Music Partners

BRIAN ADLER

Name:  Brian Shankar Adler

From:  Upstate, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  16

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  One year, plus some subbing

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Buckminster Fuller, Messiaen, David Lynch, Jaron Lanier, and one of my teachers, Dave Ratajczak

Few people know that I…  am part Argentine, Eastern European and South Asian

Education:  New England Conservatory, bachelors of music – jazz performance, ,

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

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I lead several projects: (Shankar) an ensemble that plays surreal, meditative chamber-jazz, Hermeto Vive! which plays the music of Hermeto Pascoal, and a new world drumming project where everyone improvises to conducted signs. I also play in Bombay Rickey and Bash the Trash and several other groups.

Links:  www.brianadler.com, www.facebook.com/brianshankaradler, @Brianadlerdrums, brianshankaradler

Music Partners

JENNIFER BAKER

Name: Jen Baker

From:  Jonesville, Michigan

How many years have you been teaching music?  20

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  nature

Few people know that I…  am left-handed

Education:  Oberlin Conservatory, B.M., Mills College, M.F.A.,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium, and other brass

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Jen Baker is a proponent of classical contemporary and improvised music. Baker is featured on the soundtrack to Werner Herzog’s Oscar-nominated Encounters at the End of the World, appeared on Good Morning America, and is on numerous recordings playing with Nate Wooley, Damon Smith, The Mountain Goats, Asphalt Orchestra, Flexible Orchestra, on record labels including New World, Innova, New Amsterdam, Cantaloupe, and her own label, Dilapidated Barns. She has toured with new music ensembles SEM, Tilt Brass, the mobile ensemble Asphalt Orchestra (founding member), with experimental theatre company Bananabag and Bodice (Beowulf), and various world music pop stars such as Arijit Singh (Bollywood).

Links:  jenbakersounds.com

Music Partners

DAVID BERTRAND

Name:  David Bertrand

From:  Trinidad & Tobago

How many years have you been teaching music?  Six

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Three +

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Cannonball Adderly, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Kent Jordan, Mark Turner, Chris Bacas, John Ellis, Claudio Puntin, Chick Corea, Anita Baker, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, MF Doom, The Mighty Shadow, Valentino, The Apostle Paul, Derek Walcott, V.S. Naipaul and the list forever grows….

Few people know that I…  Love to cook Afro Trinidadian food for large groups people (last time it was 45!!!) and that I started exercising as a teenage because I wanted to be Wolverine.

Education:  The University of the West Indies, B.A. in Literatures in English, Aaron Copland School of Music, M.A. in Jazz Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Flute, Alto flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet and soprano saxophone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I’m extremely grateful to play in a number of jazz and world music groups that focus on original compositions. This includes my own quartet where my writing focuses on integrating folkloric elements with modern Brooklyn-inspired jazz.

Links:  http://www.davidbertrandmusic.com/, https://www.facebook.com/davidbertrandmusic/?ref=hl, @trinijazzeeyore, @trinijazzeeyore

Music Partners

SUSSANA BROCK

Name: Susanna Brock

From:  Sweden

How many years have you been teaching music?  7 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  3,5 years

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  People who follow their dreams and step out of their comfort zone.

Few people know that I…  Love balloons!

Education:  The City College of the City University of New York. BFA in Jazz Vocal Studies., The CUNY School of Professional Studies. MA in Applied Theater,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Early Childhood Music and Movement

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I make and perform theater for the very young with Brooklyn based Spellbound Theatre.

Music Partners

SOO CHOI

Name: Soo Choi

From:  Seoul, Korea

How many years have you been teaching music?  20 yrs

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  1 1/2 yrs

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

Few people know that I…  Like Christmas music all yr round.

Education:  The Juilliard School BM, The Juilliard School MM,

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:  New Haven Symphony Orchestra

Music Partners

TAHIRA CLAYTON

Music Partners

AMOS GABIA

Name:  Amos Kwaku Gabia

From:  Ghana

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Mamady Keita, Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Babara Bangoura,

Few people know that I…  have done shows where I eat fire and perform other tricks with fire.

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  djembe, dun dun, and other instruments from West Africa

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Salaka Dance Ensemble, African Beat,Telema Ensemble, Drum Cafe, Wasa Pan Africa Orchestra, Riclis Multicultural Entertainment, Akwaba Ensemble.

