Barack Obama

Few people know that I…  Am an avid Philosophy reader (Camus is my favorite)

Education:  Northwestern University, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, Chamber Music

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I am the artistic director of the Brooklyn Art Song Society, I work regularly with opera singers from the Metropolitan Opera and perform and teach around the country, including University of Chicago, UC-Davis, and Notre Dame University

Links:  www.brooklynartsongsociety.org, https://www.facebook.com/brooklynartsongsociety/, @brooklynartsong, @brooklynartsongsociety

Piano, Flute

TONY CIMINO

Name:  Tony Leonardo Cimino, DMA

From:  Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  30 yrs

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  21

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Glenn Gould & daVinci

Few people know that I…  am a fine artist, print maker, published poet & photographer

Education:  Hunter College – BA, Hunter College MA, University of Washington, Seattle • Doctorate in Flute Performance

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Classical Flute & Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Duo with Rene Denis. Forming a Quintet ~ Name to be decided. Working on illustrations of composers & performers for a book.

Piano, Chamber Music

RENE DENNIS

Name:  René Dennis

From:  all over the US (Air Force brat)

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  12 years (started at BQ Conservatory in 2003)

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Beethoven

Few people know that I…  worked on an organic vegetable farm for two weeks in Normandy, France

Education:  University of the NC School of the Arts – Bachelor of Music, NYU – Master of the Arts,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  perform with Lake Ruth

Voice, Piano

LYNDOL DESCANT

Name:  Lyndol Descant

From:  Houston, Texas

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  5

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  The Bad Plus, Vincent Van Gogh, Maria from the Sound of Music,

Few people know that I…  also love horses

Education:  Cum Laude Double Major from Texas A&M University, French and International Studies, Post Graduate Studies: 4 years Jazz Piano and Composition, American School of Modern Music,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  The Descant Trio – my own jazz pop project which plays my originals + jazz/pop covers for private events, as well as venues

2 EP’s released under Lyndol Descant – original compositions that I self produced

Currently composing for a variety of projects from film to podcasts

Queens Country Roots – Hard Blues Rock Band that I play keys/backing vocals , Vile Bodies – Psych rock band, I play Synth Keyboard/backing vocals

Those are my current projects, but I’m always expanding

Links:  www.Lyndol.com, https://www.facebook.com/LyndolMusic/, https://twitter.com/lyndoldescant, https://www.instagram.com/lyndoldescant/

Bass, Piano, Piano Friends

SHAYNA DULBERGER

Name:  Shayna Dulberger

From:  Mahopac, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  12 Years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Shinichi Suzuki, Virginia Dixon, Linda McKnight, Gary Karr, Ralph Bowen, Dave Liebman,

Few people know that I…  Lived on a Glacier for 2 months when I was 18.

Education:  Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University BM,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I play Jazz Standards and Old Timey, Rock, Classical, Noise and Experimental Music.

Links: https://www.facebook.com/shayna.dulberger

Piano

LUCY GALLIHER

Name:  Lucy Galliher

From:  Washington, D.C.

How many years have you been teaching music?  28 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  28 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Thelonius Monk

Few people know that I…  Play Jazz in Harlem every week at Chéri Harlem and the Shrine.

Education:  B..A. – Oberlin College, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I teach a Jazz Vocal Workshop at Greenwich House

Links:  LadyLeah.net, Lucy Galliher

Piano

NOAH HAIDU

Voice, Piano

ROSALIE KAPLAN

Name:  Rosalie Kaplan

From:  Virginia

How many years have you been teaching music?  8

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  6

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Goethe

Few people know that I…  How much I love ice cream.

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Voice and piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I co-direct Underwolf Records.

Piano

YOKO KIMURA-YATES

Name:  Yoko Kimura-Yates

From:  Japan

How many years have you been teaching music?  More than 25 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  More than 20 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Any musicians (artists in general) who have their own voices

Few people know that I…  Like to make arts (painting, sculpting, craft, etc.) I also like to grow plants.