Links: Ekome Femo African Drumming,

Music Partners

MICHEL GENTILE

Name: Michel Gentile

From:  Montreal, Canada

How many years have you been teaching music?  34

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  19

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Klee, Ligeti, Trane, Messi, Bach, Mompou, etc.

Few people know that I…  I enjoy birding

Education:  Concordia- BFA, New England Conservatory-MM,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Flute, recorder

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I run the nonprofit Connection Works and I am part of several groups

Links:  Connectionworks.org

Music Partners

BOB GOLDBERG

Name: Bob Goldberg

From:  Manhattan by birth, Brooklyn by choice

How many years have you been teaching music?  12

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

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

Few people know that I…  Wrote songs for an obscure Disney series.

Education:  Sarah Lawrence College, BA, Brooklyn College, MA in Music Education; Advanced Certificate in Music Education,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Play: Piano, Accordion, Ukulele, Recorder, Percussion, Electronics; Teach: Early Childhood Music and Movement; Composer/Arranger/Collaborative Artist

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Famous Accordion Orchestra; Washboard Jungle; Le Nozze di Carlo; BAN Radio “Orchestra” and Chorus; The Corner Store Dance Company.

ANDREW HARTMAN

Name: Andrew Hartman

From:  Cincinnati, OH

How many years have you been teaching music?  15

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Beethoven, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Jim Hall

Few people know that I…  love cheesecake

Education:  The Ohio State University, Jazz Studies

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:  I write and perform original music with the Andrew Hartman Quartet, and freelance as a jazz guitarist with a variety of musicians

Links:  www.ajhmusic.com, www.facebook.com/ajhmusic

Music Partners

JENNY HILL

Name: Jenny Hill

From:  Originally, California. Now, Brooklyn, NY.

How many years have you been teaching music?  over 30

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  14 (?)

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Djavan, Moacir Santos, Barack Obama

Few people know that I…  am in a popular reggae band that tours internationally, the Easy Star All-Stars

Education:  Berklee College of Music; Diploma, jazz performance, NA, NA

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  saxophone, clarinet, flute, jazz band

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  My original band, Liquid Horn. The Broken Reed Sax Quartet. The Easy Star All-Stars. My new latin-jazz CD, with original compositions: Groove Garden.

Links:  www.JennyHillJazz.com, https://www.facebook.com/jenny.hill.96

Music Partners

SARA HOLTZSCHUE

Name: Sara Holtzschue

From:  New York

How many years have you been teaching music?  30

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Nina Simone

Few people know that I…  love jellyfish

Education:  Barnard College, Columbia University, A.B. in Music, New England Conservatory, M.M. in Jazz Composition,

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

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

Links:  www.sarasong.com

Music Partners

OCHION JEWELL

Name: Ochion Jewell

From:  Kentucky/California/Brooklyn

How many years have you been teaching music?  Around 15

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Arvo Part, Nicola Tesla, Daniel Day Lewis, Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, Pablo Picasso, Michael Jordan, Slavoj Zizek, Jimi Hendrix

Few people know that I…  am an obsessed college basketball fanatic.

Education:  University of Louisville – Bachelor of Music Performance, California Institute of the Arts – Masters of Fine Arts (jazz studies),

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Tenor Saxophone – I teach all woodwinds

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Ochion Jewell Quartet, Bedstuy Ewe Ensemble, Bohio Music, duo with Cat Toren

Links:  www.ochion.com, https://www.facebook.com/ochion.jewell, , @ochionjewell

Music Partners

JIYEA KANG

Name: Jiyea Kang

From:  Korea

How many years have you been teaching music?  9

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Sarah Chang

Few people know that I…  Humorous

Education:  Violin performance, Music Education,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Violin, viola, piano, recorder

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

Music Partners

ARETI KARKANIA

Name:  Areti Karkania

From:  Athens, Greece

How many years have you been teaching music?  I’ve been teaching for 6 years.

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  I’ve been teaching for 3 years.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  My students are my biggest inspiration.

Few people know that I…  love stand up comedy!

Education:  Piano Performance and Music Theory at the Greek Conservatory of Athens., Music Education at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago, IL.,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  I teach Orff Schulwerk and Piano.

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I’m not part of an ensemble at the moment.

Music Partners

WILLIAM LANG

Name: William Lang

From:  Long Island

How many years have you been teaching music?  I’ve been teaching for 15 years.

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  I’ve been teaching at the Conservatory for four years.

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Some of my inspirations are Bjork, Christian Lindberg, George Lewis, and Iannis Xenakis

Few people know that I…  only keep a few secrets.

Education:  SUNY Fredonia – Bachelors in Music Performance, Manhattan School of Music – Masters in Contemporary Performance Practice,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  All brass, primarily trombone

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I perform with a variety of chamber ensembles, including as a founding member of loadbang, a unique instrumentation of Baritonie Voice, Bass Clarinet, Trumpet, and Trombone, as well as the Guidonian Hand, a boundry breaking trombone quartet. In addition, I am a member of the SEM Ensemble, TILT Brass, Occasional Noise, and the Brooklyn Brass Quintet.

Links:  www.williamlang.org, www.loadbang.com, @WillLangtbone, @williamkeatslang

Music Partners

ALISON MARI

Name: Alison Mari

From:  Philadelphia, PA

How many years have you been teaching music?  7 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Albrecht Mayer (my favorite oboist), Mr. Kevin Rodgers (my h.s. band director), and Nature!

Few people know that I…  can juggle!

Education:  Bachelor’s in Music Education from The College of New Jersey, Masters in Music Performance from New York University,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Oboe, English horn, Flute, Saxophones, Clarinet

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I am an active multi-woodwind freelancer in NY and the surrounding areas, and love playing any and all types of music. I’ve been principal oboist with the BCCO for the last 4 years, and am a member of the indie rock band “Kurt Juergens and His Fellow Americans,” playing oboe, alto sax and singing harmonies. In addition, I play with the First Street woodwind quintet, which puts on an annual performance of quintet music and invites guests to prepare short performances to incorporate as part of the program.

Links:  alisonmarioboe.weebly.com/, http://thebroadestblue.com/

PABLO MASIS

Name: Pablo Masis

From:  Cleveland, Ohio

How many years have you been teaching music?  15 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  The music of Miles Davis inspired me to pursue a life of jazz study.

Few people know that I…  Spent four years of my childhood living on a Native American Reservation

Education:  Lawrence University, Bachelor of Music Performance (Trumpet), University of New Orleans, Master of Music (Jazz Studies),

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:  My jazz trio is main ensemble, and I also perform with several large jazz ensembles and chamber music groups around the New York City area.

Links:  pablomasis.net, facebook.com/pablomasismusic, @pmasis, @pmasis

Music Partners

NADINE MIKULEWICH

Name: Nadine Grisar Mikulewich

From:Brooklyn

How many years have you been teaching music? 20 plus years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise? female song writers and vocalists, ie. Bonnie Raitt

Few people know that I… I was a founder and member of a children’s theatre dance company

Education: SUC at Brockport-BA in interdisciplinary arts for children with a dance emphasis, NYU-MA in Dance Education,

Instrument(s) you play and teach: I play djembe, guitar and ukele.  I don’t teach

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of: I am a member of the Brooklyn Community Storytellers. I sing with the Jalopy Chorus.

Music Partners

ROSE MOSKOWITZ

Name: Rose Moskowitz

From:  Born in Cuba, bred in Brooklyn

How many years have you been teaching music?  Over 40 years

How many years have you been teaching at the Conservatory?  Over 40 years!

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

Few people know that I…  Love languages

Education:  Brooklyn College B Mus, Manhattan School of Music M Mus,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Piano, organ, viola

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Currently- Amuse Singers and Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra

Music Partners

QUINSIN NACHOFF

Name: Quinsin Nachoff

From:  Brooklyn (originally Toronto, Canada)

How many years have you been teaching music?  More than 20 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Bach, Bartok, Coltrane, Moog, Buchla, Xenakis, Charlie Parker, Cage, Stravinsky, Ligeti, Monk, Tom Waits, Garcia Marquez, Ivo Papasov, Einstein, Hawking, Rothko, van Gogh, etc., etc., etc.

Few people know that I…  am not horrible at cooking a meal.

Education:  University of Toronto – Bachelor of Music Performance with Honours, University of Toronto – Master of Music Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Saxophone and clarinet; composition, flute, recorder

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Lead a variety of my own groups (Flux, Ethereal Trio, Pyramid Project, etc.); compose commissions for other ensembles (Turning Point Ensemble, Penderecki String Quartet, Greg Runions Big Band, Toronto Jazz Orchestra, etc.); and work as a sideman with various ensembles in NYC

Links:  www.quinsin.com, https://www.facebook.com/quinsin2/, @quinsin,

Music Partners

UTON ONYEJEKWE

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JEREMY POWELL

Name: Jeremy Powell

From:  Largo, Florida

How many years have you been teaching music?  12 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, J.S. Bach, Radiohead, Bibio, Toninho Horta, Guinga, J. Dilla, Robert Glasper, as well as people who are always truthful, ego-less, and treat others equally with respect and dignity.