Education:  Hokkaido University of Education, Sapporo, Japan, B.A. In Education/ Berkeley College of Music, Boston, MA. B.A. In Music, Summa Cum Laude, Lesley University , Cambridge, MA. Master of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY.  Candidate for the Doctor of Education in Music

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I write music for films, stories, poems, events, etc.

Piano, Trumpet

ROGER LENT

Name:  Roger Lent

From:  Grew up in Houston but have lived in NYC for adult life.

How many years have you been teaching music?  20

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Since 2005

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  In no specific order… J.S. Bach, Charlie Parker, Gustav Mahler, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Frederic Chopin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Erroll Garner, Chick Corea, George Shearing, Arthur Rubinstein, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Wynton Kelly, Oscar Peterson, Clark Terry, Nat King Cole, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Terence Blanchard, Hank Jones, Kenny Kirkland, Victor Feldman, Don Grolnick, Sonny Clark, The Empire Brass, Phil Smith, Wynton Marsalis, Leif Ove Andses, Bud Herseth, Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, gospel music, Donny Hathaway, Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker, my teachers Don Jacoby, Bill Fielder and William Daghlian, the radio in the 1980s, my wife and my son, New York City,  and many more influences too numerous to mention.

Few people know that I…  Haven’t owned a car since 1993.

Education:  University of North Texas – Music, Rutgers University – Music,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano and Trumpet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  The Roger Lent piano trio, The Uptown Brass Quintet

Links:  www.rogerlent.com, Roger Lent Music page, @rogerlentmusic

Piano

DOV MANSKI

Name:  Dov Manski

From:  Bar Harbor, ME

How many years have you been teaching music?  10 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  For me, Duke Ellington’s music provides much inspiration. His compositions and orchestrations are unparalleled, and the sound and rhythm he achieves on the piano are truly unique.

Few people know that I…  was born in Alaska.

Education:  Bachelor in Piano Performance, New England Conservatory, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Currently I am working on a solo record, featuring original compositions for piano, wurlitzer, modular synths, and monophonic synths. I also have a duo project with vocalist Kristin Slipp where we explore jazz standards in new and interesting ways. Our debut album “A Thousand July’s” was released on Sunnyside Records in 2013.

Piano

LYUBOV MIRZOYEV

Name:  Lyubov Mirzoyev

From:  Moscow, Russia

How many years have you been teaching music?  20

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  16

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  my mother

Few people know that I…  am also a singer

Education:  Moscow Music College BM, Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music BA, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I’m an accompanist

Voice, Piano, Piano Friends

LACY ROSE

Name: Lacy Rose

From:  Texas

How many years have you been teaching music?  10 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  since October

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Franz Schubert, John Dowland, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Alfred Deller, Nick Drake, Dylan Thomas, William Blake, Shakespeare, Anne Carson, Joseph Cornell, Gustav Klimt, Leonora Carrington

Few people know that I…  am the goddaughter of astronaut Charles Lacy Veach

Education:  Loyola University Vocal Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, and Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I collaborate frequently with other New York based artists including dancer/choreographer Coco Karol, classical guitarist Colin Fullerton, composer/poet Alaina Ferris, composer John K Stone, and Osso String Quartet. I am currently composing original songs for a Dylan Thomas play entitled The Doctor and The Devils. This New Year’s Eve I will be performing along side Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley for Phantasmagoria at the Brooklyn Bazaar.

Links:  lacyrosemusic.com, facebook.com/lacyrosemusic, @LacyRoseMusic, @lacyrosemusic

Piano

MICHAEL ROSE

Name:  Michael Rose

From:  NYC, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  25+

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  22

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  At the moment, Dai Fujikura and Per Norgard… always Bach and Beethoven, loads of Indian, Korean, and Japanese music, Cecil Taylor, Ockeghem and Monteverdi… the guy who sings Chinese opera renditions of Adele songs on Youtube is pretty fantastic too…

Few people know that I…  

Education:  Oberlin College and Conservatory, BA and BM, NYU, PhD in composition (in progress), NYU, PhD in composition (in progress)

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  piano, along with composition, theory, history

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Brooklyn New Music Collective

Links:  michaelrosecomposer.wordpress.com

Piano

MARTA SANCHEZ

Name:  Marta Sanchez

From:  Spain

How many years have you been teaching music?  12

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  This is my first year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  I love many musicians. Among the piano players, and just to name some, I will say Paul Bley, Thelonious Monk, Jackie Byard, Vladimir Horowitz, Michelangelo, Geri Allen. Other musicians that inspire me deeply are John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Haden, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, and many many others.