Few people know that I…  Have never taken a selfie 🙂

Education:  Jazz Performance, Jazz Composition,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Saxophones, Clarinet, Flute, Piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  In NYC I can be seen playing with Arturo O’Farill’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Iris Ornig, Adderesound, Grupo Rebolu, Pedro Giraudo, Dan Pugach Nonet, Banda Nueva York, and numerous Big Bands.

Links:  http://jeremy-powell.com/, https://www.facebook.com/JeremyPowellSaxophonist/, @auterkeia, @auterkeia

Music Partners

ALICIA RAU

Name:  Alicia Rau

From:  New York, NY (since 2001); Originally Shelby, Iowa

How many years have you been teaching music?  23 years, I started giving trumpet lessons to younger band kids even as a high school band student

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  There are so many! To name a few: Clark Terry, Duke Ellington, Blue Mitchell, Chet Baker, Marcus McLaurine, & Christian Scott. Also my own hard-working parents, my artistic family, colleagues which I learn from endlessly, and athletes with which I train (cycling).

Few people know that I…  am the youngest of six girls, all artistic. Not everyone knows I am also a long-distance cyclist and volunteer coach.

Education:  University of Iowa, double major in Music & Anthropology, ,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  trumpet and piano (I also sing and play percussion, but do not teach these)

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I lead my own jazz quartet, aRAUz. I perform with Gordon Gano (of the Violent Femmes), Denis Leary Rehab Horns, Paris New York, the Bogmen, Mission Dance,  Booga Sugar, From Russia with Swing, and Jack Jeffers & the New York Classics.

Links:  www.aliciarau.com, Trumpet Chick Alicia Rau, Trumpet Chick Alicia Rau

Music Partners

ELI SPINDEL

Name: Eli Spindel

From:  Originally from Newton, Massachusetts

How many years have you been teaching music?  7 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  I’m inspired by whichever musicians I’m working with at the moment!

Few people know that I…  Fight crime by night

Education:  Vassar College, BA in Music with honors,

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:  Artistic director of the String Orchestra of Brooklyn

Links: www.thesob.org, /stringorchestraofbrooklyn, @thesobWOW, /stringorchestraofbrooklyn

Music Partners

BRIAN THOMPSON

Name:  Brian Thompson

From:  Binghamton, NY

How many years have you been teaching music?  10 years

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  the natural world

Few people know that I…  I am also a visual artist, i.e. pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

Education:  Cornell University, BS in Ecology, Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College, MM in Viola Performance,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  violin, viola, piano

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  Freelance member of a wide variety of ensembles including The Chelsea Symphony, The String Orchestra of Brooklyn, Spectrum Symphony, Symphony of Westchester, Composers Concordance, Symphony Orchestra of The Americas, Ideal Ensembles, The Dream Unfinished, New York Concert Artists, Eco-Music Big Band, Concordia College Ensembles, Adelphi University Symphony, Empire City Men’s Chorus, Garden State Philharmonic, Empire Chamber Orchestra, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Astoria Symphony, National Yiddish Theater…

Links:  , Brian L. Thompson, blesliethompson, breukelenbrian

Music Partners

ALEXANDRA VASALLO

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JAY VILNAI

Name: Jay Vilnai

From:  Jerusalem

How many years have you been teaching music?  15

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

Who’s your inspiration, musical or otherwise?  Oh, dear….. In music the gamut runs from Brahms to Bartok to Bowie. Otherwise, writers such as Shakespeare, Rilke and Lydia Davis are constantly on my mind as I go through my day.

Few people know that I…  Also teach language, and use many of the same techniques as I do in music.

Education:  The New School – BFA in Jazz Performance, Brooklyn College – MM in Composition,

Instrument(s) you play and teach:  Guitar, composition, theory

Tell us about any ensembles you perform with or other artistic/musical endeavors that you’re a part of:  I mostly write music for other performers nowadays

Links:  www.vilnaismusic.com

Music Partners

JOHN YAO