Few people know that I…  I also studied to be a film director and I almost became one!

Education:  Conservatory of Madrid. Bachelor in Piano and Composition. Complutense de Madrid Bachelor in Image and Sounds., NYU. Master in Jazz Piano Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I have my own project, Marta Sanchez Quintet. I play as a sideman with the Wing Walker Orquestra, Yuhan-Su Quintet, Jo Wallfish or Oscar Noriega, among others.

Links:  www.martasanchezmusic.com, https://www.facebook.com/martasanchezmusic/, https://twitter.com/martasanchez991?lang=es, https://www.instagram.com/martasanchez8243/

Piano

ZINOVY WEINSTEIN

Drums

PETER DAVENPORT

Name:  Peter Davenport

From:  NYC, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  25

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  5

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Steve Gadd Tony Williams Vinnie Colaiuta.The young people marching in Washington DC

Few people know that I…  play piano and am a composer

Education:  Eastman school of Music BM,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Drums Percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Leads Jazz group Bolide w/ bassist Ed Schuller, pianist Russ Lossing, Chris Bacas and violist Matt Maneri.
Ed Schuller’s group Brooklyn Primal and GM label release Hope for the Best Jan 2017. Co-leads the jazz group Mobscene with world-renowned trumpet player Bill Mobley.

Links:  bolidejazz.com

Drums

KIRK DRISCOLL

Name:  Kirk Driscoll

From:  Baltimore, Maryland

How many years have you been teaching music?  25 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  15 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Any and all that intrigue my interest in wanting to understand what I don’t already know.

Few people know that I…  Was also trained for classical percussion as well.

Education:  Peabody Conservatory. Berkeley College of Music, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Drum Set

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  As a freelance musician there is a vast amount of artists I have the opportunity to perform with as well as leading my own groups that would be best to look at my website for detailed info.

Links:  kirkdriscoll.com

Drums, Jazz Instrumental Lab

MARK JOHNSON

Name:  mark johnson

From:  Milwaukee, WI

How many years have you been teaching music?  13

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  13

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  jazz, classical

Few people know that I…  play tablas

Education:  wisconsin conservatory, blachelor, none

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  drums

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  johnson brothers

Links:  markjohnsondrums, mark johnson

Piano Friends

PATRICIA BRENNAN

Name: Hilda Patricia Brennan

From:  Mexico

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Since Summer 2017

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My family

Few people know that I…  I played soccer in middle school/high school.

Education:  Curtis Institute of Music – Bachelor of Music, New York University – Master in Jazz Performance and Composition,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano and Percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Member of the following ensembles: Grammy nominated The John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble,  Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus which was named rising star big band in the 2017 Downbeat poll,  and Vijay Iyer’s Blind Spot with Teju Cole, a project led by renowned pianist and MacArthur genius grant winner Vijay Iyer along with bassist Linda Oh and writer Teju Cole. I have also collaborated with Vijay Iyer in other projects, including the large ensemble project Open City and several small ensemble performances along with renowned musicians like bassist Reggie Workman and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith. I am also a member of Phalanx Ambassadors, a project led by pianist Matt Mitchell along with guitarist Miles Okazaki, bassist Kim Cass, drum set player Kate Gentile and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi. Also, some of my own projects are ANTENNA, a collective of composers and improvisers and TRIPTYK, a dynamic electroacoustic trio along with percussionist Noel Brennan and violinist/violist Leonor Falcon. I have also done several recordings, including an ECM recording with bassist Michael Formanek Ensemble Kolossus called “The Distance” and Matt Mitchell’s new record “A Pouting Grimace” under Pi Recordings label. Also, I recently recorded a new record with the Grammy nominated John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble which is expected to be released on January 2018 under New Amsterdam Records.

Links:  www.patriciabrennanvibes.com, Patricia Brennan – Patricia Franceschy @patriciabrennanvibes, @pfvibes, patriciabrennan84

Bass, Piano, Piano Friends

SHAYNA DULBERGER

Name:  Shayna Dulberger

From:  Mahopac, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  12 Years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Shinichi Suzuki, Virginia Dixon, Linda McKnight, Gary Karr, Ralph Bowen, Dave Liebman,

Few people know that I…  Lived on a Glacier for 2 months when I was 18.

Education:  Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University BM,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I play Jazz Standards and Old Timey, Rock, Classical, Noise and Experimental Music.

Links: https://www.facebook.com/shayna.dulberger

Voice, Piano, Piano Friends

LACY ROSE

Name: Lacy Rose

From:  Texas

How many years have you been teaching music?  10 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  since October

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Franz Schubert, John Dowland, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Alfred Deller, Nick Drake, Dylan Thomas, William Blake, Shakespeare, Anne Carson, Joseph Cornell, Gustav Klimt, Leonora Carrington

Few people know that I…  am the goddaughter of astronaut Charles Lacy Veach

Education:  Loyola University Vocal Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, and Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I collaborate frequently with other New York based artists including dancer/choreographer Coco Karol, classical guitarist Colin Fullerton, composer/poet Alaina Ferris, composer John K Stone, and Osso String Quartet. I am currently composing original songs for a Dylan Thomas play entitled The Doctor and The Devils. This New Year’s Eve I will be performing along side Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley for Phantasmagoria at the Brooklyn Bazaar.

Links:  lacyrosemusic.com, facebook.com/lacyrosemusic, @LacyRoseMusic, @lacyrosemusic

Drumming Friends, Teen Jazz

NOEL BRENNAN

Name: Noel Brennan

From:  Calais Maine

How many years have you been teaching music?  12

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  First year.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Anindo Chatterjee, Flying Lotus, DJ Qbert, DJ D-Styles, Roy Haynes, Eric Harland

Few people know that I…  Im an Eagle Scout

Education:  University Of Southern Maine: Jazz Performance with concentration in Percussion, New York University: Jazz Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Drums, DJ and Turntablism, Percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I won the 2017 Keep Skratching contest with Swiftstyle, Perform with my wife and fellow Conservatory faculty member Patricia Brennan in Antenna and Tryptik.

Links:  http://www.patriciabrennanvibes.com/projects/, https://www.facebook.com/arktureye/, noel_drums_arktureye

Theory, Guitar Friends

TY CITERMAN

Name:  Ty Citerman

From:  (born/raised) St. Louis, MO

How many years have you been teaching music?  20

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  2

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Ancient nameless music-makers; artists with names, from Meredith Monk to Duke Ellington; Olivier Messiaen to Julia Wolfe; Deerhoof to the Art Ensemble of Chicago; Charlie Christian to Sister Rosetta Tharpe; Hildegard Von Bingen to Fred Frith; Avrom Reyzen to Leslie Marmon Silko; J.S. Bach to John Zorn and Arnold Schoenberg; radical political organizers and thinkers like Angela Davis and Anne Braden; my teachers Chris Rosenberg and Paul Caputo; the night sky, a canoe, my daughters and so so much more…how to stop?

Few people know that I…  …make my own sauerkraut

Education:  Columbia University, BA in psychology, Brooklyn college, MM in music composition, N/A

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Guitar, ukulele

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I co-lead the 19 year-old irreverent chamber jazz group Gutbucket, which has released 6 CDs/LPs on Cuneiform Records, Cantaloupe Music, Enja, NRW, Knitting Factory Works and our own imprint Gut Records; the group has toured in more than 20 countries and 30+ of the US states. I lead the avant-Jewish, Tzadik Records recording quartet Bop Kabbalah, with a debut CD out in 2014. I also play guitar in Dana Lyn’s Mother Octopus, versions of James Ilgenfritz’s Anagram Ensemble, Jon Madof’s improvising quintet and am a frequent guitarist and composer with Anti-Social Music (ASM). I am an accompanist and song leader in several NYC-area synagogues, including Kolot Chayeinu and CBST, where I work with wonderful cantors and sometimes play with jazz luminaries like Marty Ehrlich and Shoko Nagai, who moonlight in that world.

Links:  www.tyciterman.com, www.gutweb.com, www.facebook.com/tyciterman, www.facebook.com/gutbucketnyc, @tyciterman, @tyciterman

Guitar, Guitar Friends

TRISTAN MCCOPPIN

Name:  Tristan McCoppin

From:  Melbourne, Australia

How many years have you been teaching music?  18

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  4

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Johann Sebastian Bach, The Beatles, John Scofield, Eric Clapton.

Few people know that I…  Huh?

Education:  Bachelor of music performance.  Victorian College of the Arts,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Guitar.

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Erin Maya band

Links: www.instagram.com/Tristanmccoppin

La Petite Musique

EMILIE LESBROS

Name: Emilie Lesbros

From:  France

How many years have you been teaching music?  4 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  jazz and all new music

Few people know that I…  Billie Holiday, Aphex twin, Bjork, Barre Phillips

Education: Conservatory in Paris in jazz and classical music as a vocalist,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Barre Phillips, Miss Elie, Darius Jones, Ingrid Laubrock, Boots Riley, Matt Mitchell, Chess Smith

Links:  www.emilielesbros.com, https://www.facebook.com/misselie.band, https://www.instagram.com/miss_elie_/

Stomp & Shout

MARY JO MCBRIDE

Name: Mary Jo McBride

From:  Doylestown, Pa

How many years have you been teaching music?  5

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  7 months

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Tori Amos

Few people know that I…  Have synesthesia

Education:  The Hartt School BFA Musical Theatre

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I wrote and produced a solo show called Born MYdentity,  I perform for children around the city with Stomp and Shout,  I also present drama workshops on drug and alcohol abuse prevention in middle and high schools with a non-profit theatre company called Improbable Players.

Links: BornMYdentity, @therealmaryjo, @therealmaryjo

Music Theater Friends & Workshop, Instrument Explorers

HEATHER CURRAN

Name: Heather Curran

From:  Bonita Springs, Florida

How many years have you been teaching music?  7

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Six months

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  William Wade

Few people know that I…  Once took a stand-up comedy class, and it was terrifying

Education:  University of South Florida, BA Theater Performance, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Voice

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I teach Sing for Parkinson’s Disease through Mark Morris Dance Center, perform and work with Gallery Players in Brooklyn, teach and perform with Broadway’s Babies, and am collaborating on a music improv/sketch comedy project with other artists from Magnet Theater.

Links:  Heathercurran.net

Bluegrass Jam Workshop

MICHAEL DONOVAN

Instrument Explorers

RYAN MCCURDY

Name: Ryan McCurdy

From:  Savannah, GA

How many years have you been teaching music?  11

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  4

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Leonard Bernstein

Few people know that I…  Consult on theatrical installations for museums.

Education:  SCAD, BFA Performing Arts, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Play: Piano, guitar, drums, bass, banjo, ukulele, accordion, theremin, mandolin, dulcimer. Teach piano, guitar, drums, bass, voice, and theater.

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Indie-rock band Bonfire Falls.

Links:  http://realryanmccurdy.com, realryanmccurdy, realryanmccurdy, realryanmccurdy

BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY CHORALE DIRECTOR

NELLY VUKSIC

I was born in Argentina and I have been “in music all my life”. I came to USA as a graduate student to Ball State University, Indiana, worked in Western Michigan University, the Tolima Conservatory (Colombia) and several schools in NY including Friends Seminary; also I collaborated with many musical organizations like The American Composers Orchestra, the New York Choral Society, American Choral Directors Association and the Americas Society. With the Americas Vocal Ensemble, a professional chamber group that I founded, I developed a unique repertory and premiered a big number of works by composers of the Americas.
I was the director of several choruses in Argentina, Colombia and New York, among them the UN Singers which I led on numerous international tours. I have been also a guest conductor for the Summer Sings of various choral groups of NY including The Big Sing at Saint John the Divine last year.
Among some of other music related activities I have done, I can mention conducting workshops on Latin American Music and on Music Education in Queens College, Friends Seminary, Pro-Musica Rosario (Argentina) and Ministerio de Cultura de Huelva (Spain), serving as a grant panelist for the NY Department of Cultural Affairs, Meet the Composer, North South Consonance and Americas Society and I have recorded Music of the Americas for Opus One, New Port Classics, Premier, and 4Tay Records.

Trombone, Big Bad Brass

BRIAN DRYE

Name: Brian Drye

From:  Westerly, RI

How many years have you been teaching music?  25

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My family, my peers and Duke Ellington

Few people know that I…  Can play almost any 80’s pop tune

Education:  University of Miami, Bachelor in Studio Music and Jazz

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Trombone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of: Bizingas (My oldest band w/ Ches Smith, Jonathan Goldberger, Kirk Knuffke, Hank Roberts, guest), The Four Bags (Accordion, Trombone, Clarinet and Guitar – what’s not to love?), Trio Love Call (Conga, Cello and Trombone w/ Hank Roberts and Ches Smith), Brian Drye Trio (Jazz !), Gafieira Trio (Brazilian Samba), Knuffke & Drye (Cornet and Trombone Duo), Drye & Drye (Jazz Sextet w/ my dad), The Chicago Band (w/ Stew from Passing Strange), Guest w/ Wicked Knee (w/ Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood), Banda De Los Muertos (Mexican Banda), Roadtrip Band (Nonet w/ Mike McGinnis), Jabberclaw (Trio with Ben Perowsky and Mike McGinnis), Hank Roberts Sextet, Opsvik and Jennings, The Morpholinos (80’s cover band)

Links: www.briandrye.com, https://www.facebook.com/bizingas/, https://twitter.com/dryebone,

Voice, Jazz Vocal Workshop

OLIVIA FOSCHI

Name: Olivia Foschi

From:  Italy (born in California)

How many years have you been teaching music?  7

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  this is my first year

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Chet Baker, Carmen McRae, Gil Goldstein, Thelonius Monk

Few people know that I…  Study Konnakkol (Indian vocal percussion), raise oysters and am the mother of two-year-old twin boys

Education:  John Cabot University, BA English Lit (Cum Laude), Universita’ della Musica (Rome, Italy), Music Academy 2000 (Bologna, Italy),

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Voice (also play basic piano and guitar)

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I am currently recording my second record with Ulysses Owens, Gil Goldstein and Alex Sipiagin, which is due for release in the spring. Although my career was stalled by the birth of my sons, I perform with a variety of different jazz combos and have been recording with Brazilian guitarist Sergio Pereira and Italian electronic dub group called Natural Dub Cluster.

Links:  www.oliviafoschi.com, www.facebook.com/olivia.foschi ; www.facebook.com/OliviaFoschiMusic/, , https://www.instagram.com/oliviafoschi/

Drums, Jazz Instrumental Lab

MARK JOHNSON

Name:  mark johnson

From:  Milwaukee, WI

How many years have you been teaching music?  13

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  13

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  jazz, classical

Few people know that I…  play tablas

Education:  wisconsin conservatory, blachelor, none

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  drums

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  johnson brothers

Links:  markjohnsondrums, mark johnson

Clarinet, Klezmer Ensemble

MICHAEL WINOGRAD

Drumming Friends, Teen Jazz

NOEL BRENNAN

Name: Noel Brennan

From:  Calais Maine

How many years have you been teaching music?  12

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  First year.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Anindo Chatterjee, Flying Lotus, DJ Qbert, DJ D-Styles, Roy Haynes, Eric Harland

Few people know that I…  Im an Eagle Scout

Education:  University Of Southern Maine: Jazz Performance with concentration in Percussion, New York University: Jazz Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Drums, DJ and Turntablism, Percussion

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I won the 2017 Keep Skratching contest with Swiftstyle, Perform with my wife and fellow Conservatory faculty member Patricia Brennan in Antenna and Tryptik.

Links:  http://www.patriciabrennanvibes.com/projects/, https://www.facebook.com/arktureye/, noel_drums_arktureye

Teen Jazz

MIKE MCGINNIS

Name: Mike McGinnis

From:  Sanford, ME

How many years have you been teaching music?  26

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  On and Off for 15 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Too many to list.

Few people know that I…  am an amateur NYC historian.

Education:  University of Southern Maine – Bachelor of Music, Eastman School of Music,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  saxophone, clarinet, improvisation, composition, counterpoint, arranging

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Hanks Roberts Sextet, Stew, Davalois Fearon Dance, Dana Lyn’s Mother Octopus,

Links:  www.mikemcginnis.com, https://www.facebook.com/mikemcginnismusic/, https://twitter.com/mcginnismusic, https://www.instagram.com/mcgmusic/

Teen Jazz

SEAN MORAN

Name: Sean Moran

From:  Brooklyn

How many years have you been teaching music?  25 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  18 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  duke ellington

Few people know that I…  play in a metal band!

Education:  VCU bachelors degree, NYU masters program,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  guitar/bass/composition/theory

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of: 

The Four Bags, my own trio called SUN TIGER

Links:  sean-moran.com, https://www.facebook.com/sean.moran.7186

Jazz Explorers

LESLEY MOK

Jazz Explorers

JEONGLIM YANG

Piano, Chamber Music

MICHAEL BROFMAN

Name:  Mike Brofman

From:  New York City

How many years have you been teaching music?  10

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  8

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Musical: Franz Schubert Other: Barack Obama

Few people know that I…  Am an avid Philosophy reader (Camus is my favorite)

Education:  Northwestern University, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, Chamber Music

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I am the artistic director of the Brooklyn Art Song Society, I work regularly with opera singers from the Metropolitan Opera and perform and teach around the country, including University of Chicago, UC-Davis, and Notre Dame University

Links:  www.brooklynartsongsociety.org, https://www.facebook.com/brooklynartsongsociety/, @brooklynartsong, @brooklynartsongsociety

Chamber Music

TOM CHIU

Piano, Chamber Music

RENE DENNIS

Name:  René Dennis

From:  all over the US (Air Force brat)

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  12 years (started at BQ Conservatory in 2003)

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Beethoven

Few people know that I…  worked on an organic vegetable farm for two weeks in Normandy, France

Education:  University of the NC School of the Arts – Bachelor of Music, NYU – Master of the Arts,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  perform with Lake Ruth

Flute, Chamber Music

DAVID WECHSLER

Name:  David Wechsler

From:  Brooklyn, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  fortyfive

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  thirtyseven

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Karl Kraber, Julius Baker, Michael Brecker, Johannes Brahms, Thelonius Monk

Few people know that I…  I sing, play alto and tenor saxophones, and in addition to having made a living as a professional classical flute player, I play many styles of music, including jazz, rock, and electronic music.

Education:  Brooklyn College, Bachelor of Science in music (BS), SUNY Stony Brook, Master of Music (MM), CUNY Graduate Center , Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  All flutes, recorder, alto & tenor saxophone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Principal Flute, Queens Oratorio Society, Music Director, The OMNI Ensemble, freelance flutist in many NYC area orchestras, substitute flutist on many Broadway shows.

Links:  www.theomniensemble.org, The OMNI Ensemble

Chamber Music

PETER WEITZNER

Name:Peter Weitzner

From:Brooklyn

How many years have you been teaching music? 40

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory? 3

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise? Johann Sebastian Bach

Few people know that I… know too much about computers

Education: The Juilliard School B.A., The Juilliard School M.M.,

Instrument(s) you play and teach: Double Bass, Chamber Music

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of: Principal Bass, Stamford Symphony; Berkshire Bach Society; Curator and Host of BPL Chamber Players at the Central Branch of the Bklyn Pub Library. Frequent contributor of recordings to Performance Today.